Libre

[nomorecarbs]

I asked the doctor if I could Be fitted with the libre but he said I must be testing my blood 8 times a day before I would be considered,is this correct has anybody else been told this

 

[Bruce Stephens]

That's an oversimplification. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...our-diabetes/testing/flash-glucose-monitoring
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/diabetes-technology/how-to-get-diabetes-tech links to that and offers tips on how to argue for the technology if you don't clearly satisfy the criteria.

 

[rebrascora]

That is one of the easiest criteria to fulfil for prescribing it but there are others. Working in unsanitary conditions where finger pricking would be a health risk is the most recent one, for people like farmers and sewer workers etc but I believe there are also qualifying factors like poor hypo awareness. You are more likely to be prescribed it by your consultant than a GP I think and it really helps if you keep good BG records with notes like a food/exercise diary etc to show that you are doing your best to control your diabetes.... they are more likely to prescribe it to people who they feel will make the most of it.
Hopefully someone else will post a link to the full NICE guidance for qualifying for Libre on prescription as I am not sure where to find it.

I was put on the list after my appt with the consultant in Feb but due to the current situation, it is all on hold. I bit the bullet last week and decided to self fund it until I get prescribed since I have been assured that will still happen at some point and I have to say, it is a revelation!

 

[nomorecarbs]

Hope you don’t mind me asking but is it very expensive to buy it yourself,I am going to ask my consultant again when I go for my next appointment,

 

[rebrascora]

I would recommend you make a list of all the reasons why you feel it would be beneficial for you.... Have BG readings and notes to show circumstances where you feel it would have been useful. I had a list of about 6 reasons and was prepared to fight my corner which I find incredibly difficult so I was very stressed going into my appointment but after a short discussion about a couple of incidents in my diary he offered me the Libre before I even fired my opening volley.... I came out of the appointment with a big grin of relief on my face and I may or may not have skipped along the corridor....

Since then of course there has been no progress because the NHS want you to go on a course before you get it and all courses were cancelled.

A starter kit of the reader and 2 sensors was £133 with the VAT removed, which lasts a month, then sensors are about £50 each after that and they last a fortnight. I am low income but had some birthday gift money and there is nothing that I could have bought with it which would have made me more excited.... maybe that just makes me sad, but it really is a great bit of kit. I am only a week in at this stage, so still learning lots, but will be scraping money together for my next purchase of sensors before these run out.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope you don’t mind me asking but is it very expensive to buy it yourself,I am going to ask my consultant again when I go for my next appointment,

Ive been self-funding Libre (and various other sensors) for a number kf years, and usually aim for 1 sensor a month to reduce the cost. Though I am just about to get Libre on prescription, I think.

Sensors cost approx £50 (just under without VAT) and last for 14 days.

They can be read via a smartphone app if your phone is compatible, ir there is a standalone reader that doubles as a BG and ketone meter which costs another £50.

If you are interested in trying Libre to see how you get in with it, it might be worth going for the ’starter pack’ which contains a reader and 2 sensors.

 

[SB2015]

I asked the doctor if I could Be fitted with the libre but he said I must be testing my blood 8 times a day before I would be considered,is this correct has anybody else been told this

Welcome to the forum.

The Libre is a great piece of kit, and has been a game changer for me.
In a number of areas, the specialist clinics arrange a trial to see if it can help.
It would be worth asking about the arrangements around you.