Prescription denied

[Mr_Pot]

What a load of absolute cr*p, he's a T1 and should be able to test whenever he needs to test, and whilst undertaking a hobby to support his health he is more than justified in his usage of them.

I'd guess 2 of my 6 packs of 50 a month are used for exercise, if not more...

Of course he should have the number of strips he needs but I wonder how much that need would shrink if, like most T2's, he was paying for the strips himself.

 

[kev-w]

Of course he should have the number of strips he needs but I wonder how much that need would shrink if, like most T2's, he was paying for the strips himself.

As a T1 his need would remain the same regardless, the availability of test strips is an essential for good T1 control, as is exercise and to exercise a T1 would need to test more.

Ergo his usage isn't excessive....

 

[lovinglife]

That is appalling @lovinglife
Do you drive?

No I don't drive as I would be making a lot more noise about it lol - to be honest I'm so embedded in my "diet" I don't really test so much anymore- in the beginning I tested loads and established my plan - now I have occasional test days just to make sure I'm still on track, I test new meals a few times and if I feel a bit off. I have a very set routine of mealtimes so things are working at the moment - but I will ask for more strips if I start to think I need them

 

[Nicksu]

I recently had a situation between my doc surgery and the endocrinologist. Quite a different situ than yours, but also somewhat similar.

The doc surgery conducted a medication review on the phone. I found this refreshingly convenient. However, as a result of the review they inexplicably decided to discontinue a medication I have been on for nearly 20 years (cabergoline, supresses excess prolactin production from a pituitary gland tumour).

Once I got over my astonishment, I rang the endocrinology clinic, spoke to the secretary and explained the situation. Asked for my next appt to be brought forward to the next possible date, which was 2 months later.

However, I was delighted to receive a letter within the week. Written by my lovely endo, addressed to my doc, copied to me. It stated v clearly that the medication should continue until the endocrinology clinic states otherwise, in writing.

I had the prescription from my doc within 2 days of that letter.

I should give your clinic a ring tomorrow. They have probably dealt with this situation quite often, especially with budgets tightening. (my cabergoline is not a cheap drug)

I always remember what my consultant (for MG) said when I asked him for some help when my employers were being awkward. He said "I like writing stroppy letters". That made me laugh and it makes you wonder what they think of GP's sticking their nose in!

 

[bangkokdiabetic]

As someone who worked from 18 yrs of age to 56 yrs of age contributing to NHS when I chose to leave for Bangkok with my Thai Wife who I met and married in the Uk we lived together in the UK for 39yrs (she also contributing to the NHS) now I have to pay for all my strips and medicines and doctors. So the NHS is saving loads of money on us and people like me so I say You are entitled to your strips. And I should be entitled to a payment equivalent to the uk cost for mine and medicines and my gaall bladder removal and my wife cancer treatment.. Just Venting !!!

 

[Tabbyjoolz]

I doubt the number of times the OP tests would go down if he was self-funding as his primary consideration is maintaining good blood glucose control. I self-fund and I test A LOT for that very reason. If my LHA was willing to finance my strips I'd be delighted.

 

[Munkle]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

I left a voicemail with my endo's receptionist a few days ago but they still haven't got back to me and I wasn't able to get through to them today. However, I didn't try much as I was busy.

I still haven't even managed to talk to my GP. The receptionist has been arguing with me all day, I don't think they know the difference between type 2 and type 1. Even tried to twist my words when I said I was in a certain city for a meeting today and they tried to say I should be in that area's care, seems they really want to get rid of this problem.

Today ended with them saying we won't give you strips until you visit us but we're fully booked so try to book tomorrow etc. What's worse is that they're trying to make me visit their nurse, not a specialised diabetic nurse, just a normal nurse. So apparently my endocrinologist and the nurse that hangs around the diabetic ward are going to be outsmarted by my local gp's nurse.

I suspect I'll get through to my endo tomorrow and it'll be sorted but how this is even legal or happening is beyond me. The way this started is me checking my prescription went through a few days after I sent it, they didn't tell me they rejected it, I had to check myself. Lucky this wasn't an insulin prescription or I'd be totally screwed. Furthermore, if they truly believe I'm using a prescription wrong, perhaps tell me at the start of the next prescription? not when I'm almost out of what I need to live and only when I check the prescription status myself?

Obviously I could buy strips if I totally ran out in the next few days but I wouldn't have the money to do that every month. Wonder what would happen if I didn't have that money.

Guess I'm just ranting at this point.

 

[kev-w]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

I left a voicemail with my endo's receptionist a few days ago but they still haven't got back to me and I wasn't able to get through to them today. However, I didn't try much as I was busy.

I still haven't even managed to talk to my GP. The receptionist has been arguing with me all day, I don't think they know the difference between type 2 and type 1. Even tried to twist my words when I said I was in a certain city for a meeting today and they tried to say I should be in that area's care, seems they really want to get rid of this problem.

Today ended with them saying we won't give you strips until you visit us but we're fully booked so try to book tomorrow etc. What's worse is that they're trying to make me visit their nurse, not a specialised diabetic nurse, just a normal nurse. So apparently my endocrinologist and the nurse that hangs around the diabetic ward are going to be outsmarted by my local gp's nurse.

