Test strips

[Froobes]

I've just read a very heated thread regarding test strips on this forum. Whilst no opinions are being cast about that particular thread, it did get me thinking, is there resentment toward Type 1's who get test strips prescribed from Type 2's who don't? I'm not declaring that this is right, so please no one jump on that bandwagon. Nor am I saying that is what I think, it is just a general question. I was just curious to see what everyone thinks. I believe all Diabetics regardless of Type should be prescribed test strips as a way of learning and monitoring what affect foods/drinks have on us. I can hold my hands up and say I go through 50 test strips a week, I'm not only trying for a baby but desperately trying to get my hba1c down to give myself a better overall quality of life. In previous years I used next to no test strips despite the doctors wanting to force them on me. I refused, I hadn't come to terms with my Diabetes and wasn't interested in testing. That may seem very selfish to those who find it difficult to get test strips prescribed, but I don't make the laws or control the funds so don't blame me! I don't think I'm a drain on the NHS, many people with many different diseases rely on the NHS for treatment, and despite not necessarily agreeing that it is so difficult for Type 2's to get strips, there is a very big reason that Type 1's have them more readily available - the blood glucose of a Type 1 can fluctuate much more speedily than that of a Type 2, in general. I'm not saying mashed potato doesn't have the same affect in that it will raise blood sugar of both types, but I believe, in my perhaps uneducated opinion, that a Type 1's sugar levels will raise higher and quicker than a Type 2 causing more reason to have test strips available. Now, this shouldn't happen in reality to a well controlled Diabetic of either type, but let's face it, we're not all well controlled and we're not always all as dedicated as we should be. I am pointing no fingers, and I'm certainly not siding with anyone or anything, I just wanted to post things from my perspective.

 

[cugila]

Which actual thread was it that you read........

 

[noblehead]

Hi Froobes,

I don't recall the thread involved, but in my time on this forum I know that we are all united in saying and demanding that test strips should be provided free to all people living with diabetes.

As for resentment from type 2's towards type 1's over the issuing of test strips..........well I am sure this isn't the case as most well see the need for insulin users (this includes type 1 and 2) to test frequently due to the risks associated with hypoglycemia.

There are some GP's who prescribe test strips to those on meds but then there's those who refuse without listening to the patients reasoning, the fact it is so sporadic is the most frustrating part and pressure needs to be placed on our MP's to demand that test strips be given to everyone with diabetes.

Nigel

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi Froobes another test strip thread eh?

Although a T2 I was put straight on insulin when I was diagnosed and I'm actually rather glad I was as I was prescribed as many test strips as I wanted, a doctor at my practice, not my own gp but another gp at the same practice did query my prescription and reduce it but a quick appointment with my own gp and me reminding him about the DVLA requirements to test before driving to ensure safe driving practices and they were reinstated

After weaning myself off insulin I did worry about whether or not I would keep my prescription but so far I have, although I rarely test nowadays, maybe one day a week I will test a meal or two so I dont use nearly as many strips as I used to when on insulin.

So, do I resent T1's their strips, no. As I have a real insight into insulin usage and how important it is to test if you want to keep your bg levels down to a, hopefully safe level.

As Nigel says all insulin users need test trips end of story, the remaining T2's should get strips to ensure good control but as we all know that can and is a bit of a lottery depending on your doctor and the attitude of your local PCT.

Resentment is one of those negative thought processes I have posted of before and whether it is T2's resenting T1's their test strips or T1's resenting T2's for the 'all diabetics are fat and lazy' label often attributed to all diabetics regardless of type, weight or other medical conditions. Negative thoughts have no place in diabetes treatment IMHO and all types of diabetics should stand together to stamp out harmful stereotyping.

Hmmm, I appear to have my serious head on this morning :lol:

 

[lovinglife]

Like Ken & Nigel I don't know to which thread you are referring - all I can say as a T2 on hypo inducing meds who doesn't get any strips I bear no resentment whatsoever to anyone T1 or T2 who gets as many strips as they require - why would I

Resentment is one of those negative thought processes I have posted of before and whether it is T2's resenting T1's there test strips or T1's resenting T2's for the 'all diabetics are fat and lazy' label often attributed to all diabetics regardless of type, weight or other medical problems. Negative thoughts have no place in diabetes treatment IMHO and all types of diabetics should stand together to stamp out harmful stereotyping.

Sid you posted while I was typing and said a lot of what I was going to say - only much better :lol: - so I copied ya!

 

[JohnnyAngel57]

I'm type 2 and I get 50 strips per month, plus a box of 100 lancets. In fact I've stopped ticking the online box for lancets as I've gathered so many, and just get the strips with my other medications (rampiril & simvastatin)
John

 

[LittleSue]

The default position of GP's seems to be 1 box of everything. Maybe if the manufacturers put test strips in bigger packs, say 2 or 3 drums of 50 in a pack, that'd be the minimum prescribed. The only downside would be for those forced to purchase their strips it'd be a bigger outlay each time.

At one stage I was prescribed 100 strips per month, but 204 lancets - how does that work?

 

[CollieBoy]

Well I've been very lucky with my GP & Test strips and get no problems being prescribed strip to test for driving
the problem I had was this month my supplier said they had supply problems Lifescan confirmed that there HAD been a problem but it was sorted now, but here's a tub (25) to tide you over
One wek on I went back and pharmacist said still problems! Luckily I had asked my mothers Pharm and he said no probs now, so Got 50 there. Said to my pharm that could source elsewhere OK and he must have a supply chain prob. He denied this but ~2 hours later my strips arrived :shock:
Problem solved but I'm now down a retail pack of strips :evil:

 

[Unbeliever]

I have had had problems wih one Touch ultra test strips for he past few monhs. Not in geing them but in finding several faulty strips in each tub. different batch numbers ,purchased from different places.
Haven't chased it up yet due to sickness after retinopathy treatmen , annual diabetic review etc.

