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Advice from a doctor?

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gladyspick6

Newbie
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1
Being a newby,having read a few emails regarding blood sugar levels,I am t2 and take 4x500 metformin daily, Every year having the usual tests, I recently asked my doctor if I should check my own sugar levels and was told that the person on your site who was type 2 but did this was probably injecting insulin,but as I was controlling mine by tablets I did not need to check my levels but if was to buy a machine from the chemist then I use it.
There are so many topics on here about sugar levels and some foods having different effects on different people,fruit for instance,
I would have thought that the medical profession would be aware of this and advise even type 2s on checking their own levels to see what different foods have on different people.Is this too simple a solution a diabetics constant worry,can I eat this?

Very Puzzled
 
The answer lies in cost and misguided belief Gladys. The actual test strips for the machines are ludicrously expensive so docs don't like prescribing them if they can wriggle out of it, they use the fact that type 2's on tablets don't have hypo's as their reasoning. Which is debateable by the way but anyway..
Some lucky people get their strips prescribed as they have enlightened nurses/docs, the rest of us self fund and buy our own. It's a shame we have to but there seems to be no other choice unfortunately.
 
Hi @gladyspick6...welcome to the forum. I will tag @daisy1 who has a welcome pack with loads of really useful info.
Testing is essential...regardless of whether you are on insulin...but sadly many doctors don't seem to recognise this...and usually won't prescribe test strips. I would definitely go buy one...many recommend the SD code free as the test strips are significantly cheaper than most...hopefully someone will be along soon with a link for you.
Reducing carbs is key...have a good read round the forums...most especially LCHF from which many have had astonishing results. Hope you find the answers you're looking for
 
And most doctors and nurses will say a blood glucose monitor is not meant to be used for testing the foods you eat so most will not prescribe strips to do that
 
Hi All doctors and diabetic nurses have different opinions, no wonder we are all confused.:confused: When I was diagnosed in Jan this ,nurse :confused: who said she personally would not prescribe one, Why? I can not answer that as I did not question her at the time, as I was still in shock. Went to see doctor after a month in Feb to which doctor said because my readings were now under 10 he was pleased for me to only test a few times a week.:confused: Been back to see diabetic nurse she was also pleased that I had got my readings down to 7s and 8s, asked what I was doing ? and I told her that I had followed advice off this site. She replied carry on doing what you are doing. Now been back to see doctor last week for a monthly review, no problem changing metformin to SR , then he asked was I still testing ? Yes your right Doctors do not recognise how important it is to us to test. . To which I replied that only through testing have I got were I am today. He said good carry on see you after your 3 monthly blood tests in April any problems come back. :wideyed:
 
Hi @gladyspick6

Welcome to the forum.

There is so much to pick up on and to learn but this has been a tremendous resource for me and will be for you

If there is one thing that I believe everyone on this forum agrees on it is that you need to get a meter and measure your levels. It is the only way you can take control of your diabetes. When you get one post your results on here and you will get heaps of feedback on what they mean and what you can do about them
 
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