Hi
My doctors have now informed me that they will no longer supply my test strips and lancets on prescription as I only take metformin (I take 1 500mg at night). They state that self testing has been proven to cause stress. I will be more stressed not being able to test than being allowed to carry on. Two things that may go in my favour are 1. With testing I was able to prove that my blood pressure was no longer in control. When I felt unwell I did a test when that was OK I then checked my blood pressure. This happened over several weeks. At my review I was informed that my blood pressure was OK. When I got my results and spoke to my DN she was concerned and asked me to monitor myself over the next week. The result of this was that my blood pressure medication was increased. 2. HB1AC test was 6.9 just under the 7 which is when they believe medication should start. However my readings in a morning had steadily risen. Result put on Metformin.
Neither changes of medication would have taken place if I did not self monitor.
My question is did anybody ever read the sweet magazine which was for diabetics? There was an article in one of them by an eminent professor who firmly believed in self testing as the HB1AC does not tell the whole story. He was a firm believer that pre-diabetics as well as those who were on diet only should self monitor. Knowledge is power. I have misplaced the article and the magazine is no longer published but would like to use this article to support my claim for strips and lancets to be prescribed.
Any help will be much appreciated. Certainly the information that is already on the forum is going to be put to good use.
Nina
My doctors have now informed me that they will no longer supply my test strips and lancets on prescription as I only take metformin (I take 1 500mg at night). They state that self testing has been proven to cause stress. I will be more stressed not being able to test than being allowed to carry on. Two things that may go in my favour are 1. With testing I was able to prove that my blood pressure was no longer in control. When I felt unwell I did a test when that was OK I then checked my blood pressure. This happened over several weeks. At my review I was informed that my blood pressure was OK. When I got my results and spoke to my DN she was concerned and asked me to monitor myself over the next week. The result of this was that my blood pressure medication was increased. 2. HB1AC test was 6.9 just under the 7 which is when they believe medication should start. However my readings in a morning had steadily risen. Result put on Metformin.
Neither changes of medication would have taken place if I did not self monitor.
My question is did anybody ever read the sweet magazine which was for diabetics? There was an article in one of them by an eminent professor who firmly believed in self testing as the HB1AC does not tell the whole story. He was a firm believer that pre-diabetics as well as those who were on diet only should self monitor. Knowledge is power. I have misplaced the article and the magazine is no longer published but would like to use this article to support my claim for strips and lancets to be prescribed.
Any help will be much appreciated. Certainly the information that is already on the forum is going to be put to good use.
Nina