Hi
I was diagnosed back in April of this year and only given diasitx which are a complete waste of time, as already said it only indicates when your sugar is really high for it to show in your urine. A few weeks ago I bought myself a meter as I was so concerned I wasn't able to keep track of my BS. (when first diagnosed my BS was 24 so dangerously high). The meters aren't costly, you can be them in the supermarket at the pharmacy, it is the testing strips which cost. Usually around 28.00 for fifty.
I had a review Tuesday gone (24th) and the DN was going to increase my gliclazide on the basis of my last HbA1C which was taken in July which was quite high (there were other reasons for this). I pointed out that I had bought a meter, and although I could not test my BS before and after every meal I did with my evening meal (During the day I only have cereal for breakfast with no sugar, and for lunch a piece of fruit and a low fat low sugar yoghurt). I have drastically rethought my eating (I was significantly overweight) I have lost a lot of weight too, so my BS before meals is anything from 4.4 - 5.5 and 2 hours after eating from 5.5. - 6.5 which the DN was amazed at, because at last review in July she told me I probably wouldn't get my BS under control, and gave me so much negative feedback, I left feeling despondant. So on giving her these details, she decided she would not put me on an extra Gliclazide as I was in danger of going hypo before a meal. My point is if I had not bought a meter to monitor my own BS, I would have been given medication which would have been detrimental to me, and possibly affected my driving licence, which is crucial to me as I am a carer for my husband, and live in an isolated village. Why O why do GPs as standard practice not give all those on insulin and oral meds prescriptions for meters and the testing sticks. As someone who has a low income, it is a large chunk out of our budget, to buy them, but I feel vital to me in controlling my diabetes and not vice versa.