Have you been told not to test your blood sugars?

[JohnR127]

I was first diagnosed type 2 in January this year while in Warwick Hospital for something unrelated. I was tested 6 times a day in the hospital and put on Metformin. When I was discharged after 3 weeks I was told by the diabetes nurse no need to test.

I just got my first appointment letter from my GP for a HbA1c test and review and asked to bring my blood sugar diary with me! Ha-ha.

 

[Allanmax]

Two weeks in from diagnosis and thought I'd be getting a tester to see what I need to not eat and it now looks like I'm going to have to buy my own and keep records. My doctor also told me not to bother testing myself, but how can I progress to better eating patterns if I've no idea what's happening to me with each meal. I got a phone call from the doctors surgery yesterday saying my recent blood test from 3 days ago came back with lower reading's. Sounds great but lower from what? And to what?. The receptionist had no idea just that message. How does that help???.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Two weeks in from diagnosis and thought I'd be getting a tester to see what I need to not eat and it now looks like I'm going to have to buy my own and keep records. My doctor also told me not to bother testing myself, but how can I progress to better eating patterns if I've no idea what's happening to me with each meal. I got a phone call from the doctors surgery yesterday saying my recent blood test from 3 days ago came back with lower reading's. Sounds great but lower from what? And to what?. The receptionist had no idea just that message. How does that help???.

Yes, you definitely need to buy your own meter. No question about it.

Also, you need to ask for print outs of all your blood tests. Without these you are doing yourself a disservice. They don't just show blood glucose results, they will also show cholesterol, lipids, kidney and liver functions, and a full blood count. All these are important to us. You need to know where you are starting from and be able to keep an eye on trends. (If you are in England you can also ask if your surgery puts test results on line as most of them do, and how to register for this brilliant service.

The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.

Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/

Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)

 

[Allanmax]

Wow mate that is fantastic. Thank you so much. I'm at work now so I'm going to go through that information later when I get home. I'll be ordering that tester today and I've got my next doctors appointment next week so I'll get the results sorted so I can have a better picture. This forum is a life saver.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I've got my next doctors appointment next week so I'll get the results sorted so I can have a better picture.

If I were you I would get the print outs before you see the doctor so you are well prepared for anything he may have to say. Forewarned is forearmed.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Two weeks in from diagnosis and thought I'd be getting a tester to see what I need to not eat and it now looks like I'm going to have to buy my own and keep records. My doctor also told me not to bother testing myself, but how can I progress to better eating patterns if I've no idea what's happening to me with each meal. I got a phone call from the doctors surgery yesterday saying my recent blood test from 3 days ago came back with lower reading's. Sounds great but lower from what? And to what?. The receptionist had no idea just that message. How does that help???.

It doesn't help. At all. Lots of us here self-fund our meters, and especially when you're just starting out, and don't know yet by heart what spikes you and what doesn't, it's invaluable. Check bloods before and 2 hours after first bite. If they go up more than 2 mmol/l, the meal was too carby. And the next time you see your doc, ask for a print out of all your test results. You're right, you can't know what's up, without the complete picture! Some get a meter from nhs, some don't. But we need it, it's vital. (I have 4 around the house. No, wait...5. In various purses and backpacks, a camerabag... So I never leave home without one. It's a bit over the top, but it works for me. If I have to pay to feel at ease and in control, I will!)

 

[JenniB]

This is not about whether the NHS should, or can afford to, provide test strips on a permanent or temporary basis to non-T1 diabetics. Having read #EveryCloud ’s post, and so many more like it over the years on this forum, I wonder whether we could gather together examples of Healthcare Professionals who have told people that it is either unnecessary or just plain wrong to test their blood sugars. It is a scandal that needs highlighting.

 

[JenniB]

Hi

Yes I was told by my Doctor who happens to be the medical centre's 'diabetic expert' that it was NOGT necessary to havemeter or strips. I have nagged as I have spikes and the diabetic specisalist nurse told me to eat jelly babies. The surgery is the Shropshire Walk in centre in Shrewsbury. I feel we should name and shame these surgeries. They do not even share my blood results with me when they send a blood sample off to the hospital.

 

[JenniB]

Hi

Yes I was told by my Doctor who happens to be the medical centre's 'diabetic expert' that it was NOGT necessary to havemeter or strips. I have nagged as I have spikes and the diabetic specisalist nurse told me to eat jelly babies. The surgery is the Shropshire Walk in centre in Shrewsbury. I feel we should name and shame these surgeries. They do not even share my blood results with me when they send a blood sample off to the hospital.

