• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Test strips - any advice on getting my Dr to change his mind?

Lee2675

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi. This is my first post so please be gentle.
I was diagnosed with type 2 at the age of 39. My glucose levels were ridiculously high so I was put straight on glimiperide and metformin. From what I've read, I was extremely fortunate to be given a meter and test strips as well. Initially all went well, but unfortunately the stress of my job took over and fell off the wagon. 2 years down the line and my Dr wanted to put me on blood pressure medication and a statin as well. That was the kick in the backside I needed to start looking after myself.
I'm now on a vlcd, I've lost 19lbs so far and I'm off metformin and my glimiperide is down to 2mg. Hopefully I can get to the point that I can control things with diet.

A large part of being able to do this is that I bought myself a meter with Bluetooth. I can track all my readings, food I've eaten, carbs and how they affect my blood sugar.

However, I've been told by my doctor that they won't supply the test strips for the new meter because they are too expensive (contour next strips).

Is there anything I can say to my doctor to change his mind or is this a definite no go?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
 
Hello and well done in your progress so far. You were lucky to get test strips originally and I doubt if your GP will sanction the new ones. You certainly need to keep testing (we all do at first) so either revert to the ones provided on the NHS or buy your own, either with the convenient system you use now or something that may be cheaper like the Codefree meter and strips many of us have.
 
Hi lee2675 first welcome to the forum this is a good place to be. Regarding test strips I too had same problems I got a free meter a contour next when I tried to get test strips off doctor they too said they were to expensive and I'm on insulin testing 4_5 times a day so I'm not surprised trying to save money where they can so your not the only one any way welcome again and good luck in the future.
 
I'm using a contour next usb/ one meter and I got the strips easily on prescription so some doctors will give you them and some don't but I certainly can and I get a 100 a time and I did it by asking the receptionist if I was able to get them and they said they would put through a request for me and if the doctor had trouble they would phone me on my mobile but I got no problems with it and they are on repeat so I get them when I need to but your dsn might be able to help you if you ask them to see what you can do about it
 
Hello Lee and welcome, unfortunately It may be outside of your GP's control and he or she is following the policy of the local CCG (or local health politburo as I like to refer to them) and most if not all do not authorise strips free on prescription to type 2's not on insulin or glucose lowering medication. This is very much like them now withdrawing prescriptions for gluten free food across the country for Coeliacs.
 
I have same problem but I buy the strips on eBay. If you do this be very careful of what you buy. You have to check the expiry dates and that they are unused still in sealed boxes. I haven't had a problem but you have to be careful. I have seen some for sale "loose" to save postage.
 
That you all for the advice so far. I suspected as much but it's reassuring that it's not just my GP.

Thanks all.
 
Gp surgery's vary, some will issue strips but be aware that eventually gps will either be issuing cheaper strips and I even know gps are now stopping them all together except if on Insulin and another med but can,t think of the name
 
I too used to use the Contour Next Meter and got my Test Strips on prescription free. Then they got stopped a couple of years ago - I now use the GlucoRx Nexus Meter given to me by the Practise Diabetic Nurse and test strips provided free on prescription.
 
@Dairygrade
if you are administering insulin to yourself you need a meter and strips-- I would point out to your doctor -- would he drive his car without a speedometer because that is what he / she is asking you to do.

ask him / her if he / she is prepared for a lawsuit after you crash your car while hypo and no test strips to be assured to drive beforehand.


all the best
himtoo !!
 
@Lee2675 and @Dairygrade when I asked my DN a couple of years ago if she would prescribe a meter and strips I was told that because I was diet only she couldn't and it was only prescribed to patients on insulin and glipzides (?) because they needed to check their BS prior to driving and/or eating etc. I wonder @Lee2675 if it's the make of meter that is not compatible with the strips that they can prescribe.
 
I think all the test strips cost about £15 per 50, apart from those that take fancy expensive cartidges such as the AccuChek compact (which is great for very busy folk); but primary care might be able to find some make a bit cheaper or be able to do a deal with some supplier to get them cut price.
The purchaser gets bothered by test strips cos they are one of the mnost expensive items on the drug spend, eg in Bristol, test strips were the number one spend, even more than methadone, so saving a few pence per can will mount up to a lot.
Folk above are spot on - you are obliged by the DVLA to test blood glucose if on insulin or sulphonylurea - it is a legal requirement - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabetes-mellitus-assessing-fitness-to-drive
I believe that one GP refused a sulphonylurea treated person test strips, who then had an accident and sued the GP - not sure if successful.
Guidance on clinical value of glucose testing in tablet treate d folk is variable, (due to lack of good quality appropriatetrial evidence), but if you are testing and using to drive down your glucose levels by adjusting diet and medication, you will get a better HbA1c (so GP will meet his/her QOF target) and you will need to avoid hypos. But most meters do the necessary inc a memory, so if GP wishes to provide you with a different free meter and strips on prescription, then I'd go for it.
Best wishes
 
Not quite as convenient as bluetooth but there are free apps available for your phone that will store and record your readings and produce meaningful graphs. They can also sound an alarm to remind you to test and/or take medication and help you keep a food/carb diary.
I like SugarSense but there are others that are worth trying.
 
I think all the test strips cost about £15 per 50, apart from those that take fancy expensive cartidges such as the AccuChek compact (which is great for very busy folk); but primary care might be able to find some make a bit cheaper or be able to do a deal with some supplier to get them cut price.
The purchaser gets bothered by test strips cos they are one of the mnost expensive items on the drug spend, eg in Bristol, test strips were the number one spend, even more than methadone, so saving a few pence per can will mount up to a lot.
Folk above are spot on - you are obliged by the DVLA to test blood glucose if on insulin or sulphonylurea - it is a legal requirement - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabetes-mellitus-assessing-fitness-to-drive
I believe that one GP refused a sulphonylurea treated person test strips, who then had an accident and sued the GP - not sure if successful.
Guidance on clinical value of glucose testing in tablet treate d folk is variable, (due to lack of good quality appropriatetrial evidence), but if you are testing and using to drive down your glucose levels by adjusting diet and medication, you will get a better HbA1c (so GP will meet his/her QOF target) and you will need to avoid hypos. But most meters do the necessary inc a memory, so if GP wishes to provide you with a different free meter and strips on prescription, then I'd go for it.
Best wishes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…