Type 1 on Libre, how many BG strips so you get?

[PattiEvans]

Warning - bit of a rant!

On 19 January I rang my surgery asking to speak to the surgery DN to get her to prescribe different BG strips as I had changed pump. The pump DSN had already said she'd write to the surgery asking for my script to be changed to Abbott Freestyle Optium strips but I was running out of strips as I'd not wanted to order more for my old pump handset. The receptionist told me she would make a phone appointment and the nurse would ring me at 2pm on Friday 21st. I waited for the call which didn't come. At 4pm I rang the surgery asking what was going on and was told no appointment had been made, but this Receptionist, who I know well and is very efficient, said she would sort my prescriptions out.

Fast forward to last Tuesday 25th. I got a call from the surgery DN and we discussed what I needed - it seemed no prescription had been done in the meantime. I asked her for the new strips, ketone strips and Levemir cartridges - whilst doing the training for the new pump I had discovered the latter two items were waaay out of date. The DN sent the script for these over to the chemist electronically whilst we were speaking. I went in on Weds to get the items and was told they weren't yet in, but I could pick them up today after midday. Hubby went over at 12:30 to get the script along with some other items I had ordered online. He came into the house just as our lunch guests arrived. So I didn't check the items he'd got until gone 5pm when the guests had left. There were no Ketone strips, BG strips or Cavilon spray which I'd also ordered. So we got in the car and went back to the chemist. After a wait and investigation by the staff they found the scripts for those items - marked by the Chemist "Do not order, warehouse out of stock!" and had just filed the scripts, not bothering to tell hubby. I discovered at the same time that the DN had only prescribed 50 test strips. By this time it was 5:50 and it's the last chemist open in the town except for a Boots in a shopping precinct 10 miles away - who were not answering their phone, so I didn't want to traipse over there if they didn't have the items in stock. Talk about frustrating.

However, after all that my question is, how many strips do others get if they are on the Libre? Whilst my current Libre is fairly accurate, I'm mostly reluctant to dose off a lot of the sensors. Am I being unreasonable to ask for more than 50 strips at a time? I last had 200 strips prescribed back in late Sept and I am not irresponsible with them.

Sorry for the rant... but it does help to get it off my chest! LOL!

 

[Kaylz]

When my serial prescription was reviewed with the pharmacist at the health centre mines were upped to 250 a month because of my issues with Libre and because it fails to keep up with the drop I often have on getting out of bed xx

 

[Bruce Stephens]

However, after all that my question is, how many strips do others get if they are on the Libre? Whilst my current Libre is fairly accurate, I'm mostly reluctant to dose off a lot of the sensors.

I use one strip every couple of days now, so way less than 50 a month. However, if you need more then you need more...

 

[PattiEvans]

When my serial prescription was reviewed with the pharmacist at the health centre mines were upped to 250 a month because of my issues with Libre and because it fails to keep up with the drop I often have on getting out of bed xx

I know @Kaylz you are between a rock and a hard place! I do feel sorry that the Libres constantly seem to let you down.

So from yesterday evening I have only been able to use the Libre to dose on as I am saving my 3 remaining strips in case I need to check lows or something.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I test for each meal I have plus any corrections and calibration of the sensor so could use 4 strips/day. Plus some needed for driving.

 

[PattiEvans]

So around 120 a month? I have sent an email to the DN who is usually very helpful, but only works 3 days a week so it may be awhile before she gets it.

 

[rebrascora]

Oh dear Patti. Sorry to hear you and your husband have had such a run around to get your prescription sorted. I get 150 ie 3 pots allocated a month but I don't use anywhere near that and I just order them as and when I need them. In reality 50 a month would probably be more than enough but if I had a sensor failure and no replacement, I could easily go through a pot in a few days so I appreciate having the 150 available to order if I need them. Last time I got some was November and I should be good till at least March or Probably April if Libre works as it normally does. I am quite happy to bolus off Libre and I rarely double check hypos these days unless I don't feel hypo. I rarely get readings over 10 and I am happy to do corrections under 10 from my Libre readings. I do maybe 6-10 "calibration checks over the course of the sensor lifetime at random times when my levels are very stable to give me some reassurance as to how close the Libre is to a finger prick and usually it is within 1mmol and almost always consistently lower than BG which is fine with me and I take that into consideration when I bolus.

