I am Type 2 on Insulin and have never had any trouble getting test strips prescribed by a GP, however, I don't think you can get them easily if you aren't on Insulin.
Have you had trouble getting test strips?
- Thread starter Giverny
- Start Date
My doctor will just not prescribe to me test strips..I was using an Accu check Meter but buying the strips at £28 was way to expensive ..so I had to change to a codefree meter which I bought from Amazon..the test strips are much cheaper at £7.99 which suits my budget
But I'm wondering now that I am about to start on Insulin if this will change
I'm waiting for an appointment at the diabetic clinic to see a specialist nurse as I have had uncontrolled diabetes for near on 2 years..medication just does not help at all..with an Habc1 of 10.6..i will be happy to finally start on Insulin..but will I be offered test strips so I can test to see if it's working..i am doubtful
But I'm wondering now that I am about to start on Insulin if this will change
I'm waiting for an appointment at the diabetic clinic to see a specialist nurse as I have had uncontrolled diabetes for near on 2 years..medication just does not help at all..with an Habc1 of 10.6..i will be happy to finally start on Insulin..but will I be offered test strips so I can test to see if it's working..i am doubtful
My GP and DN are strictly against self testing do I will need to buy them myself - its my life and if I want to test I will 
donnellysdogs
Master
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People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
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Dee2
If you can get any.... At least they will be free!!!
It is a fequirement by dvla to test before driving.. If taking any drugs that could give hypo's. Bkust tell your gp you now have a driving job 8 htlrs a day!!- that a minimum requirement of 4!!!
Trouble is dvla should for us diabetics stipulate that the nhs will prescribe a minimum of 1 test strip for every test required whilst driving.. But they don't.. So stiillbdown to gp's interpretation of nice and nhs guidelines...
If you can get any.... At least they will be free!!!
It is a fequirement by dvla to test before driving.. If taking any drugs that could give hypo's. Bkust tell your gp you now have a driving job 8 htlrs a day!!- that a minimum requirement of 4!!!
Trouble is dvla should for us diabetics stipulate that the nhs will prescribe a minimum of 1 test strip for every test required whilst driving.. But they don't.. So stiillbdown to gp's interpretation of nice and nhs guidelines...
I live in Orkney and don't get any test strips "because they will damage my fingers", according to the practice nurse. A doctor told me that testing 3 monthly is best and to follow her example of control by diet - she's built like a side of a house! So obviously her diet isn't working at all well ! I asked how I could tell which food stuff makes my blood levels rise 3 months down the line, she had do answer to that other than NO TEST STRIPS
I seem to be one of the lucky few, I use an Optium Exceed meter that I was given by my nurse and I can get as many strips as I want for both sugar and ketones. If I am testing more than usual for any reason and start running low I can get emergency supply from local pharmasist to keep me going until I get a script. When I go for appointments I take my meter so that the nurse can see exactly what is happening and when.
They refused to prescribe any more until I insisted on meeting with the lead gp and telling him exactly how I use them to aggressively manage my BMs - now I get 150 a month
WeeWillie
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Dictators who positively go out of their way to force misery, tears and fears, upon their countryman's lives.
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No, I've never experienced any problems getting strips.
I put a repeat prescription into the doctors surgery as and when I require them
and pick up the prescription the following day.
I'm rather surprised to learn some poor folks are having difficulty getting them.
I put a repeat prescription into the doctors surgery as and when I require them
and pick up the prescription the following day.
I'm rather surprised to learn some poor folks are having difficulty getting them.
lukkymik
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- The opposites of above!!!!
Not any more!!!!!! As i test 3/4 times a day more when i'm feeling rough that equates to 150-200 a month & I was only getting 2 boxes of 50 until I asked the GP if he wanted a 3am call out when I collapsed & my disabled wife couldn't find any strips to check my BS. I now get 4 boxes a month!!! Pity I had to threaten his sleep pattern to get them tho!!!
I was told yesterday by my doctor that now I have dieted myself off of insulin, the government will not cover the cost of my strips as they are not a necessity.
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Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using DCUK Forum mobile app
68 years old : 13 years diagnosed as 'diabetic' : 7 years since I was told to take drugs...
Have declined the proffered drugs : Metformin : Simvastatins : ACE Inhibitors
Being fascist about my diet, so far have none of the inevitable side effects : my eyes are perfectly clear and my feet still perfectly sensitive : I am taking food supplements and eating only one meal per day.
I have to buy my own test strips, as the GP practice that I attend, says that without taking drugs, I have no risk of a hypo...
My opinion is that, relying on diet to keep control, I need test strips as much as anyone.
Recently, I read that taking metformin will reduce the absorption of vitamin B112 : this can lead to loss of eyesight...
Another reason to use diet to keep control...
Have declined the proffered drugs : Metformin : Simvastatins : ACE Inhibitors
Being fascist about my diet, so far have none of the inevitable side effects : my eyes are perfectly clear and my feet still perfectly sensitive : I am taking food supplements and eating only one meal per day.
I have to buy my own test strips, as the GP practice that I attend, says that without taking drugs, I have no risk of a hypo...
My opinion is that, relying on diet to keep control, I need test strips as much as anyone.
Recently, I read that taking metformin will reduce the absorption of vitamin B112 : this can lead to loss of eyesight...
