[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

calfmuscle · 04-09-2020 8:18am

Gael23 wrote: »

No it’s grand don’t worry.

I’m interested in the ones that have a sensor in your skin and you don’t need to draw blood such as the freestyle libre. Does the HSE contribute towards those? ones

Yes I have the dexcom g6 and its covered on my lti so I dont pay anything.

banie01 · 04-09-2020 9:12am

The freestyle Libre is covered for only a very specific cohort of diabetics on LTI at present.
It's quite restricted.
Currently it's covered for patients who are

The FreeStyle Libre system has been reimbursed, as of the 3rd of April 2018, for some patients aged between 4 and 21 years.

^Eligibility Criteria:

1. Type 1 Diabetes

2. Children and young adults aged 4 - 21 years

3. Patients using multiple daily injections of insulin or insulin pump therapy

4. Patients who have increased blood glucose testing requirements (≥8 times daily)

5. Frequent episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hypoglycaemia which have included hospital admissions

6. Patient is not pregnant.

If you are a Type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump, the associated cgm for that pump will be covered/included AFAIK.

Continuous CGM is a game changer, but access to it is based on either the Freestyle criteria above.
Or the CGM additions to insulin pump.

If you don't meet the criteria.
You can buy the freestyle and claim back 20% of the cost on your med1 yearly.

I stand to be corrected by those currently using CGM and more experienced with the foibles of the system.

kippy · 04-09-2020 9:40am

banie01 wrote: »

The freestyle Libre is covered for only a very specific cohort of diabetics on LTI at present.
It's quite restricted.
Currently it's covered for patients who are

If you are a Type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump, the associated cgm for that pump will be covered/included AFAIK.

Continuous CGM is a game changer, but access to it is based on either the Freestyle criteria above.
Or the CGM additions to insulin pump.

If you don't meet the criteria.
You can buy the freestyle and claim back 20% of the cost on your med1 yearly.

I stand to be corrected by those currently using CGM and more experienced with the foibles of the system.

Would be interested to hear the costs for anyone paying for this at the moment?

ohnonotgmail · 04-09-2020 9:50am

kippy wrote: »

Would be interested to hear the costs for anyone paying for this at the moment?

you can see the prices here https://www.freestylelibre.ie/starter-pack.html

banjobongo · 04-09-2020 10:10am

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

you can see the prices here https://www.freestylelibre.ie/starter-pack.html

I looked this up and a sensor costs 60 euros but the site does not say how many sensors are in a pack. So I dont know if its one, two or more in a pack. If it just one in a pack and if you can get 14 days out of you would two packs per month = 120 euros. I cant afford 120 euros a month unfortunately!

calfmuscle · 04-09-2020 10:43am

banjobongo wrote: »

I looked this up and a sensor costs 60 euros but the site does not say how many sensors are in a pack. So I dont know if its one, two or more in a pack. If it just one in a pack and if you can get 14 days out of you would two packs per month = 120 euros. I cant afford 120 euros a month unfortunately!

If you are type 1 you should qualify unless you have perfect control. Talk to your team.

ohnonotgmail · 04-09-2020 11:05am

banjobongo wrote: »

I looked this up and a sensor costs 60 euros but the site does not say how many sensors are in a pack. So I dont know if its one, two or more in a pack. If it just one in a pack and if you can get 14 days out of you would two packs per month = 120 euros. I cant afford 120 euros a month unfortunately!

a single sensor in a pack.

banjobongo · 04-09-2020 12:29pm

calfmuscle wrote: »

If you are type 1 you should qualify unless you have perfect control. Talk to your team.

yes IM Type one but as far as I now if you are an adult with TYpe 1 you are not entitled to this in Ireland. I would LOVE to have it if Im wrong, any more info on why you think an T1 adult in Ireland can have it for free?

ohnonotgmail · 04-09-2020 12:35pm

calfmuscle wrote: »

If you are type 1 you should qualify unless you have perfect control. Talk to your team.

banjobongo wrote: »

yes IM Type one but as far as I now if you are an adult with TYpe 1 you are not entitled to this in Ireland. I would LOVE to have it if Im wrong, any more info on why you think an T1 adult in Ireland can have it for free?

at the moment only available to those under 21. The HSE did a review of the use of the Libre but they have never released the report. Michael Lowry asked as recently as July 30th for an update and none was forthcoming

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-07-30/1075/?highlight%5B0%5D=freestyle&highlight%5B1%5D=libre&highlight%5B2%5D=freestyle&highlight%5B3%5D=libre#pq-answers-1075

banjobongo · 04-09-2020 12:45pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

at the moment only available to those under 21. The HSE did a review of the use of the Libre but they have never released the report. Michael Lowry asked as recently as July 30th for an update and none was forthcoming

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-07-30/1075/?highlight%5B0%5D=freestyle&highlight%5B1%5D=libre&highlight%5B2%5D=freestyle&highlight%5B3%5D=libre#pq-answers-1075

thanks, that is what I thought. If you are an adult, its not available free, you need to pay for it yourself, so that is 120 e per month every month = around 1500 a year. A lot of money. Pity, I would love it.

