CLL plus Diabetes

[AVGH]

I have both CLL (contained by Acalabrutinib with it's side effects) and Diabetes (controlled with slow release insulin, metformin and sitaglyptin plus a healthy biome-focused diet). At Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, I receive the best care imaginable but I have a problem over the Diabetes. I am highly active at 79, using my lifetime skillset to mentor Postgraduate Students, young business entrepteneurs, and some other mentees who have difficulties with adult ADHD.As a Queen's Scout I take the greatest of delight in these activities.

However I am not wealthy and have my 55 year old Autistic son living with me who refuses to claim sickness or Attendance benefits. My wife left me beacause I refused to send my son away.

Of necessity I have to drive a lot, and after two hospitalisations last winter for both hyper- and hypo- glycaemic events I am concerned that I might drift off at the wheel.

I have been successfully using FreestyleLibre sensors to monitor my glucose levels but I can no longer justify playing £110 every 4 weeks. My Diabetic nurse says I am not ill enough to qualify for free FreestyleLibre prescriptions.

Is anyone else in a similar situation where seemingly essential medical support is denied in an NHS thst is supposedly "free at the point of use"?

[Newdawn Administrator]

Sorry to hear of your difficulties AVGH. Trying to secure funding for any diabetic technology seems to be an uphill battle. If you haven’t already done so, I can only suggest you contact Diabetes UK for advice. This link has some very useful information;

diabetes.org.uk/about-diabe...

Newdawn

[WestKYDude]

CLL for just over 2 years now and 9 months of Type 2 diabetes - long acting insulin 2x daily and a prn fast acting insulin. I'm using the Dexcom and a traditional finger prick monitor when needed. I can't help with resources, it costs a ton out of pocket and has caused us to modify our budget a bit. Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone in this journey.

[AVGH in reply to WestKYDude]

thank you. Apparently CLL does not qualify as a serious illness!