I hope you manage to get something sorted tomorrow. I think when you rely on this equipment for your health, running short is really quite scary even when in reality you will probably be absolutely fine relying on the Libre. It's just the thought of not having a back up system, like tightrope walking without a net.

 

[EmmaL76]

200 a month on my prescription x

 

[PattiEvans]

Interesting! Thanks everyone for your input. I probably have been using just a few over 50 per month - as I only eat twice a day as a rule, but I feel so naked without them! Plus I have to order so many other items it gets tedious constantly having to remember to order stuff!

Definitely thinking about Xdrip @Benny G - can you give me a link to find out more please?

Libre 2 has changed my life... I don't say I never go over 10 but am 93% in target with only 2% below over the last 30 days.

 

[rebrascora]

@rebrascora, my usage is almost exactly the same. I feed my calibrations into Xdrip, but we are basically on the same wave length. (Your time in range sounds a lot better than mine, but that is a different issue)

So 3 to 5 strips a week to support Libre. Libre readings to dose for shots.

My TIR ebbs and flows a bit. I had a personal worst a couple of weeks ago at 78% but I am approaching and pushing hard for a new PB at the moment. Just notched up to 96% with 2 above and below for the past 7days but my current PB is 97% with just 1 below, so it is within reach if I am really focused..... Probably obsessive but will get a real buzz out of a new PB even though I will then go off the boil for a bit. Low 90s is reasonable for everyday maintenance for me when I am happily low carbing and getting my Levemir doses right. Couldn't manage it without my Levemir allowing me so much flexibility and a key factor has been learning to know when it is safe and necessary to stack corrections and I have started quite frequently correcting under 10, particularly for protein.
Interestingly my HbA1c is usually low 50s and despite my great TIR I can't seem to improve on that, but I think it may be due to my low carb diet and protein keeping my levels in the 8s and 9s for quite long periods which is partly why I have started correcting at lower levels. My consultant is absolutely delighted with low 50s though and my TIR of course but it's a bit of a game with me to see if I can improve things. I have learned to accept the ebb and flow and be more relaxed when my results are not so good. Will be really chewed off if I blow it without at least equaling my current PB in the next couple of days though, now I am so close!

 

[helli]

I get prescribed 200 strips at a time.
This is not per month; just when I order them.
My test strip prescription did not change when I got the Libre and I have never been refused a test strip or ketone strip prescription.

I use an average of 3 test strips per day - one in the morning and evening for calibration and others when needed whewn Libre is reporting high or low.

 

[PattiEvans]

Are you using an Android phone @Pattidevans ?

Yes

 

[PattiEvans]

I get prescribed 200 strips at a time.
This is not per month; just when I order them.
My test strip prescription did not change when I got the Libre and I have never been refused a test strip or ketone strip prescription.

I use an average of 3 test strips per day - one in the morning and evening for calibration and others when needed whewn Libre is reporting high or low.

What I have always been prescribed Helli... I only order as needed too. Up to this week 200 has lasted me over 3 months, nearer to 4, but I do need to know they are there.

 

[trophywench]

I've still got 200 on my repeat - but of course using the Combo pump if I want it to work out boluses properly etc, it's always best to test my BG - so I do. But as I don't drive myself now and Libre 2 is more accurate than it once was for me, I'm happy to trust it for most other things.

 

[Sally71]

We have always got 200 at a time of the Accu Chek strips which we used with Combo pumps. Once we got Libre we used significantly less but the prescription has never been changed and I just order them less often. Now we’ve got Dexcom and a Tandem pump, daughter was given a new meter (Glucomen?) but we also have an Aviva Expert meter (not a pump one) which we were given when she was first diagnosed before she got the pump. So I think she has one in her school bag and one somewhere else and we have both strips on the repeat prescription. Accu Chek we can still get 200 at a time, which is probably too many now but I’ve never got round to changing it (and we might need them again if for some reason we stop using Dexcom), Glucomen they only gave us 50 at a time but we use so few now that’s enough so I can’t be bothered to argue!

 

[Jacen017]

Mine is also a repeat for 200 strips at a time. I only seem to be using like 5-10 a week now though so that should last a long time

 

[nonethewiser]

100 strips, last about 2 months thereabouts.

Before libre was using 300 which lasted 5 weeks, fingers ends are thankful to libre device.

