PenguinMum
Expert
- Messages
- 6,814
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
@Debandez I too was told by my GP when she phoned with my dx that they dont recommend testing daily as it makes people too anxious. The one helpful thing she said was to go online where I would find lots of info and support and I came here almost straightaway. I just lurked for a few weeks reading before I felt able to post.
My logic is you wouldnt recommend crossing a busy road with a blindfold on but you are equally taking high risks with managing Diabetes without the use of a personal meter because of the peaks and troughs which the A1c doesnt show. And of course it is well documented that peaks above 8 can cause damage.
As regards cost the NHS regularly does deals with companies who supply them so could negotiate with one supplier on the cost of strips etc and possibly could persuade them to issue free meters because of the numbers involved.
The only thing I would add is the public need to start taking ownership of chronic conditions and try to manage them in partnership with their doctors. If only Doctors could start the conversation on dx saying yes it is a chronic condition but can be controlled and managed with self discipline and use of a meter before and after (2 hrs) eating. One of my OH’s buddies is in a bit of denial and it is his wife who does the worrying and polices his food. Behind her back he does what he likes. But that might be because Diabetes has always been portrayed as having hopeless outcomes and putting your fingers in your ears and saying lalala is just a coping method for abject fear.
Sorry Deb a bit rambling...and I am happy to give a snapshot of my experience if it helps. The strange thing for me is since dx (same date as you) I have had normal A1cs but yet I am about to start my second course of eye injections due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion which has reduced my sight in one eye significantly. That might be because I had high BG for many years before dx and the damage was already done or maybe I am just unlucky.
My logic is you wouldnt recommend crossing a busy road with a blindfold on but you are equally taking high risks with managing Diabetes without the use of a personal meter because of the peaks and troughs which the A1c doesnt show. And of course it is well documented that peaks above 8 can cause damage.
As regards cost the NHS regularly does deals with companies who supply them so could negotiate with one supplier on the cost of strips etc and possibly could persuade them to issue free meters because of the numbers involved.
The only thing I would add is the public need to start taking ownership of chronic conditions and try to manage them in partnership with their doctors. If only Doctors could start the conversation on dx saying yes it is a chronic condition but can be controlled and managed with self discipline and use of a meter before and after (2 hrs) eating. One of my OH’s buddies is in a bit of denial and it is his wife who does the worrying and polices his food. Behind her back he does what he likes. But that might be because Diabetes has always been portrayed as having hopeless outcomes and putting your fingers in your ears and saying lalala is just a coping method for abject fear.
Sorry Deb a bit rambling...and I am happy to give a snapshot of my experience if it helps. The strange thing for me is since dx (same date as you) I have had normal A1cs but yet I am about to start my second course of eye injections due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion which has reduced my sight in one eye significantly. That might be because I had high BG for many years before dx and the damage was already done or maybe I am just unlucky.