How Many of You With Type 2 Have ...

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[EwokBishop]

Although I'm not strictly a type 2 (I'm a MODY) I have never come across this problem with any of my GP's!

Infact when I changed to my Contor Next meter I was told 'you'll never get those strips on prescription!' And again no problem.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I believe strips were provided to Type 2's on prescription at one time, at least by many doctors. This has changed most likely due to Practice cost cutting in the short term. Those that are prescribed strips have found they are restricted in how many they are allowed. Of course, the Type 2's on insulin or insulin-promoting drugs do get them.

I asked for a meter and was refused on the grounds that testing causes stress, readings are not properly understood, and can become an obsession. (That last part is right in my case!). I asked again at my first 3 month review. The nurse understood I was well up on what readings mean and that I could be trusted with one. She gave me an Accu-chek Mobile with one cassette of 50 strips, adding that there would be no more strips. Those 50 strips went in no time. Replacement cassettes are £25 for 50 retail. I later bought my own meter with strips at somewhere near £6 for 50. I have asked a few times since, I have used the "it will save the NHS money in the long run" argument. All to no avail.

 

[))Denise((]

I have them on my repeat prescription because I take gliclazide and drive. Mine are restricted - the last time I ordered some, they came on a different prescription to my other meds, so it looks like they were being scrutinised. Any other testing I do over and above the 2 - 3 times a week that was recommended to me, I fund myself.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Although I'm not strictly a type 2 (I'm a MODY) I have never come across this problem with any of my GP's!

Infact when I changed to my Contor Next meter I was told 'you'll never get those strips on prescription!' And again no problem.

Are you on insulin? If so, that is the reason.

 

[EwokBishop]

Hey Bluetit, no I'm not on insulin. As I said I'm not strictly a type 2 but I do tend to be put in that group alot. I'm very lucky when it comrs to my GP he's the diabetic specialist GP for our county or something like that!

 

[Bluetit1802]

Excellent in theory, nomistheman, but in reality it doesn't work. The Practice will have strict guidelines laid down by someone at the top. The nurses and doctors have to comply with these. When challenged, all they can do is fight their own corner as they are told to do, with whatever excuses they can dredge up.

Nothing to do with diabetes or meters, my husband is on statins. Until now he has been called in every 12 months for a medication review and cholesterol test. He is due again soon. The other day he got a letter telling him that Practice guidelines have changed and he no longer needs a blood test or review every year. This is against the NICE guidelines, which say statin users should be tested and reviewed every 12 months. More cost cutting.

 

[ally1]

in the beginning, my gp refused to prescribe test strips, him saying only type 1,s can have them. when i last saw my diabetic nurse, she said that if i drove a car, then i could get them on prescription because of hypos, so i admit i told a white lie and said i was learning to drive, now my gp will prescribe me 50 test strips a month

 

[Bluetit1802]

That's just it Bluetit1802 - you demonstrated that you knew how to use the tools, which went in your favour!

I feel if properly challenged the Health Care Professionals will see someone who wants to take ownership of their Diabetes and support them in that.

You and I are living proof of that! Thee must be others?

No. I was given a meter and 50 strips. No prescriptions for further strips. The meter was a new one, still in its box, presumably provided free by Roche and just collecting dust on the shelf.

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

I "challenged the NHS" at my first appointment and was told no. I argued that I needed strips as I was newly T2 diagnosed plus, as plant protein is higher carb than animal protein, I would want to be more careful etc. Still no. Not their policy.

At my follow up appointment, I asked again. I was told they only give them to T2s if they are poorly controlled. I did not qualify as I was well controlled, ironically as I was buying my own strips

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

I am not uneducated and thought I argued my case well. But I was arguing with people who think it is a good idea to "fill up with starchy carbs at every meal". It was difficult to have a rational debate with irrational people. I just gave up and got on with it.

 

[Simon84]

i was told not to test but i have ordered a codefree meter now like some people said about on here as i need to no whats happening with my sugars as i have cut down on carbohydrates like some of you on this forum have and i want to know if its helping.

 

[Lamont D]

I was misdiagnosed T2 about 5 years ago and at time I was given a metre.
When I was correctly diagnosed RH, my GP tried to restrict my strips to 100 a year!!! I use at least 5 a day as I still experimenting with foods and what the effects are.
A long telephone later and the threat of a letter from my consultant changed his mind!
Don't forget, when it's time to vote that the right wing of politics are the ones that are cost cutting and you will probably have To pay for everything if they had there way!

 

[mat1uk]

I'm a T2 and when i was first diagnosed i was offered a meter and strips by my nurse but was warned by my dr that i would only get the strips on prescription for a short while as i wouldnt need them. Just had my 1st hba1c and my nurse was so pleased with my improvement she has stated that she will happily keep providing me with strips as i am using them in way that is beneficial to my health (controlling by diet and exercise alone)

 

[Tom Green]

Here in Canada, they give meters Out like water. I have 3 Mobiles & a dozen other brands. As a senior I get 3000 strips a year & I usually get 400/ 3 months for $4.11 dollars. I get offers for free meters every month. Never had any resistence to testing ever.

 

[alliebee]

I'm extremely lucky as my GP is a type two who follows lchf. His words to me were " how on earth are you supposed to guess which foods do affect your bgs??
When I talked to my Dn she told me the official stance was type 2 cannot change or correct ( insulin) so its pointless....my heart just sank...I now use my influence as a theatre sister albeit newly retired full time ..to change attitudes. My gp surgery has a red flag now warning receptionists just to re issue strips..lol. I find that a bit naughty whem someone else wo needs them just asuch as I do has to fight...my DN is now extremely supportive. Every day more and more patients at the diabetic clinic are reporting big changes from cutting out carbs a lot...slowly but surely the message is spreading amd getting out there

 

[Tom Green]

I just changed my Doc since my last one retired. The new one has no clue. I just tell him what I need & he obeys. He told me I only needed to test once at night before injection of Lantus . I told him I want 400/3 months & that is far below what I'm allowed. He caved in.

 

[Brunneria]

The NHS does not have enough money to fund strips for types 2s as standard.

I know all the arguments.
I agree with most of them.
But the NHS does not have enough money to provide strips to an ageing, increasing, type 2 population.
No amount of activism, arguing, and protest is going to change the cold hard economic fact.

I'll say it again: the NHS does not have enough money.

 

[Tom Green]

Truth is the cost of not supplying test strips is far greater than the cost of the strips.

 

[Lamont D]

The cost in human suffering is higher than any monetary value!


Sorry, not trying to be political! @Brunneria