Refused blood testing equipment

Andrew S

Well-Known Member
Messages
103
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Snobs! Angry people who keep getting angry and can't calm down.
I saw a different doctor and again was refused the testing equipment as it was down to "the government"!

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helenjune

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
am type 2 diagnosed december 2012 was told today i dont need to test for myself they will do it once a year at my review so i am buying all my own eqipment
 

Sharon Guy

Active Member
Messages
27
I am also in Derby and am being managed very well. My glucose is high so I am getting a lot of help, input and support. I got one of the lovely Freestyle Insulux metres free from the website and took it to the specialist nurse who nodded enthusiastically and put a note on my records for me to get the strips free as they are not one of the preferred ones.

What bothers me is that it is so shortsighted. A friend of mine was able to control her diabetes remarkably well with diet and testing. If she was low first thing she would eat a higher breakfast and if she was high she would eat a low breakfast. Thus allowing herself to stay stable.

She was then refused strips and her control went to hell in a hand cart. She is now on medication.

Why can they not see that good control early on prevents the diabetes progressing and worsening and so saves money in the long run!

Sharon
 

Parsly

Member
Messages
16
It even various from practice to practice in the same town. My nurse said don't get hung up on it and don't test and my doctor said buy the Meter yourself and we will supply strips and lancets. So I put my prescription in for 200 of each and my chemist nearly fell over he said everywhere else only allows you 50 a month which is not even 2 a day! I am newly diagnosed and never in single figures tho - any tips?

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akindrat18

Well-Known Member
Messages
563
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I've only recently had my blood monitoring test kit took away from me by my Doctor and I got told by him that they will check my blood's for me every 3 months and he has made me an appointment to see the diabetic nurse & dietitian at the Royal Derby Hosptial about my diet next thursday and I have not been able to order a new test kit or strips as my funds are low.
 

maxster

Member
Messages
18
Is this an issue in England as up in Scotland there is not this issue. O maybe wrong but my practice and DBN each gave me a meter and a repeat prescription for strips. What I am reading is nothing short of ridiculous, is it not the view to get you to manage your DB so as you not overburdening the NHS with complications later. That's what my DB aware GP appears to advocate, thank god

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mickey121

Well-Known Member
Messages
140
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
In N.Lincs they don't issue meters and strips to type 2 diabetics if controlled by diet only and only occasionally when on more than one med due to cost.how you are supposed to work out what foods are bad for your blood sugar levels when you only tested 6 weekly I will never know?


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damienmyers69

Member
Messages
16
Dislikes
hate salad, most veg, most fruit
Here in skem, if your on free prescriptions it 50, but you can re-order if running short, for those who are working, they usually get 3 months supply, though i think diabetics get free scripts, depends on gp and rules of pct.

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mpe

Well-Known Member
Messages
300
xyzzy said:
If you have an eBay account you can get the SD Codefree, a case, a finger spiker thing and 60 strips for under £20. Go to the healthcare.co.uk shop on eBay. Be careful to order the UK mmol/l one and not the US mg/dl version or else the numbers will come out strange. If you can afford to I'd order as many strips as you can on the first order as it will save you on P&P later on.

You can also order through amazon.co.uk which is supplied by healthcare.co.uk.
 

Paul_c

Well-Known Member
Messages
432
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
mickey121 said:
In N.Lincs they don't issue meters and strips to type 2 diabetics if controlled by diet only and only occasionally when on more than one med due to cost.how you are supposed to work out what foods are bad for your blood sugar levels when you only tested 6 weekly I will never know?

tested 6 weekly?

I only get tested annually... and I'm diet & exercise controlled
 

sue.cassie

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I have just had my first visit with at d. Clinic apart from being weighed and having my feet looked at nothing I was told all the negatives ie kidneys eyes amputation etc then told to control it with diet. I said I had started low carb diet the nurse said good I asked about testing and she said health authority do not supply testers unless you are on insulin, she doesn't want me testing either, she did say she would put me on a course I presume it is Desmond or similer but she also said it could be as long as 3-4months before I would get in. She said she would also arrange for an eye test I pointed out I already have an eye appointment for may, she said she hadn't remembered asking for it. What do I do now I have ordered a meter from website but don't know if I should test how will I know if diet is controlling diabetes or not feel worse now than at my visit 4 weeks ago when she first said I had diabetes
She has made me an appointment for 2 weeks may consider giving me meds but she needs to speak to gp first by he why he did ask if she gave me details if the diabetes uk website, I said in I found it for myself,sorry rant is so long but really don't know what to do next.

