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Type 2 Testing strips, where to get them?

cherrydarling_

Well-Known Member
Messages
46
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Me again, sorry I'm just wondering where I could get testing strips and lancets from, where I don' have to sell my children, kidneys and legs to afford them! Newly diagnosed yesterday, appointment with diabetes doctor on tuesday and not sure if I'll get these off the doctor. I already have a contour next from having gd 2 years ago, but I'm testing my levels as they're getting quite high so recording them to take to my appointment. I'm a sahm (only as we can't afford to put littlun in nursery) hubby's not on a great wage, two sprogs in high school(can anyone say money pit! ) and dont get benefits so we're just about managing (if we don't buy treats and such, go on days out etc) so don't have all that much left at the end of the month. Not a sob story, just explaining the situation (as many of us are in) the ones I've seen so far are about 25-30 pound for 50 and if I'm to test as I've read I should, that wouldn' even last me a week!
 
cherrydarling_ said:
Newly diagnosed yesterday, appointment with diabetes doctor on tuesday and not sure if I'll get these off the doctor.
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If you cannot afford to buy them from the pharmacist, you will have to ask your GP for them.
 
as its important to test and check your bg. call your doctors tomorrow and ask them for a script. your entitled to free prescriptions.
 
Hi @cherrydarling_ ... it is not common for Type 2s to be given meters or strips on the NHS. Bottom line is they cost money the budgets don't cover...or...they don't want us to test for reasons best known to themselves and disagreed with by many who use meters every day. Look around this threads here and you will see what people here think of this. By all means try...you never know. The cost of strips varies depending on the meter. If you look on Amazon's site, you will see that the Codefree meter can be had for under £13 and the strips are a similar price for 50. Definitely ask your GP...perhaps he will consider your personal health circumstances and get the pad out. I got mine on prescription due to other health issues, but generally, Type 2s are not only unlikely to get them prescribed, they are likely to be discouraged from using them. Good luck.
 
paulus1 said:
as its important to test and check your bg. call your doctors tomorrow and ask them for a script. your entitled to free prescriptions.
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Don't free prescriptions depend on where you live..on exemption certificates (if English)...on if not on benefits ? Maybe I am missing something. Is it to do with pregnancy ??
 
they will be on blood glucose lowering meds. hence the free meter. remember the op is Gestational and requires tighter control than a normal type 2. in england you need an exemption cert. the more sensible remainder its free.
 
paulus1 said:
they will be on blood glucose lowering meds. hence the free meter. remember the op is Gestational and requires tighter control than a normal type 2. in england you need an exemption cert. the more sensible remainder its free.
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OP isn't pregnant. She had gestational with her last baby, to whom she is now a stay at home mum, and has now been diagnosed with type 2. Having had gestational diabetes puts you at increased risk of getting type 2 in the future.

Nor has OP been prescribed any diabetic medication, so far although she has not actually seen a doctor since her diagnosis. You don't become entitled to a medical exemption certificate as a type 2 unless you are prescribed diabetic medication. If a type 2 is treating with diet only, no medical exemption certificate and very unlikely to get test strips on prescription, although it can't hurt to ask.

Do you have type 2 @paulus1 ? It doesn't say in you avatar. So I'm not sure if you are a lucky type 2 who has had no problem getting test strips on prescription and might be able to share tips on how to persuade doctor to prescribe them, or an over optimistic type 1 who doesn't realise how difficult it can be for those with type 2 to get strips on prescription. If so, this thread - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/have-you-been-told-not-to-test-your-blood-sugars.66574/ - might be eye opening.

I believe TEE2 and codefree have the most economical strips of around £7.50 for 50. I think @Bluetit1802 might be able to share some info on where these can be found.
 
Hi @cherrydarling_

Here are the details for the Codefree and Tee2.

SD Codefree, available from
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
which costs £12.98 or:

TEE2
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
which is free

Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips.
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £29.49
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £58.98
Finding the box to put the discount code is a bit tricky, so pay attention!

For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available
 
@cherrydarling_

If @catapillar is correct in saying you no longer have Gestational diabetes but have been diagnosed as a T2 it would help us all to respond to you properly if you change your diabetes status in your settings. There is a drop down box of types so you can pick the correct one. The status showing under your avatar says gestational. This seems to be leading to some confusion.
 
