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Should I be monitoring or not?

W

Wirelad

Member
Messages
10
Hi all,

After diagnosis (type 2) just before Xmas. Advised to use diet and exercise initially. I have just had my first meeting with Diabetic Nurse. She tended to tell me everything I have already found out from this great forum.

However, unsurprisingly she was not keen on supplying a monitor and gave the usual reasons about it being unneccesary if I am not on medication and they prefer to test HBA1C regularly.

This bothers me a bit as I would rather know what levels I am currently at and what foods might be causing me problems. I have altered what I eat and doing loads more exercise (lost 9lb since New Year).

I am tempted to buy a monitor (or ask a supplier for a free one) and start my own testing.

Any Thoughts?
 
hi and welcome :wave:

The Reason they advise against testing is purely because they don't want to fund it !!!!! Stupid reason as years down the line it will probably cost more treating people for complications. Keeping your levels low may not guarantee that you won't get them, but it is thought to lesson the risk.

The ONLY way to find out what foods do to your level is to test. If you ring the manufacturers and ask about their meters they may send you one free, you could try this http://www.diabetes.co.uk/promotions/bayer-meters.html, I entered this didn't win but still was sent a meter. Lots of us get strips from ebay as they are expensive to buy at the chemist. You could try again and ask the doctor, tell him that you want to be proactive in controlling your diabetes. there are some hints and tips on getting strips on the Greetings and Introductions sub forum.

Ann
 
Thanks for the reply Ann, I know it makes sense to monitor as my next HBA1C is in 3 months. I am hoping it will have come down but if not I would want to know what is working and what's not.
 
Agree totally. We're all different and you need to see how different foods affect you. Test 2 hours after meals. If you're up near double figures then, you know to cut out some of the carbs in that meal next time. Aim for less than 8.5 if you can at the 2 hour stage, then gradually set your sights lower. You'll get the meter free from Bayer or someone, just have to pay for the strips unless you can convince the nurse it will help you to be pro-active in managing your diabetes. Tell her it will just be for a while as you find out about foods- if you get strips on prescription "for a while" they may forget and leave you on repeat! Good luck!
 
Hi All,

I just read the first post, This is my story!!! Exactly.

I had two fasting tests in December, first one 8.6 second 8.4. Had an appointment with the nurse that left me feeling rathers ****** off. Ended up telling her she could have posted all the leaflets to me, and that its obvious the their meter policy is money based.

I have bought a meter from Tescos, Accu-Chek Compact, and will buy the strips via Ebay. I am testing prior and 2 hous post food to try and understand the effects of what I am eating.
 
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