[Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Tue Nov 27 23:07:41 UTC 2018

I use the Energizer batteries and change them on the 1st & 15th of the month.

I don't have a clue what line I have left, but the person that trained me told me to pick 2 dates out of a month and change the battery then.  I also use the width of my thumb to measure how much insulin to put in the vial and I change that on the odd day of the month.

Since I had the pump 530G this is the way I do it as I do not have much sighted help around.

Joyce

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 4:21 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

That, I can’t tell you since I have only ever bought the standard alkaline variety.

Eileen

From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 3:33 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Does battery life matter depending on what type of batteries? With the Animas, if you use standard alkaline batteries, you have to change every month or so, but if using lithium, they last forever, like 3 months.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:04 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

With my pump I have just always changed the battery every month at the beginning of the month no matter what. Provided I am using the Energizer brand batteries never a problem. Once I got Kodak on sale and I learned my lesson when the battery up and died after about 2 or 3 days! Never again, Energizers are the only way to go. By stopping as many alarms from going off I don’t need to panic and try to guess what its chattering at me about. And, it also eliminates the need to unnecessarily bother people to come over and help me with something I could have prevented to begin with. 
I know the more pressing of buttons and playing with the pump the faster the drain on the battery charge goes down.

Eileen

From: Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:00 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: jamielgurganus at gmail.com 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

I always change mine once the 20 unit alarm goes off, unless it is in the middle of the night.

One negative about the 530G is that the cartridge and battery indicator is a picture with a line showing how full they are.  So, Seeing AI can't read it.  If I think I'm close to needing to change either, I have one of my kids check how many lines are on them.  One line means they need to be changed very soon.  

Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:46 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

My model can hold up to 3ML. Typically I fill it to approx 180-200 units and that is good for at least 3-4 days worth. I try to change it out every 3rd day, regardless of how much insulin is left in it. This also works because then I know that from 1 bottle of insulin I get no more than 5 changes. But, should I get too busy or forgetful the reservoir is usually okay until the next morning or afternoon when I can change it out. I think when you order the pump you can select a model that will hold only either 1 or 2ml, but I think that is geared towards a child who would be on a lesser amount of insulin. I seem to remember that for an adult you will be set up with a pump that holds a 3Ml reservoir.

Eileen

From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 11:27 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

How many mls do the Medtronic reservoirs hold? With my Animas, it's 200 mls, and this last me 5 to 7 days. Curious, thanks.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 8:27 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Hi Jamie,

Just a comment on the alerts sounding on your Medtronic 530 pump when it gets low on insulin.

While I am still using my Medtronic 723 Paradigm, when it was set up by the pump trainer, she was able to set it so I would not receive low insulin cartridge alerts. The only low cartridge/reservoir alert that sounds is when I have gotten down to about the last 5 or 7 units. By setting this, I don’t get annoying alerts and its up to me to be sure to change out the reservoir every 3 days. I can do this because I put in a little more insulin than is necessary to get me through a three day span and the insulin is in the unit should I need to administer extra bolis & refill dosages.

I would think that this is something that could be set on your newer model Medtronics pump as well.

Just mentioning it and hope it helps.

Eileen
From: Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 7:38 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: jamielgurganus at gmail.com 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Thanks!  So, when it alarms, you press Act and then Act again or Act and then Cancel?

Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of blindhands--- via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2018 8:27 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: blindhands at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Jamie,

Now I did send a note in about bolusing and I am not sure if I got my left and right mixed up.  So folks please let me say:  the bottom row starting from the right going to the left is1ST  down arrow moves down a list one press at a time.
2nd button is act/OK
3rd buttom going toward the left is cancel button  and the 4th button is used with another button to unlock the screen.

What you said Jamie is correct, but I press the Act button, then the Act   You should get a couple of beeps like OK.  Just wait a few more seconds as if you don't delay it needs a little time to return back to the original screen.  If you jump ahead to fast it leaves you stuck in the middle of what you were doing.  So be patient and take your time.  I cannot see when the screen reverts back, but I did learn  to maybe get up and give it a minute to set back.

