Libre 2 sensor use

[FaridS]

Hi Everyone. This is my first post. I have been using the Libre 2 sensor for 2 years and it has completely changed my diabetes control for the better. For over 20 years I struggled to have good control over my blood sugar levels but in the last 2 years it has been perfect. However my local GP, after agreeing to provide the sensor on the NHS 2 years ago, are now saying I do not qualify! It has made me very anxious and worried as I believe the great work of the last 2 years will be wasted.
Does anyone have any similar experience and how can I convince my GP to continue to provide the sensor.
Many thanks

 

[helli]

Hi @FaridS and welcome to the forum.
Unfortunately Libre on prescription for people with type 2 is not very common.
Some may suggest you have been very lucky to have it for two years. But that does not help you now.

Can you provide some background to your diabetes management? For example, do you use insulin?

 

[Lucyr]

how can I convince my GP to continue to provide the sensor

By meeting the criteria. For a T2 the NICE criteria is injecting insulin 2+ times a day and have been medically advised to test 8+ times a day. There are some alternative criteria to 8+ tests a day such as if you need a carer to test for you or if you have hypo unawareness. Do you meet any of those criteria?

 

[Lucyr]

It has made me very anxious and worried as I believe the great work of the last 2 years will be wasted

Surely if you’ve been using it for two years you must have learnt what foods etc work and don’t work by now and can continue those learnings? Or are you using the sensor results to adjust insulin doses throughout the day? What exactly are you doing with the sensor to give that improvement in control?

 

[Docb]

Just to add to @Lucyr 's comments. CGM like the libre is rarely prescribed for T2 diabetes and it is far from routine to prescribe finger prick testing supplies for anybody not taking medications that might lead to very low blood glucose. As such it looks like your GP "bent" the rules a bit to prescribe the libre in the past and is now tightening things up. It is unlikely that you will be able to get then to change their mind.

I don't think the work you have done in the last couple of years has been wasted at all. The good control you are getting is because you must have used the readings from the libre to make changes to your diet and from what you say those changes have been successful. The libre has done what was wanted and if you maintain those changes then all should be well without the monitor.

 

[Ieva DUK]

Hi @FaridS and welcome to the forum! It’s fantastic to hear how much the Libre 2 has helped you over the past two years - it really shows how powerful the right tools can be in managing diabetes, especially after years of struggling.
It’s completely understandable that you’d feel anxious about the prospect of losing access to something that’s made such a difference to your health. You're not alone - others in the community have also run into similar issues, especially where local prescribing policies vary, particularly for those with type 2 diabetes.
If you're using insulin and testing frequently to adjust doses, it may be worth checking if you meet the current NICE guidelines, which include criteria such as injecting insulin multiple times a day and needing to monitor frequently. If you think you do, it could help to speak to your GP again or request a referral to a diabetes specialist, who may have more flexibility with prescribing.
Even if things don’t go your way, please don’t feel like the progress you’ve made has been wasted. You've clearly learned a lot over the past two years, and that insight will continue to serve you well. Some people move to using finger-prick meters more selectively while continuing the same eating or medication routines they refined with the help of the Libre.
Really glad you've joined us here - there’s lots of experience and support to draw on, so do keep sharing and keep us posted when you feel able to.

 

[FaridS]

Thanks you all for your comments and particularly Ieva DUK. I do 2 injections a day and have used the sensor readings for adjusting the dose. Also I am prone to hypos which happens very quickly and have ben able to manage that with the alarms. Everyone is different and for me after 20 years of unsuccessfully trying everything you can think of, the sensor has been the success. My HbA1C has almost halved. If it has such an impact on me then there must be others who can benefit.

 

[FaridS]

Hi @FaridS and welcome to the forum.
Unfortunately Libre on prescription for people with type 2 is not very common.
Some may suggest you have been very lucky to have it for two years. But that does not help you now.

Can you provide some background to your diabetes management? For example, do you use insulin?

Hi Helli. Thank you for your reply. I am on insulin twice a day and I use the readings to adjust my dose. Currently reduced by 30% since using the sensor. Also helps me avoid hypos. This has been a game changer for me and the reason to deny Type2 users seems very random.

 

[FaridS]

Surely if you’ve been using it for two years you must have learnt what foods etc work and don’t work by now and can continue those learnings? Or are you using the sensor results to adjust insulin doses throughout the day? What exactly are you doing with the sensor to give that improvement in control?

