Blood glucose testing

Hi
I test 4 times a day, fasting, pre lunch. pre dinner and pre bedtime but if exercising, I would test more. As I don't drive (but used to) I would ALWAYS say test before driving as the repercussions as previously shown can be huge.
It is down to what you feel suits you best. Everyone is different and you need to work out what is right for you.
Please speak to your Diabetes Specialist Nurse if your surgery are blocking the issue of your test strips as it is in everyones best interest for you to have as many as you require to prevent complications in the future.
Best of luck.
Frankie W

Now we have had a few more T1's answering I am going to put my own view in.......

It's scandalous that you as a T1 are being expected to do with only 4 tests a day. Totally against all sensible guidelines especially from the DVLA and also NICE.

My view is complain officially to the Practice Manager where the issue would have to be discussed at a Practice Meeting. If that doesn't get the strips back in the quantity you require then complain to the PCT, your MP, anybody who has some influence over the decision.

I am a T2 and frequently test 6, 7 or 8 times a day, especially if driving any distance. I don't have a problem getting up to 200 a month. You should ask for the decision to be confirmed in writing and their reasons. Tell them you will keep a copy in case anything happens in the future !

Pressure them Nigel !!! :twisted:

Good news.

Went to see my gp this morning and he's changed my prescription from 50 strips to 100 and he asked me how long 100 will go for and I said depends on when I test, explained to him before driving, exercise, food etc etc he said when you need them they are here for you

Happy I'm getting 100 now

Matthew

To get decent control of your bg levels using bolus/basal regime you need to do between 5-6 tests per day as a minimum. This allow you to have some failures with teststrips. Go back to your GP and ask for 200. If he starts umming about it then ask to be transferred to another regime which might require less in the way of testing to be done.

With the 100 i got once i get down to 20, ill put my prescription in for another 100 and keep it going and going, if they moan ill ask for 200 haha!

I am told it is the PCT's that are cutting back, i've just changed my GP becuase he was making it very difficult to get strips and he was always on about his budget! heaven help us when GP's get full control over the budgets etc.

I use between 5-7 dialey and have when at my old GPs bought my own £25.00 for 50

As if we enjoy self harming!!!!

As a newly diagnosed T1 I'm getting through too many strips to admit to! I need to learn though and I think that that means testing as often as I feel I need to. On a good day that probably means 10 tests, on a bad day with a hypo it means maybe as many as 24 tests. My fingers are hoping I can soon get down to 7 tests a day - and that's without needing to drive anywhere. Tracy

I think the issue with testing and getting an adequate supply of strips will come up many times in the future because of the cost. My nurse has been told to swap all her patients onto one type of meter because the chosen one is good and the strips are cheaper than others. I've never heard of it though

I'm a Type 2 (actually think i might be 1.5 but that's a diffrent story!). I had an appointment at the Drs on Tuesday and forgot to ask for more strips. Phoned the surgery Wednesday morning and explained and they said they'd speak to Dr and get back to me. They phoned yesterday and said that because i have used 100 strips in just less (only a few days) than a month they woun't issue anymore :roll: I should be using 50 a month max according to them.
I was in hospital before christmas with pneumonia and DKA and really want to get my BGs back to an acceptable level. My Dr also increased my Glic dose on Tuesday. I really can't believe he is happy with me not testing :evil: Why do some many Drs seem fixated on HbA1C results and not everyday readings?
I've now orderd a better meter and my own strips. I am moving soon and will be changing practices. I'm hoping the new one will be better and that they will allow me to have the strips i need.

I am moving soon and the before I register with any practise I want to know
1.how they monitor their T2
2. do they allow test strips.

I currently get 50 per prescription which is every 2 months and top those up myslef. I am quite stable at the moment and try to cut down but if I haven't tested I find that I worry abot what is happening in mybody that I am unaware of. I also find that if I am not testing regualrly it is easy to slip and kid yourself everything is fine, wheras you can't fool a BG meter!

Hi,
I'm type-1 and have had probs with previous GP surgeries about test strip prescriptions. I test up to 8 times a day, if I need to. I exercise regularly and have children in my care so it's the responsible and right thing to do.
The whole restricion of test-strips issue is a disgrace - it's only going to cost the NHS in the long-run. Or will type-2s with complications, deprived of tools to manage and monitor their condition, be blamed for having brought it on themselves, like smokers?
I remember a situation when I was about to cycle home from a local shop, and felt a bit odd. I considered not checking my blood, as at the time I was having probs getting strips from my GP,. Luckily I did, as I was hypo, below 3. If I'd cylcled home hypo, I would have probably had an accident or worse. We should be praised for taking control and managing our condition , not punished for it, by people who should know better.
I get 300 strips on my prescription,which lasts me about a month & a half. Last week the pharmacist (not my usual chemist) asked me if the number of strips to be dispensed was correct. I explained that this was the amount I always got, and she commented that it was an awful lot. I was annoyed that she felt the need to pass comment, maaybe she presumed i was type-2 :? It got my back up as I've had similar comments from a previous GP and GP receptionist, who didn't seem to understand the dangers of not testing if you're on insulin.
I feel there's too much importance placed on the Hba1c test,and that doctors in recent years have been lead to believe that home glucose testing is of less value due to this. Paricularly for Type-2s.
Jus