Joyce

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2018 10:58 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: jamielgurganus at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Just wanted to let you know that I have just about mastered changing the cartridge without consulting my notes!  I do have one question though.  How do you cancel an alert/alarm?  My notes say to press Escape (2nd from left) and then Act (third from left).  That doesn't seem to cancel it though, and it never fails that my low cartridge goes off in the middle of the night.  

Otherwise, I like this pump.  I like the slow infusion of a bolus, since my other pumps used to burn.  I am also finding that the infusion sets last a lot longer than my other ones.  I always had to change my set every two days or else it would leak.  I have yet to have one leak on me, and I often forget how long I've had one in.

Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of blindhands--- via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 2:15 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: blindhands at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

That took a bit longer to get it down perfect every time.  The bummer with it if you don't have sighted help if you call Meditronic help they want you to read the screen.  Some are willing to work with you as a bklind person, but others would tell me to call back when I had a sighted person home.  It was frustrating in the beginning, but the more you work with it the more you get comfortable with it. 

The one large problem I had with the help line and when I asked them how can you go back a step?  They gave me this, "You can't".  Well it did take me a while to figure this out if you just don't touch the screen [I  found walking away from it] but within [I do not know how long] but DON'T Touch the screen, The screen will blank out and you can start over.  No one told me that and if you are like me I want it fixed NOW.It is those last few steps of putting in the full cartridge of insulin hit the act twice,  hit the bottom right and then the act & hold it down to fill tubing, when you feel drops hit the cancel [3rd from lefton bottom], then far right  and last hit the cancel [3rd button to the left corner at the bottom.  See it is in my mind now.  

Just remember if you can't think where you are walk away and come back and you can start over.

If you return too fast you might still not have given it long enough to start over.

Joyce

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 1:56 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: jamielgurganus at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Joyce,

     How long did it take you to get the cartridge change sequence down without needing to use your notes?  The rest of the pump is simple to use, but changing the cartridge has so many steps to it.

Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of blindhands--- via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 8:14 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: blindhands at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

I have been using the Medtronic 530G pump for a year and a half now.  I was nervous at the beginning and I am home on my own and manage things very well.  It  took some getting use to, but let me say since I got the Dexcom I run smoothly.  Between using my Medtronic pump, Dexcom & my IPhone my highs and lows have really smoothed out.

I really wanted the 630 G, but without IPhone access I am happy I sent it back and got the 530 model.

Joyce

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 6:18 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Delima.

Eileen,

I just started on the med Tronic 530 G on October 12.  So far, it works great. It is very simple to use, except for the cartridge change. It has a lot of sequences, but I am sure I will get it down after a few changes and not have to reference my notes each time. It uses The same supplies as the new were pumps. Hope this helps.
     Jamie

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 17, 2018, at 11:07 AM, Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I need some feed-back from those of you who are using a Medtronics insulin pump. I’d like to know what model you’re using and if you alone are able to work it by changing the infusion set, filling the reservoir and giving easy bolis dosages. I don’t care if the bells & whistles are available or not.
> 
> I’m considering buying an insulin pump out of pocket from Medtronics before they discontinue the models on October 26 that are at least somewhat accessible to us. My current pump, a Paradigm Revel 723,  will be out of its warrantee in January next year and Medicare will in no way pay for an upgrade before the end of the 5 year period. Even though I would be paying out of pocket, they will not let me buy the same model I am currently using and my warrantee coverage will still end in January 2019. Medtronics will not extend a 4 year warrantee to me which, yes, I know is very creepy of them!
> 
> I think they are telling me I can upgrade to a Paradigm 530, but the sales rep had to talk with his supervisor and is going to get back to me later today with details of what I can/cannot do. I thought it would extend a new 4 year warrantee, if it doesn’t I’m back to thinking why upgrade at all and why not just stick with my 723. The sales rep says its always best to upgrade to the most recent – Hahaha – I don’t think he gets it even though I’ve told him enumerable times that I’m blind and need to be able to feel the buttons and use the pump with complete independence.
> 
> Thanks and hope to hear from you folks soon.
> 
> Eileen
> <Eileen scrivani.vcf>
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