Thought getting pump was life changing but libre even more so, for someone like me who is lazy when it comes to diabetes & never records anything manually it provides so much information for so little effort, example love me sleep & in bed by 10pm & hated waking & bg testing through night, now have all that info at hand & can adjust basal rates accordingly, what's not to like about it.

 

[helli]

fingers ends are thankful to libre device.

I have read others mentioning the effect of finger pricking on their fingers. Often this is mentioned as a reason for a CGM. I have read of doctors/nurses telling people with Type 2 that they do not prescribe meters because there is no reason to harm their fingers. Media articles talk about the "painful finger pricks".

I do not recognise this. I was finger pricking at least 4 times and often 10 times or more a day for over 15 years. My fingers were fine once I learnt how to finger prick (warm hands, correct depth on lancer) and where to prick (for me this is to the side of the finger and a different one each time). IN fact it makes me angry when I read articles that mention the challenge of diabetes is that you have to do painful blood tests every day. Not only are there bigger challenges by far, it is untrue if you know how to do finger pricks. So why are we not taught how to prick with least pain? Why are we left to work it out ourselves or suffer?

And the value of the Libre is nothing to do with less finger pricks it is the amazing insight you get between finger pricks.

Sorry, nonethewiser, I went off on a rant. It is not directed at you. You just managed to tweak the nerve.
And I appreciate some people have more sensitive fingers than others.

 

[nonethewiser]

I have read others mentioning the effect of finger pricking on their fingers. Often this is mentioned as a reason for a CGM. I have read of doctors/nurses telling people with Type 2 that they do not prescribe meters because there is no reason to harm their fingers. Media articles talk about the "painful finger pricks".

I do not recognise this. I was finger pricking at least 4 times and often 10 times or more a day for over 15 years. My fingers were fine once I learnt how to finger prick (warm hands, correct depth on lancer) and where to prick (for me this is to the side of the finger and a different one each time). IN fact it makes me angry when I read articles that mention the challenge of diabetes is that you have to do painful blood tests every day. Not only are there bigger challenges by far, it is untrue if you know how to do finger pricks. So why are we not taught how to prick with least pain? Why are we left to work it out ourselves or suffer?

And the value of the Libre is nothing to do with less finger pricks it is the amazing insight you get between finger pricks.

Sorry, nonethewiser, I went off on a rant. It is not directed at you. You just managed to tweak the nerve.
And I appreciate some people have more sensitive fingers than others.

Fine no problem helli, agree finger jabbing is not painful nowadays, wasn't so with earlier lancing devices but current ones are exceptional, same goes for insulin needles.

 

[Jacen017]

I have read others mentioning the effect of finger pricking on their fingers. Often this is mentioned as a reason for a CGM. I have read of doctors/nurses telling people with Type 2 that they do not prescribe meters because there is no reason to harm their fingers. Media articles talk about the "painful finger pricks".

I do not recognise this. I was finger pricking at least 4 times and often 10 times or more a day for over 15 years. My fingers were fine once I learnt how to finger prick (warm hands, correct depth on lancer) and where to prick (for me this is to the side of the finger and a different one each time). IN fact it makes me angry when I read articles that mention the challenge of diabetes is that you have to do painful blood tests every day. Not only are there bigger challenges by far, it is untrue if you know how to do finger pricks. So why are we not taught how to prick with least pain? Why are we left to work it out ourselves or suffer?

And the value of the Libre is nothing to do with less finger pricks it is the amazing insight you get between finger pricks.

Sorry, nonethewiser, I went off on a rant. It is not directed at you. You just managed to tweak the nerve.
And I appreciate some people have more sensitive fingers than others.

I'd definitely agree with that. It's not painful at all despite everything you always read.

However, I personally have so much trouble with needles that the fingerpricking was literally taking up my whole day. Was taking about 1.5 hours to get any blood because I have this mental block that won't let me press the button on the pricker so I have to try and psych myself up and then more often than not end up just taking the Lancet out and bouncing it around on my finger until it goes in a bit. And then I'd have to immediately start getting ready for the next blood so I could test 2 hours after 🙄.

The same with my insulin, but because the needle is so fine it tends to go in much quicker and easier. Also, I want to be able to eat haha.

The libre has literally given me my life back only doing a few calibration checks and when it says I'm low.