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6 Months In: Medtronic Pump Failure

By Health, Technology, ThinkingNo Comments

I’m still in shock.

After 6 months of using the Medtronic insulin pump and it having a massive positive impact on my health via its SmartGuard feature, it has broken. The pistol/motor stopped working.

I want to start this post by saying thank you to Medtronic who have been amazing at organising an immediate replacement. They answered my call in the early hours of Sunday morning and got a new pump out to me within 48 hours.

The Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump flashed an Error 37 and at one point an Error 38. Both of these according to Google are motor errors.

I had to switch back to multiple daily injections, but my blood sugars were instantly less well controlled. Giving me several incidents of hyperglycemia in the 48 hours and a lot less time in range. I didn’t realise how reliant I had become on the pump at keeping my blood sugars in normal range. I can only hope that this short period doesn’t affect my Hba1C test results going forward as this could impact on my ability to have surgery to fix the hole in the roof of my mouth.

It has made me super thankful for my pump and the alarms when things go wrong or might be going wrong. I’m hoping this pump doesn’t do the same thing in six months. I will keep you updated.

Do you have a Medtronic MiniMed pump? Ever had any problems with it? Where did you go for help and support around it? Let me know in the comments below.

Write soon,

Antony

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Tuesday 25 February 2025

An Update on My Experience with the Medtronic Insulin Pump

By Health, TechnologyNo Comments

I recently blogged about getting a Medtronic insulin pump. It has been life changing. I’ve gone from 33% of time in range to between 68% to 97% in range. Don’t believe me? Here’s the evidence, from a particularly good day:

As a result I’m less tired and in a better state of health.

The biggest adjustment has been remembering to take the pump with me when I roll over at night in bed. I have fallen asleep with the infusion set stretched, having forgot to take it with me. I have also woke up laid on top of the pump. Thankfully the insulin pump has been well designed and is very durable. Meaning it is difficult to damage. That said, I do try to take good care of it.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Sunday 8 September 2024

Health Tech First Impressions: Medtronic MiniMed 780g Insulin Pump

By Health, TechnologyNo Comments

I got some amazing news last week, a date for setting me up on the Medtronic MiniMed 780g insulin pump. It was the following Monday.

I’ve had my insulin set up and operational for just over 48 hours and here are my first impressions:

  • The pump is small (see photos below) and lightweight, so much so that I sometimes forget that I have it on.
  • It is easy to use. I only got 2.5 hours training on it and was worried that it wouldn’t be enough. But it was. Thanks to the pumps’ intutive design of both the hardware and software.
  • The difference it has made to my blood sugars has been dramatic. They have already fallen, leading to me spending significantly more time in range.
  • It’s alarms and alerts are really useful and helpful. However I do wish that the alarms were louder.
  • It takes a little bit of getting used to in terms of using the toilet and sleeping with the pump attached.
  • The Senor just works when in place and lasts for 7 days.
  • The App including CareLink feature is fantastic.

Overall, I’m over the moon with the insulin pump and sensor and already seeing dramatic improvements in blood sugars with less thinking and work from me. Despite a device being attached to me 24/7, I feel a great sense of freedom.

Write soon,

Antony

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Friday 16 August 2024
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