[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

Thanks

thanks for the offer banie , went down to my local pharmacy and she gave me a freestyle optimum neo for nothing ,

GlucoNavii seem to have the cheapest strips but don’t ship to Ireland ,

any recommendations for a decent monitor with more economical strips ?

My GP has amended my LTI script to include the G7 as an alternative to the G6 "if available".

My pharmacist has said that he will go with the G7 as my default from now on. Fingers crossed it will all play nicely as a simple substitution and HSE will continue to reimburse.

Price of G7 is €75 per unit, price of G6 sensors (which I'm already getting on LTI) €225 per 3. Plus the additional €215 every 90 days for a transmitter.

The cost to the HSE stays the same and I save nearly €1k a year in transmitter cost. I will let the thread know how it goes.

Hi everyone,

I'm T1 and recently moved to Ireland. I have got on the LTI scheme so have accessed my insulin, needles etc with no hassle, but I've not managed yet to be taken on by a diabetes specialist team and therefore haven't been able to get a CGM system on my prescription.

I rang the hospital and they informed me that I would need a GP referral for this. This annoyed me as when I saw the GP to have him fill in my LTI application he never brought this up (I should have asked about hospital appointments but I was overwhelmed at the time and just desperate to get the application sent), and seemed to have zero knowledge of diabetes or the scheme.

When looking through my UK prescription to write down all my diabetes meds, he had no clue what was and wasn't for diabetes (I had eczema and asthma medications on as well). He asked me what he needed to do and had to flip to the front of the form to remind himself of the name when writing it down. His English was poor so communication was really difficult. I would have thought a GP would be well accustomed to both the illness and scheme which must be pretty common amongst patients.

So basically I'm kind of resenting going back and spending 60 euro for him just to email the hospital for me. I know I should have asked but he knew I had just arrived in the country and I think a good GP would think to ask this.

I've seen mentioned in places about having appointments with doctors online for 25 euro? Does anyone have any experience of these or know if they could refer me? I wouldn't be so hesitant to go back only he seemed so unprofessional.

Thank you

Had my 2nd Nurse appointment at my GP surgery yesterday. Bloods done, feet checked. Loss of feeling in left foot but I've an ongoing separate issue which might be the cause. Next Endo appointment in May, so full bloods being done in advance , I've also got Graves disease (Thyroid) so added complications. Medications seem to be making a difference.

Big relief getting on the LTI scheme. Seeing a chiropodist soon also. Very fortunate to have such a great GP practice 😏

Are you in Leinster? Wondering if I might have luck ringing a pharmacy down or up the country.

If you have less than 10days left on the transmitter it won't allow you to start a new sensor AFAICR. So I tend to run mine until the transmitter expires.

The new one only starts counting down once activated. My usual strategy was to let the active sensor get to it's last day and then swap over to the new sensor and transmitter.

If memory serves you are using yours with a pump? If you are looping I don't know anything at all about that other than there will be 2hrs with no CGM data while the new sensor and transmitter starts up but that's a situation you've already had with normal sensor changes.

I've always found r/Dexcom on Reddit to be a mine of info.

In a related aside, I've got some spare G6 sensors if you need any spares.

I'm a happy diabetic today 😁

Will get this setup via xdrip later today. I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs. I thing I'll already for anyone coming from a G6? The new applicator is a ⅓ of the size of old one. Similar to a libre sized one.

My darling wife gifted me a 360g Toblerone last night😁. My being a savage with limited self control meant I demolished it inside an hour 😟

Anyway, here's a look at how my wonky pancreas and 45units of Lantus fought back 🤷‍♀️ I started eating around the same time I took my basal.

Self inflicted and stupid... I think next time she buys my chocolate it'll be by the square🤣

Hi Banie01,

I've been using test strips since I was diagnosed T1 a few years ago. I'd tried a couple of free style libre sensors when trying to pin down some night time readings at my own cost.

A few weeks ago another T1 advised me that it was a bit easier now to get the G7 on the LTI - so I made enquiries. The nurse advised me I would need a specifc compatible phone (which I dont have - I have a decent phone but not on the list provided by Dexcom) or I would need to seek funding to get the additional reader that comes with the G7.

Not really in the mood to splash out 350 odd minimum for a compatible phone or wait around for funding.

If I can back and advise I have a compatabil phone will the apps you mention work with the existing phone and sensor? (I am techie so no issues with messing around with apps etc)

Also, on the question of how the sensor communicates with the phone, is it over NFC or some other technology - don't think the phone I have is NFC which might force me into a new one anyway.

Thanks for any advice.

Much appreciated - thanks and best wishes.

The last time I saw my Endo privately was in 2016 and that cost me €220. I saw an endo privately for 6 or so years up til then and tbh, it was a waste of money. No change in treatment or anything I didn't or couldn't get on the public system.

Even on the public system, I'd advise cultivating a good relationship with the DNS's at the clinic you're attending. Even without getting to know them, they are always very helpful(my clinic is Limerick) Any time I've had an issue? A phone call to the DNS,a chat through the issue and if needed an appointment for clinic within a week or 2.

I won't say that a private Endo is a waste of money. I will say that you will be paying for blood tests, dietician and every other thing you can be charged for. All without really gaining nothing other than not seeing a registrar at clinic.

On the Dexcom G7, I am finding that it is far more sensitive to location/placement than the G6.

I usually wear my sensor on the back of my upper arm. I've so far had 1 die after 3 days (replaced straight away by Dexcom CS) and another is currently not updating. It's displaying a signal loss error.

When I was talking to Dexcom, the agent did mention that they are seeing higher sensor failure rates from patients using sensor on upper arms or areas with thinner fat layer. May well be that abdomen is the best place for the sensor if one has muscular arms.

Yeah same for me with over patch I've had 2 G7's peel off, didn't knock against door frame or anything. So i have switched to my stomach and not had any issues. Readings are accurate and not had any problem with them peeling off even when in bed.

I did have a G7 fail on my stomach a few weeks back had a shower and kept getting messages about temporary issue please wait, it would come back for short periods but eventually failed.

Checking some forums it is quite common after 6-7 days. Spoke to Dexcom and they replaced. But for any failed G7's they asked me to keep track of the lot number and one of the serials on the applicator. And actually they are asking me to hold onto the box applicator and failed sensor next time I have an issue they will send out a label for DHL to collect as they want to analyze the failure be it the G7 or the applicator. So recommend keeping the applicator and box in a drawer in case you have an issue.

Last conversation I had with them they wanted the applicator as well as I was just taking photos of the box llot.numbers and the applicator numbers (take them anyways Incase I have to reinstall the app)

I suppose it depends on who you speak with on their helpdesk.

I’m also interested in peoples’ experiences with the (Tandem & Dexcom) or (Medtronic 780g & Guardian G4) systems. I have a Medtronic 640g & G3 which is out of warranty soon. I believe these are the two setups available here through the HSE. Any comments on either one would be very welcome. Many thanks.