Expert meters being replaced

[Sarah JW]

Hi All,
I am new to this posting on forums, so forgive me please if I make any newbie mistakes.
I have type 1 diabetes and recently had my check up with the nurse at my gp, I have also been having some problems with my Expert meter, turning itself off, not reading accurately etc, so mentioned to the nurse about needing a new one or whether I could get it mended anywhere. The nurse informed me that the CCG in Stockport are not replacing the expert meters, however are wanting to save money and standardizing meters across Stockport and so gave ne a new machine. The problem is it does not do all the things my expert meter does, I have done carb counting and have different ratios of insulin to carbs for different meals and rely so much on my expert meter which tells me how much insulin to give if I input the carbs. I just wondered whether anyone has any advice for me as it has taken me some time to get my diabetes under relative control and I do not think I can do without my expert machine, does anyone know of any other CCG'S which are doing this?


Sarah

 

[Northerner]

Hi All,
I am new to this posting on forums, so forgive me please if I make any newbie mistakes.
I have type 1 diabetes and recently had my check up with the nurse at my gp, I have also been having some problems with my Expert meter, turning itself off, not reading accurately etc, so mentioned to the nurse about needing a new one or whether I could get it mended anywhere. The nurse informed me that the CCG in Stockport are not replacing the expert meters, however are wanting to save money and standardizing meters across Stockport and so gave ne a new machine. The problem is it does not do all the things my expert meter does, I have done carb counting and have different ratios of insulin to carbs for different meals and rely so much on my expert meter which tells me how much insulin to give if I input the carbs. I just wondered whether anyone has any advice for me as it has taken me some time to get my diabetes under relative control and I do not think I can do without my expert machine, does anyone know of any other CCG'S which are doing this?


Sarah

Hi Sarah, welcome to the forum 🙂 Have you tried contacting the manufacturer and asking for a replacement? They usually give them out free because they are anxious that you keep using their strips, which is where they make their money 🙂 Regarding the CCG changing your meter - this is something that many are doing to try and save money. However, since you have a need for the specific functions of the Expert you should be able to argue to retain it - these things are supposed to be decided on an individual basis. Point out to them that the Expert helps you to manage your blood sugars and that without it they may deteriorate, which is certainly something they do not want to happen 🙂

Have a read of the following, it should help you to argue your case:

http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/bgm/

Also the 'Value your voice' leaflet from AccuChek:

https://www.accu-chek.co.uk/life-with-diabetes/leaflets



Please let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[trophywench]

They won't have stopped making them because it's the Expert you use with the Combo pump, I don't actually know if the non-pump Expert has all the same Bluetooth capabilities but you just don't activate them, or what though.

What the CCG doesn't like is the cost of the strips, mainly cos Accu-Chek strips for all their meters, are amongst the most expensive ones.

There are other meters which also do the insulin calculations - the Insulinx was one of them, not sure the names of others.

 

[Sally71]

@trophywench - the Expert meter is identical to the Combo pump one EXCEPT that you don't have the Pump option on the menu. So it will do all the same calculations for you and will recommend your dose but won't send the information anywhere.

 

[trophywench]

Yes I know Sally - I wondered if they are actually exactly the same piece of kit - except Roche disable the pump menu entirely and just bung it in a different box with a different leaflet!

 

[Matt Cycle]

Hi Sarah. As Northerner says it's a cost saving policy. I'd always used Roche meters (right from when I had to buy my own in the beginning) and Roche kept sending me the latest model until I received a standard letter from the surgery around 5 or 6 years ago asking me to collect my new meter - it was an Agamatrix Jazz. Cheap. If I'd known then what I know now I would have stood my ground to keep using my existing Roche meter. The surgery DN a couple of years later admitted the Jazz was poor and gave me an Optium Neo. The surgery won't be able to change my meter now - a Contour Next as this talks to my pump. Speak to Roche for a new one and speak to your surgery/write a letter stating explaining why you need your Expert and my guess is they'll back down.

 

[HOBIE]

Its a Contour next for me too. It does not work carbs & etc out but it works well 🙂 Good luck & welcome

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

There is the Freestyle Insulinx as an alternative (and the Libre handset I think?!).

If you have a smartphone, you might find there are apps that could help. I know mySugr offers bolus advice. That way you could use any meter.

Having said that - I firmly believe you should not be made to switch meters for another which does not offer equivalent functionality. If the suggested replacement lacks the bolus calculator you will not achieve the same success, and your outcomes/quality of life will be adversely affected.

NICE guidance says you should get to choose the meter which suits your needs.

