Had my appointment - need advice.

Hi
Not type 2, but maybe check National Institute for CLinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on testing for type 2's, I've saw others mention it as a way to gain leverage - maybe threaten to take it further?
Also quote to your GP about the UKPDS study on type 2 - google it and see for more detail

If the worst case scenario arises and they refuse, ask for some strips to start off with just to see what effects you and in the worst worst case scenario - check ebay. My strips are also about £24 quid but ebay are doing them for £10 - though i do get my free.
Just check expiration date, and feedback of the seller if you are doing this.

Its hard being insistent with health profs, irrespective of how much you advocate for yourself and consider yourself capable they have a knack at times of making you feel silly for worrying about your diabetes so much. Your DSN sounds like mine, suggesting you carry on as before in terms of foods and portions if I want it (sugary stuff, high fat stuff aside).

Hope this helps

Carol,

See this post for a summary of NICE guidelines and link to the latest full NICE guidelines and this one for a response to the first post. I've made an FOI request for the advice issued by Sue Roberts.

NICE argue that although studies show that testing does nothing to help a patient control blood glucose levels, self testing should be offered to newly diagnosed type 2s. Your PCT may argue that by allowing you to test once a week that they are providing you with the capability to test. But you need to be able to test effectively, and once a week cannot be, in anyone's mind (except that is for an accountants) be effective.

PCTs argue that studies show that self testing causes stress and anxiety, so presumably you will need to demonstrate that you are able to interpret results and act upon that interpretation. My GP visibly relaxed when I took a little graph of the previous 30 days readings in and demonstrated that I knew what had caused the spikes and had a plan to avoid repeating those spikes (i.e. avoid that food or decrease the portion size, or walk that extra yard).

You're on diet and exercise control aren't you? If so, by paying for your prescription, you are meeting half the cost to the NHS - so strips may cost the NHS £14.53 but (presuming you are in England) you are meeting 49% of that cost directly and, it could be argued, the remaining 51% indirectly. Testing should be viewed as preventative medicine, by allowing you to better manage your BG you are delaying the onset of complications.

Hope this helps. Regards, Tubs.

If I were you I would buy an Accuchek Compact meter - this comes with a drum of 17 strips as opposed to the 5 or 10 which are supplied with other meters (but check the prices first)

Use the strips thuswise

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

print that information out, or there's a short version here

http://diabetesupdate.blogspot.com/2008 ... blood.html

Also see

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2007/ ... udget.html

Take the numbers in to your doctor

You probably won't succeed in getting any strips prescribed but at least you'll show you know what you are doing!

Bear in mind the DSN has probably been indoctrinated into believing that you caused the diabetes yourself by being fat and lazy and therefore don't deserve any better. Also bear in mind she has probably never seen anyone NOT progress rapidly and therefore doesn't believe it is possible

just to add my tuppenceworth

i got strips from ebay £20 & post for 100 and they are sound

i think we have to be able to work out what our body is doing regardless of the HPs and for me it was worth the costs, especially as i now think i have got the hang of it so i am not wasting them as i did the first week :evil:

let us know how you get on with the doc and give it to them girl!

Your GP/Practice is essentially acting unethically by denying you testing strips. The very fact the nurse dared to bring economics into it shows their complete lack of understanding and/or caring.

It's especially infuriating to hear of when the healthcare professionals themselves know very little about diabetes.

I aim for non-diabetic numbers at all times and if I'm buying strips, I get them ddirect from Abbott Diabetes Car3e, who supply them for half the retail price and include p&p