Type 1 Diabetes backups

[Damonite]

I feel like I'm the worst diabetic going, don't get me wrong, I look after myself but today after 7 years I have just realised I don't have a spare bg moniter or a spare Lancet pen.

I have the accu check finger pricker fast clix pen, you can't get it from the doctors or the hospital, think you have to buy them. My nurse gave me one back when I was in teen clinic.

I have a accu-chek Aviva expert which tells me how much Insulin to take based on how many carbohydrates I tell it. I also got this from the kiddies clinic.

Is there anything I can get off the doctor even if it's a different finger pricker I just hate going docs about diabetes stuff they don't have a clue what I'm talking about. I do have a diabetic check up at my doctors with a nurse on Monday. I don't know what to say just scared they won't give me any thing since I've had simlar things in the past with them.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

 

[Deleted member 308541]

I don't know what to say just scared they won't give me any thing since I've had simlar things in the past with them.

There's a old saying "If you do not ask, you will not get." which is worth remembering.

I paid for my first meter, and I also paid for my lancing devices, I also pay for the lancets.

You can get free meters from the various manufactures such as Accu_Chek or Abbot every now and again.

 

[SockFiddler]

I got my TEE2 free (and the test strips are wonderfully cheap, too, £7.75 and you don't pay VAT if you're diabetic and they've worked that in). As with most meters, it comes with all the usual stuff, case, lancing device etc... Plus it has some nice functions which I appreciate and, out of the 3 meters I have (Glucomen Areo, CodeFree, this one) it's the most accurate.

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/

I highly recommend it, to be honest - a recomendation I got from someone else on this forum.

The trouble with NHS "free" stuff, especially when it comes to meters, is that they'll give you one that, maybe, is all sleek and pretty and has lots of data functions and averages and things that you just won't ever use, and then the test strips will be absolutely killer expensive* - exactly my experience with the Areo, which is a beautiful looking thing, and I'm pretty sure it would wash the neighbours car if I figured out how to use it properly, but 50 strips costs around £25, which is almost 4x what I pay for strips for either of the other two meters.


*Even if you get your strips on prescription, T1s frequently report they don't get enough and have to buy more out of their own pocket, so check first before you commit to your shiny new NHS device

 

[Snapsy]

@Damonite as a Roche 'customer' (which you are, indirectly, as you use a pricker and a meter supplied by them) it is worth you giving their customer services a call - the number will be on your meter. They would I am sure be amenable to sending you a new finger pricker free of charge. They make their money by being paid by the NHS for the consumables - things like lancets and test strips - which is why they tend to give away meters and prickers etc.

HOWEVER - and I might be wrong on this - it may be the case that the Expert meter is only available through a designated hospital diabetes clinic. If for peace of mind though you feel you need a spare you could ring Roche (Accuchek) to ask them if they can send you one as back-up. They are likely to ask you for the serial number on your current meter so as to get it in their system as belonging to you.

 

[noblehead]

I have just realised I don't have a spare bg moniter or a spare Lancet pen.

You should have both as back-up, they can go wrong believe me.

The pens have you will get on prescription (if your also under the care of a hospital diabetes clinic then they may give you a couple of spares), as with the previous reply's just ring any meter manufacturer and they'll give you a free meter and lancing device, just make sure you say to them that you have type 1 and test multiple times a day.

Unlikely Accu-Chek will give you a spare Expert meter due to the cost of them but you could always ask.

 

[dancer]

@Damonite, you say you have an appointment with your doctor and nurse on Monday. Do you also attend a hospital diabetic clinic? If your GP refuses to prescribe items necessary for good control, you are entitled to a referral to a consultant (if you no longer have one). If you do also attend hospital and you have difficulty having items prescribed by GP, contact your DSN who will write to say that these items should be prescribed.

 

[Robinredbreast]

I feel like I'm the worst diabetic going, don't get me wrong, I look after myself but today after 7 years I have just realised I don't have a spare bg moniter or a spare Lancet pen.

I have the accu check finger pricker fast clix pen, you can't get it from the doctors or the hospital, think you have to buy them. My nurse gave me one back when I was in teen clinic.

I have a accu-chek Aviva expert which tells me how much Insulin to take based on how many carbohydrates I tell it. I also got this from the kiddies clinic.

Is there anything I can get off the doctor even if it's a different finger pricker I just hate going docs about diabetes stuff they don't have a clue what I'm talking about. I do have a diabetic check up at my doctors with a nurse on Monday. I don't know what to say just scared they won't give me any thing since I've had simlar things in the past with them.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

Hi, just ask, you do need a back up pen and meter, I asked my surgery DSN and she wrote out the prescription and I collected them about a week later, they are essential in case one become's faulty, get's broken or lost etc.
Good luck,