 

[Sarah JW]

Thank you all for your advice and recommendations, it has made me cry just realising the support that you all give to so many people and wishing I had been in touch sooner, I was reading the posts for hours last night

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you all for your advice and recommendations, it has made me cry just realising the support that you all give to so many people and wishing I had been in touch sooner, I was reading the posts for hours last night

Great that you have found us. Stick around and ask/rant/grump away - and also share your experiences and offer encouragement to others 🙂

 

[Sarah JW]

Thanks Mike, I am having a tough time at the moment, I hate having diabetes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great that you have found us. Stick around and ask/rant/trump away - and also share your experiences and offer encouragement to others 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks Mike, I am having a tough time at the moment, I hate having diabetes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah that’s rotten, sorry to hear that. But you are not alone - I think most people get that from time to time. If you’ve not come across the term before you might find some useful pointers if you look into ‘diabetes burnout’ and other people’s experiences/ways through. At the very least it will reassure you that it is a thing which can pass.

How long have you been diagnosed?

 

[SB2015]

Our CCG tried to change everyone over to a cheaper test kit, which took cheaper strips. I contacted them and explained that mine was attached to the pump so could not be changed, and that others would be using the bolus calculator, as you did, which was essential for T1. Our Practice agreed not to bother to contact any of the other T1s. We cost them peanuts compared to those with T2 as there are relatively few, so they were happy to do this. Just contact your GP Practice manager and explain the problem. The Input site does give you adivce on doing this.

If you are finding it hard with your Diabetes at present that is another reason that they should support your request. It is hard work diond all that we have to do for our Diabetes, and it is no surprise that at times this gets anyone down. I had a very rough time in 2017, but got a lot of help on here from others that really understand, and also got referred by the GP to Talking Therapies. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

 

[Sarah JW]

Thanks, I was diagnosed in 1980 so its all I have ever known really, I just feel so overwhelmed with it all at the moment, HBA1C highest its ever been and I have no motivation at the moment to do anything about it

 

[Sally71]

My mum uses the Accu Chek mobile, which she really loves because of the lack of strips. The same thing has just happened to her, her GP surgery tried to make her swap it for a cheaper one. Well I don't know what she said but she successfully managed to argue her case and has kept the mobile! I think a lot of doctors jut hope that you won't care/won't bother to argue, but if you have a good reason for using the meter that you do, then they should allow you to keep it. Good luck 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

Thanks Mike, I am having a tough time at the moment, I hate having diabetes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would LOVE to meet the person who likes it Sorry I know its a right pain at times but keep at it.😉

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks, I was diagnosed in 1980 so its all I have ever known really, I just feel so overwhelmed with it all at the moment, HBA1C highest its ever been and I have no motivation at the moment to do anything about it

Sorry to hear that

Have you ever had any kind of structured education in diabetes management? Or dabbled with any of those books that can be a useful refresher on tips and techniques (eg Think Like a Pancreas or the Ragnar Hanas book)?

I'm just really aware that after so many years of diagnosis your clinic may just assume you know everything (and you may do!) but sometimes a new nugget of information or two can provide a catalyst to get back on track.

I found the same when I first discovered systematic basal testing via a forum like this one. It just made me think WHY has no-one told me about this before??!?

 

[trophywench]

I found the same when I first discovered systematic basal testing via a forum like this one. It just made me think WHY has no-one told me about this before??!?

Hee hee Mike - you hadn't met me or Terry Gault then had you? - we wrote that page for the forum. I was so impressed when I learned it on my carb-counting course (based on BERTIE and had that 'lightbulb' moment too) and he was the first person on DSF to do DAFNE - so when he was building the forum originally it was a joint decision by the founder members what to include and who'd write it - and I volunteered for that page.

Ignorance of course can be bliss sometimes - but absolutely not where our D's concerned !

 

[Sarah JW]

I completed a course similar to DAFNE, and have been carb counting for some time, I see my practice nurse every 3 months, however have ben refered back to DSN due to high HBA1C and the issue with my expert meter, I have emailed the expert meter people and I am waiting for an answer. I don't think that the issue is ignorance, I know what needs to be done, I am just really struggling to do it at the moment and I don't know where to turn

 

[Northerner]

I completed a course similar to DAFNE, and have been carb counting for some time, I see my practice nurse every 3 months, however have ben refered back to DSN due to high HBA1C and the issue with my expert meter, I have emailed the expert meter people and I am waiting for an answer. I don't think that the issue is ignorance, I know what needs to be done, I am just really struggling to do it at the moment and I don't know where to turn

Some companies are poor at responding to emails Sarah - if you don't hear anything back soon it might be better to give their customer services a call 🙂