I have had type 1 Diabetes for 6 years now, I was diagnosed whilst at university in Manchester where I regularly saw a consultant etc.... I have been studying abroad in italy for 2 years and recently moved back to Manchester where I have had several problems with my new GP.
When I first registered she sorted my repeat prescription etc and took bloods which I have now had back - Hba1c was 57 in new money, not sure exactly what that is in old but around 7.3 maybe? Which is ok but has been better. This is where she then informed me I couldn't have more than 100 test strips per month because my condition "was well controlled". I know that it could be better at times but the main reason it is controlled is because I DO test 6 times a day yet she gives me enough to do 3... The DVLA tells me to test every time I get in a car and my last consultant and dietician told me to definitely test before every meal and bed and if I wanted after meal times to see if correction doses have worked etc. My last gp had no problems in giving enough strips (6 times a day) for 3 months whilst I was living abroad so I don't understand the big deal. This is an ongoing issue which I am still fighting for but at the moment I am having to buy the extra strips from boots at 20 something pounds a pop or off ebay. I've recently finished uni and just starting work so money is not flowing.
I was also informed by my GP that she wouldn't refer me to the diabetes centre because my blood control was good enough.... Now I'm afraid this is where I nearly lost it with her. I am 100% sure that if I asked my consultant to write to my gp and tell to her to give me more strips it would happen. Is she playing some sort of budget game with me or this something I'm not actually entitled to??????????? I've had conversations about correction doses and she just don't understand why I change the amount of insulin I take so how I am supposed to talk to her?
I would also love to do a DAFNE course because I'm just doing things as people suggest them or reading online but how can I access a course without speaking to a DSN or dietician?
She's supposed to be retiring in the summer so should I just stick it out and pay the extra for strips hoping for a better situation when I'm passed onto someone else's list or is there actually something I can do about this?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the rant... James
When I first registered she sorted my repeat prescription etc and took bloods which I have now had back - Hba1c was 57 in new money, not sure exactly what that is in old but around 7.3 maybe? Which is ok but has been better. This is where she then informed me I couldn't have more than 100 test strips per month because my condition "was well controlled". I know that it could be better at times but the main reason it is controlled is because I DO test 6 times a day yet she gives me enough to do 3... The DVLA tells me to test every time I get in a car and my last consultant and dietician told me to definitely test before every meal and bed and if I wanted after meal times to see if correction doses have worked etc. My last gp had no problems in giving enough strips (6 times a day) for 3 months whilst I was living abroad so I don't understand the big deal. This is an ongoing issue which I am still fighting for but at the moment I am having to buy the extra strips from boots at 20 something pounds a pop or off ebay. I've recently finished uni and just starting work so money is not flowing.
I was also informed by my GP that she wouldn't refer me to the diabetes centre because my blood control was good enough.... Now I'm afraid this is where I nearly lost it with her. I am 100% sure that if I asked my consultant to write to my gp and tell to her to give me more strips it would happen. Is she playing some sort of budget game with me or this something I'm not actually entitled to??????????? I've had conversations about correction doses and she just don't understand why I change the amount of insulin I take so how I am supposed to talk to her?
I would also love to do a DAFNE course because I'm just doing things as people suggest them or reading online but how can I access a course without speaking to a DSN or dietician?
She's supposed to be retiring in the summer so should I just stick it out and pay the extra for strips hoping for a better situation when I'm passed onto someone else's list or is there actually something I can do about this?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the rant... James