Ok, I just started pumping two months ago after 22 years of MDI. So far, I know that 18" tubing is best for me. I started with the 23" tubing and it drove me crazy. I got snagged on everything and perpetually had tubing hanging out.
However, Medtronic quick sets only come in 6mm cannula with the 18" tubing. I’m getting miserable absorption with the 6mm.
I’m tempted to try the sure t sets. Everyone who uses them seems to rave about them. The idea of a needle doesn’t bother me any. My question is, the 18" tubing only comes in the shortest needle length. Think I’ll still get decent absorption with it? I’m chubby enough that the 6mm cannula isn’t long enough for for me. I’d hate to try something else if there’s a decent chance that it won’t work well.
Any input or insight would be highly appreciated! I’m hating the long 23" tubing, but the shorter cannula is not working for me at all either. I’m stuck with Medtronic because I have united healthcare, so suggestions for omnipods will fall on deaf ears.
I don’t use Medtronic, but I do use the Contact Detach sets, which I’m pretty sure are the same as the Sure T. I use the 6 mm needle. I find the 8 mm needle often hurts or seems to poke me, and I’m not thin, so I’m not sure what the issue is because I doubt it’s hitting muscle.
My suggestion is ask for samples. I just went through this about 6 months ago and my pump trainer gave me a couple different samples, metal, Teflon, angled ones to see what worked best for me. You could probably call the different companies that make the different infusion sets for a sample.
I’ve been pumping for about 26 years and have used a few different kinds. But I am back to the metal ones due to occuslion alarms more often with my new t:slim. And unlike yourself, I use the 42" tubing because I have found when I do get caught on a handle or door knob, I have time to stop before it pulls out. But everyone has their preferences. Good luck getting samples. Infusion sets will make or break your pumping experience.
I like @Sally7’s suggestion to get samples. I would start by calling Medtronic for samples. This is a common request and it makes sense that you can try the set out to see if it’s worth buying a whole box.
Tube length is definitely personal preference. I spent 29 years using the long 43 inch tubing. I’m now using some 23 inch sets that I find very awkward getting dressed and using the restroom. To each his own.
When I tried the Sure-T equivalent that @Jen wrote about, called Contact Detach, I made the same conclusion as Jen. The 8mm hurt and the 6mm was comfortable. That’s also a personal preference conclusion that you can’t make unless you try them. Good luck. I think it’s good to switch things up from time to time.
Alright, I was just worried that the shorter needle might not be long enough for me to get good absorption.
And as for longer tubing… I’ve gotten in the habit of holding my pump in my hand already when I change, etc, because the clip sucks so bad. And I wear scrubs at work, so it’s almost impossible to get it to clip tightly to anything and I’m constantly moving–if I’m going to have the pancreatic pendulum of pain, I’d rather it be 18" swinging than anything longer!
I also had the fun experience of a patient of mine thinking that my tubing was a loose thread on my scrubs, grabbing, and pulling, HARD. The string of cusses that followed were pretty funny to have to explain to my boss, but my poor patient felt terrible. Still makes me chuckle, even though it was NOT funny at the time!
I just disconnect my pump when I change. I kept it connected for the first day, and then realized that it was way easier to just disconnect for the few minutes it took to change and then reconnect when I was done. I do prefer the longer tubing, though.
You know, I just thought about it, and even if I do go for the 8mm with 23" tubing, as long as I’m smart about where I put the “anchor,” I shouldn’t have issues with the tubing. You know, set the anchor to a spot that shortens the tubing…
Unlike many others, I hated the Contact Detach (Sure-T) sets. Even using the 6 ml cannula, I found them to be quite painful. I was amazed at how long the needle was.
I may have had a defective box of sets, but found that the adhesive on the anchor piece worked great, but the adhesive on the actually insertion piece was not strong enough and I had to use tape.
I used one box of ten sets and would say that at least 50% were uncomfortable. I am thin but not outrageously so. But having pumped for over 12 years, I have never found a 90 degree set that was reliable and painfree for me. I always go back to manually inserted Comfort Shorts (Silhouettes).
I’m new to the Silhouette’s manual insertion angled sets. I’ve only used about five so far but their reliability has been 100%. I’ve not had a hint of third-day-fade. In fact i’ve pushed two of the sets to four days without ill-effect even though I know better. I bought the Med-T Sil-Serter to enable me to insert blindly on my back while getting the angle right. It works well.
When I first got my 530g pump, I got Quick-sets that were too short (23-inch) and I complained right away. I asked them to send me samples of 32 and 43-inch sets. 32-inch: cool, 43— made me hate doorknobs even more. If that’s even possible.
