Everyone has a (horror) story about interacting with all of our service providers, so I’ll spare you the description of this particular one.
As a result, however, I am now left with a very low level of inventory for the tandem infusion sets, and I’m wondering if anyone has experienced running out of infusion sets - what do you do to prolong the life?
For example, can you re-use the infusion sets? Can I re-use the hypodermics that fill the cartridges?
Anything I should be aware of or watch out for?
Worst case, I will have to have two unused cartridges cover a 21 day period.
Also, is there any place I can pick up additional tandem infusion sets? I don’t think they are available at CVS (they are DME). I’ve always gotten them through the mail.
I am not the right person to give advice on infusion sets, since I have never actually used one. I have only messed around with them.
I had a post years ago, and I can’t find it. It had to do with taking out an infusion set, and reinserting it into a different place.
My idea is that it isn’t really the infusion set that goes bad, it’s the spot on your body, right? So the trick would be to take it out and put it in a different location, and secure it with tegaderm or something like that.
@bostrav59 I reuse the steel sets. After 3 days I pull the set out and move it over a half inch and reinsert, then run another 3 days. Nylon sets irritate my skin after 2 days.
Fwiw, if you need some sets, DM me. I might be able to help you out depending on which type you use.
I have. I kept them recapped in the refrigerator in a baggie. For me the cartridge worked find after the first refill (300u fill each time) and no problem the second fill but on the third fill towards the end I got the sense that maybe the insulin doses were slightly shortchanged, so I would watch for that and just take more insulin if needed.
Steel infusion sets can be reused in a pinch. I can’t see a way to reinsert a plastic cannula set.
You keep the metal inserter, you don’t throw it out. Keep it in a plastic bag somewhere. When you are ready to reuse it, wipe it with an alcohol wipe to sterilize it.
When you want to move the non-metal infusion set, you:
remove the pump tubing
reinsert the metal inserter into the infusion canula
remove the entire thing, all as one piece
move it all to some other location
reinsert it
remove the metal inserter again
Does that make sense?
I know this is not ideal, but I think from a mechanical standpoint, it would work.
Thanks everybody for suggestions, especially @bkh as he let me know that at least I can reuse the black cartridges.
My problem is not with the infusion sets, for some reason I have enough of those for my trip. But I don’t have many needles or cartridges, and it sounds like I can just keep refilling those at least for a while. Saving the needles and the cartridges.
I’d use skin-tack or mastisol to prevent an issue.
I’d surely fill the cartridge completely full, use it 'til it runs dry, then refill it completely full a second and third time, rather than putting in partial fills every third day.
I have had good luck on Craig’s List when I needed some to tide me over a change in suppliers or endos. If not that you can find some on the net somewhere. I have reused the syringes and cartridges when I changed over from Luerlock to Tlock. But there is a plastic liner in the cartridge and it apparently leaches chemicals into the insulin over time, so I would not do it for more than a very short period until resupply. Ask your endo for help–they often have some supplies.
Just a quick update – You guys gave me a great “plan c”. I feel good about re-using the cartridges (thanks again @bkh).
Joslin Clinic in downtown boston is my diabetes caregiver and they have some spare sets so I’ll go down there on Monday and pick them up. That was pretty easy to get set up, so am (so far) grateful to them. I say so far because I haven’t picked them up yet.
And if all goes well - UPS tells me they will deliver on Tuesday. Which is good since we leave on Weds. So we’ll see how this all plays out.
OnceI accidentally pulled a set off the inserter. I could not for the life of me get the set back on the inserter needle and the needle back through the canula. Probably just me.
EditI hate failing at something that can be done. I was able to do it but needed natural light. One other tip,when inserting the needle you need to push the bak of the the inserter mechanism to keep it from depressing. The resistance of the set will cause the device to depress.