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Annoying!

Sarahstar82

Sarahstar82

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Called the doctors to increase the amount of test strips only to be told my maximum allowance is 250 strips! I explained that I'm pregnant and due to constant changes some weeks I test more than others. I'm down to 2 boxes which may or may not last me till the end of the month. I feel I know have to rashen these last 100 test strips! All I want is an extra 2 boxes just as a precaution! I now have to hunt down a midwife or my DSN so they can confirm I need to do extra testing!!! Anybody would have thought I was after a class A drug
Some days I wish I never had to deal with the GPs! Sorry for the rant needed to express my annoyance. And breath.......


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I have big issues with GP's and prescriptions.
It has taken me a long time to get them to put 3 boxes of test strips per prescription. Before they would only prescribe one a time (50 strips) and I would use them in just over a week. So was forever at the docs putting another repeat in every week.

Have u tried just putting a repeat in? Or seeing a different doctor maybe.

Give your DSN a call I'm sure she will help


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Sarahstar82 said:
Called the doctors to increase the amount of test strips only to be told my maximum allowance is 250 strips! I explained that I'm pregnant and due to constant changes some weeks I test more than others. I'm down to 2 boxes which may or may not last me till the end of the month. I feel I know have to rashen these last 100 test strips! All I want is an extra 2 boxes just as a precaution! I now have to hunt down a midwife or my DSN so they can confirm I need to do extra testing!!! Anybody would have thought I was after a class A drug
Some days I wish I never had to deal with the GPs! Sorry for the rant needed to express my annoyance. And breath.......


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Click to expand...

Are they saying you can only have 250 per repeat, or 250 per month?

If it's per repeat, just put your request to have you repeat prescription in more frequently - if they want to deny it when you have put the request to have it filled in, they are going to have to come up with a good clinical reason to do so, and they won't have one. I mean, it's a pain in the bum admin process for you, but it will get you the strips.

If it's per month, you should point out to them that that "rule" is directly contrary to the NICE guidelines on supporting type 1 diabetics in monitoring their blood sugar - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/chapter/1-Recommendations#blood-glucose-management-2

NG 17 1.6.11 set out that type 1 diabetics should be supported to test up to 10 times a day when pregnant, or more if necessary (that's key bit for you, but it's bit broader than that). Again, they are going to need very good clinical justifications for contravening the NICE guidelines and I bet if asked they won't have any - press them on it, with the aid of a copy of the guidelines, and I'm sure they will cave.

Get in touch with your DSN/midwife and I'm sure they will add support.
 
My repeat is done automatically every month as I'm hopeless at remembering. they say my allowed amount is 250/month and any increase needs to be valid! Boots have kindly agreed to put the prescription in a week early this month. I have recently changed doctors due to the other one wanting to change my meter after being told the one I'm on is needed to operate my pump!! I sometimes just have to grin and bare it! I normally only visit the GPs once or twice a year for flu jab and review.
 
Hi @Sarahstar82 thats just ridiculous. Do they not understand the impact of not monitoring blood sugars especially when pregnant it's hard enough! I would get your dsn/consultant to write to them saying not to limit them as its clinical necessity. Plus you have to test when you drive anyway. all this rationing just annoys me when actually it's more likely to save money longer term from reducing complications let alone a high risk pregnancy. I feel your pain! Luckily my strips are not rationed through both of my pregnancies but tbh I had good female gps which I think always helps. Big hugs x
 
Sarahstar82 said:
Called the doctors to increase the amount of test strips only to be told my maximum allowance is 250 strips! I explained that I'm pregnant and due to constant changes some weeks I test more than others. I'm down to 2 boxes which may or may not last me till the end of the month. I feel I know have to rashen these last 100 test strips! All I want is an extra 2 boxes just as a precaution! I now have to hunt down a midwife or my DSN so they can confirm I need to do extra testing!!! Anybody would have thought I was after a class A drug
Some days I wish I never had to deal with the GPs! Sorry for the rant needed to express my annoyance. And breath.......


Sent from my iPhone using DCUK Forum
Click to expand...

It sounds like pure ignorance to me. I've often had problems with getting enough strips, including during pregnancy. I got my DSN to fax a letter to my surgery.

The rationing of strips makes me very angry :mad: What do they think - we just test our blood sugar because we haven't got anything else to do??

Don't miss tests - speak to the surgery and your DSN and get some more strips as soon as possible and have the number increased on your repeat prescription so you don't have all this hassle next time (believe me, it's possible).
 
Thank you all for your shared frustration, sometimes I feel or am told I'm "overreacting" especially about test strips! But these little pieces of plastic are very much apart of my normal day to day life. Some days when dealing with ignorant people I just want bang my head on a brick wall. Can't believe I have to justify how many times I test my blood glucose in a 24hr period just to get an extra 50 test strips!! The reason I have a hba1c of 5.5 at 24 weeks pregnant is because I religiously test and act immediately! Luckily I have an ace DSN who is sorting me a letter for go and providing me with extra strips when I see her tomorrow.


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what a brilliant thread -- @Sarahstar82
you go get em girl !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took me years to get my 300 per month I get -- taking in a daily pump journal can help
or take your meter in and wave it around in their faces-- and Say to them -- if you don't believe me -- download all my data
my 5.5% comes directly from what you're reading off my meter
grrrrrrrrrr ! big hugs and support from me !!!

( and fab news with your pregnancy too ) :)
 
I had this during my last pregnancy! The surgery phoned me and said, "do you realise how many strips you are using at the moment?" My reply was'" I think my flaming fingertips could tell u that!!!" (The reply in my head was slightly more explicit!!)

This time my diabetes centre ask me every time I'm there if I need anything! Which is amazing!

I think it's stupid! Do they think we can't to be testing this much!! Maybe they think we do it for fun and it's not a necessity to keep ourselves and our babies healthy!! Good luck!! Defo throw the guidelines at them!!


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My DSN and consultant always ask me if I have everything I need.

Perhaps they think we're selling them on the black market to T2s?
 
@himtoo thank you very much I am armed with my letter from my DSN to take to the gps.

@Sarahkylie88 I agree it is very stupid! I can honestly say my fingertips don't see the fun side in doing regular test but I will do whatever it takes to have a healthy pregnancy.

Today I had a 24 week growth scan and all is perfect. Baby however was doing some fancy yoga moves (legs above the head)! still can't find out the sex as this time cord was placed between the legs

@Postitnote well if I need a top up in maternity pay I guess selling test strips on the black market may be a viable idea

It's great when you have the support of a great diabetes team



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Thankfully I have not had any issues with getting test strips. My consultant at the hospital did say, though, that he will write me a prescription if I had any issues whatsoever. Might be worth asking yours if he/she could do the same?
 
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