How likely is Dexcom funding?

[Shannon27]

Hi everyone!
I'm still trying to get control of my diabetes and would really like to try the dexcom, as I have learned with the libre that while it is great for preserving fingertips, it doesn't warn you if you're going out of your set target range at a certain time. This is the push that I PERSONALLY need to get my diabetes back on track.
I have emailed Dexcom to ask if there were any schemes in place for type one diabetics, I didn't think there were from what I've seen on here but I wanted to double check. They replied pretty quickly (working in an office environment I can appreciate that!), basically confirming that no schemes existed. They did suggest that I try to get it funded through my local hospital as I can't afford it on my own.
I have an appointment next week with both the consultant and my DSN. How likely is it that I will be able to get the dexcom kit fully or partially funded, based on the fact that I am struggling to get my HbA1c down from the 70-80 range?
Cheers!
Shannon

 

[Jolly_Johnson]

Hi Shannon I have just got funding through my hospital as my awareness was not that great after having type 1 for almost 50 years now. It is life changing so good luck and hope you're successful.

 

[Deleted Account]

I tried in vain to get the DexCom funded. I have Reynauds so often struggle to get blood out of my fingers (and didn't get on with the Libre). I contacted INPUT, Reynauds charity and my diabetes team. They came up with nothing.
As a result, I chose to self fund ad hoc Dexcom usage. By having occasional CGM results to analyse, I have been able to tweak my insulin doses and improve my BG readings.
My diabetes team were able to arrange a DexCom trial of 4 sensors which got me well on my way.

 

[tim2000s]

Hi @Shannon27 - in most areas, the only criteria that will remotely be considered for CGM funding is extreme hypo unawareness, to the extent where you have lost your driving license and have suffered multiple A&E visits as a result. Unfortunately, this is in line with the NICE guidelines.

Good luck!

 

[Scott-C]

would really like to try the dexcom, as I have learned with the libre that while it is great for preserving fingertips, it doesn't warn you if you're going out of your set target range at a certain time.

On it's own it won't, but if you put a blucon transmitter on top of your libre sensor and get xDrip+ on your phone, the blucon reads the sensor every 5 mins and bluetooths it to xDrip+, which has high/low alerts.

The blucon only costs about £100 as a one-off cost so it's a cheap and cheerful way of getting alerts with libre. It's not waterproof so needs to be taken on and off for showers but that's no big deal given it's advantages.

Blucon can be bought here:
https://www.ambrosiasys.com/

https://m.facebook.com/ambrosiasys/?locale2=en_GB

xDrip+ can be downloaded here:
https://github.com/NightscoutFoundation/xDrip/releases

I've been using it for a couple of weeks now. I'm very happy with it. You can calibrate against bg tests, so it really tightens up libre results. Readings are frequently only about 0.2 or 0.3 off bg test.

Here's a screenshot of xDrip+ waking me up at 4am as I approached 4. You can see at top left how it's predicting a low in 8 mins. I've had it predicting lows 78 mins out - not always accurate but a useful heads up to keep an eye on things! If you input bolus and carbs it'll show a rough guess prediction on the graph to give a suggestion of where that'll take you.

 

[Copernicus]

Which is better, Dexcom or Freestyle Libra ?