Paying for Strips and meds?

[BarbaraG]

On my first visit to new surgery in August, I asked for strips and was told No, but I could buy my own. So I did, and when I went back in November, having reduced my HbA1C from 62 to 40, I was told not to overdo the testing and become obsessed, because after all, they are looking after me.

I could argue..... if I feel like it on another occasion, I might. But it's easier just to do what I've been doing. The tests, for me, act as a strong reinforcer that this woe is what I need to do.

That's even more true now that I'm using the Freestyle Libre. I can see exactly how big my dawn phenomenon is.... and that doing something that makes me anxious prolongs and exaggerates it. I can see what exercise does to my BG, and tell whether the meal I've eaten away from home is as low carb as I thought it was when I chose it.

Being on metformin, I have a medical exemption from prescription charges, so I don't pay for any prescriptions, whether diabetes related or not. If I could persuade them to prescribe test strips, I would get them free. But if I can't - and since I can afford to pay - I'm not going to sacrifice my health because the NHS is short-sightedly denying me the tools I'm using to reduce my risk of complications.

 

[PattiT]

Every doctor will interpret those guidelines differently.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Depends on the ethos of the surgery.

If the surgery is willing to go that extra mile to help the patient then you are likely to get test strips (if you demonstrate that you are using them and understand the results and implications).

If the surgery is regarded as a money making machine for the partners, and each wishes to wring as much as possible out of their (often short) term as senior partner then they are less likely to prescribe anything that the don't absolutely have to. Also to really lean on you to accept any drugs (stains - looking at you) which have a bonus for prescribing.

I seem to be very fortunate in my current (and also in my previous) GP practice.

 

[PattiT]

I'm very lucky my doctor and nurse, too

 

[daisyduck]

Strips and various items are free on the NHS in the UK

Not for me. My GP doesn't prescribe meters or test strips for type 2

 

[satindoll]

I'm t2 on insulin and even those of us who are on Insulin and who should get enough strips to do sufficient testing are being told not to test so often, to the point where if I need to test more than 4 times a day or god forbid I need to test before driving I have to beg for extra strips, its shameful............

 

[DaftThoughts]

I'm t2 on insulin and even those of us who are on Insulin and who should get enough strips to do sufficient testing are being told not to test so often, to the point where if I need to test more than 4 times a day or god forbid I need to test before driving I have to beg for extra strips, its shameful............

The maximum legally allowed prescription for people on insulin (4 or more times a day) is 400 strips per 3 months in the Netherlands. Unless my DSN fills out a form that I need x amount more per day for the next 6 months, I have to buy my own. The form is also good for only 6 months, so she'd have to fill it out new every 6 months if I wanted to keep it up.

It's really awful and means self-management is nearly impossible if you don't have the money for strips and lancets.

 

[JeanCL]

I wish those that have to buy their own test strips could buy them direct from the NHS at the price the NHS pays for them.

I get strips very reasonably via Diabetes.co.uk website, at far less than my Pharmacist told me she would have to charge if I ordered them from her - very fair of her (though she got an agreement from them for me to have them on prescription, to start with at least - I live in Wales)

 

[Michael4450]

Not these days I'm afraid. The vast majority of non-insulin users have to buy their own meters and strips. They are only prescribed if you use insulin or take insulin promoting drugs such as Gliclazide.

Totally disagree I contacted a company called Abbott who provided me with a meter f/c and my doctor gives me 100 strips & lancets no charge each month ( admit the taxpayer pays for them ) I am T2

 

[serenity648]

Totally disagree I contacted a company called Abbott who provided me with a meter f/c and my doctor gives me 100 strips & lancets no charge each month ( admit the taxpayer pays for them ) I am T2

I see you are a new member. Look around the forum and see how many of us in the UK - the majority of us, myself included, cannot get test strips and meters in the NHS. Our doctors refuse to prescribe them. You are one of the fortunate few.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

my doctor gives me 100 strips & lancets no charge each month

That will keep you going for a couple of weeks, what will you use for the rest of the month?

I use roughly fifty test strips a week which are subsidised by the NDSS at $1.30 for 100.

 

[Michael4450]

That will keep you going for a couple of weeks, what will you use for the rest of the month?

I use roughly fifty test strips a week which are subsidised by the NDSS at $1.30 for 100.

100 strips a month is more than adequate

 

[serenity648]

100 strips a month is more than adequate

when do you test?

 

[Michael4450]

When you wake before food, mid-day & after your evening meal ( preferably no later than 6pm ) and drink just water.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

When you wake before food, mid-day & after your evening meal ( preferably no later than 6pm ) and drink just water.

That must make eating to your meter difficult.

 

[Mr_Pot]

That must make eating to your meter difficult.

No need to test the same meal every time you eat it.

 

[serenity648]

When you wake before food, mid-day & after your evening meal ( preferably no later than 6pm ) and drink just water.

so how do you know how what you are eating is affecting your blood sugar levels? The last three tests, for me, are meaningless and pointless.

Have you seen the guidelines for eating to your meter? You need to test before a meal, and two hours after it, to see how that combination and amount of food is affecting your levels so you can tweak them if you need to.

This is a helpful page from this website: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/eat-to-your-meter.html

edited to ask: where does drinking water come into it? and when do you drink the water?

 

[JohnEGreen]

No need to test the same meal every time you eat it.

I have never eaten the same meal twice the thought of doing such a thing to my mind is vile.

 

[AM1874]

Strips and various items are free on the NHS in the UK

Not these days I'm afraid. The vast majority of non-insulin users have to buy their own meters and strips. They are only prescribed if you use insulin or take insulin promoting drugs such as Gliclazide.

As @Bluetit1802 says .. my Doc told me that because I'm on Metformin, I won't have a hypo, so there's no need to test ..
So now I will be buying 2 x 50 packs of strips and 1 x 100 pack of lancets for my TEE2 - total cost of £19.49 a month .. but since I am improving my health (a lot) and saving at least this much cash by giving up beer since I was diagnosed, I think it's a pretty good deal. And, in truth, I would rather divert my energies to managing my diabetes than to fighting with my Doc and the NHS ..

 

[Bluetit1802]

100 strips a month is more than adequate

What diabetes meds are you on?

When we are first learning about food, portion sizes, post meal rises etc., 100 strips a month in my opinion is inadequate. Better than nothing, but not enough. I'd be interested to know what you have learnt from your personal testing regime?

Certainly initially, regular and organised testing is essential to gain control, before and 2 hours after a meal, and then sometimes it is wise to also test at an hour to 90 minutes after in addition to the 2 hour mark, and then sometimes after 2 hours if levels haven't come down by then. Bedtime is also a very useful test.