After a stenuous two hour walk oday I was horrified to find that my bg level was 11.8. Decided o test the meter and had to try five different test strps before one would acccep he solution.
I often have the same problem with blood. Somewhat irritaing o have o make 5 holes in your fingers for one test. has anyone else had his problem? I have only noticed it recenly.

 

[SusieS]

I have just been advised that I can no longer request my testing strips on an ad hoc basis, which has been approx 50 per 2 months. I am now deemed to be 'under reasonable control' and can only have 50 per year, under 1 test per week. My T2 was under diet control for 18mths before I needed to take medication. Trying again to control it by diet I had a few hypos before my GP decided I could go it alone but going back onto medication would be required at some stage, which it did about 2years later. Having been back on medication for just over 18 months I am finding that my bg is erratic, fluctuating between 6 and 14 after fasting. The odd hypo has left me panicky and frequent hyper attacks have left me semi conscious. How is my diabetes 'under reasonable control' ? Testing is the only way my family can check on what treatment I require. By saving £125 a year on testing strips how much will I cost the NHS if a hypo or hyper knock me for 6 in the street and I end up in A&E? This is so short sighted - the NHS seem to be looking to save a few pennies today so that it can spend thousands of pounds in the future. :evil:

 

[Margi]

Susie, why don't you print off what you just wrote up there and go plonk it on your GP's desk? It's often easier to argue a case when you've written it down because no one can interrupt you. Mind, getting them to read it might be a problem if they are being so stupid. :x

 

[benniesmum]

The whole position about test strips has got utterly crazy! It seems the NHS via the PCTs are looking for quick ways to save short term cash. Withdrawing test strips from Diabetics is obvioulsy seen as a 'quick win' as there are so many of us and they think few of us will complain.

To take strips away from me, as a T2 on Metformin, is bad enough, but I'm truly appalled that a GP should even THINK about restricting them for T1s or anyone else on Insulin or even remotely likely to have a Hypo.

Whats worse, is that Gps are not just withdrawing strips, they are not even bothering to meet with patients to tell them why! (I got a scrawl on my repeat prescription with a 'booklet', followed by a letter 2 weeks later saying testing was 'no longer required'!

Anyone who has had strips withdrawn, should immediately make an appointment with their GP, and keep doing it each time we feel remotely unwell, until they say yes. Maybe that way we can stop this nonsense.

 

[phoenix]

Maybe if the manufacturers put test strips in bigger packs, say 2 or 3 drums of 50 in a pack, that'd be the minimum prescribed.

for info.
my one touch strips (in France) come in a boxes of 100, 4 tubs of 25.

Here, at the end of last year, they tried to limit strips to 1 per day for all people with diabetes. National outcry and media coverage followed and within a month they changed their minds. They left it as it was for T1s and T2s on insulin. Other T2s are now limited to a maximum of 200 per year but I've just read the regulations and T2s are also 'reminded' that they should have an HbA1c every 3 months.

 

[Hobs]

To ALL those not getting strips prescribed.

Your GP has a statutory duty of care to you as a patient and that includes treating all aspects of your diabetes, so a simple question to your GP doubting your treatment plan will usually get test strips and lancets added to your repeat prescription list. . . . and if they 'um' and 'err' ask them what action the GMC will take if you injure yourself or others while experiencing a hypo.
Take a look at this link and note the first point .." Make the care of your patient your first concern"


http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/good_med ... doctor.asp

 

[searley]

i am on insulin and get almost as many strips as i want

but they will only give me 50 at a time so i am constantly collecting prescriptions

however my DSN has just written to my doctor instisting they prescribe 200 each time

i would however prefer not testing

 

[Dragonflye]

I refuse to order my prescription, my hubby does it for me, every time I call i get told Im "not due for test strips (and have also been told not allowed insulin)" for another so many weeks... apparently I'm only allowed 100 test strips a month

 

[slimtony]

I fear that the problem of test strips comes down to money. The diagnostics companies charge too much for them and the NHS can't afford it, so it makes excuses about there being no need to test or not wanting people to get sore fingers, etc.

There's certainly a gap in the market for a cheap, generic (and accurate) test strip. Just the idea of it probably sends a chill down the spine of all those companies currently milking the diabetes cash cow.

I doubt that people would mind spending a bit more money on their meters (currently sold or given away as 'loss leaders') in return for cheaper strips.

 

[LittleSue]

(and have also been told not allowed insulin)" for another so many weeks...

:!: :!: :!:
I've heard of GP's not caring about complications because hospital treatment doesn't come out of theGP's budget, but that's rather extreme!

 

[Dragonflye]

it's the receptionists rather than the docs, if their screen says it's not due then they say no, only had it 1x luckyly with insulin - when i was pregnant, my specialist wasnt impressed to say the least and my docs are notorious for this, did the same for my dad - we have 1 receptionist whos fine, but if you get the other 3 then your in for an argument, everytime my hubby calls they question him to why i need so many test strips and im using an abnormal amount

 

[Sue o2]

it's the receptionists rather than the docs, if their screen says it's not due then they say no,

Sorry the computer says NO! :lol: