Winning the test strip battle.

[Graham1441]

Hi all,
I won,
My doctor has always told me i can only have enough test strips for two tests a week.

So i contacted my local PCT and asked if driving a 7.5 tonne van and doing heavy lifting for 8 hours a day was safe as my doctor has said.

Answer, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the PCT say I MUST test before i start to drive at the least for safty reasons and have asked for my details and my doctors details so they can tell her to supply more strips.

So if you drive for a living and dont get enough test strips contact your local PCT.

Graham 1441, Type 2 for 18 months.

 

[sandymaynard]

Well done graham!
Finally some sense you drive and exercise by lifting, i find the more i walk the more my blood sugar goes up at times

 

[Graham1441]

I have done two schools in Tonbridge that are close together but a real lot of gear and a walk to go with it , I have tested before and after and have dropped 4.3 mmol.
Graham 1441

 

[totsy]

that is brilliant news

 

[Graham1441]

The thing that worrys me is that if i buy my won strips will that make me a private patient and made to pay for all medication, and is that what this goverment is trying to do so as to save money???????? :!:

 

[hanadr]

You need your strips for everyone's safety. Your GP MUST give them to you. However, I buy my own and I'm not classed as private.

 

[graham64]

Hi Graham,
I got my repeat prescription reinstated, just told the DSN I needed to test and was going to buy my own, she said no way was I to buy any and put my strips back on repeat. As far as buying your own strips and being classed as a private patient, who's to know you've bought them :?:

Cheers the other Graham

 

[manofkent99]

Just after initial diagnosis, (Type 2 in December 2005), my GP advised me to test every other day and when he was completely satisfied that I had my bG under control he amended this to every third day. This is still the case. My bG floats between 5.5 and 6.5 with occasional excursions into the low 7s when I have over indulged. I have never had any problems in getting test strips or lancettes prescibed. Maybe I am lucky to have an excellent, interested GP and Diabetic Nurse.

 

[Graham1441]

It seems the NHS is trying to save money buy cutting down on strips but with this comes more problems later on, and more expencive ones to boot.

 

[humph]

Hi Graham,

I pay for my Byetta at the moment and still get my other meds on the NHS.

 

[cugila]

Hi Graham,

I pay for my Byetta at the moment and still get my other meds on the NHS.

Why are you paying for a prescription drug - Byetta ?
What area of the country are you in ?

 

[Trinkwasser]

It seems the NHS is trying to save money buy cutting down on strips but with this comes more problems later on, and more expencive ones to boot.

Quite! But have you ever met an accountant who looks at the long term? (My ex was an accountant)

Congratulations on your success!

 

[Graham1441]

Well I make you right just look at what the bankers, I did spell that right didnt I, have done to the world.
Graham 1441

 

[humph]

Hi Graham,

I pay for my Byetta at the moment and still get my other meds on the NHS.

Why are you paying for a prescription drug - Byetta ?
What area of the country are you in ?

I pay because my GP wasn't interested, he wanted to put me on insulin. I went private and don't regret it, I get to choose my own Consultant.

I don't trust the NHS to do what is best for me, so I do it.

I live in Bedfordshire.

 

[suebear1024]

Went to my GP to collect my Prescription for test strips and got told off by the receptionist for using too many, and was rudely told, Dr??? Wanted to know why as well.
I explained to her that I have not long been out of hospital, and it was they who changed by Diabetes medication, and that I've only been on insulin for a few weeks after having been on Metformin for over a year and that I needed to monitor myself closely to reduce any risk of hypos.
I got no apology for her horrid attitude, they surgery was full so everyone heard the conversation.
On my way out of the surgery I saw a notice to patients. "Zero tolerance, against verbal abuse to staff" I think that should work both ways don't you.
I feel quite angry

 

[Dennis]

Hi Sue,

You have very good grounds for writing a letter of complaint to your practice manager or the GP head of practice and demanding an apology and an assurance that intimidation of patients by reception staff will not happen again. Whether or not you are using too many test strips is not the point - receptionists are not medically qualified and should not be questioning patients about their treatment, let alone doing so where the conversation can be overheard.

 

[suebear1024]

Hi Dennis
Thank you for your support, and I will write that letter. I have already reported the incident to the District Diabetic Nurse, and she has written to the Dr.
Sue