Type 1: Problems with prescriptions for test strips

The use of CGM type systems tends to change thing dramatically. In the last two months I've used a grand total of about 130 strips. Prior to using CGM I was testing 10 times a day and using over 300 a month.

But you are allowed as many as you need.

Hi @HoneyBea
Please have a look on my website about the libre and how I use it
https://type1bri.com/freestyle-libre-flash-glucose-revolution

If you use it full time then it is about £100 a month running costs
I use it when I'm basal testing or if having control problems

You don't have to use the Libre all the time, each sensor should last up to 14days, ~£50 a piece (you can tick the VAT exemption box!) you can buy the reader which is also a blood glucose and ketone tester, for which your GP can prescribe the strips for (!? as many as you NEED lol) - many diabetes clinics have some readers and sensors given to them by Abbot ask yours if they have any (free!).

If you have a compatible Android phone you can use an app and the NFC of the phone to scan the sensors, saves another £50 on the reader (if you had to buy one).

Been warned there is one major issue with the Libre.............once you've used one you'll want more!

slip said:

Been warned there is one major issue with the Libre.............once you've used one you'll want more!

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Absolutely right!

@HoneyBea there are loads of threads on the forum about the Libre, including lots of reports of user experiences - you'll get a really good idea if what it's like to use and its benefits and drawbacks - but my own experience is that using it in addition to blood glucose testing has improved my diabetes life immeasurably.

HoneyBea said:

Has anybody come up against problems with being prescribed test strips for your glucose monitor machine? I'm newly diagnosed and the DN told me to test as often as I need but at least four times a day. Problem is that I'm using around 7-8 a day currently (some give a fault error and have to be discarded) and they are supplied in boxes of 50. I just put a new prescription in and they tell me that I can't have anymore as they were only prescribed about a week ago. Anyone else had similar experiences?
Bea

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Dear bunny bee I have on the odd occasion run out of sticks but have gone to chemist who has used an emergency prescription to give me a tub of sticks until I get repeat prescriptio sent to chemist to be collected when they go in to chemist hope this helps Davie

HoneyBea said:

Has anybody come up against problems with being prescribed test strips for your glucose monitor machine? I'm newly diagnosed and the DN told me to test as often as I need but at least four times a day. Problem is that I'm using around 7-8 a day currently (some give a fault error and have to be discarded) and they are supplied in boxes of 50. I just put a new prescription in and they tell me that I can't have anymore as they were only prescribed about a week ago. Anyone else had similar experiences?
Bea

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Your doctors practice should know better. As a newly-diagnosed T1 you will need to test more regularly anyway as you adjust your basal amounts, bolus ratios, etc. Sure, a Freestyle Libre (if you have one) will help you but finger prick testing is the only way to be certain as CGMs are never THAT accurate.

As @catapillar details, there are plenty of times you need to test. If you drive to drop off/pick the kids up from school or go to work, then that's two tests done as being legally mandated by the DVLA. Add in three meals a day and the 2/2.5 hour check afterwards and already you are on eight before doing anything else like sleep, exercise or having a hypo/hyper.

We used to get some friction getting test strips for my daughter. They would only let us have them in batches of fifty and we were going through them every 5-6 days. And they got obstinate with me when I was putting in repeats every few days. So we got our DSN to write to them and now we get four boxes of 50 at a time. I'm allowed three boxes at a time.