Those of us who do get strips are very, very lucky, and it's something I never take lightly of for granted. (Not suggesting OP does either, just my opinion).
I do consider myself lucky, but speaking to others at my surgery, I don't thinking will get away with too many soon, maybe another 100 or 200, the surgery is good whilst getting it under control, but as I appear to be getting good numbers and doing well I think this may go against me long term. But I have a good doctor so will go armed with with numbers, and book keeping and give him the good doctor talk