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That old question of self testing

H

HpprKM

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Self absorbed and rude people! Motorists who are oblivious to the rest of the world, and really don't give a ****!
Yes, I am wheeling out the old chestnut of self testing for T2s, I have been diagnosed 3 years and not been self testing, as advised quite insistently by my GP, who I hasten to add is usually very good. However, I am really concerned that I may not be managing my glucose levels to best effect and have ordered the USB Contour whilst it is on special offer.

Now, I am intending to use it, please can someone advise what would be a reasonable number of times to do this in a day, I assume perhaps twice, and exactly when should I do it? Do I need to panic (as I afraid I may) if my reading comes out high at any given point etc.

This may seem really dumb to the practised self tester, but can be really daunting for first timers :?
 
The best way of testing is to test when you get up....This gives you a sort of base line for the day. Then test 2 hours after your breakfast to see the effect that has had on you. Before and two hours after each main meal is a good practice till you see what your Bg levels are doing.

No need to panic !!! just take a note of what you had eaten and how much. Next time you eat the same thing reduce the portion size to see what that effect has. It is all trial and error ....good luck with it.
 
Will do, sound advice as always, will let you know how it goes :)
 
Well I'm sat here,in tears(again)!I was really ill last week with dizziness and being sick,my BP was really high snd my meter readings wouldn't get below12.0,for one day it was 29.0 all day.So my Doctor sent me for a full Blood test and told me to rest and ring today for the results.Well to put it mildly I've just been "told off" by the practice Nurse :? She asked me what it was I was ringing for so I told her and said I'm working hard trying to get my numbers down.She then had a right go at me,"and who told you to self test?I told you, you only test if your on Insulin,your blood result is fine it's 6.9 so your probably borderline anyway!you'll make a right mess of your fingers,anyone who tells you to test is WRONG"!(Ishowed the Doc my diary with my numbers with me self testing and she said good!)"stop testing now and I'll see you in February"!! and that was it.I was at the Hospital yesterday and the Consultant told me I had a lot going on with the Autonomic Neuropathy etc which is affecting my heart now and I'm due to see the Cardiologist in a few weeks.I honestly feel like I've had enough,if I'm only Borderline with the Diabetes why am I on Metformin and why did the Diabetic Clinic tell me I've probably had it for about 6 years at least because of the state of my feet .I usually keep so possitive but I feel as if I just can't be bothered anymore.I've been disabled since 91 but today I feel as low as I've ever felt.Sorry (again) for going on but from now on I'm just going to rely on this site and help myself.The Doctor said I really must try and get my BP lower and rest,but with no back up from people who are supposed to be there for support how is that possible. :cry:
 
Virginia said:
Well I'm sat here,in tears(again)!I was really ill last week with dizziness and being sick,my BP was really high snd my meter readings wouldn't get below12.0,for one day it was 29.0 all day.So my Doctor sent me for a full Blood test and told me to rest and ring today for the results.Well to put it mildly I've just been "told off" by the practice Nurse :? She asked me what it was I was ringing for so I told her and said I'm working hard trying to get my numbers down.She then had a right go at me,"and who told you to self test?I told you, you only test if your on Insulin,your blood result is fine it's 6.9 so your probably borderline anyway!you'll make a right mess of your fingers,anyone who tells you to test is WRONG"!(Ishowed the Doc my diary with my numbers with me self testing and she said good!)"stop testing now and I'll see you in February"!! and that was it.I was at the Hospital yesterday and the Consultant told me I had a lot going on with the Autonomic Neuropathy etc which is affecting my heart now and I'm due to see the Cardiologist in a few weeks.I honestly feel like I've had enough,if I'm only Borderline with the Diabetes why am I on Metformin and why did the Diabetic Clinic tell me I've probably had it for about 6 years at least because of the state of my feet .I usually keep so possitive but I feel as if I just can't be bothered anymore.I've been disabled since 91 but today I feel as low as I've ever felt.Sorry (again) for going on but from now on I'm just going to rely on this site and help myself.The Doctor said I really must try and get my BP lower and rest,but with no back up from people who are supposed to be there for support how is that possible. :cry:
Click to expand...

Hi Virginia, I'm sorry you are so upset with the way things are happening for you right now. It looks like the advice you've been given is mixed and is causing you no end of problems.

Have you ever read 'the diabetic rollercoaster' that was posted on here a while ago?? If not, I'll try and link it to you so that you can read it. I was feeling rather down the day I found it, and it lifted me up so much and made me realise that there is more to life than diabetes or being diabetic....I think that is something you need to realise too right now, and just remember that there is always someone on here that will lend you a sympathetic ear and some friendly advice.

So please don't feel that you can't go on anymore, take a few deep breaths and remember that we are all here for each other.

Take care xxx
 
Virginia
is this nurse at your doctor's practise?
If so ask the practise manager to arrange a session for you with the nurse and your doctor. This nurse is the one who is WRONG. and in any case she's being extremely unprofessional.
The only reason that T2s are told not to test is on cost grounds. Ask her to justify, in front of your doctor, the MEDICAL grounds on which you shouldn't test.
If she cites the Northern Ireland study, which said that testing causes anxiey, Inform her that not knowing whqat your own blood sugar is doing, is what's causing you to be anxious.
As to ruining your fingers
I use alternative site testing and have done so for several years. I have a meter which has been tested for accuracy for this.
You must challenge this nurse. She can't be allowed to get away with it.
Hana
 
I am T2 and must always test, doctor and the nurse want me to test four times a day twice a week, two hours after breakfast lunch dinner and before bed. Cant see the point of non testing. Helped my bloods big time cause some food you think are good drive them way up. Have a record book i must bring for all my check ups and along with my blood tests
 
Hi again,I saw the Nurse at the Doctors 2 weeks ago on a visit about my BP ,she said I had my 6 monthly Diabetic check in July and that I wasn't due for my next one until the end of February,she repeated that this morning when she told me my HbA was 6.7 and fine and that it meant I was borderline anyway.I mentioned to the Doctor about the Pregabalon and Cymbalta affecting my numbers so she agreed to reduce them from 300mg to 150mg a day.The Asprin which I've been having for 15 years has been dropped from 300mg to 75 a day.In the two weeks since I started testing I've realised wheat affects me a lot and cutting that out plus potatoes has got my numbers down,so to me I see testing as a possitive thing.As for my fingers being sore !they're not at all and I know I can use other sites too.My kids clubbed together and bought me the Accu-chek Mobile meter so I know it's reliable,and I don't cost the Practise anything because I don't need extra strips etc.Thanks for your replies,much appreciated.
 
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