DIABETES-can anyone help me??

robinph

I have got replacement pens free from the chemist before, I think I had to wait a day for him to order in the electronic one that I have for the Lantus though.

I sometimes manage to get my asthma drugs for free on the long term illness book as well, depending on if the pharmacist is paying attention at the time or not. I've even had one of them give me the Lucozade tabs for free as well on occasion as he reckoned that I should get them for free too, but I guess over time they have managed to claim enough back from the government because of me that the occasional free gift shouldn't upset their profits too badly.

tbh

electronic one?? whats that? My lantus pen is like a pump and it stings like hell. I've also got the glucogel for free, handy as!

robinph

It's about the same size as a normal pen and you load the cartridges the same way, but on turning the dial at the end it show up the dosage on an LCD display and pressing the button activates the plunger automatically.

I think mine must be the old design of it though as this is all I can find on their website and mine is white and more angular.



Edit: Mine must be the OptiPen Pro 2 on this page.

uli84

heyy...

Does lantus require a special pen or I may use the one I'm using now for Insulatard?? I want to change to lantus in the near future...

robinph

They will give you a different pen for each insulin depending on it's manufacturer. The cartridges are all pretty much the same though but I have sometimes had needles falling off one of my pens when I stick the wrong type on it by accident even though they all look identical. Its all "free" to us though so don't worry about it, other than having to carry more items about with you possibly.

Johnny Meagher

I use Novo Nordisk stuff, the pens I use NovoRapid FlexPen for example are disposable in their entirety, they are pre-filled and when you are finished you through them away. I think they were called NovoLet before. anyway, just to let you know there are disposable pens out there which is one solution to where do I get my spare pens!!

uli84

Thanks for all the help and patience!!
I found a Polish GP, visited her last Friday and now have application for LTI book filled:) In Health office they told me they'll let me know in one month.
I also got my letter to the hospital (Mater). Is it better to send it or go there in person and leave it to someone?
hope, everything will be going easier now.

Just wondering - once I have lti book and for instance I want to change my insulin or electrodes or add something, how should I do this?

and, yes, where should I go if I want to change my glucometer? (the one I'm using is causing me trouble sometimes)

omg, it seems that once more I've got million questions
sorryy, hugs for all

robinph

My long term illness book was initially filled out by the GP, and they added in my other long term repeat medications on as well even though they are not actually covered but just so that I'd not need to keep going back for repeat prescriptions. Any changes to my insulins were made by the diabetes expert at the hospital though rather than the GP so I have just got them to add their changes to the LTI book as well.

If you need a new meter then you should be able to get one for free from the specialist nurse at the hospital and they will then give you some of the appropriate test strips for that as well. I've never had a problem with my prescription in the LTI book not actually matching the brand name of the current test strips that I use though as the pharmacist is not that picky about it.

Johnny Meagher

WAHHHHH! Boards 1 Bureaucracy 0 (mind you the 1 month wait stings a bit!)

I concur with robinph, the pharmacist is not always too fussy about the test strips. Your GP or the Consultant you will see at the hospital will make changes to your LTI book for you. Don't forget that if you are a regular customer you are a good money-spinner for the chemist. I got my last meter there free. Any of the Diabetes Day Care Centres (Mater Hospital has one on Eccles Street) should give you the hard ware also. Like I said earlier, the money is in the strips, the companies gladly give the metres away to get a customer for the strips. For god's sake don't buy one!! Take a note (maybe on your phone?) of you LTI number when you get it, any chemist in the country will give you insulin etc in an emergency if you've got the number is my experience, even without it they'll look you up with name/address etc. I'm sure you can send you letter to the hospital by post. Or maybe you could hand deliver it and pick up a meter Looks like you've got it sorted uli84, well done and good luck with it!

CathyMoran

I bought my meter, but then again it was an advanced one, it cost me €80. The clinic should be able to provide you with everything you need. The pharmacists are very good about adapting prescriptions if you change meter.

P_1

Hi sorry to hijack this thread but could anybody be able to tell me where I could get myself a new longterm illness book.

I've had my current one since 1994 and needless to say its showing just a little wear and tear at this stage.

Thanks a lot.

The_Conductor

pithater1 wrote:

Hi sorry to hijack this thread but could anybody be able to tell me where I could get myself a new longterm illness book.

I've had my current one since 1994 and needless to say its showing just a little wear and tear at this stage.

Thanks a lot.

It depends on where you are. Dublin area is administered from Cherry Orchard Hospital. S.

Teamhar

I recently had to get one of these replaced for my brother who is also diabetic. As he was out of the country, I contacted the chemist where he get his prescription. They gave me the number of the correct health board office and there I spoke to someone pretty much immediately. Once I gave her his patient number and details, it was no problem- I received it in the post within a week.

P_1

smccarrick wrote:

It depends on where you are. Dublin area is administered from Cherry Orchard Hospital. S.

Well I'm based in Dublin so I guess its off to Cherry Orchard with me so.

Thanks

uli84

Got my long term illness book yesterday ) Today Im goin to the pharmacy, hoping there wont be any problems with getting pens though they're not in the book , as I need new ones

ONCE MORE THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE WAY:))
Cheers!!

tbh

Uli, you can get disposable pens at the chemist if you can't get the refillable ones.

uli84

Just one more question. If I go to Diabetic Day Centre in any hospital, for instance Mater would it be possible to get new pens from there?or maybe a meter? In the chemist's they usually have just disposable ones(pens)

How much will it be, around 50 euro like normal visit or more?
Thanks!!:))

The_Conductor

uli84 wrote:

Just one more question. If I go to Diabetic Day Centre in any hospital, for instance Mater would it be possible to get new pens from there?or maybe a meter? In the chemist's they usually have just disposable ones(pens)

How much will it be, around 50 euro like normal visit or more?
Thanks!!:))

Its 50 Euro- but if you get a referral note from a GP its free.

uli84

Hmmm, got the letter but I sent it and it was all about having check up (eyes, feet hbA1C etc.)appointment. I havent received any response yet though.
Do I need the same or different sort of letter if I ''only'' want to get pens or meter from there?

tbh

I would imagine that once you've made initial contact, you will be able to phone the diabetic nurse who'll be able to help you out

LegacyUser

This all seems like effort,
I got my long term illness book, first meter, pens and a bag of strips in hospital when i was diagnosed.
Showed my card to the chemists.
Now i just walk in whenever i want, ask for whatever and give my name.
Got spare pens and another meter when my original one was stolen (they look like wallets i suppose), cost nothing, no explanation needed.