I received my 2nd order for supplies yesterday from Medtronic. They do a great job of packing and delivering, however I have a problem and since I’m a relatively new pumper - I need advice from anyone who can help me.
On my first order I was sent the proper amount of test strips for me to test ten times a day plus Silhouette infusion sets to last 90 days. I’m on Medicare and maybe they just don’t allow anyone to have a few extras. Recently I tried Sure-T and like them. The tech support person at Medtronic I was speaking with told me to change out the Sure-T every 2 days instead of every 3 days. Does anyone know if this is absolutely necessary?
If it is then I am going to be woefully short on supplies by the end of the next 90 day period. Also maybe I test too often. I’m also going to run out of test strips long before the reorder date too. I test when I get up in the morning, before and after each meal and at bedtime. I also test before I get behind the wheel and if I feel like I’m having a “low”. Now I’m really worried that if I don’t continue testing often that I will run into trouble. I do have hypo unawareness and I use a Dexcom CGM. I have to pay out of pocket for those supplies too, but at least I can order them. Could someone please advise me on where to start sorting out this shortage of supplies. Sorry for the long post.
I can only go 2 days with my Omnipod. My endo wrote the script for changing every 2 days. I also use the Dexcom. My script for test strips is for 5 per day. I onlt test 2 or 3 times a day because of the Dexcom.
What do you guys do when the Dexcom gives you ‘wrong information’? Sometimes my sensor is off by more than 70 points. That is leaving a lot to chance… What if Dexcom says 130 and I’m really only 60 and take the Dexcom reading as accurate. There I am driving down the road to disaster with a bg of 60?
I use Sure T’s as well and have the same problem. My doctor told me that I can “move” the Sure-T and just tape it down. It works fine for me (no infections yet).
After two days, I pull out the Sure T, spray some alcohol on my skin where I will do the new insertion, re-insert the needle at least 1-2 inches away from the previous site, and then I tape it down with waterproof medical tape (You can also use IV 3000, but I find them too expensive and they trap water in there when I shower.). Now I actually use each infusion set for 6 days (3 locations) before opening a new one. I leave the second piece (from where you detach it) in one place and just rotate the needle insertion around it. This means less risk for scar tissue. The only risk that I can see is from infection, but I have not had any problems with that.
You should still check if you can get more supplies (given that Sure T is only approved for two days, then they should cover a new one for every two days).
Never take the Dexcom reading as accurate. The CGM is only reliable for telling you if you’re rising, following or staying level.
Of course, you’ll only know its ‘wrong’ if you take a fingerstick. When mine is off by 30 or more points , I recalibrate my Dexcom. But that doesn’t mean it will be ‘right’ the next time.
Thanks Kristin for your ‘tips’ on the Sure-T. In my order that I received yesterday I got a box of Silhouettes and 2 boxes of Sure-T. My math might be a little shaky - but altogether I figure I should be ok for about 70 days. But since I cannot reorder at that point, I guess I will have to return to MDI which makes me sad. I really like the pump and my control is much better.
Have you had any problems with bruising at the infusion site for the Sure-T? I must be some kind of an old freak because at every infusion site I have a bruise that is about the size of a half dollar. I always use the alcohol swabs and IV prep too. My Endo gave me a prescription cream to apply before insertion. He said it should dry before I insert the Sure-T - but it doesn’t dry so I stopped using it. The adhesive on the Sure-T doesn’t stick to my skin when I use the cream. Don’t know what the Endo was thinking when he prescribed that.
I sometimes bruise from Sure-T’s, but not every time. I also find that my sites heal much faster than they did with Silhouette or Quick Set.
I can get 80-120 days from 2 boxes of Sure-Ts. So by moving them, you can prevent having to go back to MDI.
I would definitely call Medtronic though and ask them why you got less than 90 days of supplies. Don’t tell them that you can use Sure-Ts for more than 2 days. They are prescribed for 2 day use.
Being a new pumper I can see I have much to learn from you folks who are more experienced. My reservoir can hold 300 units although I don’t use that much insulin in a 2 day period. Do you fill your reservoir all the way to allow you to use the infusion site longer? I am finding that because I’m tall that the longer tubing is more comfortable. The 23 inch length is just a little too short and the 32 inch allows for more infusion site choices.
Calculate what you need for 90 days, go over it with your doctor, then ask him/her to prescribe the calculated amount. Round up. Medicare may have arbitrary limits but will go over the limits if you give them the documentation they need.
This is where you and your doctor need to work as a team to get you what you need.
Ditto what Terry said. If your doctor prescribes the proper amount, then you should receive the proper amount without any trouble. As long as the Rx is written correctly, you should be able to re-order sooner than 90 days if you are going to run out. The trouble here may have been that that MM didn’t request enough, so you can either call MM and have them increase the requested amount or ask your dr directly.
