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How to get a Libre

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Wooly123

Active Member
Messages
42
I moved to Scotland last March just before coronavirus hit and been struggling to get an appointment with a specialist as they don’t consider new referrals as urgent. I would really like to ask them if I can have a Libre on the NHS. I have wanted one for ages but haven’t had any support from diabetes specialist for over a year now due to this virus. Have just recently decided I really should push them for an appointment as I have a hiking trip coming up in April and have also started trying for a baby, but impossible to get through to my gp at the moment.

So my question is... if I buy the Libre myself will my doctor be able to change my prescription and provide the Libre sensors on a monthly basis? Or is this something they only provide if you were prescribed the Libre by an NHS doctor? Has anyone else done this?
 
Hi @Wooly123 ,

From my experience as a self funder.
The GP may be keen that I should have one on script. (& was.)
The ultimate "say" is down to the endo..
That was where I got stonewalled during a consultation...

You may get luckier than I in your location.

Best wishes.
 
Hi @Wooly123
I'd agree with @Jaylee above and had a similar experience with my Endo'.
I had been self funding for over a year when I went for my annual diabetes check up. I was told that my blood sugars were "too well controlled" and that they were only giving them to people who were struggling.
They've always got a 'get out of jail free' card - although to be fair, that was before the last change to NICE recommendations.
 
Wooly123 said:
if I buy the Libre myself will my doctor be able to change my prescription and provide the Libre sensors on a monthly basis?
Click to expand...

As long as you have a smart phone with NFC you shouldn't need the Libre starter pack with the dedicated reader.

You just buy the sensor and use the phone to start it.

You need to check very carefully that your phone supports the LibreLink App and has been checked to work with the sensor.
 

I think the endo would probably say yes to giving me one as they do recommend it particularly for women trying for a baby, plus I already struggle with evening hypos. I know my hba1c isn’t terrible at 7.3 but they recommend under 6.5 for having baby. I don’t see how I am going to achieve that without the Libre to be honest!

I’m torn between going the long way round but cheaper in the long run or just saying to hell with it and self funding!
 
Wooly123 said:
I’m torn between going the long way round but cheaper in the long run or just saying to hell with it and self funding!
Click to expand...

You can self -fund whilst trying to get them on prescription - I know I was self-funding for about 2 years before I finally got it on prescription.
For me self-funding did prove that I did a lot better with them than without, so that helped my case for getting them on prescription.
 

Thanks, yes I have seen that on their website. My main concern is the cost of those sensors. I mean it’s close to £100 per month that I don’t have to pay at the moment, or have I got the price wrong? I know good health is worth it and I will do if it if it’s my only option but wanted to try to avoid that cost. Just bought a new house and getting married in October so trying to be clever with money where possible
 

That’s great to know. Think I may try self funding for now until I can see a consultant
 

What I know with my HCPs is they don't seem to understand how I understand & use the tech. (I do use a Bluetooth bridge with a 3rd party app.
"Oh, you're the first person I've seen with one of those..." Said my DSN.
I felt like a "sales rep" explaining what was going on.

Your life is yours with circumstances differing from mine or the next peice of advice. if you can obtain one yourself (even if for just the duration of your holiday?) please do. Certainly don't be put off getting it on script.

I feel with regards to my Endo, (or the next Endo.) if I was tor try requesting again..?
I'd keep the "Star Trek coms badge " under wraps..
 
I too am in Scotland and I got mine as a result of being put on a waiting list as recommended by my diabetic consultant
It took a while and I had to go on a Libre course before I could get the reader .. the sensors were only put on prescription after my consultant had authorised it , it’s a pain in the bum as personally I believe everyone should have them, without jumping through the numerous amount of hoops people seem to have to do, it’s also a bit of a post code lottery at the mo. Now along with COVID all appointments have stopped , so getting one may take some time, self funding maybe the only way, it is expensive but a 2 week on two week off system may make it a tad cheaper.
 

I’m by no means a technical genius so have no idea what your technical stuff meant haha but may need your help when I get my Libre! Spoken to my fiancé and he agrees that I should get one. I have decided that I am going to bite the bullet and self fund for time being. I think it will be worth it. If money is tight a particular I can go back to old fashioned finger pricking
 

I had no idea so much jumping through hoops would be involved. I agree, everyone that wants it should have it. Healthier diabetics means less of a strain on the NHS in the long term surely! I will go ahead and get it myself for now as I think it will make such a big difference. Like you say, I can do without it when I am concerned about cost but was worried I won’t want to do without it once already tried it. I am really excited now I have made the decision. I am going to get it now
 
I had the libre on a trial for 2 weeks after two weeks I was hooked I couldn’t afford it unfortunately so had to wait til I could get it on prescription ! I’ve had diabetes for 40 years and due to poor control which was down to me not taking bs I lost my right leg below the knee , sounds horrendous but in all honesty it’s not that bad . The Libre is a total game changer had I had it 10 years ago I would still have two legs , the only thing I will say it is because it’s so easy to take blood sugar you tend to do it all the time especially at first, however don’t try to keep up with fluctuating sugars or else all you will do is look after your blood sugars ! You can suffer from a bit of information overload. You still need to live your life and go hiking . Good luck with your libre when you get it and enjoy the West Highland Way ,
 

I ordered it last night. Just bought one of the Libre 2 sensors and downloaded the app. Now just waiting for it to arrive
. I got the Libre 2 because there was no difference in price and the only differences that I could see was that it can alert you when you are too high or low, so that’s why I went for that one.

I’m so sorry you lost your leg but glad you aren’t finding it too bad. I find whatever situation I am in, seeing the positive side and looking forward rather than backwards always helps. Glad you finally managed to get Libre on prescription
 
Well done you , in case you don’t know if your using a reader and your phone remember to scan your reader first with a new sensor as if you scan a new reader with your phone first it won’t work with the reader , however if your scan reader first it will work with both ,
As far as my leg is concerned I’m very much like you , look on the bright side , I doesn’t bother me one little bit , I can’t even remember what it was like with a leg, it doesn’t really stop me doing anything, I’m retired from work now which is a bonus, I don’t know how I had time to work, and as I say there is always someone worse off . I’ve had that mentality since I got diabetes 40 years ago , just use the cards you’re dealt I say,
Hope you manage to get your libre on prescription soon
 

I decided not to get the reader in the end as I will just use my phone. I have a good old fashioned paper diary that I use to make notes on any patterns I have noticed etc.

Bless you, you have brought a year to my eye it’s such a shame we have to fight these battles, but makes us all the stronger I suppose. Yes, we must always remain positive no matter what. I was feeling kind of alone as a diabetic since I haven’t been able to see a consultant for a while and no matter how much you talk to family and friends they don’t understand as they don’t have diabetes themselves, and you risk becoming annoying/a burden. I’m glad I joined this site, it is nice to share all our experiences
 
Well as long as you log into this site you” ll never be alone, I can guarantee that if you have a problem someone here has either had it or has had something very similar, and be more than willing to help
 
There is a website you can link your phone to to download the data (Librelink) so no need for pen and paper unless you prefer it. It’s quite a while since I had a libre so can’t remember the details but I’m sure you can work it out or get some help from regular users on here
 

That’s great thanks. Will check it all out once my sensor arrives. 5-7 days seems so long
 

Hi, I was a self funded for a long time and I live in central London paying sky high rent prices at the time. I found it a little stressful so I had to stop and once I did stop I developed anxiety and stress about not managing my diabetes properly and the fear of hypos set in. I then has a few sessions with the local diabetes therapy team at my clinic and they really helped and put a case forward for me to get funded. If you push for it and push to be heard eventually you will get there x
 
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