• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Too many people not having access to blood glucose machines.

becca59

becca59

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,111
Location
West Yorkshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Is it just me or has the debacle over the Libre 2 upgrade highlighted peoples inability to manage this condition by blood glucose testing alone. Also, why have people not got access to these items. I have 2 different monitors that use different strips. Which my Gp prescribes monthly for one and bi monthly for the other. I like to cover all basis. I admit I don’t test as much as I perhaps should. But I do have the ability to do so and have the knowledge to look after myself without a Libre should the need arise. It’s a slippery slope for a serious disease.
 
Hi
I have to smile at this as i am in my 50th year of diabetes and all i had to begin with was the ability to test my urine!!
I had to boil syringes and pay for needles.....
Not so happy days but i knew no different and managed with what i had.

Newly diagnozed folk have so much fantastic stuff to help that i fear you may be right and people won't be able to manage the condition without CGMs and the like.

But hang on as a libre, fantastic as it is, has to be used in conjunction with a blood glucose monitor or how do you know the libre is accurate?

Like you OP i can have as many testing strips as i like and have a fantastic forward thinking GP practice but not everyone is that fortunate?

Newly diagnozed folk rely on medical professionals to manage the condition whereas i manage with my experience ( i havent seen a specialist or DSN for years) and if they aren't getting the message through about monitor usage then yes it could be a slippery slope.....




Lots of food for thought and i hope i don't sound pompous and smug......

Good luck everyone

Tony
 
@becca59 I share your surprise.
How many times has it been repeated that LIbre readings need to be tested with a finger prick before correcting?
How many times has it been mentioned that you must carry finger prick meter with you when driving?
How many times have people experienced faulty sensors?

I have been reading people searching for their test strips, people returning from work because they haven't got their meter with them and someone on holiday with no back up to their Libre.

I sometimes take a CGM-break to make sure I can manage without that technology.
I tell myself I should also take a pump break but I can't bring myself to do so unless I absolutely have to ... and when I did have to last year, I coped.
 
I remember in my younger days (I mean I am only 26 but :hilarious:) writing all my blood sugars out by hand to show to my diabetes team when I went for my hospital appointments. It's a little crazy to me how much technology has progressed over the years and how little the old ways are seemingly not being taught to the "newer generation" diabetics. They're just given a CGM and sent on their way. I do rely on my CGM a lot as it has done wonders for me but I still carry my blood tester with me, I currently have 3 although I do need to replace one soon. One at home, one in my car and one at work. You never quite know when you'll need one and I like to be prepared. It's surprising though how many GP's can be very awkward about prescribing test strips for people on CGM's, I'm lucky and mine have never questioned my usage but others really have to fight to get anything they need.
 
I confess I like the way sensor will, with the app, record the results for me, but I agree, it’s really necessary to know how to use blood sugar testing to tell whether a sensor is accurate.
I also like that the addition of a small transmitter attached the sensor can send up to date (ok, 15 mins in the past tense with Libre) bs to a watch. I calibrate my watch according to bs results. Best of both worlds.
It took me a while following diagnosis to learn how to run Type One, and that had to be using physical symptoms. Pee tests were useful but lumped the last four hours together in the test tube. Today’s tech is great.
Yes, it would also be great if there were more education today for the newly diagnosed: another ‘missed target’ for the underfunded, understaffed NHS.
 
@Fairygodmother it certainly appears as those put straight onto Libre are not also given blood glucose testing equipment and training to use it. Worrying! Being without a sensor allows you to be aware of how your body is feeling and teaching you to recognise highs and lows.
 
I too am lucky enough or unlucky enough depending on your point of view to remember life when finger pricking was new , how far we have travelled , but like all new technology after a while it becomes common place , and we become ever reliant on in , I think this latest problem proves it , but we must have a plan B , and for diabetics that is finger pricking ,
 
Hi
I remembered over the weekend at some point earlier this year the alarm on my libre failed ....guess what happened?

I woke up!!

Felt shocking levels in the twos but i woke up thankfully.

My point here is we shouldn't get complacent either.....before libres i often delayed going to bed to make sure my levels were where they should be and if you rely completely on your sensor ??
Another potential slippery slope.....

Happy monday

Tony
 
Back
Top