Libre2 Prescription rejected

[Stephen Bond]

As some of you may know my gp accepted that, due to new meds that can cause hypo, I can have the sensors on repeat. This was about a month or so ago. Ive Had 3 with no prob last was on 18th november. I was ordering my meds on 29th so popped a tick in my sensor. Imag8ne my horror when I logged in to check and find full lot had been rejected. Phoned reception lovely lady said she'd sort it and to call back that evening. Did so to be told by a rather abrupt lady that it had not been and she doesn't know what I was looking at the nhs patient site, but she could see the prescription had gone over to pharmacy. However she also told me sensor was rejected. Mo reason, nothing. I asked her to find out. That was Thursday, I still don't know why.

Thing is I'm having really bad lows during the night and the sensor alarm wakes me. Last night was worst yet, sudden drop and really felt bad. Terrifies me what could have happened without sensor.

Anyone else had repeats rejected with no explanation.

BTW I have sent over in writing asking why.
Photo is last 24 hours readings.View attachment 57907

I am/was using Libre3 and I found that after about 7 days I started getting "low level" alarms a lot during the night, and then also some during the day. I have a blood test kit, so i double checked the results, and they were not dangerously low at all. This went on for some days and I finally turned off the alarm because it was simply wrong and frightening me, to say nothing of waking my wife in the middle of the night.Finally I removed the defective sensor early and put on a new one. No more problems at all. That defective sensor caused a lot of worry/concern an a lot of banana and biscuit eating!
I personally do not really trust the Lirbre3, and even when it is working without frequent alarms, it is always lower than my blood strip testers. Fortunately I do not have a serious Diabetes problem, and so will probably give it up after Christmas and stick with the blood test strips.

 

[Andrea Freeman]

Type 2 diabetics are not entitled to the Libre2, or at least that's what I have been told by my clinic. Despite having a thing about pricking my fingers I am not entitled. I have paid £150 for these in the past and they work well, taking away my anguish and keeping me informed of my levels. However, I cannot afford to pay for them as I am retired and on a small pension. Well done if you get them for free.

Well done???
What a horrible insensitive comment to make. I don't often log into these discussions and I think I am right in doing that.

 

[sue512]

Thanks for the advice. I do have a sharps bin but it seems the local council are no longer replacing them when one is collected. Is it just the used sensor which you put in the sharps bin? The applicator would practically fill it!

Mine are on repeat prescription and are 5litre thingies, so huge! I usually either take them back to a pharmacy or the hospital to dispose of them, didn’t realise the council would take them! I am in wales mind

 

[Echob]

That is incorrect, type 2 diabetics can now be prescribed Libre2.

You just need to speak to your DSN and ask them, I originally was not fussed as I couldn't se the value and they were literally force on me! (BTW I am Type 1)

My health is a bit of a disaster too many consultants and fiabetic nurse that is not very good so maybe time to put on big girl pants and ask to be seen byDSN

 

[sue512]

Well done???
What a horrible insensitive comment to make. I don't often log into these discussions and I think I am right in doing that.

I didn’t get the impression that silver surfer was being insensitive but just congratulating someone in successfully obtaining cgm on prescription instead of having to self fund, which is a rare occurrence for us type 2’s

 

[JaneyReid]

I have a sharps bin on prescription and abbot suggest that’s how you dispose of them

Sharps bins are free from any chemist…just ask at the counter..

 

[sue512]

Yes, and I do. But having to complete a questionnaire with over 15 questions and then wait 3/4 days for delivery isn’t ideal, However my initial message was regarding just a general prescription for the sensor, not faulty ones.

If you phone abbot about a faulty sensor they don’t seem to ask as many questions and resolve problem straight away

 

[sue512]

Sharps bins are free from any chemist…just ask at the counter..

We weren’t able to get any at all for about 18 months and I’ve only been able to get them on script. Is it different in wales where I am to England?

 

[mrcpu]

Type 2 diabetics are not entitled to the Libre2, or at least that's what I have been told by my clinic. Despite having a thing about pricking my fingers I am not entitled. I have paid £150 for these in the past and they work well, taking away my anguish and keeping me informed of my levels. However, I cannot afford to pay for them as I am retired and on a small pension. Well done if you get them for free.

i was taken to hospital recently after having a hypo, shortly after being released i was contacted by the hospital diabetic nurse and after a conversation with her she asked me do you want to ask me anything? so i thought i,d ask about the libre patch and her response was...because i had been admitted to hospital with a hypo i could apply for and get the libre. i am a type 2 diabetic on insulin.

 

[Helen R]

Thanks for the advice. I do have a sharps bin but it seems the local council are no longer replacing them when one is collected. Is it just the used sensor which you put in the sharps bin? The applicator would practically fill it!

You, more importantly, need to put the applicator in the sharps bin, as this is the bit with the big needle in it. You need to request a wide orifice bin tho

 

[Mike88]

Hi there

For those of you who haven't yet gained access to Libre 2 or other "flash/intermittently scanned glucose monitors" here is the current NICE guidance.

