Glucose meter offer.

[Kirth]

Hi all.
I'm a newly diagnosed Type 1.5 (LADA), just turned 60.
I was given a 'Contour' glucose meter by the diabetic clinic the same day I was diagnosed and put straight on insulin.
I've been increasing the insulin (Lantus) by one unit every 3 days and have brought my glucose down from 21mm/L to an average of 7mm/L in 5 weeks.
Unfortunately the rapid decrease in glucose level has caused severe vision impairment and I have had to stop work until it stabilises.
I am checking my blood glucose 8 times a day and recording on a Glucose Tracker app.
I have now found an offer from ContourNextONE for a free meter that connects wirelessly to compatible smart phones.
Has anyone taken up this offer?
I understand it uses ContourNext strips which are different from Contour test strips, are these available on prescription?
I really would like to stop the hassle of recording everything by hand even if I have buy a new compatible phone.

 

[Docb]

Hi @Kirth. You will need to talk to whoever is prescribing your meter and ask them if they will change your prescription. There are no rules as far as I understand, it will depend on your GP practice and your powers of persuasion. One thing for certain is that each meter requires strips for that meter so if you take up the offer you will need the appropriate strips.

 

[Kaylz]

certain CCG's will only authorise certain strips, you can generally access the prescribing criteria through your diabetes departments website or by googling your CCG but those strips aren't authorised in my area for Type 1 or Type 2 xx

 

[Kirth]

I attend the diabetic clinic at the hospital where I work which is in a different CCG to my GP. So I guess I will have to check out my local CCG and see what they are willing to pay for even if the clinic says I can have them.
Thank you for feedback.

 

[grovesy]

I attend the diabetic clinic at the hospital where I work which is in a different CCG to my GP. So I guess I will have to check out my local CCG and see what they are willing to pay for even if the clinic says I can have them.
Thank you for feedback.

Often if they are reluctant to supply, if your hospital team recommend they will ask them to do so. Many do this to get a prescription for the appropriate number.

 

[Kaylz]

For my area its Type 2's who need to monitor BG - Contour Meter, Contour Test Strips and Omnican Lance Soft and anticipated usage for strips is 50 per month if not on insulin and 100 per month for those on insulin

Predominantly for people with Type 1 diabetes - Accu-Chek Aviva Expert
Countour Link Meter
Freestyle Lite Meter
Glucomen Aero 2K Meter
Freestyle Optium Meter
GlucoRX Nexus Meter
Anticipated usage up to 200 strips per month

Really what your team says should go and if not then get them to contact your GP directly, have you also asked if you could be a possible candidate to get the Libre on prescription?

Sorry to hear about your eye problems, I myself went through trouble less than a month into my Type 1 diagnosis which required eylea eye injections, I hope things start to improve soon for you xx

 

[Pumper_Sue]

You will probably find that your CCG pays the same price for the test strips regardless as they have deals/contracts with the providers. So Just ask for a change of test strips with the PIP code for clarity

 

[DaveB]

My surgery changed to MyPura meters a few years back and still with them. I was told the strips were cheaper and the surgery made the choice and decision; a nice meter and interesting strips.

 

[grovesy]

As long time part self funder I have found some of the more expensive strips more temperamental than the cheaper ones. Also one I have where the monitor plugs in the phone, but does not automatically turn the app on so can waste a strip if you don't check.

 

[Becka]

Supposedly my local C.C.G. will prescribe anything approved by the N.H.S. but they prefer TRUEyou, WaveSense JAZZ and WaveSense JAZZ Duo for type 2. Which I guess means is the cheapest and what they will give unless you make a case for something different.

When I was diagnosed I was given a OneTouch UltraEasy, but when the lancing device broke and I asked what to do they just switched me to a TRUEyou mini. The results I am sure are within the normal tolerances but otherwise is not a great device. There is no way to get anything off of it other than writing it down, and the clock has its own idea for the passage of time.

 

[grovesy]

Supposedly my local C.C.G. will prescribe anything approved by the N.H.S. but they prefer TRUEyou, WaveSense JAZZ and WaveSense JAZZ Duo for type 2. Which I guess means is the cheapest and what they will give unless you make a case for something different.

When I was diagnosed I was given a OneTouch UltraEasy, but when the lancing device broke and I asked what to do they just switched me to a TRUEyou mini. The results I am sure are within the normal tolerances but otherwise is not a great device. There is no way to get anything off of it other than writing it down, and the clock has its own idea for the passage of time.

That does not surprise me, as the One Touch strips to buy when I self funded them was about £25.00 even with the Pharmacy knocking the VAT off.

 

[Becka]

Looking as the N.H.S. Drug Tarrif (for England and Wales), the OneTouch Ultras strips are not list, so maybe they no longer support that device. However OneTouch Select Plus strips cost £9.99 whilst the TRUEyou ones are £7.95. The WaveSense Jazz ones are £8.74.

 

[LucyDUK]

I understand it uses ContourNext strips which are different from Contour test strips, are these available on prescription?

My son uses these strips as his meter (I thinks its called Contour Link USB or something similar) is one which sends data to Medtronic pumps, so yes definitely available on prescription generally but as others have said will depend on local protocols so best to check with GP.

 

[grovesy]

Looking as the N.H.S. Drug Tarrif (for England and Wales), the OneTouch Ultras strips are not list, so maybe they no longer support that device. However OneTouch Select Plus strips cost £9.99 whilst the TRUEyou ones are £7.95. The WaveSense Jazz ones are £8.74.

I belive I may have had an email sometime ago saying they were withdrawing and replacing, but i was not using be then.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Like @LucyDUK’s son, I’ve been using Contour NextLink meters for years (because they were part of my pump).

They have been one of the most accurate and reliable BG meters i have ever used. I now have a couple of spare handsets (one for car, one for by my bed) so all meters use the same strips.

The strips are on the more expensive end of the NHS list, but my feeling is that the accuracy makes them worthwhile - and since switching pumps (so no longer needed in that respect) I am using far fewer strips a day because of the Dexcom.

 

[trophywench]

I used a One Touch Ultra for years and loved it but was subsequently given an Accu-Chek Expert. Oh oopsie, that read higher than the One Touch, not sure I trust it. Didn't dawn on me for ages that was why my A1c was quite a bit higher than my meter indicated ....

 

[Piglet]

With any new meter there will be a leaflet in the box which is basically a note to your GP asking to change the prescription of test strips. Whilst CCG's have preferred meters due to cost there should be no issue if you choose to use a different meter which better suits your needs.