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Libre on prescription

Peppergirl

Well-Known Member
Messages
211
Location
Ellesmere Port
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
A few weeks ago I asked my GP about putting the Libre on prescription. GP knew nothing about it. On the back of another normal A1c, had a voicemail where the GP wants to speak to me about this after looking into it apparently. I rang to make a telephone appointment and the receptionist mentioned that the GP wanted to discuss my test strips as I have 300 per month and intimated that this was a lot...

If I'm 'lucky' enough that the GP agrees to add the Libre to my repeat on the basis that I reduce the number of test strips (don't dispute the logic and I have reduced the number of tests), I am worried that this is a ploy to cut my test strips only for the GP to find out that the Libre should not be prescribed and then I end up with a much reduced number of test strips and no Libre.

I'm wondering about your experience with this. Has anyone had the Libre prescribed only for it to be taken away when the CCG/meds management get involved?
 
Sorry no experience of Libre but having Googled it I can see that its a useful tool. Have you found any problems using it, apart from getting it prescribed?
 
why if your using a libra are you testing 10 times a day that is a lot of strips
 
paulus1 said:
why if your using a libra are you testing 10 times a day that is a lot of strips
Click to expand...
Well you still have to use strips when driving and when getting a hypo reading and 'at times of rapid change'. I find the Libre to be pretty inaccurate at times so also test to check it.
 
I have Libre on prescription. I used to finger prick 8-10 times daily but now only before I bolus, OR if I have a high, so now down to 3 or 4 a day. I do find the Libre very accurate, usually between .1 and .8 out on the BG test.
 
I'd contact your CCG in the first place to make sure the GP can prescribe the Libre, if they can't then theres nothing to worry about with regards underhand strip reduction.
 
Peppergirl said:
a CGM would be better though
Click to expand...

I've been using libre for a while now with a small reusable transmitter on top of it called a blucon, from www.ambrosiasys.com, one off cost of £100 and £25 shipping. It reads libre every 5 mins then bluetooths it to a free android app, xDrip+. Turns it into full on cgm comparable to dexcom: alerts, calibration etc. Worth a look if you fancy cgm.
 
@Scott-C and his blucon strikes again! If I didn't react so badly to the libre I'd have gone down this route and I might have even changed my phone from iphone to android to get xdrip.............
 
porl69 said:
I have Libre on prescription. I used to finger prick 8-10 times daily but now only before I bolus, OR if I have a high, so now down to 3 or 4 a day. I do find the Libre very accurate, usually between .1 and .8 out on the BG test.
Click to expand...

That is good accuracy.....I would argue good enough for bolusing......no?
 
slip said:
@Scott-C and his blucon strikes again! If I didn't react so badly to the libre I'd have gone down this route and I might have even changed my phone from iphone to android to get xdrip.............
Click to expand...

What was the reaction.....? a skin reaction kind of thing....
 
thanks all, I've no problem reducing the number of strips or moving to cheaper ones. I just need assurance that the GP won't prescribe the Libre then remove it, leaving me in a worse position. Without the Libre I need to test at least 10 times a day on average.
 
Yes, will take a look at this. thanks
 
paulus1 said:
why if your using a libra are you testing 10 times a day that is a lot of strips
Click to expand...
it's more about confidence that the libre is giving me accurate results, I'm basal testing and other health issues so I've wanted to test at least 10 times a day. Also, 25 years of blood testing is very difficult to let go of. I know that I need to carry on with blood testing even if I'm lucky to get the libre on prescription.
 

Would you feel bad having the libre prescribed but still testing up to 10 times a day....
 
porl69 said:
I have Libre on prescription. I used to finger prick 8-10 times daily but now only before I bolus, OR if I have a high, so now down to 3 or 4 a day. I do find the Libre very accurate, usually between .1 and .8 out on the BG test.
Click to expand...
Did you have to agree to reduce the number of test strips? was your GP aware that blood testing has to continue?
 
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