D
Deleted member 371625
Guest
I was given a meter and strips when diagnosed last December. I was prescribed very low levels of insulin (6 IU twice a day) so meter and strips fit with NICE guidelines.
I was told by the DN at the hospital where I was diagnosed after an accident (HbA1c 72) that they are prescribing low levels of insulin in order to "get round the NICE guidelines" and ensure that people had meters. She did say that the levels of insulin I was prescribed were "almost certainly too low to cause a hypo" though advised what to watch out for.
I have found the meter extremely useful in reducing BG from 18 to an average of 4.5 (fasting 4.9), though am not convinced the insulin was enough to have any effect as BG continued falling when I stopped taking it.
My GP is not the most sympathetic of people and is completely uninterested in my BG levels, though has continued to prescribe strips as I haven't mentioned that I stopped the insulin a month ago. He has told me to come for a HbA1c test in April and that I will be going on Metformin then, "probably for life" even though he knows that my FBG has been below 5 for 4 weeks and my 2 hour post prandial levels are always below 6 and usually below 5.
I have no intention of taking any meds unless there is a good reason to. Exercise and low (but not very low) carbs seem to work, but I wouldn't have known this without my meter. I will continue testing whether I have to buy my own or not.
I was told by the DN at the hospital where I was diagnosed after an accident (HbA1c 72) that they are prescribing low levels of insulin in order to "get round the NICE guidelines" and ensure that people had meters. She did say that the levels of insulin I was prescribed were "almost certainly too low to cause a hypo" though advised what to watch out for.
I have found the meter extremely useful in reducing BG from 18 to an average of 4.5 (fasting 4.9), though am not convinced the insulin was enough to have any effect as BG continued falling when I stopped taking it.
My GP is not the most sympathetic of people and is completely uninterested in my BG levels, though has continued to prescribe strips as I haven't mentioned that I stopped the insulin a month ago. He has told me to come for a HbA1c test in April and that I will be going on Metformin then, "probably for life" even though he knows that my FBG has been below 5 for 4 weeks and my 2 hour post prandial levels are always below 6 and usually below 5.
I have no intention of taking any meds unless there is a good reason to. Exercise and low (but not very low) carbs seem to work, but I wouldn't have known this without my meter. I will continue testing whether I have to buy my own or not.