Visited my GP's today for my 6 month check up from the local Diabetic nurse.
Her initial question was "are you type 1 or 2?" as I've been type 1 since 1981 & at the surgery since 1992 I was a little taken aback especially when she started having a pop because my HA1Bc has gone down from 55 to 43 in 4 months since my last blood test.
I took this as an opportunity to try for the Libre & started to explain why my levels have been lower. I explained about my new roll at my employers (38 years service) being at times a lot more labour intensive & having to regularly take time out to go & check my levels (this takes me about 15 - 20 minutes, washing off, getting my meter doing the test & trying to sort myself out) it is awkward & at times I do struggle, plus there is a bit of resentment from supervision if I am having a particular bad day.
I requested to go on the libre to possibly save my job & my health - I was told in no uncertain terms "Not a chance - costs too much, you are wrong age (55) & apart from possible hypos you are in good health, I was gob smacked, she then complained my blood pressure was a bit high (no surprise there) Wished me a merry Christmas & said see you again in 6 months time.
Where I live has the unfortunate stigma of having the 2nd lowest male life expectancy in the whole of the UK & now I think I know why as the local health authority do not seem to want to do anything about these statistics because if they do it will cost money!
I came out of the surgery in a bit of a state of shock, I feel worthless it seems the 17-20k I pay every year in tax & national insurance is not worthy of an extra couple of quid to keep me healthy & possibly save my job.
In all my years as a diabetic I have had very very little in the way of "new things" I only got on the DAFNE course in 2016 (& that was hardly new as it has been around for nearly as long as I have been type1) & that is the 1st time in over 30 years as a diabetic that ANYONE has sat me down & explained properly about this condition.
I feel very down about this & I don't know who to talk to or where to go but one sentence of advise to fellow type 1's - don't go moving to Blackpool South.