Thanks for the cautionary words. I just looked on Craiges List and there was absolutely nothing. Not even 1 type of pump. 
1 Like
Iām going to scavenge through my closets and see what I can dig up right after dinner!!! Great idea, Eric 
2 Likes
I LUCKED OUT:
I was digging into the bowels of my all-things-D-closet, and I was happily surprised to find a previous years old Paradigm pump in excellent shape (tenderly and respectfully used and cared for)!!! Wow, did I luck out.
I re-programmed it from top to bottom, filled it with fresh insulin and hooked myself up. I havent had one problem since. And the funny thing is that since I removed that darned 670G pump, not one drop of insulin has drizzled out. The only time I have seen any insulin drop out is when I have primed it for .7 units, and even then I only see about 1 drop. Lousy 670G model!
So I have been very very happy to b back on my old faithful. My BGs are right back in line in TR and behaving as expected. I do not know what I am going to do when next month comes time for me to choose a new pump as per Medicare guidelines. I certainly will not be opting for another 670G pump. (three of them in a row were no good complete failures.) Medtronic MUST have other options beside the 670G and the 700series. Right? they cant only be offering two pumps??? Can they? That would be inconceivable.
BACK ON TOPIC:
This past epidural and obscene amount of spinal injections seems to have helped immeasurably. My radiating pain from sciatica had gone away completely!!! I still have some lower arthritic back pain, but once I get walking about it lessons. I am, however, left with terrible pain in my hip and groin. Seering pain. My DO specialist suggested I might try something where they take my blood platelets and inject them right into my hip joint. Sounds redicuous to me, and I dont believe that it is covered by Medicare. I dont know what my next step will be. I am waiting one more week for the full effects of the epidural to kick in before I make any more decisions. And I also am very eager to get my first Covid vaccine (which I had to wait two weeks post epidural to have bc of potential immune system problems).
I will keep u all posted.
signing out,
DM
5 Likes
Awesome news on getting a new/old pump working!
3 Likes
CONTINUING OFF TOPIC:
Just to keep you posted as I said I would, I have been using the old Paradigm pump all week now, and my blood sugars have been perfect, if not a little lower than usual. The 670G Medtronic pump is still on my desk shelf and still, no insulin has even bothered to peep out from the infusion needle. Not one teensy little drop (no wonder why my BGs were so high until I took manual shots 
)
Here are some of the things that I love about my trusty old Paradigm: On the front of the screen:
the time, the battery life, the reservoir fill level, I press just 1 button and I get to an immediate Status screen which tells me when my last bolus was, how much it was, if Iām on a TB, and if am, how much longer I will be on it for, my current basal rate, which basal rate it is, when my reservoir was started, units left in my reservoir, when my next BG reminder will be (I have mine set to beep 2.5 hours post last bolus), the serial # of my pump, and the type of pump I have. All of this info in just one screen (But Yes, I do have to scroll down the screen to read all of this info.But it is amazingly simple)
If I wanted this much info from the 670G, it would take 4 times as long, even if I were proficient at knowing which buttons to press. Everything on the 670G was about security; there was no way you could accidentally bolus ANY insulin bc you had to go through such a procedure just to bolus 1 unit. And, If I wanted the same information I got from my Paradigm, I would have to use multitudes of different screens to find it. safe, I suppose, but NOT USER FRIENDLY
(BTW, I forgot to press āREPLYā when I wrote that previous post, so I just pressed REPLY a moment ago. So my time line may seem off and odd. But I hope that I have clarified things.)
BACK ON TOPIC:
I am doing much better, however, my groin and hip are still in substantial pain. I have about 5 days to go before my 2 weeks since my epidural will have passed, so I am still practicing patience, and trying to not get hung up on the :āwhat ifsā and āwhat will I dosā and trying to stay in the moment. I will address the issues I need to when I need to. And, of course, I will let you know.
signing out,
DM
5 Likes
DM,
Are the infusions sets for your old pump still available? I mean, you will still be able to get them forever, right? Like you wonāt run out, you can still get the ones that fit your old pump?
