PDM Failed ... Doh

swellman · #1 06-24-2012, 11:35 AM

Our PDM failed for no apparent reason - it squealed and popped up an error message and now constantly shows the boot screen over and over. We can't get a new one until Tuesday and here's the thing ...

I got lazy and forgot to download the parameters from the PDM so now I have to wait until tomorrow to ask the endo to tell me our parameters.

So, the lesson to be learned here is always download and print all your parameters when you make changes and keep them in a safe place ... just in case.

Jaredsmom · #2 06-24-2012, 01:22 PM

Oh cr@p so sorry that just sucks. We have a backup PDM because we upgraded to the new one when it came out. Thanks for thank for the reminder to print out settings whenever we change them. We aren't real good about doing that. I hope you get you new PDM quickly and everything goes well for you.

hawkeyegirl · #3 06-24-2012, 02:03 PM

Ugh. Sorry to hear that. Do you have to do MDI until Tuesday?

swellman · #4 06-24-2012, 03:22 PM

I have 2 backups as well - problem is, well, the strips aren't FDA approved.

I tried a new strip in the old PDM and the numbers seemed wonky with the control solutions and, here's the other funny part, I could not find one backup meter ... well, one we had strips for. The Freestyle Flash that used the same strips is AWOL - maybe still at school and forgotten.

I went to 5 pharmacies and none of them carry a Freestyle "non-Lite" meter.

At my final stop, the Harris-Teeter where we shop, when I explained my situation she gave me two free samples that were going to expire - one a Precision Xtra BG/Ketone meter, which I already had but no BG strips (the added bonus of sending it to school next year for ketone testing) and a little Freestyle Lite ... each with 10 strips to get me through till Tuesday.

One note on the strips/old style PDM - I tested the PDM and the Freestyle Lite side by side and got a 65 vs 69 so it looks like the PDM is ok with the new "non-lite" strips. I also tested the "non-lite" strips in the "lite" meter with somewhat interesting result but none I want to share at this time.

@hawkeyegirl Half and half on the MDI - the POD is still delivering basal according to program so we are bolusing for food and corrections when needed. It was funny as I was starting to stress a little when I realized that I didn't have our IC ratios documented until my son flatly stated "It's 1 Unit for 20 grams of carbs". I asked if he was sure and he was sure but that it was different at different times of the day. I looked at some older parameters and he was right on. I never knew he paid that much attention.

So, second lesson - have a backup meter with in-date strips.

Jaredsmom · #5 06-24-2012, 04:16 PM

Hmm gonna have to put batteries in the old pdm just to see what the bg results are compared to the new. Never considered that being an issue we do have a backup Meter which we got free from abbot. We actually have a couple one for school one for home, so I suppose if it's not accurate I could manually input bg if need be. But what concerns me is when they come out with the new pods we will no longer have a backup because the new pods will require a new pdm.

caspi · #6 06-25-2012, 04:23 PM

We had the same experience about a year ago. It was a great lesson to remember to write down the info! We keep a paper log (I'm old school - I like to see #'s daily) so on the inside of the notebook I have everything written down, and when we change things up a bit, I note the date and change.

I have always considered our old PDM as a backup but didn't think about the strips until you posted this! I DO have a backup regular Freestyle meter that I was able to get from Abbott a couple of months ago. You can also sometimes find them for sale on Ebay.

Insulet has always been great at overnighting new PDM's.

swellman · #7 06-25-2012, 05:02 PM

Abbott is sending a new BG meter that uses the "regular" strips next day air. They have been awesome. Insulet is sending a new PDM for tomorrow as well. The endo emailed me my last parameters (still embarrassed) and the old PDM seems to be reading correctly with the strips and the pod is still pumping basal. You just gotta roll with the punches.

caspi · #8 06-25-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swellman

Abbott is sending a new BG meter that uses the "regular" strips next day air. They have been awesome. Insulet is sending a new PDM for tomorrow as well. The endo emailed me my last parameters (still embarrassed) and the old PDM seems to be reading correctly with the strips and the pod is still pumping basal. You just gotta roll with the punches.

Glad to hear that Abbott was able to send you one. I was lucky to get one as well, but I have heard of others that didn't have the same luck.