Does radiation/brachytherapy prevent my use of insulin pump, which radiation can damage?

[happycamperguy]

Do I need to be concerned with radiation impacts on my insulin pump after prostate-area radiation treatment?

I’m diabetic and use a Medtronic 670 hybrid insulin pump with a separate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor/transmitter. To prevent radiation damage to pump and CGM transmitter, I remove both prior to any X-Ray or scan, and keep them out of the X-ray room.

I plan to have da Vinci radical prostatectomy next. If I eventually need radiation or brachytherapy, would this impact the use of my insulin pump? In other words, how far from a radioactive brachytherapy seed does radiation travel after it is implanted? Or does beam radiation “linger” in my body as radiation after treatment? How far?

I normally wear my insulin pump on my belt, and my CGM monitor/transmitter on my abdomen at about bellybutton level, to one side or the other.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[jmurgia]

My wife just got her new 670G a month ago. They told her about the precautions you are already taking. They didn't discuss seeds. If you have the DaVinci surgery, where would they be placing seeds afterwards? I'd call Medtronic about external beam radiation. You should have a local rep to call or else the 800 number.

Joe

[happycamperguy in reply to jmurgia]

Thanks. I’ll be calling Medtronic. I want to hear patient perspectives, too.

[Tall_Allen]

Ask Medtronic, but I doubt it's a problem.

Your lack of understanding about radiation suggests that you have not done due diligence in understanding your alternative treatment options. I suggest you meet with specialists in each of your alternative therapies before deciding.

[cpcohen]

I was going to answer this, but there were too many "maybe's" and "probably's" and "I think's". So follow Tall Allen's advice:

. . . Call Medtronic and ask.

. . . Find a radiation oncologist, and ask him/her.

If you Google "insulin pump radiation damage", you'll find that the subject is being actively researched.

. Charles

[dadzone43]

A good question for your Radiation Oncologist. S/he is part of your team.

[depotdoug]

Good questions to consider all of them. I'm too am looking at radiation targeted toward my metastatic pelvic lymph nodes in the really near future, soon. Yes, my MO has me on Lupron 90 day injections, 3rd one in 10 days. I've been on Abiraterone and Prednisone since Dec 10th has squashed my PSA to 1.100ng/mL...

But my point is I have 1. a Medtronic Interstim Neurostimulator implanted in 2016, supposed to fix my urinary retention, neurogenic bladder. Mr. Medtronic device is not even working oh well. Will it be damaged by Radiation?

I've also have a St Jude ICD/Pacemaker 2nd one implanted in my upper left chest quadrant, Will that med device be impacted my Radiation?

Too many questions. I'll ask my MO March 10th. It will probably shock him!