Oops sorry! Will change it now ☺
 
sorry saw the tag and assumed the op was pregnant again.

re what i am ive no idea i was entering acidosis on dignosis been on insulin since then. had the gad test which was negative. im on 26 lantus and 6 nova rapid. i get ketones and hypos but not since ive stablized always within the 5-6 range ketones stable at 0.2 down from 3.4. im also on 500x2 metformin but no effect at all on my bg levels. so im going to ask for the cpeptide test. so ive no idea what i am. i would love to put something but what.

ive no problem at all about getting supplies. glucose no issue they tend to script me a 100 at a time and 10 ketone sticks.

ive been very lucky seen by my gp sent to hospital diagnosed supplied with equipment and seen in clinic the next day. been to clinic monthly. had my eyes and feet checked. consultants called me every couple of days to check up on me. same with the diabetic nurse. the joys of living on a small island. where your wife has worked with them all. they wanted me in hospital but i have a phobia of staying in hospitals. so i refused same as when i had a heart attack a few years back.
 
I get mine from amazon. I just purchased the contour next as my old meter and strips have been discontinued.

If you can get your numbers down through a low carb diet you MIGHT NOT have to test as frequently IF you are not going to be put on meds.
 
cherrydarling_ said:
the ones I've seen so far are about 25-30 pound for 50 and if I'm to test as I've read I should, that wouldn' even last me a week!
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If you don't get prescribed strips, then the TEE2 and SD Codefree strips are the cheapest. After an initial burst of testing I knew the effects of many meals and cut down testing drastically. I find a tub of 50 strips now lasts at least a month.
 
Goonergal said:
For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available
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I realise that The Codefree strips work out a bit cheaper if you buy lots, but I'd like to put in a word for the TEE2. Firstly, the fact that it's free, but you get a useful little carrying case, 10 free strips, 10 free lancets (which will last for ages if, like me, you re-use them) a free lancet gun and free bottles of testing fluid. Then, customer service is fantastic. You can speak directly to a REAL PERSON 24/7 on a freephone line whenever you have a question or if you prefer not to order online (The website is not the easiest to navigate.) Your order arrives pretty much by return of post. You can have a replacement gun, more batteries and more testing fluid, as well as the CD and cable for connecting to a computer, all free. (The last two I failed to make work, but at least they didn't cost me anything.) The meter works faster than the only other one I've tried and it only requires a small drop of blood.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
 
I am very lucky and get a script for 50 test strips a month - but that's because I initially self funded and was able to prove that I used the readings to inform diet choices, and I lost a stone in weight! I'm not sure when the scripts will dry up, but I will continue to self fund when that happens. I use the SD Codefree and my pharmacy were brilliant at finding a supplier of the strips. It took 3 weeks but they got it sorted eventually. I have a pre-paid certificate so although I don't get them 'free' as such, the cost is covered.
 
paulus1 said:
they will be on blood glucose lowering meds. hence the free meter. remember the op is Gestational and requires tighter control than a normal type 2. in england you need an exemption cert. the more sensible remainder its free.
Click to expand...

Im in Scotland, where there are no prescription charges so need for exemption certs...but whether on meds or not, most Type 2s would still be fortunate to be prescribed meters and strips. I would be surprised if they were dished out easily in England just because meds are involved, and a lot of Type 2s on this site have indicated they have not been given them at all. Of course, Type 1s absolutely need them...and I would argue that Type s2s should all have that option. The whole area needs clarified.
 
I purchased a code free meter and strips off of amazon they are cheap and very good...and just recommended to my daughter
 
Claireyt said:
I get them on prescription from GP they will surely give you some!
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Unfortunately most T2s in England have to be on medicines such as gliclizide to have strips prescribed - as a non diabetic you’re very lucky to be able to get them on prescription.
 
Have you tried e-bay? I’ve got an Accu-check Nano and usually manage to get a tub of 50 strips for between £8.00 to £10.00. I tend to buy about 200 strips a time and start looking after I start my last tub which enables me to put in various bids.
 
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