Hopefully I won’t get everyone on their high horses about which is better. But I have been pumping for around 25 years. Two different companies over that time span and four pumps in that same 25 years.
In the beginning I used metal as I think that is all we had back than. Then Teflon came out and that is what I have been using since.
I have lost about 20 pounds over the last 1 1/2 years and have started having some real issue with infusion set. I currently use the Medtronic Quick-set 9 mm lure lock. I did switch to 6 mm thinking shorter is better with weight loss. Still having problems with kinks/occuslion alarms. So talked with pump trainer and she gave me sample of contact detach 8 mm. I put it in my leg and it has stayed put with some help with tape, but it is working.
My question is are there other metal infusion set out there that are luer lock and will work with Tandem t:slim? I have now had 3 doctors say they think metal works better. I am always up for better but also need comfort as I work at a job with a lot of bending, twisting, lifting etc. Thanks everyone and may the which is better battles begin😃
I have used the Rapid D from Roche with no issues in the past. What I didn’t like about them was they didn’t disconnect right at the set but had the little tail. It is a lure lock connector.
When I started pumping some years ago, I used the Quick Set and I was never really satisfied with it. With the Quick Set I had multiple kinks and/or occlusion alarms every week. So after a while I decided to switch to the Mio infusion set (someone showed it to me and I decided to give it a try) and I’m still using it. Kinks happen rarely and sometimes an occlusion occurs, usually due to the fact I didn’t change the infusion set within 3 days.
I’ve no experiences with metal infusion sets so I won’t give my opinion on which is better.
Hi Sally
I am sorry but I guess i dont really understand your problem. What bothers you exactly with the contact detach?
I was on the sure-t 6mm (equivalent of contact detach for medtronic) for 10 years while pumping, changed it every 3 days and rarely had one fall out. I liked wearing them on my back, wich takes some bending/art to put in, but once there it was very comfortabe. Make sure to attach the sticking part to streched skin, so that once you strech/bend it wont fall off. If it didnt really hold well enough i put some medical tape over it and that usually did the job.
Maybe you can specify what problem exactly you are having and i’d be gla to help if i can!
Have you tried the medtronic Silhouette infusion sets? They work real well especially when you’re lean. They go in at an angle so they are not set so deep.
I don´t have an answer to your question about other metal infusion sets with luerlock, but I have a tip of advice for avoiding kinks/occlusion alarms. Use the metal tip to poke the area you want to use, when you find a spot that is not painful at all, use that spot and just “shove” the cannula in. When I started using this technique, I stopped having occlusion alarms all together and the absorption was always really good. I´ve recently gone back to teflon infusion sets, but have kept the “poking with a sharp thingy” before I put the set in. Works well for me. I think it´s because the painfree area means you´ve found a spot that has little or no nerves and/or blood vessels.
Hope you find an infusion set that works for you.
I am not having any problems with the contact detach. And while I have only used 2 so far, I haven’t had any problems. I was also given one that was an angled insertion set. I really prefer manual insertion and didn’t do well with any set that had those spring loaded release on them.
I currently am sitting on a lot of my Teflon soft sets and would really like some other options.
So I am not having any problems with the contact detach, I am wondering if there is any other type of luer lock metal infusion sets out there. My only problem with the samples I got last week are the tube length. She only had 23 inch ones and I am one of those who like the longer tube. I get hooked a lot on handles so the longer tubing gives me time to stop before I pull anything out. Been very lucky over the years I haven’t pulled out very many when hooked.
So if anyone knows if there is any other metal infusion sets besides the contact detach, I am interested so maybe I can get a sample to try. Thanks everyone!
this might jinx my string of good luck, but since I switched to Accu-chek Ultraflex a few years ago, I haven’t had any kinks. I use their inserter too. they come in a variety of cannula/tubing length combinations. they are luer lock. you could call them and ask for a sample box (I know they have boxes of 2 for samples)
1-800-688-4578
I recently had the opportunity to ask an Accu-chek rep if they still do this, and he said yes.
I think those sets are available in all tube lenghts. Maybe ask your provider for the specific lenghth you wish.
All the best
Yes, they are available in different tubing lengths. I use Contact Detach with 110 cm tubing (not sure what that is in inches, but it’s whatever the longest lenght is, I think maybe 43 inches?).
I use Rapid D steel 6mm from Roche (UK, may be called something else in other countries) & love them except the dangly connection bit (but I don’t stick the extra bit down so it’s mostly completely unnoticeable apart from when pumpie is disconnected in shower etc.)
I use a Vibe pump and tried lots of different luer lock sets from all the pump co.s and found the Rapid Ds to be the best for me, including the fact that there was a greater choice of tubing lengths compared with the Animas steel sets. I’ve had no failed sets since using steel the last couple of years, yippeeeee!
Occasionally I feel them pinch but I used to with Teflon too, so it’s difficult to say it’s because of the steel. I do yoga and don’t find they pinch during twists, stretches…but I do try not to lie directly on the site in some postures, but shuffle around a bit if necessary to avoid it pressing directly.
I have also has big kink problems with QuickSet which still remains as my favorite set mainly because the connection is superior to anything else, especially luer. I have solved the issue with Mio. I think that Mio has somewhat thicker needles and I use it more often now even though I dislike the luer lock.
Mio with luer lock? I didn’t know that existed. I use the version with the Medtronic lock.
You are probably right, luer is the screw, no? I wanted to say that Mio had the old school squeeze and pull connection which is less good than the quickset.
I’m not really familiar with luer lock, but this screw thing is luer lock: Picture
and I use Mio with this lock: Picture (QuickSet with Medtronic lock)
Ingrid- thanks for the suggestion. Sorry so late getting back to the chat line but was on vacation. I will give accu-check a call and see if I can get a few samples. And than see if my supply company carries them. So nice to have a few to pick from.
I also did try the Mio but I am a manual insert kinda person. It is so funny how we get so set in our ways. I have loved my soft sets but 27 pounds lighter I think I need something different.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!