Hi Suzan
I opened and measured my new shipment. The total length of the tubing was 30.5 inched not 32. And only 25 inches from connector. I put one on yesterday in my underside of my arm and man, the tube is short. I wear my pump on my belt and it is pulling all the time.
I know those of us who like the longer tube might be a small group, but if you are rotating your sites and using arms and legs, you really need a longer tube. And another reason I love the longer tube is when I get caught on the kitchen cabinet knobs, I have time to stop before the infusion set pulls out.
I just emailed Tandem with my issues with the fact that the tube is not even 32 inches and what happened to the 43 inch length. When I hear back from them I will let you know.
Everytime I speak with someone at Tandem, I strongly state that they should make a 43" tubing for TruSteel. The last person told me that it was in my record. So, I think everyone with TruSteel should call up and make the request. Obviously not all TruSteel users want 43", but still I want them to call.
This cutting the length shorter than stated is not limited to Tandem. My Animas contact/detach is listed as 43" but is only 36". This is not right. If Animas weren’t going bye-bye, I would call them and complain.
I often insert in my thigh and when no pants pocket, I put it in my bra. Can’t do that with 23", don’t know about 32" as have never got that kind yet.
I don’t use steel sets but I’ve always been a fan of the 43" infusion sets. But I guess a lot of pumpers like the 23" sets. I used that short set one time and it felt totally awkward when using the toilet. I like the added length for sleeping, too.
Yes, the 43" is what I am used to having. But I need steel or I get ugly spots. Maybe I will have to use canula type and change every day.
Hate to bring up a very sore topic but I am still voicing my opinion about the lack of 43inch tubing on the steel infusion sets. I have called a couple times to voice my displeasure. Today, I called and left a message got a call back a few minutes before having to start work. I again told him how unhappy I was a had pulled out two in the past month due to the short length on the tube. Told him how I really like my Tandem pump but if you do have an infusion set you like, the pump is useless. I would hate to have to go back to Medtronic but I need metal and I need length.
So again I am pleading we people to let Tandem know choice is so very important to pumpers. I am starting my letter writing campaign to everyone at Tandem. Someone has to hear us.
Oh, yeah forgot what was said to me and just put me right over the edge. His recommendation was to call Unomedical. I couldn’t believe that one. I mean Tandem is the one who tells them what to produce for them. Really? So I went to their website and of course it is closed down. Why is everything so darn complicated?!
Thanks for letting me vent!
I first started complaining about the early last April. For years I had used the 43" comfort with Animas. Then found that the contact/detach was better for me, and I could also get the 43". I went round and round. Here is the final info… As all the infusion sets are made by Unomedical, until Tandem switched to their own Tlock, I could use the 43" from my Animas supplies. So, the question is since Unomedical makes 43’ which is interchangeable on the various Animas sets, why can’t they make/give a 43’’ for the TruSteel. It is just something that Tandem doesn’t do. No one has given me a good answer.
But I have found a not the best, but a workable solution. I have some Tandem Varisoft with 43". It can be used with the TruSteel. So, since I change ever two days but with same cartridge for six days, I can use a 43" Varisoft for the six days. I haven’t figured out the math system as to how many boxes of Varisoft to number of TruSteel, maybe need a spread sheet. I do know that I will have to use some Varisoft infusion sets. But at least I can get 43"tubing.
Also, research has shown that when using/measuring tubing length with TruSteel or contact/detach, the actual tube length is only approx 25". A total mislabeling.
Unomedical is headquartered in Denmark. The rep gave me a phone number for Denmark. I complained so much that eventually someone got me over to a different department, research or something.
Also, the 43" for contact detach is only 36". For some reason, they are not honest with TruSteel and contact/detach infusion sets. They told me to include the length of the ‘tail’, which makes no sense since that is taped to my skin and can never be part of the length.