Thousands of people with diabetes set to benefit from real time information after updated NICE recommendations

www.nice.org.uk

It covers T1 & T2. I would highly recommend anyone who hasn't tried one to give it a go. It has been a game changer for me. I discovered night time lows despite finger prick results usually being bang on. Life feels much safer now. Mostly my Libre 2 has given accurate readings. Another benefit is I am getting the sensation back in my finger tips. Hoping to get access to the Libre 3 soon. Abbott don't make it abundantly clear but all faults with sensors should be reported to them (phone or online) who will replace FOC. Even if one falls off on day 13. It might take a week or so for them to get it to you so I avoid only having one sensor spare.

The best placed person to ask to get you started is you diabetes specialist nurse.

Best of luck

 

[Stephen Bond]

If you phone abbot about a faulty sensor they don’t seem to ask as many questions and resolve problem straight away

I am still waiting 2 weeks later for my replacement. Not at all impressed with Abbott or their customer support.

 

[Stephen Bond]

I didn’t get the impression that silver surfer was being insensitive but just congratulating someone in successfully obtaining cgm on prescription instead of having to self fund, which is a rare occurrence for us type 2’s

That is incorrect, type 2 diabetics can now be prescribed Libre2.

You just need to speak to your DSN and ask them, I originally was not fussed as I couldn't se the value and they were literally force on me! (BTW I am Type 1)

BTW these things are not free even when paid for by the NHS. You pay for these via the NHS with your taxes. That is why we pay for the NHS.

 

[Wilfedog]

As some of you may know my gp accepted that, due to new meds that can cause hypo, I can have the sensors on repeat. This was about a month or so ago. Ive Had 3 with no prob last was on 18th november. I was ordering my meds on 29th so popped a tick in my sensor. Imag8ne my horror when I logged in to check and find full lot had been rejected. Phoned reception lovely lady said she'd sort it and to call back that evening. Did so to be told by a rather abrupt lady that it had not been and she doesn't know what I was looking at the nhs patient site, but she could see the prescription had gone over to pharmacy. However she also told me sensor was rejected. Mo reason, nothing. I asked her to find out. That was Thursday, I still don't know why.

Thing is I'm having really bad lows during the night and the sensor alarm wakes me. Last night was worst yet, sudden drop and really felt bad. Terrifies me what could have happened without sensor.

Anyone else had repeats rejected with no explanation.

BTW I have sent over in writing asking why.
Photo is last 24 hours readings.View attachment 57907

Hi been going to my surgery for about 5 years and only once had my batch prescription correct

 

[Wilfedog]

Hi been going to my surgery for about 5 years and only once had my batch prescription correct

My lows happen about 4 am get as low as 2.9 bit shaky asked doc for sensor said no

 

[Stephen Bond]

My lows happen about 4 am get as low as 2.9 bit shaky asked doc for sensor said no

What does your MP say about this wonderful service that you have paid for?

 

[Captain_Sensible]

Hi guys !

I had the same issue. The reason I was given is that the NHS contract with free style Libre is only contracted to 26 sensors per year. 2 each month and an extra 2 incase of any faults.
Some Drs will prescribe without any problem, others are sticking to the contracted amount of 26 in a year.
Really inconvenient for us type 1s considering 25% of the sensors are faulty

If you get a faulty one- Just ring Libre themselves and after a few judicious questions they will send you another one and if you ask nicely - even 2 I've found

 

[Ymdawd]

Type 2 diabetics are not entitled to the Libre2, or at least that's what I have been told by my clinic. Despite having a thing about pricking my fingers I am not entitled. I have paid £150 for these in the past and they work well, taking away my anguish and keeping me informed of my levels. However, I cannot afford to pay for them as I am retired and on a small pension. Well done if you get them for free.

In Scotland it depends in which Health Board in which you reside. I reside in Fife and their policy is that type 2 diabetics are entitled to freestyle libre 2 sensers provided you are on two different insulins.

Prior to this increase of insulins I was on a single insulin mixture and thus according to Fife Health Board rules was not entitled to Libre 2 sensors. For about 2 years i used to buy them myself which as you found out is exceedingly expensive.

 

[Stephen Bond]

If you get a faulty one- Just ring Libre themselves and after a few judicious questions they will send you another one and if you ask nicely - even 2 I've found

You did well. I am looking around for an alternative to the Abbot devices. Not reliable readings, and poor customer support. They are milking millions out of the NHS.

 

[Ymdawd]

I am/was using Libre3 and I found that after about 7 days I started getting "low level" alarms a lot during the night, and then also some during the day. I have a blood test kit, so i double checked the results, and they were not dangerously low at all. This went on for some days and I finally turned off the alarm because it was simply wrong and frightening me, to say nothing of waking my wife in the middle of the night.Finally I removed the defective sensor early and put on a new one. No more problems at all. That defective sensor caused a lot of worry/concern an a lot of banana and biscuit eating!
I personally do not really trust the Lirbre3, and even when it is working without frequent alarms, it is always lower than my blood strip testers. Fortunately I do not have a serious Diabetes problem, and so will probably give it up after Christmas and stick with the blood test strips.

Freestyle Libre 2, or later, sensors are not without their problems. It is a smart idea to have a BG strip meter to counter any “ unusual “ results. Sometimes the two systems will agree and sometimes they will not.

To be fair to Abbott i have never had any trouble getting faulty sensors replaced and I have had about 6 in the past year.

If using insulin and libre 2 it is nice to know that you can go to sleep and not have to worry about not wakening up from a bad hypo. An occasional false alarm is a small price to pay.