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Hi all, has anyone had luck getting libre sensors from the doctor? Im type 2 on tablets but i am so much better when i have been trialling sensors.
- Thread starter luke633
- Start date
- Status
I have a review tomorrow as struggling to get blood sugars down. I really don't like the finger prick test.
Sadly, the NICE guidelines suggest your diabetes needs to be treated with insulin to entitle you to the Libre trial.
What is it that you don't like about the finger test? Many of us were using that technique 10+ times a day for many years with no pain or other side effects. There are a few things to consider with your technique to make finger pricking easier
- "rotate your fingers" - use different fingers. I would use all 8 fingers over two days to spread the load. Some people suggest your index finger should not be used but this has never been a problem for me. I could also use my thumbs but I leave them as "back up". For example, one finger was out of action when it was shut in a car door.
- prick the side of your finger not the centre of the pad. This tends to be less painful and, if you do hit a nerve, does not affect your ability to type, for example.
- adjust the prick depth. Most lancet devices will have a control on the side to adjust how deep the lane will penetrate. You need it to be deep enough to get blood but only just.
- prick warm fingers. When our fingers are warm, the blood is closer to the surface so you do not need to prick as deep. I often "cuddle a cuppa" to warm my hands before pricking.
If you feel you must have a CGM but the cost is prohibitive, you could use one intermittently. When Libre 1 was first released, I self-funded one for 2 weeks out of every 6. I would use the sensor to learn how different foods and activities affected my BG and then adapt my diabetes management according to what I had learnt for the next 4 weeks. After that, I would go back to a sensor for 2 weeks to see how I was getting on a learn more.
That said, there is no harm asking your GP for the Libre on prescription - they can't say "yes" unless you ask.
Good luck.
What is it that you don't like about the finger test? Many of us were using that technique 10+ times a day for many years with no pain or other side effects. There are a few things to consider with your technique to make finger pricking easier
- "rotate your fingers" - use different fingers. I would use all 8 fingers over two days to spread the load. Some people suggest your index finger should not be used but this has never been a problem for me. I could also use my thumbs but I leave them as "back up". For example, one finger was out of action when it was shut in a car door.
- prick the side of your finger not the centre of the pad. This tends to be less painful and, if you do hit a nerve, does not affect your ability to type, for example.
- adjust the prick depth. Most lancet devices will have a control on the side to adjust how deep the lane will penetrate. You need it to be deep enough to get blood but only just.
- prick warm fingers. When our fingers are warm, the blood is closer to the surface so you do not need to prick as deep. I often "cuddle a cuppa" to warm my hands before pricking.
If you feel you must have a CGM but the cost is prohibitive, you could use one intermittently. When Libre 1 was first released, I self-funded one for 2 weeks out of every 6. I would use the sensor to learn how different foods and activities affected my BG and then adapt my diabetes management according to what I had learnt for the next 4 weeks. After that, I would go back to a sensor for 2 weeks to see how I was getting on a learn more.
That said, there is no harm asking your GP for the Libre on prescription - they can't say "yes" unless you ask.
Good luck.
Thank you for your reply.
To be honest it's more the monitor I don't like. It's a new monitor but it gives different readings. Yesterday I pricked on the same hand twice with readings of 26 and 15. For the last 3 weeks I have struggled to get my levels down pass 25!! I put a libre in last Friday and am averaging 12.
Back in September last year i did the libres for 6 weeks and my blood test hba1c level was 39. Fast forward to Feb and another
blood test my hba1c was 88.
I'm on 2000 metformin, 14g rybelsus and another tablet to bring my levels down.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Are you making sure you have washed your hands and your test strips are in date.
What monitor is it.
It would be cheaper to purchase a new monitor, inexpensive ones are available on line a couple which take the cheaper strips are the GlucoNavii or TEE2.00
Portugal1000
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I ordered the Libre 2 yesterday on the free trial. Not exactly sure what happens after the two weeks, do I just order and pay for the sensors myself after that (happy to do so). I was surprised they never asked for any card details.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Are you keeping a food diary and learning from the info that the Libre is giving you, so that you can tailor your diet to what your body can cope with?
With levels as high as 25 you are going to end up on insulin anyway and may then qualify although not guaranteed even if you are on insulin, but seems such a shame if you can manage things better with Libre, without insulin.
Many of us Type 1s had to self fund for months or even years before getting it on prescription and there are several Type 2s on the forum who still self fund Libre.
With levels as high as 25 you are going to end up on insulin anyway and may then qualify although not guaranteed even if you are on insulin, but seems such a shame if you can manage things better with Libre, without insulin.
Many of us Type 1s had to self fund for months or even years before getting it on prescription and there are several Type 2s on the forum who still self fund Libre.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yes, I believe the free trial is without any obligation, so if you want to continue after the trial, then you just go back to the site and order however many you want and pay for them.
Some Type 2s use them sporadically to gain info to tighten up their diet and then have a few weeks off and then use it again for a couple of weeks to gain more info to fine tune things.
Bruce Stephens
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Exactly that, yes. If you choose to buy more.
They'll definitely want that if and when you want to buy any sensors, but the free offer really is just a free sensor for you to try.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
There is this one on Amazon so may be worth you getting a new monitor. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glucose-Diabetes-Portable-Diabetic-Glucometer/
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I self fund,you can reduce the cost by ticking you have Diabetes and they take the VAT off.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
My GP practice don't even give out meters and test strips. Mine were what I bought myself.
I don't even see a GP for diabetes, there is no specialist nurse, one of the nurses gets to deal with most of the diabetes patients unless something goes wrong for them.
I am lucky that I don't seem to need anything special in the way of treatment otherwise I suspect I'd be in trouble.
Last time I saw the nurse she hinted that I should come along and give diet advice to her group.
You're right that knowing our blood glucose can be a great help, but I really don't think that type 2s will be getting CGMs any time soon.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
You aren’t eligible for cgm in England on these medications
- Status