blood monitors

[dreamecat 47]

I have been told that i have type 2 diabetes , have been taking metformin since end of november 09 at one tab for one wk then up to 2 tabs after , not due for blood test till april 23rd . They gave dip sticks for urine test which i found didnt give a true reading so i purchased a blood monitor from chemist with ten blood sticks and over a couple of wks found my sugar levels were all over the place , went back to gp and was told that because i had purchased a monitor from chemist that they would not perscribe the blood sticks for it , i have now used all the dip sticks so how am i suposed to check my blood , could someone please advise me what to do now because i dont seem to be getting any suport from my gp , many thanx , (sorry ive gone on a bit, ok a lot )

 

[cocacola]

Depending on what area you live in, depends on whether or not your GP will prescribe strips and lancets.
What monitor do you have? Do you have an Abbott Freestyle? If you ring the manufacturer of your monitor, you can buy strips direct from them. If it is the Abbott Freestlye (I'm presuming cos they come with 10 strips) they cost approx £14 for 50 strips.
Some monitor manufacturers may also send you a free monitor if you ring them up and say they have been recommended.
A lot of forum members that cannot get strips on prescription buy from Ebay. Just make sure you get the strips and lancets for your particular monitor.

 

[Synonym]

Hi dreamecat

As Cocacola says you will need to buy your own strips if the GP won’t prescribe them for you.

If you keep a food diary and note the blood results against the food that you ate it will help you to pinpoint what to cut down or out or avoid completely. If you can show your GP that you are being proactive and wanting to control your diabetes in order to avoid complications then you may succeed in achieving a change of mind. This is worth a try but my advice would be not to hold your breath! :roll:

At the end of the day this is your life, your body and your diabetes so you need to deal with it yourself if you possibly can. Let us know how you get on and if we can help at all.