Also, you donāt ever need to call Medtronic for anything right? Cause if you do, they will probably ask you the serial number of your pump. And if you tell them the serial number from your old one, they will go through their spiel about how it is out of warranty, blah blah blah. So keep the serial number for your 670G handy, in case you need to call them!
And wanted to ask - this old pump, the reason you stopped using it many years agoā¦do you remember why? Was it just because you were getting a new one? I mean, as far as you can recall, this old pump still works correctly, right? You didnāt stop using it because it was having a problem, did you?
If it is working, and you donāt remember it having any issues, then thatās great. You have a pump you can trust again!
And thisā¦
You can choose whatever pump you want. Or tell them you just got a brand new 670G. But they will never know if you are using it! How would they know what pump you are using? Just get the new one, but use the old one.
But I promise, nobody here at FUD will tell them what pump you are using.
Just use the old one, and if they make you get a new one, just get it but donāt use it. How would they ever know which pump you have connected to your body?
If your endo needs to download pump data or anything, just put water in the 670G, donāt connect it to your body, and then do some random boluses on it and create some made-up bolus data on it.
If they are gonna get ridiculous and tell you that you need to get a new pump and use it, screw 'em. Just outsmart those jackasses.
4 Likes
the only reason I stopped using it was bc it was time for Medicare to provide me with a new pump (and I was also able to get a brand new Paradigm cause Medtronic was still making them bk then., and the only reason I gave that one up was bc of problems I was having with it ( like it died on me or something.)
The infusion sets are still available but I need to ck and see if the reservoirs are still available, bc they seem to have changed them out from holding 1.8ml, and now with the newer pumps they take 3.00.ml.which my Paradigm will not hold . Iāl call them today (but I do have an enormous supply of them on hand 
)
I can still very easily download my Paradigm for my Endo on the old pump. Its really simple (which is why I so love this old pump). No worries there.
Never entered my mind 
I will have to get a new pump, but I know that so long as the old reservoirs will continue to b available I will continue to use my old pump. Everything rests on whether or not the old reservoirs will still b available to me for use.
Out smarting them is what I live for
Thanks for all of your input and ideas!! You rock, my friend !!!
2 Likes
3 Likes
AND NOW ANOTHER TYPE OF DOCTOR:
so I need to see an ortho hip specialist, as no matter what, my hip and groin refuse to budge into the pain-free world, despite all of the injections and epidurals and steroids. I will be seeing him next Wednesday, March 3rd. He may require that I have current Xrays taken. So be it. One step at a time, so to speak. ( walking has definitely become easier, but regardless, the hip is just a miserable mess of something.)
So on I plowā¦
Am now titrated up to 1,200 mg of the Gabapentin. Havent really noticed much difference. Certainly has not helped my neuropathy. Perhaps I need to take a higher dose. Weāll see what the doctor has to say about that. Iāve only been on this dosage since Saturday (its only Wednesday now), so I probably should give it some more time to kick in. Its only fair 
.
as always, will keep you in the loop.
signing out,
DM
PS: I found out that Medtronic is continuing to make the old Paradigm Resevoirs and that I can still use the Silhouette infusion sets, so I lucked out there. In fact, they just sent me (on Medicareās dime) a 3 months supply of both. SO I am set with thatā¦phew. dodged a bullet there (the 670G operates on an entirely different system which is not compatible for my standards.)
4 Likes
This sounds like the right direction. I say this because my dog was on a low dose of Gabapentin after her disc was removed during the recovery. Dogs usually can return to walking after this surgery within a few weeks, my baby refused to walk. It was only after I brought her to a new doctor and they dramatically increased the dosage, did she begin to walk and recover.
I think the dosage increase will help, DM. Iām praying it will! 
