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Bit Of A Test Strip Problem

SueJB

SueJB

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,336
Location
Heaven
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
cold weather
Hi
I've been an idiot!! I'm going on holiday tomorrow, Latvia and have just looked at my supplies of BG testing strips. I've only got 67 strips and I'm away for 14 days.
Has anyone got any ideas how I could get some more urgently?
I use Glucomen areo strips.
Many thanks
 
If you've got time to go to your usual chemist before the flight, they're normally quite happy to do an emergency prescription if they've already got your details on their system and then they'll just sort it out with the gp. No guarantee they'll actually have them in stock though but no harm in trying if there's time before the flight.

Failing that, some branches of Boots often have meters and strips for sale, so maybe just bite the bullet and buy some. Was in Boots the other day and they had accucheck meters and strips on the shelves, didn't check the prices. Will obviously cost you a bit but better than running short abroad.

There's a few facebook groups where members will help out with emergency supplies but, sorry, don't have links for those.
 
Will you have time to ring your GP tomorrow before you leave to get an emergency prescription?
When I needed an emergency supply of insulin recently the pharmacy was useless and their best suggestion was to go to the nearest walk-in centre and get them to do me a prescription
 
Scott-C said:
If you've got time to go to your usual chemist before the flight, they're normally quite happy to do an emergency prescription if they've already got your details on their system and then they'll just sort it out with the gp. No guarantee they'll actually have them in stock though but no harm in trying if there's time before the flight.

Failing that, some branches of Boots often have meters and strips for sale, so maybe just bite the bullet and buy some. Was in Boots the other day and they had accucheck meters and strips on the shelves, didn't check the prices. Will obviously cost you a bit but better than running short abroad.

There's a few facebook groups where members will help out with emergency supplies but, sorry, don't have links for those.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Scott-C Good idea but my chemist isn't the most helpful guy. I reckon though that the GP might do me a prescription immediately. I just sort of panicked earlier. Failing that, I'll go to Boots. Thanks for the support
 
sleepster said:
Will you have time to ring your GP tomorrow before you leave to get an emergency prescription?
When I needed an emergency supply of insulin recently the pharmacy was useless and their best suggestion was to go to the nearest walk-in centre and get them to do me a prescription
Click to expand...
Thanks @sleepster I'll be at the surgery as soon as it opens tomorrow.... their phone is always manically busy first thing. Just feel like a complete idiot!
 
SueJB said:
Thanks @Scott-C Good idea but my chemist isn't the most helpful guy. I reckon though that the GP might do me a prescription immediately. I just sort of panicked earlier. Failing that, I'll go to Boots. Thanks for the support
Click to expand...

Sue - If you have online access, you could request a prescription right now. My GP seems to have someone "sign" online requests first thing every morning, then ping them over. I'm guessing if they are sent over electronically, as the descriptions suggest, you may find the pharmacy at least has sight of the script to know they'll be paid for dispensing it.

Alternatively, if your pharmacy has your strips in stock, you could buy some, to at least increase the number you have with you.

When I was using iBGStar strips, I was able to buy some in Guadeloupe, in a pharmacy on a waterside pharmacy in a village. Actually, the village where Death in Paradise is filmed, but that's a different story!
 
DCUKMod said:
Sue - If you have online access, you could request a prescription right now. My GP seems to have someone "sign" online requests first thing every morning, then ping them over. I'm guessing if they are sent over electronically, as the descriptions suggest, you may find the pharmacy at least has sight of the script to know they'll be paid for dispensing it.

Alternatively, if your pharmacy has your strips in stock, you could buy some, to at least increase the number you have with you.

When I was using iBGStar strips, I was able to buy some in Guadeloupe, in a pharmacy on a waterside pharmacy in a village. Actually, the village where Death in Paradise is filmed, but that's a different story!
Click to expand...
Thanks @DCUKMod I've ordered a new prescription when I realised what an idiot I'd been. I didn't know you could buy the strips without a prescription. I don't know if my surgery does the same signing off prescriptions first thing. I think my best option is to go to the surgery first think and grovel. I need a paper prescription this time in case my chemist hasn't got them in stock. I'm trying to second guess everything. Thanks for the ideas and support
 
SueJB said:
Thanks @sleepster I'll be at the surgery as soon as it opens tomorrow.... their phone is always manically busy first thing. Just feel like a complete idiot!
Click to expand...

It's easily done, I went to America and only realised once I was there how few strips I had! I hope you get sorted and have a lovely holiday :)
 
DCUKMod said:
That's exactly what the the majority of T2s on here actually have to do, month in, month out.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I knew that T2s have to buy their strips, which I think is unfair. What I meant was, I didn't know that I could buy my brand of strips
 
SueJB said:
Thanks, I knew that T2s have to buy their strips, which I think is unfair. What I meant was, I didn't know that I could buy my brand of strips
Click to expand...

I'm pretty certain if the strips are in stock he could sell them to you. He might just have to sort out a price.
 
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