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Test strips stopped

Hello,

I had asked several different medical professionals (GP and nurse at surgery, Doctor at hospital, pharmacist at chemist etc etc) and all had same response regarding self blood glucose monitoring. Not required. However, I am so keen to try and manage this condition as best I can, that grudgingly, I had accepted that I would fund myself. I wrote to my GP and explained that I understood that I realise that there are many priorities and cost cuts have to be made, but could she please recommend which system I should use. I don't know what caused the change of heart, but I have now been given a meter and strips. I am very grateful as I shall now be able to plan a sustainable eating plan and learn to interpret what my body is trying to tell me.............hot flushes, light-headedness etc. If there is anyone else in a similar position - demonstrate to your GP that you need to be able to "read the signs". Personally, I think that exercise (walking) does my levels the world of good - but I am only discovering that with a bit of glucose level testing.

Good luck to all.
 
I am of the opinion that if a someone is willing too make the changes in their lifestyle and follow the advice of their DC and GP then they have shown them they are serious about tackling and maintaining good BG levels - however I know diabetics who drink 6 - 12 pints of beer a day and show no interest in helping themselves - these people should not have strips wasted on them
 
spitfire said:
Test strips stopped according to my health team all type 2 diabetics that dont take insulin will have their test strips withdrawn on prescription. received a letter yesterday telling me no more test strips from now on they say according to NICE guidelines we dont have to do it( self test that is) the twice yearly diabetes check will survice anyone else getting this bull**** excuse.
Click to expand...

Strangely enough I had similar message from my GP. Ive been trying since Dx to get strips - even arguing to the Drs face.
I changed my surgery earlier this month after realising I wasn't getting the attention my diabetes needed, and the first thing my new DB nurse did was to ask if I wanted strips on prescription - you could have knocked me down with a feather. I'm lucky to have accidentally found a Dr who is a DB expert and Im expecting big changes that my old Dr seemed disinterested in.
My metformin still leaves me with high BG especially in the mornings and my new nurse has suggested the new (non insulin) injections something my old Dr wouldn't have even spent time concerning himself with.

If you are unhappy with your surgery or DR try changing . Its very easy and may have benefits.
 
Anybody having trouble getting test strips or having them stopped should read the thread in Greetings and Introductions that Sue and I put together........'TIPS FOR STRIPS'. Plenty of ammunition to throw at your HCP's.......petitions and protests are all very well but most people have to deal with this on an individual basis, so the more you can argue the case the better, politely of course ...... :twisted:

See here :

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253
 
Unfortunately it is a lottery. I would gladly change my GP if there was any reliable way to find out how diabetics are reated in a particular practice. Even if there was a way things can change,

I have never yet been denied strips but i know that all the younger drs have been trained to think self t.esting unnecessary ,even counterproductive . I recently met a young locum who couldn't understand why the hospital had asked me o est for a specific period. I understand this locum is now a partner in the practice and oversees the diabetic reviews

I have been supplemenrting the strips I get on prescription myself so as not to rock the boat but I would find it difficult to buy all I need myself.

Even asking current patiens about the practice is unsatisfactory. So many just do as they are old and tend to jusdge the practice on "bedside manner" Which is ,of course , a good hing but not necessarily the most important.
 
I'd have to add I didn't change GP because of strip issues , I changed because he and his practice seemed not to take Diabetes seriously . The way I have heard ofther DRs treat DB differs fantastically from my old GP.
 
angieG said:
"_ to ensure safety during activities, including driving"

I'm sure there is some way this statement in R23 could be utilised more.

I hold Group 2 licences (Coach and Lorry) and am Type 2 tablet controlled. I have had to sign a declaration for DVLA to say that I WILL test at least twice a day and in connection with periods of driving or else DVLA will revoke my Group 2 category licences.
OK no-one wants a coach or lorry careering off the road due to diabetes but I'm sure nobody including the DVLA wants the same for cars!! If it's a requirement for one surely it should be a requirement for everybody.
If everyone that drives raised concerns with their GP's etc that they have had concerns at times about whether they were safe to drive and quoted the above guideline then maybe some sort of rule could be instigated?
Just a thought.
Angie
Click to expand...
My consultant stated,that the police expect you to test before a long journey during & after .Please be aware that the police will treat you as a drunk driver if involved in accident if you fall below 5mmo/L & proof required that you have tested......So please be careful ,we have a duty to be safe for other road users.
All strips should be avalible on prescription
 
My strips were stopped a few months ago with the usual letter from the practice, when I went to see the Doctor she was totally unaware that they had stopped my strips and gave me a new prescription straight away.

Makes you wonder who is making these decisions, is it just a non medical practice manager rather than the doctors themselves
 
Same here, having a sugar spike for no reason that is apparent, I've been testing lots to find out the problem, eg diet. Now I'm running out of test strips. I hadn't realised how expensive they are. But I've been told once that they are to only be used once a week as on the label. As everyone on here says, its the only way to get motivated to do something about diet etc as when you can see the results of eating either the right or wrong food right in front of your eyes you are more inclined to take direct action where needed. Who really spends their time thinking about possible test results in 6 months time? Or do we think "I will just have this biscuit, by the time I go for test it will have worn off"
 
The nurse at my last review said don't bother checking, I only have one review a year as she says I'm well controlled. Lucky me!. I buy my test strips on ebay as I figure I get a reasonable deal from the NHS with free prescriptions. A lot seems to depend on the attitude of the local PCT as they're the ones with the budget and dictate to gp's
 
This stopping prescriptions for test strips is crazy. For me it would be seriously dangerous. On eating say a slice of bread my BG will hit at least 11+ rising at a rate of 1mmol/min, it will then fall at 1mmol/min
To 2.8 or so, add exercise the fall may be quicker, resulting in a fit. My diagnosis (2003) is type 2 diabetes with rebound hypoglycemia. I am not on any meds. An OGTT, will hit 29 with a 2hr value 15+ falling to 3- which will certainly result in a fit.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Try taking a copy of Nice guidelines with you next time you ask. Highlight the testing strip part, 1.4 I think, and say it's within your rights to have them. Try using the wording from the guidelines. I took them today as backup but didn't need them as Dr caved in once I said I'd spoken to diabetes specialist who'd agreed with me. Might not work but worth trying
 
Can I ask,

If there are so many members on this forum, could there not be some sort of petition to give t2 meters and strips??

Highlighting the point of an earlier comment made about junkies getting needles, etc, they are not something the junkies, etc need to survive and stay fit/healthy where a diabetic who can choose if they want to test themselves could be the difference between a happy bright future or an exsistence full of misery and problems.
 
mammamia2006 said:
Can I ask,

If there are so many members on this forum, could there not be some sort of petition to give t2 meters and strips??

Highlighting the point of an earlier comment made about junkies getting needles, etc, they are not something the junkies, etc need to survive and stay fit/healthy where a diabetic who can choose if they want to test themselves could be the difference between a happy bright future or an exsistence full of misery and problems.
Click to expand...
Oh so true but......the powers that be really do not understand: banghead,
 
Enough signatures and surely something could be done?

I am type 1 and am all gor handing over any extra strips I get if I know I wont need them.

Why should I get mine for sod all but the next person has to pay, ridiculous!!

I also have extra meters if any type 2 needs. Its the contour next usb. Have got 2 brand new still in boxes, all I ask is postage paid.
 
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