EDIT: I just wanted to add that the magic dosage that helped her was 1800mg of Gabapentin, 600mg x 3 times per day.
3 Likes
Fantastic news! Glad you were able to get back to something that you prefer and trust.
3 Likes
Oh DM, Iāve been thinking about you, hoping that things have been going better. Sounds like the news is mixed at best. I am hoping that the increased dosage of gabapentin was helpful. I am still on a small dose as I cannot shake the continued pain from frozen shoulder. Every couple of months I try coming off of it to discover that the pain just gets worse (itās still around even with the gabapentin; I think b/c much of the pain is muscular).
Hoping that your 3/3 appt went well and that maybe you figured out some new answers or new treatment. Continuing to send good thoughts your way - Jessica
3 Likes
This is too funny. But I am only laughing at the fun stuff, not the sad and painful stuff. I, just yesterday, started on 1,800mg of the Gabapentin myself. Talk about ābrain fogā (the most notable side effect for beginners). For someone who NEVER has caffeine, I found myself wandering over to our local Starbucks today and ordering a shot of espresso in my De-Caff Americano this afternoon. I literally could not stand up or keep a single thought in my head. I could hardly order my coffee without blubbering 
. I know that this side-effect has happened each time I have titrated up on my dosage, but today was extra āfoggyā Maybe 1,800mg is the magic number for me and your Baby. 
And just to keep you in the loop, Yesterday was one of the most painful days I have had yet. I dont know why. I was in miserable pain the night before, and it just carried over. My BGs were insanely high and I was totally insulin resistant. I was giving myself shots every two hours throughout the night. I hardly slept a wink. 
But then I woke up today, and I was feeling a whole lot better; Still in a lot of pain, but with the Percocet, the Methocarbinal and the Celebrex (btw, I am switching back to the Ibuprofen, as I believe it was more effective for me ), I was able to get up and walk about today. I went a little high in the afternoon (132), but took a shot and came down to 89 and then someā¦(I accidentally gave myself too much correction insulin, so I am anticipating a cookie in my future 
)
I want to add something that I think is super special:
Everyone has asked me why I have not gone on to find another specialist. Well, I have indeed gotten more than just one other medical opinion. Everyone else I have seen, all the other doctors who have looked over my X-rays and MRIs have given me the exact same dx and prognosis. The thing is, I really like and trust the guy I am working with. He is sharp,smart, respectful, easy to talk to, has no trouble co-ordinating with my other doctors (read:endo and psychiatrist and GI specialist) is always available (even over the weekends). He is open to ideas and suggestions.
This afternoon he emailed me that he wanted to know how I would feel if we tried out a different radiologist specialist who could give me another steroid injection, either epidural or directly in the hip or both. A doctor who is more readily available and less like an overbooked injection factory. I was so pleased that he (not only emailed me on a Saturday) wanted to know āhow I would feel.ā Was this okay with me? Holy cow! Right! Of course I thought this was a wonderful idea! In all regards! I felt like we had a real partnership going, and I think thats how it should always be with the medical professionals. (DID I MENTION: I saw a hip specialist this past Wednesday. I had up-dated X-rays taken of both my hips and pelvis (Right and Left). I did not like this guy at all. Cold as ice and did not treat me with any kind of gentle concern. Just robotic and kinda freaky. DX: I do not need a hip replacement. And although there is some mild degeneration in the hip, it is NOT what is causing my pain. The pain is definitely coming from my spine. and that was all he had to say to me besides a Covid elbow-bump and a āgood-bye.ā) What a loser.