Hi Ludyr. I have learnt a lot about food, exercise etc in the past 2 years but nothing more than I knew in the previous 20 years and I can't fully explain it but perhaps I need the constant access to the readings. All I know is that it works for me. For me the sensor is a visible reminder of not falling into bad habits, helps me adjust my insulin and prevents hypos.

 

[Lucyr]

I have learnt a lot about food, exercise etc in the past 2 years but nothing more than I knew in the previous 20 years

If you haven’t learnt anything new then the sensor hasn’t been helping your readings. For the sensor to be so helpful that you now cannot do without it you must be doing something and taking some action based on the results. What actual decisions do you make based on the cgm? That is what you need to explain to your GP to see if you meet the funding requirements.

 

[FaridS]

If you haven’t learnt anything new then the sensor hasn’t been helping your readings. For the sensor to be so helpful that you now cannot do without it you must be doing something and taking some action based on the results. What actual decisions do you make based on the cgm? That is what you need to explain to your GP to see if you meet the funding requirements.

You make a valid point. I'll have to list out the items that have had an impact on me

 

[Leadinglights]

You have some very valid reasons for wanting to continue with your Libre being prescribed, putting together a good case of the benefits to help your case for the continued funding would be beneficial.
Being on insulin puts a different complexion on your situation, I'm not sure people had realised you were.

 

[FaridS]

You have some very valid reasons for wanting to continue with your Libre being prescribed, putting together a good case of the benefits to help your case for the continued funding would be beneficial.
Being on insulin puts a different complexion on your situation, I'm not sure people had realised you were.

Thank you for your positive feed back and advice. I will list out the benefits for my GP and see if I can convince them. I appreciate the economics of it but if it helps Type2 diabetics avoid long term complications then it should be available to us.

 

[HayleyR]

Hi @FaridS, I cant agree with you more about the benefits of having a CGM. I started off with a trial one from Abbott and quickly realised that it was a gamechanger for me. Although Type 1, I had to self-fund for some time and eventually my Diabetes consultant at the hospital was able to arrange for me to have a prescription. It's definitely worth pursuing as it's so beneficial for you. Are you also under the care of a Diabetes Team at the hospital?

 

[FaridS]

Hi @FaridS, I cant agree with you more about the benefits of having a CGM. I started off with a trial one from Abbott and quickly realised that it was a gamechanger for me. Although Type 1, I had to self-fund for some time and eventually my Diabetes consultant at the hospital was able to arrange for me to have a prescription. It's definitely worth pursuing as it's so beneficial for you. Are you also under the care of a Diabetes Team at the hospital?

Hi @HayleyR. Thank you for your words of encouragement and I am sorry you had to take this route. Mine is similar. In 2015 my HbA1C was 88. It had been of that order for some years under the care of my local surgery's care! They wouldn't refer me to a specialist so in 2016 I went private and I see the same doctor now. About 2 to 3 times a year. Costly but worth it. from 2016 my HbA1c dropped to 50/55. Better but not great. In 2023 he introduced me to Libre 2. I also started with self funding but due to his recommendation and a long discussion with my GP they agreed to put it on a prescription. Since then my HbA1c is at 39. I am sure during these years some damage was done to my body. some are irreversible.
Now another GP from the practice says I don't qualify. I am waiting for an appointment but they say I have to do a blood test first. 🙄

 

[rebrascora]

Do you need to see a consultant 2-3 times a year now that you have good diabetes management? Most of us who are Type 1 see a consultant once a year and that is mostly sufficient. Maybe you could save money on the private consultancy to spend on Libre but I also agree that it is fundamentally wrong that Type 2s are not offered Libre in situations like yours especially if they are able to demonstrate that they are making good use of it. Hopefully it will eventually happen as it is that most Type 1s now automatically qualify for it on prescription, but many of us self funded before we managed to get it on prescription. I spent birthday and Christmas present money on mine as I didn't have much disposable income to fund it. Those sensors were some of the best presents I ever had in my opinion. It was a relief to get them on prescription but it took time and some persistent pestering. Before that I was testing up to 16 times a day with finger pricks to try to understand my BG levels and body responses to food and insulin. Maybe if you up your testing to maintain your great diabetes management, they will see that Libre is cost effective. That said, I didn't get enough test strips provided and had to self fund extra of those too!.

Really hope you can convince your new doctor that this is a worthwhile investment to continue prescribing Libre for you.