Just a thought but this is like an abuse - an abuse of power. To keep patients in the dark and not give them information about their illness and how they can self help, to be is an absolute abuse of power.

 

[JenniB]

My husband was initially given a meter and 50 strips but 3 months later he was told he would not get any more strips on prescription because his BG levels were not high enough to warrant them

Juat a thought but what if this website were to negotiate a really good price for strips and we buy from them instead of all buying separately and being over charged to boost company profits?

 

[jay_london]

Interesting thread, I went to see my doc yesterday, the first time since diagnosis.

I took with me a printout of averages over the past month almost expecting a pat on the back.

In fact I was told off for taking readings saying it was not what I was told to do. Naturally I will continue but felt despondent at this attitude

 

[Dee aka Morgan]

Interesting thread, I went to see my doc yesterday, the first time since diagnosis.

I took with me a printout of averages over the past month almost expecting a pat on the back.

In fact I was told off for taking readings saying it was not what I was told to do. Naturally I will continue but felt despondent at this attitude

That happened to me too at my second appointment. I went back, having lost weight, changed my eating habits and had a print out of my BG which was much improved. I was told off - no need to test, we're not interested in daily reading, just your long term HBA1c. Upset me so much I was in tears all the way home.

I ignored the gp - carried on testing. I've since found another gp in the practice, who whilst still saying it's not necessary for T2s to test, is supportive of me doing it (although won't fund the equipment!) and very happy with my progress so far.

 

[bulkbiker]

Interesting thread, I went to see my doc yesterday, the first time since diagnosis.

I took with me a printout of averages over the past month almost expecting a pat on the back.

In fact I was told off for taking readings saying it was not what I was told to do. Naturally I will continue but felt despondent at this attitude

Sometimes the attitudes of GP's are quite astoundingly awful. "Not what you were told to do" who the hell elected him god..
It makes me so angry.. maybe my GP and DN's being completely ignorant is a plus point rather than thinking they know best.. or maybe the fact I share relatively little with them means they have no idea what I get up to...

 

[xfieldok]

In one sense they are right, our testing is meaningless to the NHS. However, what they should be doing is throwing a party. They have patients who are taking an interest in their condition and are motivated to do something about it.

I look at testing as a method of managing my T2. I share my information with my DN who is supportive.

I have yet to see a doctor, I have an appointment on 14 May, she is young, I am looking forward to seeing what her attitude will be.

If her attitude is old school, I will subject her to the cow poo speech.

 

[Dee aka Morgan]

In one sense they are right, our testing is meaningless to the NHS. However, what they should be doing is throwing a party. They have patients who are taking an interest in their condition and are motivated to do something about it.

I look at testing as a method of managing my T2. I share my information with my DN who is supportive.

I have yet to see a doctor, I have an appointment on 14 May, she is young, I am looking forward to seeing what her attitude will be.

If her attitude is old school, I will subject her to the cow poo speech.

The GP I saw was young and fairly newly qualified - and had the old school attitude. The GP I'll be seeing in future is a long term GP, been specialising in diabetes for 30 years and is much more open to new approaches. His opinion is it's me that lives with it, and I need to manage it as well as I can for myself.

 

[jasmindesylva]

I was diagnosed yesterday and asked my GP about testing. He said I didn’t need to????

 

[Bluetit1802]

I was diagnosed yesterday and asked my GP about testing. He said I didn’t need to????

They all say this. Best to ignore him.

 

[Mal37]

Interesting thread, I went to see my doc yesterday, the first time since diagnosis.

I took with me a printout of averages over the past month almost expecting a pat on the back.

In fact I was told off for taking readings saying it was not what I was told to do. Naturally I will continue but felt despondent at this attitude

Don't let them make you feel down. You are taking care of your own health and they should encourage, not condemn. Silly doctors/nurses think they know everything but give out useless advice mostly! Good on you and stick to your guns on this!

 

[Daphne917]

I was diagnosed yesterday and asked my GP about testing. He said I didn’t need to????

You were probably also told that you can still eat wholemeal bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, fruit and low fat/low sugar yogs etc! By testing you can what effect these, and other foods, will have on your sugar levels and you can change your diet accordingly.

 

[dbr10]

Interesting thread, I went to see my doc yesterday, the first time since diagnosis.

I took with me a printout of averages over the past month almost expecting a pat on the back.

In fact I was told off for taking readings saying it was not what I was told to do. Naturally I will continue but felt despondent at this attitude

Stick to your guns.