Have just returned from my doctor having got the results of my first HbA1c test since diagnosis. I have dropped from 85 to 46, so I am very happy I have done it with diet and exercise spurred on by the help that I have had from this forum, thank you all. I am really pleased not to have to take medication for the time being. I don't think that I would have succeeded had I not been able to test my BG levels. Dr said that it is practice policy not to prescribe strips for type 2 patients, so I'll carry on buying my own. I think that this is not a sensible policy on the part of the doctors, but they may have their reasons. Hope you all have a good Christmas and that 2013 will be good for all of us. Thanks again