Truckie with diabetes forced pay thousands to stay on the road

That's how much the continuous glucose monitoring sensor system, the 59-year-old truckie uses to monitor his blood sugars while he drives his 60 tonne rig, costs him.

If he had type 1 diabetes, the cost would be subsidised by the government but he believes the health department is penalising people with type 2 diabetes because it's widely believed it is a life-style induced condition.

Two years ago Jacques was a long-distance truckie motoring from the north to the south of NSW, sometimes travelling a thousand kilometres in day - when he started to feel a bit off.

A doctor referred him immediately to an emergency department where he discovered he had type 2 diabetes and his blood sugars were way up. Not only that but his diabetes was insulin-requiring. He would have to monitor his blood sugars constantly, take insulin and modify his diet - his life depended on it and so did the lives of others using the roads with him.

But Jacques still has to work, so when he's driving he uses a CGM - a small sensor worn on the body, which sends continuous blood sugar readings to his smart phone.

The alternative would be stopping his truck regularly to do the old finger prick blood test and also run the risk his blood sugars were fluctuating dangerously while he was driving.

"I'm working eight to ten hours a day, sometimes up to six days a week. So, at first, it (diabetes) was emotional and a bit hard to take, but now it's sort of become part of my daily life," Jacques said.

There are 320,000 Australians living with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes and taking the right amount of insulin is not a luxury it is a necessity which keeps them out of hospital and alive.

CGM systems display glucose readings on a smart phone app and generate reports which can be given to the doctor. Importantly the system has customisable alarms to alert users of high or low glucose levels.

The National Diabetes Services Scheme either fully or partially subsidises CGM systems for 130,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes, but Australians with type 2 diabetes are forced to pay thousands of dollars annually for the technology.

Jacques doesn't use the sensors on off- work days to save money but the system still costs him more than he can afford. He wants the Federal government to consider extending the CGM subsidy to people with type 2 diabetes who require insulin.

Associate Professor Dr Sham Acharya believes the ability to continuously monitor glucose levels is a game changer for people living with insulin-requiring diabetes.

"Through the sensors and the alarms, patients and their carers can better monitor the situation and take corrective action when necessary. It reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) and therefore the risk of hospitalisations. It makes day-to-day living more convenient and safer for patients."