• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

I live in USA & am Type 2

S

SandyA

Newbie
Newbie to this Forum. I have Medicare in the US & which, of course, is a different health system then you have in the UK. I get 100 test strips every 45 days which is about 2 strips a day for me. My dr. had to authorize this amount before Medicare would provide it. I order from Walmart when I run out though. I can buy 100 strips for $19. I usually order 2 times from Walmart until My free strips are allowed after the 45 days are up. This means I am testing about 10 times a day. My dr. tells me this is excessive & unnecessary; however, I can always monitor where my sugar is at & can understand why I am feeling strange, uncomfortable, hot flash, stomach upset.... then I can do something about it. This is what works for me as I can say "oh,my sugar is high/low" & I dont think it is heart attack, kidney failure or some other medical emergency. I have peace of mind from knowing. I am not recommending this to anyone as i am aware it is extreme, but every three months when I get my blood test, my A1c is at 6.8 or lower. P.S. I am 82 years old & dr. says for my age my A1c is just where it should be. Also, I drink plenty of water. Dont exercise much at all due to joint pain
 
Welcome to the forums @SandyA

I'm not T2 so shouldn't really comment on how much you test (your profile says you are taking januvia?) but I can say that it sounds as though what you are doing works for you and different people like to manage their diabetes in different ways.

Once more, welcome.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum @SandyA. I'm north of the 49th parallel on the West coast. We also get our strips on prescription. We are advised to test twice a day. I wear a CGM, but periodically I test the accuracy of my CGM readings with my meter. I like to be able to see what my blood sugars are doing. I can relate to testing, although if I'm not wearing a CGM I test my morning fasting sugars or before and during exercise as I have had issues with low blood sugars. Again welcome.
 
Back
Top