[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

An update from a very surprised diabetic here. I'm 20 years diagnosed, originally as a type 2, then in 2022 my diagnosis was switched to T1.

I'd posted in January regarding how much I was struggling with staring on top of my BG, my Hba1c was okayish, at 55 but my time in range was awful and getting worse. My basal insulin had grown to 50iu and it was climbing. Spoke with my GP and Endo and the plan was to switch to Ozempic Nd see how I got on.

I started in Feb and my basal needs kept dropping. By early June I managed to completely drop my basal. From 50iu and rising in January to 0 in June. My time in range is also absolutely brilliant, up from 65% in the 90 days before Feb 12th, to now 94% and a drop in GMI from 7.3% to 6.4% and by the time I have my Hba1c actually checked next week? I reckon I'll be at 6% or maybe lower.

I don't understand how I've gone from T2, to T1 to whatever the fúck type of diabetes I am currently. I'll take the win though and I'll keep on fighting to stay on top of it.

I have a verio as my finger prick and calibration machine. Over the course of my time I've used Accuchek, Contour next and Freestyle as well.

I use a CGM now but still finger prick a couple of times a week to calibrate my sensor. They are all pretty much on par now IMO. Things I think are a must have, like Bluetooth are available on all the main players now. The one thing I prefer re: Accuchek is their cassette system, no need to fiddle with test strips! Just prick and test.

Generally either will sort you out. If you attend your GP/Nurse for Chronic disease management appointments? Ask there but, I've previously gotten a monitor in my chemist when I was stuck, free of charge.

The usual place to pick them up was at your local hospital's diabetes clinic. They'd often have the manufacturer reps there giving away the latest versions.

I've to see the doctor Monday so I'll ask her and then if not I'll go up to the chemist to see

Have to be careful changing and then if issues getting the needles etc

I seen a contour free online but have to be sure the chemist stock stuff for it

Thanks for the help, ill see what happens Monday (in doc and chemist) and report back

Forgot to update this

Went doctor to be told no

Went chemist to be told go hospital or the hospital will give me one

Google and found diabetes.ascensia.ie and they sent it a contour next, and then eventually got my strips and Lancet changed over

I miss the plastic cradle thing onetouch had, looked and found a 3d print diy version for this machine for like 40 euro, so the pouch thing will have to do (only doing it every so often at home anyway)

No, mine doesn't. AFAICR once you are prescribed items via an LTI core list F prescription the brand doesn't need to be specified. I only use test strips to calibrate my CGM these days. Now that said, the limits on annual for Type 2 patients would still apply.

I've been using the same lancet in my Contour for over a year. It must have over 400 jabs on it now.

Similarly when I was pricking multiple times a day, mine was lucky to get changed every 6 months.

Yes, you absolutely are supposed to but, in practice? A lot folk tend to change when it gets blunt and just carry on that way.