Linda C. Hyde M.D. - My Problems With Paradigm Pump

by Lina Hyde M.D..
(USA)

i have been wearing an insulin pump for 20 years now ( since 1991). my 1st 2 pumps were minimed. These pumps were great; each lasted over 6 years with no problems. When I purchased my 3rd pump (medtronic) the problems began. Since that time I have never had a pump throughout the entire warranty period, because they have all malfunctioned. ie: MOTOR ERROR or alert error, ie: no alert when needed during critical times. Since medtronic took over, ( my 1st pump from them purchased in 2003) I have had to return 7 pumps during the warranty time. In 09/2007 I purchaed a new pump ( had already returned 3) in october '07 it was returned for motor error, I was very ill as the pump was giving either too much or too little insulin. My blood glucoses fluctuated between 600 and 37! This was multiple times a day every day. They sent me a refurbished pump because I was 2 days over their replacement warranty (30 days)! The refurbished pump had to be sent back in Nov/07; again for motor error. During the period 9/07 and 11/07 I was hospitalized 2 times. Once for DKA and once for Loss of Consciousness due to a blood glucose of 26. I had to return my 3rd refurbished pump in Jan/08...same problems. Again I received a refurb...this one lasted until this am. I had placed my pump on suspend and forgot about doing so...the pump NEVER alarmed. It is supposed to alarm every 15 minutes while on Suspend...not even 1 alarm in the 8 hrs it was suspended. I awoke this am at 0430 in DKA and had to go to hospital again...I was supposed to have left for the International Pain Conference this am at 06:30. Needless to say did not make that flight. They are shipping me out another refurbished pump today...and at my insistence it is supposed to arrive today. I am ready to contact an atty, as I have researched online and medtronic has had serious pump problems..the FDA is intervening now. Unfortunately Medtronic pumps are superior (when they work). Rec: google probs with medtronic pumps before you purchase. It is a real eyeopener!