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Refused blood sticks by GP (Type 1)

I've got to say on a personal note Greater Glasgow & Clyde have never given me problems with anything, never moaned or rationed diabetic equipment or strips and I am satisfied with my DSN/Consultant/GP. :)
 
London36_ said:
Went to collect my test strips today without success and was told by pharmacist (who had been told by GP/receptionist) that I'm 'over using' blood sticks and that's why my prescription was declined. Apparently I must book an appointment to discuss my 'overuse' (but they can't fit me in until Thursday!) Ahhhh anyone would think I'm getting high or getting a kick by making my fingers bleed.

I called GP and said to receptionist that I felt very unsafe and vulnerable by not being able to test and that I'm not booking an appointment to discuss overuse. Feel like I would be bullied? They had, in the last month, received a letter from my pump team explaining I test up to 10 times a day. On their average, since last prescription, I would have been testing 4 times a day. (I did have more already at home though.) overuse?!?! Is this what budget cuts and pressure upon GPs has come to?

As I refused appointment, I called my consultant who was super supportive / horrified and will write again to them. In the meantime, I've had to buy them. £27.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? Did it get resolved? My consultant said she could only write which has made me worried that they could still refuse me.

Feeling frustrated and sad.
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BTW the sticks can be purchased online for around £12.00 for 50.
 
Here in York I am happy with my GP Practise in that I get my test strips and Lancets on prescription. I did however change my meter to the one offered by the Practise last year. I am using their meter which is: GlucoRx Nexus and have no problems with it.:)
 
Another update! I went and picked up my prescription on Saturday and nearly fell over when I received 200 strips! I grabbed them and ran! I assume my letter from my ob/DSN had worked, and nothing to do with me going in and requesting them! Either way I'm happy and relieved to have them! I know the issue won't be resolved but I am glad that this will hopefully be the last time I have this hassle whilst I'm pregnant.

And thank you for the lovely offer of posting me some strips london36_ how kind of you X
 
Good news! I hope they continue to give you a proper amount of strips after the birth. I found my blood sugar kept going low a lot. It was like being newly diagnosed! Also, breastfeeding can have a big effect on sugars too, added to, of course, the fact your schedule will be different and will need plenty of testing.
 
azure said:
Good news! I hope they continue to give you a proper amount of strips after the birth. I found my blood sugar kept going low a lot. It was like being newly diagnosed! Also, breastfeeding can have a big effect on sugars too, added to, of course, the fact your schedule will be different and will need plenty of testing.
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Yes I have heard that my BG could drop whilst breast feeding, haven't discussed this with my midwife yet. How much did you find bf effected your levels? And was this all the time you bf? I'm a little wary of it as I don't know what to expect.
 
@Vick22 I found that in the first 2 or 3 or so weeks after birth, I had to eat snacks with no bolus. Immediately after delivery I was packing away Lucozade and snacks like nobody's business even though my insulin was back at pre-pregnancy levels. I think this was largely hormonal. My ratios for meals also changed and my blood sugar seemed to stay in range without very much effort at all. Part of that was the change after birth but another part was the milk 'coming in'. Things settled a lot after those early weeks. I found it a novelty having to eat like that actually. It wasn't stressful.

For breastfeeding. I just made sure I kept glucose or Lucozade around the house and had little snacks by my bed and my chair downstairs. Gradually, the need for extra snacks without a bolus dropped. But, of course, I still carried on eating plenty as breastfeeding requires 100s of extra calories a day. I just had to bolus as normal after a few months. So my tip is to set up a couple of nice places to sit and feed baby with things like Lucozade, water (for hydration), and snacks like flapjacks and biscuits. Bread and jam or Nutella is also good. That kind of thing. Obviously a banana is a healthy choice too but doesn't keep as well.

My DSN said to eat 10 to 20g of carbs every time I breastfed, but I just ate what I needed. I found my hypo signs extra-good so could eat as I felt my BS going down. I suppose it makes sense as your body is making food for two people : D I'm still breastfeeding now and still enjoying it :)
 
Thank you for the advice azure carbs without bolusing sounds pretty good! I'm sure I'll have a chat with my midwife at some point about it but no one knows our needs as much as we do eh it's great to be able to ask fellow t1 mums for advice! It's greatly appreciated! X
 
London36_ said:
Went to collect my test strips today without success and was told by pharmacist (who had been told by GP/receptionist) that I'm 'over using' blood sticks and that's why my prescription was declined. Apparently I must book an appointment to discuss my 'overuse' (but they can't fit me in until Thursday!) Ahhhh anyone would think I'm getting high or getting a kick by making my fingers bleed.

I called GP and said to receptionist that I felt very unsafe and vulnerable by not being able to test and that I'm not booking an appointment to discuss overuse. Feel like I would be bullied? They had, in the last month, received a letter from my pump team explaining I test up to 10 times a day. On their average, since last prescription, I would have been testing 4 times a day. (I did have more already at home though.) overuse?!?! Is this what budget cuts and pressure upon GPs has come to?

As I refused appointment, I called my consultant who was super supportive / horrified and will write again to them. In the meantime, I've had to buy them. £27.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? Did it get resolved? My consultant said she could only write which has made me worried that they could still refuse me.

Feeling frustrated and sad.
Click to expand...

I had the EXACT same problem with my GP! I ordered my repeat prescription, the pharmacist usually collects it for me & he said I couldn't get your strips. Went next door to the surgery where some snotty receptionist said they're being monitored! I was like "you are joking?? You realise I need these to like, stay alive?!" and she says "no. They're very expensive, we don't want people wasting them". WASTING THEM?! I'm not using them as tooth picks, love!!! :mad:
 
I had this a couple of years ago. My prescription for strips was halved because I was "over-using" at 100 a month!! It turned out it wasn't the GP at all, but a combination of "computer says no" and a receptionist who didn't know any better.

I wrote a really sh*tty letter to the Practice Manager, and now I get 200 a month...
 
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