Thanks sue


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sue.cassie

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I visited diabetes clinic today for 1st time.listened to all about health problems eyes feet kidneys etc. had pneumonia injection. Nurse said she woul get me app for eye test, had total her she already had my app for that is 22 may. She then said I had my blood pressure checked on 20th April, had to point out that was 2012 today only being 10th April. I asked her about monitor she said local health authority (Essex). Only supply them if you get insulin. She also said there was no need to test. I am really fed up tonight I am trying to get it under control drs don't seem to be bothered. in one breath she told me about this site then she says it to take notice of anyone else just ask her if I have any questions, she said she would book me i to a disbetic course probably Desmond or similar but says i would probably have to wait 3-4 months it all seems a bit pointless at the moment
Thanks for being there


Sue
 

Lozzybabyw

Well-Known Member
Messages
53
I'm the same in Kent, England & I have so many ups& downs it's driving me crazy! The eye appointment I have had(Diagnosed type 2 in October) It is not an optician appointment. It is different to that. It's looking for specific issues. With my area it's a mobile unit that visits each year.
Apparently the blood tests we had shows, though we may not feel too well our bodies are coping with the diabetes adequately& diet& exercise are the only controls we need! I was told if I lose a stone I could be cured!! I'm half way there.. It's rubbish I know, but was scary it was a doctor that said it after going to a conference on diabetes!
All we can do is do the best we can until showing that so many of us need this.. I did sign the petition& I believe it's under revision. It's saving money at the end of the day. If the tests show anything more, then we seem to have to put faith &hope that the professionals will act. Since diagnosis other than feeling totally overwhelmed & being refused the testing.. I've got regular appointments, I've had issues with my feet & it's been acted upon quickly. It gives me more faith in it. It's hard but we all have each other:) I see a lot of people talking about Fenugreek Herb helping.. I'm getting it tomorrow. Wishing you all well & feel free to msg me:)


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damienmyers69

Member
Messages
16
Dislikes
hate salad, most veg, most fruit
I really feel for you both,

1St, always test yourself,
Get your meter, there is a card in it that allows you to get free strips and pricking needles, make sure you scan the card and give them the copy to keep, incase they decide to loose it.

They have to give them to u by law, but if they get funny about it, change to another surgery.

They are bang out of order for treating u like that.

try keep your bg between 6 and 7 till ya got a good routine going.

Dont worry about weight, bg's no1 priority, you will find once they under good control you will feel much better for it.

If u need any help, feel free to pm me.

Way i control mine is to watch my carbs that sugar, and i dont eat after 8pm, then by midnight i got a good idea how my sugars are going to be by morning.

If u get mad hungry, have meat or cheese, just check it not got any carbs in it, some get added cause of marinades.

Hope that helps

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mickey121

Well-Known Member
Messages
140
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
You can send for a meter on the main site if you can afford the strips most Drs won't prescribe unless on more than one medicine


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damienmyers69

Member
Messages
16
Dislikes
hate salad, most veg, most fruit
If they diagnose u as being diabetic, be it diet, pill, injection control, then ur diabetic and should be able to get them.

Did a bit of searching on google, goto.
http://Www.diabetes.nhs.uk

Think it could be useful for those of you having problems to contact them, they may be able to advise on how to get better treatment.

Hope it helps anyway.

Keep the posts coming, see what we can get done for those in need.

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Thommothebear

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,186
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Newly diagnosed T2 last month and I am getting my strips on prescription at the moment, but I've been advised they will probably restrict the number they give me. My GP is the practice doctor who handles all the diabetic patients and does seem quite clued up, but I guess she is restrained by PCT policy

I'm in the process of trying to determine what foods work for me so I am getting through them pretty quick even though I am only testing twice a day. I don't personally object to paying for the extra strips but last time I tried to buy them I was told the strips and lancets were prescription only - surely that can't be right? Anyone else had this?