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.
Yes. I am newly diagnosed and was informed by the diabetic nurse that testing was unnecessary. I declined medication for the moment, as the GP had advised me that this was reversible so have opted to try to effect better blood sugar levels by diet. However, I do not see how I can achieve this without testing so could someone please advise me which glucometer and strips to buy, please?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.
@Chesil bith @Rachox and @Bluetit1802 have provided good guides on here re meters - I use the Accu -Chek nano but 5he strips are a little bit expensive but I’ve tagged them so hopefully they will be along to assist.Yes. I am newly diagnosed and was informed by the diabetic nurse that testing was unnecessary. I declined medication for the moment, as the GP had advised me that this was reversible so have opted to try to effect better blood sugar levels by diet. However, I do not see how I can achieve this without testing so could someone please advise me which glucometer and strips to buy, please?
I completely agree. It is a scandal that is causing people to become sicker, quicker and be without the CENTRAL mechanism for TAKING CONTROL OF OUR HEALTH.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.
I completely agree.
It is a scandal that is causing people to become sicker, quicker and be without the CENTRAL mechanism for TAKING CONTROL OF OUR HEALTH.
Testing is a reliable way to find out what is REALLY going on in my body. Feeling and sensations are not reliable by themselves.
Unfortunately she is correct. They don’t normally prescribe glucose meters or strips to Type 2s who are diet only or on Metforim. However it’s about the only way that we can see what effects our so called ‘healthy’ diet ie the eatwell plate has on our blood sugars thus enabling us to make informed choices re diet. I was told I would end up with sore fingers - which I prefer to high blood sugars!I've been told by my diabetic nurse as I'm type 2 and not on a medication that causes Hypos I should not be testing. She also thinks doctors will take prescription off me for lancets/strips. Haven't tried to put in a repeat prescription yet. Must admit I haven't been testing much as don't want to use all my strips.
she also said it was a fluke I was given a machine as they don't usually give these out for type 2.
Because they don’t understand using testing for type 2 testing foods and how it can be done and what it can achieve. They see it as hypo prevention and for insulin dosing alone.I told my DN that I was testing my bloods, (I self fund), she seemed quite ok with that but then said "You really don't need to test before a meal, just after meals". What! So how are you supposed to know what foods affect your bloods if you don't test before eating?
I was diagnosed type 2 in August 2018. After a really sorry experience with existing diabetic nurse I changed to a diabetic specialist doctor. My Hba1c was 97 at the time. No one had advised me to test my glucose but I'd bought a meter in the sheer panic of the diagnosis. I meticulously tested and wrote down the readings each day - I even made a graph. Went to new doctor expecting him to be impressed with my diligence but instead he laughed. "Let me prove something to you he said". He did a test with a meter. It said 6.7. He then tested with another meter that said 7.2. 2 minutes later he repeated the test with both devices - the first said 7.2 and the second said 5.6. He said that the only test that meant anything was the Hba1c. He said that the glucose can vary greatly within the space of minutes and added to that, the meters were an expensive nonsense. 13 months later my Hba1c is now 36. Every day I think of what he said - live your life, I will worry about your blood numbers and you stop being hung up on diabetes. He said being diabetic doesn't mean that you have to spend money on gadgets and if I followed the right diet (learned on Xpert Health programme) I could trust that my numbers would go down - and they did. I realise now that testing my blood 6 times a day wouldn't actually have done anything for me except make me obsessive about eating. I occasionally test out of interest but other than that - what's the point - if you eat rubbish - the glucose will go up. Do we need a meter to know that?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.
I was diagnosed type 2 in August 2018. After a really sorry experience with existing diabetic nurse I changed to a diabetic specialist doctor. My Hba1c was 97 at the time. No one had advised me to test my glucose but I'd bought a meter in the sheer panic of the diagnosis. I meticulously tested and wrote down the readings each day - I even made a graph. Went to new doctor expecting him to be impressed with my diligence but instead he laughed. "Let me prove something to you he said". He did a test with a meter. It said 6.7. He then tested with another meter that said 7.2. 2 minutes later he repeated the test with both devices - the first said 7.2 and the second said 5.6. He said that the only test that meant anything was the Hba1c. He said that the glucose can vary greatly within the space of minutes and added to that, the meters were an expensive nonsense. 13 months later my Hba1c is now 36. Every day I think of what he said - live your life, I will worry about your blood numbers and you stop being hung up on diabetes. He said being diabetic doesn't mean that you have to spend money on gadgets and if I followed the right diet (learned on Xpert Health programme) I could trust that my numbers would go down - and they did. I realise now that testing my blood 6 times a day wouldn't actually have done anything for me except make me obsessive about eating. I occasionally test out of interest but other than that - what's the point - if you eat rubbish - the glucose will go up. Do we need a meter to know that?
...if you eat rubbish - the glucose will go up. Do we need a meter to know that?
...I felt like I might as well be using a random number generator. The numbers were all over the place.
That’s a bit of a leap from advising you not to test.I have been told by a doctor , not even a nurse, that I don't have diabetes, to stop the insulin and go home.)
Your right to some extent and wrong to some extent. It depends on your whole view point. Some will say you are 100% right and agree wholeheartedly with your doctor. Others will say that their meter gave them huge insights and be able to quote exactly what those benefits were/are.I was diagnosed type 2 in August 2018. After a really sorry experience with existing diabetic nurse I changed to a diabetic specialist doctor. My Hba1c was 97 at the time. No one had advised me to test my glucose but I'd bought a meter in the sheer panic of the diagnosis. I meticulously tested and wrote down the readings each day - I even made a graph. Went to new doctor expecting him to be impressed with my diligence but instead he laughed. "Let me prove something to you he said". He did a test with a meter. It said 6.7. He then tested with another meter that said 7.2. 2 minutes later he repeated the test with both devices - the first said 7.2 and the second said 5.6. He said that the only test that meant anything was the Hba1c. He said that the glucose can vary greatly within the space of minutes and added to that, the meters were an expensive nonsense. 13 months later my Hba1c is now 36. Every day I think of what he said - live your life, I will worry about your blood numbers and you stop being hung up on diabetes. He said being diabetic doesn't mean that you have to spend money on gadgets and if I followed the right diet (learned on Xpert Health programme) I could trust that my numbers would go down - and they did. I realise now that testing my blood 6 times a day wouldn't actually have done anything for me except make me obsessive about eating. I occasionally test out of interest but other than that - what's the point - if you eat rubbish - the glucose will go up. Do we need a meter to know that?
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