I was lucky enough to have a free trial for a few weeks and they made a big difference.
If I win the lotto I will get them!

Gael23 · 04-09-2020 1:13pm

Couldn't sustain that expense forever either.

So if you are not in the eligibility criteria for this does that mean you are stuck with the old finger prick option or are there others?

calfmuscle · 04-09-2020 1:28pm

If your consultant writes a letter outlining the medical need its free. Id recommend the dexcom over the libra. If your control isn't perfect and a cgm could improve it, that is the need justified. My hba1c went form 7.5ish to 6.5 and has stayed in or around that for 2 years now. I love it.

Gael23 · 04-09-2020 1:29pm

Yeah I follow a guy on Instagram and he has the dexcom g6

calfmuscle · 04-09-2020 1:53pm

Gael23 wrote: »

Yeah I follow a guy on Instagram and he has the dexcom g6

Yeah I love it, definitely a game changer. No more being high for a few hours before you even realise it. Plus alarms at night. The reports and suggestions it makes when it picks up a pattern are great too. My nurse can log in and see all my data also. So she can remotely monitor me in real time. Its just brilliant. Can't even believe some people still have to keep blood sugar diaries etc

banie01 · 04-09-2020 2:22pm

calfmuscle wrote: »

If your consultant writes a letter outlining the medical need its free. Id recommend the dexcom over the libra. If your control isn't perfect and a cgm could improve it, that is the need justified. My hba1c went form 7.5ish to 6.5 and has stayed in or around that for 2 years now. I love it.

Do you have the dexcom feeding data to a pump?
Or are you still managing insulin by injecting?

The CGM all seem to have a fairly marked effect on control for all shades of diabetes.
Would love to get into the specifics of the HSE numbers on benefit of prolonged tight HbA1C control versus overall cost of care per patient.

Does going with CGM give enough scope to allow savings or even cost neutral?
If it does, even on the comfort factor alone for patients, surely it's worth it?

If it doesn't?
I'd hope they will show their figures, rather than push back the review again.

Gael23 · 04-09-2020 2:34pm

calfmuscle wrote: »

Yeah I love it, definitely a game changer. No more being high for a few hours before you even realise it. Plus alarms at night. The reports and suggestions it makes when it picks up a pattern are great too. My nurse can log in and see all my data also. So she can remotely monitor me in real time. Its just brilliant. Can't even believe some people still have to keep blood sugar diaries etc

Is the dexcom covered by the HSE?

CramCycle · 04-09-2020 2:47pm

Gael23 wrote: »

Is the dexcom covered by the HSE?

Yes, for all ages once you have a suitable pump, but it can take awhile to get. The main part of it is provided through your healthcare provider via the HSE and then you get the insertion packs via the LTI in your pharmacist

calfmuscle · 04-09-2020 3:13pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Yes, for all ages once you have a suitable pump, but it can take awhile to get. The main part of it is provided through your healthcare provider via the HSE and then you get the insertion packs via the LTI in your pharmacist

I'm still on injections. I had a pump but I ended up in dka a few times so went back to injections years ago. Yes the hse pay for my dexcom. If the tslim tandem pump ever comes over here ill try that for sure. Its automatic mode looks incredible!!

Would love to know the cost factor also Cram but good luck trying to get the data. From experience working in the hse I bet you they have no idea of the cost benefits.

CramCycle · 04-09-2020 4:18pm

The HSE are like alot of departments where if the financial benefit isn't in the immediate term they can't understand. You then end up with people who have smart ideas who end up having a trial by media until the HSE via politics backs down. It's quite upsetting, and in that regard, diabetics do better than most. Glad to hear the pump isn't a necessity, as the CGM is the game changer.

banie01 · 08-09-2020 4:04pm

From early July.

banie01 wrote: »

Had my HbA1C back today.

I was expecting a dip in my control due to some other concurrent medical issues, let alone lockdown.

It's gone out to 59, it's my 1st one over 50 in 4yrs or so and then was due to a medical issue too.

Had an Hba1c on the 1/9 and already have it brought back down to 52.
That's despite being a long period of being fairly inactive due to ongoing pain and mobility issues. Those issues are improving, finally got hold of a specialist who is getting a good handle on my issue and it's making a difference.

I have an appointment with my endo towards the end of Oct and I'm hoping to be back to mid 40 range then.

It's great to be seeing some improvement, my PMS pointed out that even without restricted movement that chronic pain issues very often has a bad affect on BG control.
Triggers the stress response and leads to prolonged elevated BG.

ebbsy · 14-09-2020 1:03pm

Just an update regarding me eyes.

