Test Strips

[NinaP]

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

 

[deadwood2]

You can't control what you don't measure. Effective measure and control means that the NHS will deny the means to measure. Even if they hadn't before. If you smoke or drink they'll chuck gazillions at it, but diabetes is an embarrasing problem of the old, overweight and unfit.

 

[Unbeliever]

I was able to prove by testing that I suffered spikes in the evening. This led the consultant to put me on Januvia.
When I took the form from the hospital into my practice a newly appointed GP was so indoctrinated by her training that she took issue with the consultants conclusions and his instructions to contnue testing!

In spite of this evidence she didn't think testing told you anyhing. And why would I want to stick pins in myself? Beggars belief!

 

[pendle2]

Re: Test Strips/bloods

Hello,
I am having some proplems with the strips and meter, i had no problems with my old meter, the battery ran out, fitted not working. The new meter says very high readings, when i have nt eaten anything or not. i have afairly bad weekend, eaten to much, i know the meter reading would be high, too high, so drank water and tried to reduce sugar, took a extra tablet. The docs will not give me a new meter, the one i have is used, very old. the stabbers were lathal. I won a meter from the diabetes mag, the doctor wont give me the strips, to go with. :twisted:
My diabetes is dreadful at the moment, dreading my 3 month fasting bloods, help please !!!!
love pendle xx

 

[sterling]

A consultant rhumatogolist stressed to me last week that testing was crutially important for me.

In the same week I conveyed this information to the diabetic nurse who diagreed: "her expertise is rhumatalogy," she said, "mine is diabetes". Answer: no test strips!

Clearly, a diabetic nurse trumps a consultant rhumatologist in these matters.

I'll buy my own.

 

[IanD]

I normally test 2-3 times a day, so I put in for a new supply.
I had a discussion with the receptionist who agreed that we can't control our BG if we only test occasionally.
I'm waiting for a call from my Dr - my repeat presc said last issue - 50, Feb. 1, next issue - May 1.

I shall take a printout of this DUK Position Statement with me.

People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes should have access to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) based on individual clinical need, type of diabetes, personal circumstances and informed consent - not on ability to pay. 95 per cent of diabetes care is self-care. As such, self-monitoring supported by education, is essential to inform the day-to-day lifestyle and treatment choices of individuals, as part of an integrated management strategy. Decisions about the type and frequency of self-monitoring should be made on a case-by-case basis and not on blanket decisions and removal of strips from prescriptions.