Hello Everyone! Has anyone had any serious issues (not occlusions, simply things that can be fixed with ease, etc.) that caused harm to yourself or another patient that you know?
Additionally, I am trying to find anything on websites such as NIH, NCBI, etc. that mention deaths or associated serious adverse effects from a Tandem pump.
I only found 1 thing so far and the report mentioned nothing serious occurred from the malfunction.
My Bio:
I have UHC. Medtronic 670g came to my door yesterday. I googled and researched Medtronic pump death, Medtronic pump injuries, and BOY do I see A LOT (Honestly anything over 0 is too much for me)… (talked about a woman in Mississipi who died due to her Medtronic pump injecting a WEEK’S WORTH OF INSULIN and killed her).
Anyways, I am about to send it back and launch into battle with UHC to get me a Tandem. I just want to make sure the pump is worth all the hassle (currently on Tresiba. 1/2 in love, 1/2 in love with the pump).
Bonus: I have been using an Animas Vibe for over 5 years. In the total of 13 years pumping, I have sent back/needed repair of about 4 Animas pumps. I haven’t really looked to see if there have been SERIOUS reports of Animas pumps… have you?
Trevor @ketoeater, I have not had any harmful incidents, and I do not know of any serious incidents with Tandem pumps. Keep in mind that Tandem is young and compared with MiniMed / Medtronic has had many fewer users. I have heard reports that some people - VERY rare - died while using Medtronic pumps.
Keep in mind that reports we read about do not account for “User Error”. Each and every pump [four models] allow the user to set both maximum bolus and maximum basal deliveries. VERY simple settings and required action is necessary when first turning on the pump. I do know of people, studies in which I’ve been involved, who died, while practicing MDI, in attempts to stay “low” and eliminate spikes in glucose.
When setting up your 670G, think of the largest bolus you normally take over the course of a day and enter the pump maximum one or two units higher - to give you some flexibility, and think and rethink your bolus ratios. Work your basal maximum in the same way and consider when beginning pump use that the total insulin you expect the pump to deliver over the course of a day is no more than 70% of your current daily insulin usage - long-term plus fast-acting. And most importantly constantly check your BGL for your first several days - check BG at least 10 times every day.
Know that insulin, no matter how you might administer it, is deadly - and the rapid-acting insulin that is used in a pump will do the job quicker - that is why a doctor must issue a prescription AFTER instructing the patient of the inherent dangers. I do hope the pump works well for you, but keep in mind that it may be more work than MDI. Avoid “stacking” insulin.
You were probably more likely to get struck by lightning grabbing the package off the front porch. Seriously, like 400 people a year get struck by lightning in the USA alone.
There are a lot of safeguards built into the pump. Being the most established brand, I imagine they have the biggest list of previous screw ups and the most knowledge invested in preventing screw ups in their current model.
I love my 670g, what about the Tslim is more appealing?
I haven’t gotten the t:slim pump yet, friends use it and the plus sides that I see is the technology the pump uses, especially when paired with the Dexcom g6 cgm. It can give small adjustments to your blood sugar when high, or even stop giving insulin entirely if low until it recognizes your blood sugar back in a safe range According to the cgm. It’s pretty close to the closed-loop system/ artificial pancreas. Those are the immediate pluses I saw to the t:slim X2 over ordering the Medtronic pump.
I see Medtronic is UHC’s preferred pump provider, in part because according to the sticks I read users stay in range up to as much as about 60% of the time (could not find a date for that article). Tandem users who use Control IQ technology start in range up to about 70% of the time according to an online article - with some on this forum boasting the 80s or 90s according to one source https://myglu.org/articles/joint-tandem-dexcom-closed-loop-study-shows-improved-time-in-range.
Having said that, when it comes to fighting health care battles I’ve found it’s been better to get the professionals involved. Whether it’s been having my insurance talk directly with a supplier regarding a coverage issue, or having my doctor step in to make a case for why a particular medication or product was the better choice - it’s worked out better for me.
Wishing you the best.