I am a Type 2 that recently joined the world of pumping. I've had my Ping for about 2 weeks, and I've been having an ongoing leakage issue. I currently use Inset (straight, teflon, 9mm) infusion sets.
My TDD is 160 units so there are times when I have to bolus up to 30 units although I try to avoid this by watching carbs carefully. I have found that if I try to bolus more than 10 units at once that I get some "tunneling" or leakage back to the surface. I have tried 4 different sites with 4 different infusion sets and always have the same issue. I have also tried giving this as a combo/dual wave and stretching 20 units out over an hour, but I end up with the same problem eventually during the bolus cycle.
I love the control that the pump gives me, but I must admit that this problem is really frustrating. I left MDI because I was very tired of 8 injections or so per day. I haven't been using the sites in particularly skinny areas as I have plenty of spots with some "extra padding" to choose from. I haven't experienced any bent cannulas or other issues that suggest a set or site problem.
Animas is sending me a few different sets to try, but I was hoping some of you might have some advice.
Do you have the pump set to the slow speed for bolus? Set your pump to deliver a extended bolus.
If you have only had the Ping for two weeks send it back and get a MM723 it will deliver a large bolus at a slower rate than a Ping plus it holds 290u....JMHO
I don't know where I read it (maybe this site? it was awhile ago), but someone said that the MM was better for people who require really large boluses. I second johnG's recommendation to get the MM. It will hold 30 units. Are you refilling your Ping every day? Those things only hold 200 units, right?
Although the issue of how much insulin you use daily and how much insulin the pump holds would favor Medtronic I do not think the suggestion that a MM pump would help with your absorption problems is correct.
I have also tried giving this as a combo/dual wave and stretching 20 units out over an hour, but I end up with the same problem eventually during the bolus cycle.
No MM bolus will take longer than I believe it is 15 minutes unless you program in an extended bolus. It may even be faster than that. So if an extended bolus for 1 hour when wearing the Ping caused absorption issues I would guess you would see the same problem using a MM. I think the only thing to try in this instance is exactly what you are trying: Switch infusion sets and areas you are putting them in. If you have an endo's office who will let you borrow a MM pump you might try and see?