So now I proceed forward. I am scheduled for my next Covid Vaccine March 28th. I cannot have any steroid injections either two weeks before or after, so either I get an appointment for this coming week or I have to wait till mid-April. There is NO WAY I am changing my Covid vaccination date!!! So come Monday, my specialist will try and get me an appointment with another doctor. Hopefully, success is in my futureā¦ 
9 Likes
Oh, DM, Iām so glad you found a Dr that you are comfortable with and is smart and personable. It certainly is special for him to reach out to you, and gets your input. Iām so glad you are feeling better, too, after a difficult and painful period. Iām hoping the higher dosage of Gabapentine continues to be the key, at least til you get your next epidural and a full recovery. 
4 Likes
I just read this part of the chainā¦almost had to laugh out loud!!
Iām pretty sure some of the guys got sheepish, some got fascinated by the peculiarities of the female formā¦
What hoot!!
2 Likes
FINALY A NEW DOCTOR:
So my wonderful and attentive and respectful and intuitive (u get the point) specialist that I have been seeing regularly for my pain (Since last September) recommended I see another pain management MD who performs epidurals, etc. (I did see a hip specialist who did X-rays and told me there was absolutely nothing wrong with my hip that would require surgery, and that all my pain was coming from my spine).
So I saw this new doctor, and he was amazing! He had me do test after test in different motions, movements, walking, etc. He had me put pressure on my legs and my feet. He had me bend over and try and touch my toes (OMG that hurt!) And decided that I needed another epidural, but this time in the L2 and L3 parts of my spine, bc that is the part that effects the hip and the groin areas. Also, he dx me with Bursitis, and if the epidural doesnāt help with that, he will give me another hip (location) injection 2 weeks later for that.
This doctor was nice and respectful, and basically everything you would want in a doctor whose purpose is to help you feel better. He looked on my chart and was able to see which types of steroids had NOT worked for me in the past, and the one steroid that DID work for me (and thats how he decided which steroid to use) Also, I just want to mention, that the steroid that did work (I wish I could tell you the name of it but Iāve forgotten) only raised my BGs for 3 days as opposed to the other steroids which raised my BGs for 10 days. (and the insulin resistance was much less than the other two that I had before.)
The last thing I want to mention is that the Gabapentin that I began titrating up on (to 1800mg) had to be discontinued. I began to have terrible (but common) side effects from it. I got tremors, bloating, constipation, and painful leg cramps). But the tremors have had to be the worst of everything. I am now down to 900mg a day (you cannot just discontinue taking it. it must be a slow downward titration, so I am still on it and working my way down). I am still experiencing the tremors and the leg cramps, but I am looking forward to that going away once I am off of the Gabapentin completely. This is very sad for me bc I was so hopeful that this drug would prove to be helpful. I know many people on it who have found it tremendously beneficial.
signing out,
DM
PS: I get my second Moderna vaccine this Sunday. Not looking forward to the potential side effects but thrilled to be safer in public than Iāve been in a year!!!
9 Likes
Sorry that you havenāt found relief yet. Warm thoughts being sent your way. I am rooting for you!
4 Likes
This specialist seems sensitive to what you are going through and to what should be done. I hope the next epidermal will work but I know this is a step by step process.
Yes, gabapentin can have side effects and it does not always work for everyone. Iām glad you noticed the side effects and reduced the dosage.
Good luck with the next modern shot. I hope no side effects with it!
5 Likes
Got my second Moderna shot this Sunday. OMG. Feel miserable. Like I have the flu. Aches and pains everywhere. Thankfully no fever and no BG problems at all. So exhausted that I fell asleep while talking with my husband! Right in the middle of a sentence (so he says). Took a nap yesterday afternoon that lasted 6 hours! I know it will pass though, so I am not really concerned. I went into it knowing that this would most likely happen. My biggest joy is that I dont have any BG reactions at all. I hate when I get sick and I have to deal with that on top of it.
BTW: does anyone else spike from eating bananas? I cant seem to bolus properly for them, and I dont want to give them up. I always have to give myself a correction bolus about 1.5 hours after finish eating one.
3 Likes
14 posts were split to a new topic: Am I Bananaās? Bolusing for food you donāt how to bolus for