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Test Strips

L

lollyann1

Well-Known Member
Messages
141
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Was told by a GP at my surgery who specialises in Diabetes that I could re-use my Test Strips. However, I have tried, but I cannot re-use them. they are Contour Next Test Strips.

Can anyone enlighten me please?
 
Simple answer - your GP is wrong if that is what. They have said .

Test strips are designed to be be used once, and cannot be used again

I'm beginning to have some real concerns about your practice , seriously

Signy
 
lollyann1 said:
Was told by a GP at my surgery who specialises in Diabetes that I could re-use my Test Strips. However, I have tried, but I cannot re-use them. they are Contour Next Test Strips.

Can anyone enlighten me please?
Click to expand...
Perhaps ask the GP to demonstrate for you
I haven't started to use my next meter yet as using up old meter supply first. But from what I remember it saying it did mention the fact that you had 30 seconds to put more blood on the strip if you had a not enough blood warning. This is a good idea as does save waste.
 
That's probably what the GP meant. With the Contour Next it won't "time out" if you don't put as enough blood on. So long as the test strip stays connected u have more time to reprick.

Something I miss now using freestyle optimum
 
Emmotha said:
That's probably what the GP meant. With the Contour Next it won't "time out" if you don't put as enough blood on. So long as the test strip stays connected u have more time to reprick.

Something I miss now using freestyle optimum
Click to expand...
 
Hi @lollyann1.
Forgive me if I am wrong but haven't you been classed as a Type 1?

If so, you should not be buying test strips as they are a necessary part of your management.
 
I'm not a doctor. But I do agree with all the advice above. You cannot "reuse" test strips. Though more common these days for some makes do alow adding a little more blood to the strip if not enough is drawn up to complete the test.. One of the older meters I used to have many years back did this too, from memory.
 
Contour Next strips allow a window of time to apply more blood if needed if used with a Contour Next meter.
The Contour XT uses the same strips, but doesn't have this facility . Neither can be reused, ( due to the way that test strips work, none of them can )

I agree, @lollyann1 should definitely not be buying any strips, but going by her previous posts, her practice seems to be errrr, less than helpful in her management

Signy
 
Wow @lollyann1
next appointment with the endocrinologist get him to write a letter stating you must be given test strips.
I would recommend 200 per month as a starting minimum
 
You can't reuse them

@lollyann1, if you have any problems getting test strips from your gp surgery then ask your hospital diabetes clinic (if under one) to write a letter to your gp surgery explaining that you need to test multiple times a day.

Should this not be possible then print off the following letter and show it to your Dr, this was sent out to all gp practices back in Feb 2013 advising gp's not to restrict test strips to people with type 1 diabetes:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa.../Safe-care-of-people-with-type-1-diabetes.pdf
 

Thanks for replies. I received a delivery of 200 more strips and Lancets after calling my surgery Diabetes Dr back! She has now increased both items on my Repeats. I am so glad. Why did that have to be such a battle?

To get an appointment to see the Consultant Diabetic Dr at the Hospital involves a very long wait. The surgery insist they have to be the Primary carers for my T1
 


Good news on the test strip front

If your struggling with your control and you and your gp surgery can't resolve the problem then you have every right to be referred to a hospital diabetes clinic, some years ago I was changed over to the care of my gp surgery but had some insulin related issues and changed back to the clinic, I've remained there ever since as the specialist knowledge on type 1 diabetes is far superior than what you get from your average gp surgery.
 


I can maintain good control with frequent testing - insulin sensitive
 

Will try to start battle once more to be seen by the Consultant, but it is such a long wait!
 
I'm T1 and was very pleased to see that I can have as many test strips as I need. My repeat prescription always states 'Next issue due ........' which is always a month away. I like to test 4-5 times a day, before breakfast, lunch, dinner, bed time and before I drive, so a month's supply of 100 doesn't last long enough. I was very concerned I'd be ticked off or even refused by my GP surgery if I put in a request before the due date. Now I can stop cutting out the odd test.
 
lollyann1 said:
Will try to start battle once more to be seen by the Consultant, but it is such a long wait!
Click to expand...
As a T1 I wld never cope with 100 a month. I need 4 a day to just keep me Testing pre drives let alone during night, getting up and pre and after meals, pre bed and hypo's and basal testing....
 
Should I be testing more often? Does your GP surgery mind you testing so often?
 
June_C said:
Should I be testing more often? Does your GP surgery mind you testing so often?
Click to expand...

That's up to you how often you test June to get your diabetes under control, your gp surgery should accept that type 1's need to test multiple times a day and shouldn't restrict access to test strips, if you have any problems take on board the advice given earlier in the thread.
 
Perhaps your GP meant or thought you meant lancets not strips !!!
 
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