Was unable to travel to Newcastle to get a scan and the Noctura mask.

Maker of the mask posted it to me this time after a phone consultation with Newcastle.

Had an outpatients appointment in the Eye and Ear this morning. First with them in over 2 years.

The outcome was that I am at the same good position as 2 years ago, which means the mask has to be working.

They do a fantastic job in Newcastle and here.

banie01 · 23-09-2020 5:32pm

Had an issue with the Onetouch reveal app not syncing data on a new phone over the past few days.
Went through the usual clear data, restart, reinstall palaver but the sync timed out everytime.

Fired an email to their support late Monday, in the meantime I managed to sort the issue out.
They rang me back today, fully ready to walk me through the foibles of getting the app running on a rooted android!
The girl on the other end of the phone had pulled info from xdaforum on the potential issue and other US diabetic forums and was ready to get this problem solved.

Told her I'd sorted it, and how but thanked her for her time and professionalism.

Well done to the Onetouch support team.
Really was a great demonstration of customer service and support.
I know many aren't fans of their meter but for me the verio flex and the app are a good fit and I'm in no rush to change until libre or similar becomes available on LTI.

graflynn · 25-09-2020 11:31am

Gael23 wrote: »

Is the dexcom covered by the HSE?

Yes, I've had Dexcom through the HSE for 5 years. It's based on clinical need but if you are attending a pro-technology consultant and team they're not too strict with the criteria. Sometimes you have to fight for it though.

This might be helpful for you before you have this conversation with your team - https://bloodsugartrampoline.com/blog/2020/9/22/cgm-versus-freestyle-libre

banjobongo · 25-09-2020 7:20pm

graflynn wrote: »

Yes, I've had Dexcom through the HSE for 5 years. It's based on clinical need but if you are attending a pro-technology consultant and team they're not too strict with the criteria. Sometimes you have to fight for it though.

This might be helpful for you before you have this conversation with your team - https://bloodsugartrampoline.com/blog/2020/9/22/cgm-versus-freestyle-libre

If Dexcom is available through the HSE in Ireland, is the FreeStyle Libre also available?

banie01 · 26-09-2020 11:01am

graflynn wrote: »

Yes, I've had Dexcom through the HSE for 5 years. It's based on clinical need but if you are attending a pro-technology consultant and team they're not too strict with the criteria. Sometimes you have to fight for it though.

This might be helpful for you before you have this conversation with your team - https://bloodsugartrampoline.com/blog/2020/9/22/cgm-versus-freestyle-libre

Great post and info.
Must give your blog a follow too, seems quite good.

banjobongo · 27-09-2020 11:26am

Any body know if you can get Dexcom through the HSE, on the basis of:

1/adult
2/Type 1
3/Im injecting my insulin every day, ie IM not on a pump and I dont think I want to be on a pump...

ddarcy · 28-09-2020 3:28pm

banjobongo wrote: »

Any body know if you can get Dexcom through the HSE, on the basis of:

1/adult
2/Type 1
3/Im injecting my insulin every day, ie IM not on a pump and I dont think I want to be on a pump...

There’s a bit of a checklist to get one. If you’re hypo unaware you’ll get approved (be forewarned that this other other implications with driving etc).

You can also convince your doctor as well. For instance I’m very active, cycling, weight lifting, 5a side etc. So you could get it for that as your blood sugars could fall quickly.

Honestly talk with the diabetic nurses. They well know all the ways to get one.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 29-09-2020 7:46pm

I booked in for my Flu shot tomorrow but there appears to be a delay or shortage of some kind in delivery of the vaccine. I must contact the clinic in the morning to check they have received the delivery before they can confirm they have a shot for me.

The procedure is changed now as they come out to give the shot in the car rather than us going in.

I said I'd mention it for those that may want to get it early, there may be some delays.

kippy · 29-09-2020 10:08pm

Buford T. Justice XIX wrote: »

I booked in for my Flu shot tomorrow but there appears to be a delay or shortage of some kind in delivery of the vaccine. I must contact the clinic in the morning to check they have received the delivery before they can confirm they have a shot for me.

The procedure is changed now as they come out to give the shot in the car rather than us going in.

I said I'd mention it for those that may want to get it early, there may be some delays.

Speaking with my GP there today and they are getting very limited supplies and prioritising the over 70s currently, he reckons twill be end of October before they have their full quota in.
So yeah. Defo call ahead. I don't mind waiting another few weeks.

pew · 01-10-2020 5:26pm

Quick question for those who inject.

Do any of you have any pain at your injection site sometimes?

I just have a bit of pain where I usually inject once a week and to be honest I keep forgetting to change up the site. Without even thinking I keep going for the left hand side.

[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

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