Another reason to use diet to keep control...
Yes i have had problems a lot more recently. I was on the verge of asking my gp to give me my records back to me after over 30 years with the same gp practice. I am thinking of moving from my gp. Unfortunately my previous gprs retired and they have new Locum Drs/ Gps. They are always trying it on thinking they will be promoted easily if they help Gps practice save/make a healthy financial benefits.
I am loosing my trust with my Gps practice. So many times my repeat prescriptions are cut from the list and talked into saying "yes it's ok for you to take the medication or the item off the repeat prescriptions off the list". It's turning into a joke.... :-(
I am loosing my trust with my Gps practice. So many times my repeat prescriptions are cut from the list and talked into saying "yes it's ok for you to take the medication or the item off the repeat prescriptions off the list". It's turning into a joke.... :-(
The last time my wife went to collect them from the chemist connected to the surgery they told her they had reached their quota for the month and they couldn't supply any more until the New Year. Just what you to hear just before Christmas!
pav
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I am type 2, normally I don't use that many tests strips and don't have any problems at the moment getting tests strips. Now my BS has hit the 22.0's and with a change in medication I am testing a lot more, the repeat persciption will be put in very shortly after the last one a month ago. I am allowed 9 more scripts before they get reviewed again.
One thing that has changed is the percription of lancets, I used to get a big box of them, and now the persciption qty now matches the test strip qty, of which I now get a 100 lancets & 100 test strips.
One thing that has changed is the percription of lancets, I used to get a big box of them, and now the persciption qty now matches the test strip qty, of which I now get a 100 lancets & 100 test strips.
Hi.
I am aware that, in the US 'University of Chicago' approximately 4 years ago they stated that there may be a possible 'stemcell cure' for diabetes after 13 out 15 people were cured by the scientists...! Well if that was so true then where is the cure.? The pharmacutical companies are making Billions of pounds due to diabetes.... "when is the Cure for diabetes coming into the public...?" atleast the NHS may save the cost and the money saved which can be forwarded where it may also help others...!
I am aware that, in the US 'University of Chicago' approximately 4 years ago they stated that there may be a possible 'stemcell cure' for diabetes after 13 out 15 people were cured by the scientists...! Well if that was so true then where is the cure.? The pharmacutical companies are making Billions of pounds due to diabetes.... "when is the Cure for diabetes coming into the public...?" atleast the NHS may save the cost and the money saved which can be forwarded where it may also help others...!
Yes, I keep asking my G.P for 150 strips a month but I only ever get prescribed 100. My G.P says that only two tests a day is more than enough to keep my type 1 under control!! I have tried to explain that any complications with my type 1 would cost the NHS much more than an extra box of strips does every month but this seems to fall on deaf ears.
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Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using DCUK Forum mobile app
At present I''ve been lucky I have changed my meter to Freestyle lite and have had no problem getting strips also before I changed my meter again I didn't have any problem I hope it stays that way
I saw my new Dr today ( my previous Dr retired and would not give me strips) and he gave me my Accu Chek mobile strips and lancets on repeat and its going to save me a small fortune.
I am type 2 diet controlled, I was on metformin but lost 6 stone through diet last year
I am so happy
Jules
I am type 2 diet controlled, I was on metformin but lost 6 stone through diet last year
I am so happy
Jules
World Hereafter
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T2 diagnosed 2012. Told by Practice Nurse to to try to control via diet and weight loss for first 6 months and "you dont need to self-test" as "we do annual HbA1c". Then saw GP and discussed it with him - flatly refused to give ANY test strips, even though I said I'd need to know which foods affected me etc. Was very tersely told T2's "do NOT need to test" and that at any rate, my fasting BG of 8.9 was "not high or a level for concern" ! :***:
A month later, went back to see Practice nurse, this time I went in armed with loads of information I had printed off from here and other sources about need for self-testing for T2's / diet controlled etc. Had LONG discussion about costs to NHS of strips vs complications. Also pointed out that two of my T2 relatives get as many strips as needed, with no problem, one lives Lancashire, one Herts. So why are T2's in my area being told they do NOT need to test, but in other counties they ARE being told to test!! (Ha - that stumped her!!).
Finally prescribed me some strips ... wait for it... 50 per month! That means I can test 1.6 times per day ... woo hoo! ok, tis better than nothing I suppose, but I really had to go loaded with info and quotes and had to do some serious battling and persuading and quoting NICE and Dept Health and so on. Was also told it would "not be forever"!
A month later, went back to see Practice nurse, this time I went in armed with loads of information I had printed off from here and other sources about need for self-testing for T2's / diet controlled etc. Had LONG discussion about costs to NHS of strips vs complications. Also pointed out that two of my T2 relatives get as many strips as needed, with no problem, one lives Lancashire, one Herts. So why are T2's in my area being told they do NOT need to test, but in other counties they ARE being told to test!! (Ha - that stumped her!!).
Finally prescribed me some strips ... wait for it... 50 per month! That means I can test 1.6 times per day ... woo hoo! ok, tis better than nothing I suppose, but I really had to go loaded with info and quotes and had to do some serious battling and persuading and quoting NICE and Dept Health and so on. Was also told it would "not be forever"!
