Have you been told not to test your blood sugars?

[Brian109]

Thank you so much for your reply I can only ask as I said I've never been given any of this information by the nurse.

 

[dbr10]

My doctor and nurse refuse to give me a machine saying I'd be undermining them making me feel guilty and worthless

I was told by my doctor - I was very distressed when I saw him - that that is why they don't like you to test - because it might make you MORE anxious. Yes, I was extremely upset - because testing had proved that the diet advice was going to kill me, and what I had been told was not working.

 

[dbr10]

However, one thing from the NHS has been good - they sent me on an X-PERT 6 week course. The company of other people with T2, all at different stages, all dealing with different problems, was a real eye-opener. The person who ran it was superb and I learnt so much from it - and it was the NHS which paid for that.

My experience of the X-PERT course was an eye opener - but for the wrong reasons. I had already read Jenny Ruhl's book, and was in the middle of reading Dr. Bernstein's. I knew that the HCLF diet they were pushing would only make my condition worse. There were people who had had diabetes for 10 and 14 years who had been told nothing about carbs and were only now doing the course. One woman had heart problems, and after 10 years was facing having to start insulin. The gentleman (14 yrs diagnosis) had neuropathy, retinopathy, gum disease; had had cancer twice, and was waiting for a stent to be fitted because of heart problems. Just two examples of the way they had been looked after by the NHS.

 

[dbr10]

Is it worth me buying an sd code free tester for myself

You should definitely buy a meter and the SD Codefree one seems to have the cheapest test strips. The fact that you don't have test information from your doctor/hospital is concerning. I get a Hba1c test result through the post in a few days

 

[androidandy]

I was diagnosed about 8 years ago and my levels have see-sawed over the years. I was told that i didn't need to test my bloods and therefore never have. Over the last year my numbers have increased until the last test showed them at 105. The doctor has changed my meds to one that dumps the excess suger through my urine but still no testing required. My question is, what is considered to be 'normal'?

 

[dbr10]

The doctor has changed my meds to one that dumps the excess suger through my urine but still no testing required. My question is, what is considered to be 'normal'?

Here is a table (which I hope you can view okay). You might have to look out for urinary track infections with that type of medication.

 

[daisyduck]

No meter or strips allowed for type 2's from my surgery. I've bought my own Codefree and will continue testing.
I am going on a "DESMOND" course this month so I'll bring the subject up there.

 

[Brian109]

I'm waiting for a Desmond referal

 

[Daphne917]

No meter or strips allowed for type 2's from my surgery. I've bought my own Codefree and will continue testing.
I am going on a "DESMOND" course this month so I'll bring the subject up there.

My colleague recently went on a Desmond course and was told there was no need to test because they (NHS) did it for you so I don't expect you'll have a positive response!

 

[Wil burn]

What is a Desmond course?

 

[catherinecherub]

http://www.desmond-project.org.uk/newlydiagnosedandfoundationmodules-278.html

 

[Wil burn]

Thanks I've emailed them

 

[babsy2]

This is not about whether the NHS should, or can afford to, provide test strips on a permanent or temporary basis to non-T1 diabetics. Having read #EveryCloud ’s post, and so many more like it over the years on this forum, I wonder whether we could gather together examples of Healthcare Professionals who have told people that it is either unnecessary or just plain wrong to test their blood sugars. It is a scandal that needs highlighting.

My GP said before Xmas that I can take my blood as often as I like whereas I saw another GP in early nov that I didn't need to take it as was on Metformin but when I said my own GP said you need to take it regularly confusing me thinks

 

[fobbletops]

To what point, so you can have them shot after the revolution?


Just seems a totally pointless thread to me, its not going to change anything

I sign a lot of petitioning to the Government and to countries where issues are causing grief for people with Sum of Us and others.MAybe the thing to do is petition the Government to allow for a reversal of the ruling that has stopped the subsidy for B/G strips for diabetes. I have just received a list of the petitions that have been successful and it is amazing.people power.

 

[fobbletops]

There was, but it failed to get the required amount of signatures to be presented to Downing Street.

Put the petition on Facebook and other social media

 

[noblehead]

Put the petition on Facebook and other social media

I'm sure it was shared on social media @fobbletops

 

[amgrundy]

I was given a meter and test strips 3 weeks ago, as my BG reading was 19.3 doctor very concerned and sent me straight to the diabetic nurse doctor prescribed me Metformin 500mg straight away, 1 daily for first week then increase to 2 after a week. Went back to doctor after 2 weeks for a check up he told me he was happy with my BG readings as they were below 10 so he said no need to test anymore!!! Told me to eat healthy, and go back to see him in a month. Could not get an appointment with diabetic nurse until next week, I do need to test before and after meals at the moment as I am still trying out foods I can and not eat for eg; the diabetic nurse said fresh fruit is best but if I bought tinned fruit make sure it is in juice not syrup [I knew that ] so last night I had 2 pineapple rings no juice with just plain greek yogurt [ which I have regulary with no problems] Guess what tested2 hours after eating BG reading shot up to 10.1 not good, so it was the pineapples. Now if I hadn't tested I probably would have finished those off in the week, not worth thinking about.

 

[fobbletops]

I was given a meter and test strips 3 weeks ago, as my BG reading was 19.3 doctor very concerned and sent me straight to the diabetic nurse doctor prescribed me Metformin 500mg straight away, 1 daily for first week then increase to 2 after a week. Went back to doctor after 2 weeks for a check up he told me he was happy with my BG readings as they were below 10 so he said no need to test anymore!!! Told me to eat healthy, and go back to see him in a month. Could not get an appointment with diabetic nurse until next week, I do need to test before and after meals at the moment as I am still trying out foods I can and not eat for eg; the diabetic nurse said fresh fruit is best but if I bought tinned fruit make sure it is in juice not syrup [I knew that ] so last night I had 2 pineapple rings no juice with just plain greek yogurt [ which I have regulary with no problems] Guess what tested2 hours after eating BG reading shot up to 10.1 not good, so it was the pineapples. Now if I hadn't tested I probably would have finished those off in the week, not worth thinking about.

Absolutely.They are trying to save money on diabetics. I have been a diabetic for 15 years and I know if I don't test I get into trouble. I am not a huge eater but little things put me over. They tell us we can have a treat and often if I do ,my BSL shoots up. I need to test 2 times a day to keep onto my levels to ensure that they do not rise up and stay up. My doctor told me a year ago that I did not have to test more than 1 in a week. I tried that and had BSL's of 19.It is all about the money. I am also a Registered Nurse and looked after diabetics and that was always the teaching-test and keep it in check.

 

[November1115]

I am a fan of the NHS...... it is a wonderful concept when it was first founded and continues to give good quality care to everyone at the point of contact....

Of course the NHS cannot provide everything for us... diabetes and obesity are on the increase, and crippling to the NHS and, this is not taking into account other conditions, diseases. ... glucuse meters are cheap (ish) and, well worth the money.

If we do not hv the NHS the cost of everything will be on us to pay..... to access GP, meds (that some of us get free) aces specialists etc.... I hv heard of horrendous stories of pp having to to remortgage to access healthcare, and.... u guess right, it's not in the UK

Of cos it is not perfect and private health is available for the rich and for those who want it ... but the NHS certainly delivers when most of us need it ... so PLEASE support it!

 

[amgrundy]

Hi fobbletops I totally agree with you I am going to have a word with my diabetic nurse about continuing the strips next week, will let everyone know how I got on. I am so frightened of my BG going up again, don't the professionals know this ??