I suspect I'll get through to my endo tomorrow and it'll be sorted but how this is even legal or happening is beyond me. The way this started is me checking my prescription went through a few days after I sent it, they didn't tell me they rejected it, I had to check myself. Lucky this wasn't an insulin prescription or I'd be totally screwed. Furthermore, if they
truly believe I'm using a prescription wrong, perhaps tell me at the start of the next prescription? not when I'm almost out of what I need to live and only when I check the prescription status myself?

Obviously I could buy strips if I totally ran out in the next few days but I wouldn't have the money to do that every month. Wonder what would happen if I didn't have that money.

Guess I'm just ranting at this point.

The trick with a GP surgery is to ring and request a GP to you call back (the duty Dr), avoid receptionists at all costs, explain that the prescription of medicines is a Dr's job whilst they're there to answer the phone

 

[Robinredbreast]

Do you have a back up meter, we need 2 meter's, so maybe a different make. It is good that you are exercising and taking control, so when you see your GP , explain clearly what the problem is and jot things down that you need to put across before you go and take the meter in to.
I'm sure no one actually wants to test 15 times a day.
Good luck

 

[mod1966]

I put in for 50 strips a month! I don't want to try and take the p**s and ask for more! I'm on 160mg Gliclazide and 2000mg Metformin! Having said that TBH I'm on strips as i take gliclazide and they hid that from me for a couple of years, it was when I had my diabetic check-up, the Nurse mentioned it to me and same day I was prescribed strips and lancets!

 

[NicoleC1971]

Says who? Was me getting referred to a physiotherapist due to an injury affecting weightlifting a mistake by my GP?

My endocrinologist knows about my lifting has told me to use whatever I need to ensure good glucose control, not live my life like a potato to avoid costs. I'm going to believe my endocrinologist over you.

Not only that but thinking back I've had rejections in the past before I even started lifting. I use a lot of strips and the results I get show I'm extremely well controlled. Any complications would likely cost far more than the strips I use.

Agree and think you'd be a great candidate for freestyle libre as someone who needs to test a lot due to your lifting. I also do a lot of exercise and find it does make my diabetic life more complex. But on the whole I feel that it is a positive thing for my health. Hope you get the support you need from your specialist.

 

[Munkle]

The trick with a GP surgery is to ring and request a GP to you call back (the duty Dr), avoid receptionists at all costs, explain that the prescription of medicines is a Dr's job whilst they're there to answer the phone

Thanks for the support but I just met with my GP and it was an utter failure. I'm limited to 8 strips a day and she hadn't even heard of a flash glucose monitor.

The meeting was incredibly frustrating. Not only did she claim that my control was too tight and a tight control leads to complications, she also claimed a non diabetic persons sugar level would get to 15mmol after eating chocolate so don't worry about going high.

She completely dismissed the possibility of me being able to feel when I was high and also laughed at the NICE guidelines I quoted.

I said something about her not being diabetic and not knowing how seemingly random some results can be. She replied as if I offended her mother and that "I'm not dumb".

Not only that but to top it off she accused me of being on steroids. I mean I'm pretty big but nothing steroid worthy, the record I'm aiming for is even drug tested.

The only good thing is I listed off about 4 other problems to go against their 1 problem per appointment rule. And I guess being accused of being on steroids means I look good? Who knows.

 

[dbr10]

Thanks for the support but I just met with my GP and it was an utter failure. I'm limited to 8 strips a day and she hadn't even heard of a flash glucose monitor.

The meeting was incredibly frustrating. Not only did she claim that my control was too tight and a tight control leads to complications, she also claimed a non diabetic persons sugar level would get to 15mmol after eating chocolate so don't worry about going high.

She completely dismissed the possibility of me being able to feel when I was high and also laughed at the NICE guidelines I quoted.

I said something about her not being diabetic and not knowing how seemingly random some results can be. She replied as if I offended her mother and that "I'm not dumb".

Not only that but to top it off she accused me of being on steroids. I mean I'm pretty big but nothing steroid worthy, the record I'm aiming for is even drug tested.

The only good thing is I listed off about 4 other problems to go against their 1 problem per appointment rule. And I guess being accused of being on steroids means I look good? Who knows.

That's terrible. It would destroy my faith completely - if that hadn't happened already. How can they no so little about the condition they are supposed to be treating? Frightening.

 

[rom35]

she also claimed a non diabetic persons sugar level would get to 15mmol after eating chocolate so don't worry about going high.

Wow! 15 for non diabetic... New information for me.

 

[Munkle]

That's terrible. It would destroy my faith completely - if that hadn't happened already. How can they no so little about the condition they are supposed to be treating? Frightening.

It almost has. I'm incredibly angry. The only thing making me slightly happy is writing an essay of a complaint about all this. I'll try to move to Brighton with my girlfriend asap so at the very least I'll change GP and perhaps I'll even get given a freestyle libre as it's available there.

 

[dbr10]

It almost has. I'm incredibly angry. The only thing making me slightly happy is writing an essay of a complaint about all this. I'll try to move to Brighton with my girlfriend asap so at the very least I'll change GP and perhaps I'll even get given a freestyle libre as it's available there.

Good luck.

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