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That was too easy

cocacola

cocacola

Well-Known Member
Messages
330
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
celery, not eating chocolate
I have been for my annual diabetes checkup this morning. I recently started on Sitagliptin about 2 weeks ago. I started testing at the same time, I am type 2.
I printed out my recent results in the form of a graph. My morning fasting levels have gone down from 7.8 - 2 weeks ago, to an average of 5.7 :mrgreen:
The DN was impressed with my graph :lol:
I told her I am really pleased with the way my BG levels have come down and also that I have cut back on carbs and generally feel much better :D
After the weights and measures exercise :lol: and nearing the end of my appointment, I asked if there was any possibility of getting strips on prescription :roll:
She said, just leave a list of the type of strips and sharps (make and model numbers) at reception and she will organise them on my scripts :shock:
Surely this was too easy :? the proof of the pudding, will be in picking up my firsts script with the strips and sharps on :lol:
 
Good to hear your getting them im still shocked in some areas they restrict them. I get 100 a month on repeat.
 
That's great news Chris!

They will no doubt have a limit on what they will prescribe, but non-the-less it is a start and you could push your luck further and ask for more next time.

Nigel
 
I have dropped my repeat scripts off at the GPs surgery. I just added my requests for BG strips and lancets at the bottom of the script. Now I have to wait till Thursday till I will get my new requests. Believe it when I see it :lol: Will keep you posted.
 
cocacola said:
I have dropped my repeat scripts off at the GPs surgery. I just added my requests for BG strips and lancets at the bottom of the script. Now I have to wait till Thursday till I will get my new requests. Believe it when I see it :lol: Will keep you posted.
Click to expand...

Always better to be a Optimist rather than a Pessimist! :wink:

Nigel
 
Just picked up my script with test strips and lancets on :mrgreen: they are also on repeat too 8) No more spending on strips on Ebay :roll:
 
Great news for you Chris :D

I am still stunned that anyone who has been diagnosed, has to buy their own. I just presumed everyone would get them on repeat prescription!
 
Great news all of that Chris! First of all the big and quick improvement in HbA1c so soon after cutting back on the carbohydrate. Also, on getting strips prescribed so easily.

Best wishes - John
 
cocacola wrote'
I have been for my annual diabetes checkup this morning. I recently started on Sitagliptin about 2 weeks ago. I started testing at the same time, I am type 2.
I printed out my recent results in the form of a graph. My morning fasting levels have gone down from 7.8 - 2 weeks ago, to an average of 5.7
The DN was impressed with my graph
Click to expand...


cocacola.
That sounds good so far........do you know what your Bg levels are throughout the day ?

Morning Fasting levels can be low but it is more important that you test before meals, and then at 2 hrs after those meals. Those are the levels that matter. That is what will show how well you are doing. Testing is everything to give you a clear picture of what is happening.

I note your HbA1c in your signature is shown as 7.6% is that what it is now or has it dropped since ?

Ken
 
cugila said:
cocacola wrote'
I have been for my annual diabetes checkup this morning. I recently started on Sitagliptin about 2 weeks ago. I started testing at the same time, I am type 2.
I printed out my recent results in the form of a graph. My morning fasting levels have gone down from 7.8 - 2 weeks ago, to an average of 5.7
The DN was impressed with my graph
Click to expand...
cocacola.
That sounds good so far........do you know what your Bg levels are throughout the day ?
Ken
Click to expand...
Hi Ken, I have been testing before and 2 hrs after meals too. Readings range mostly in the mid 6s and mid 7s, depending on what I have eaten. The highest reading I have had is 8.9, but that was a one off.
cugila said:
I note your HbA1c in your signature is shown as 7.6% is that what it is now or has it dropped since ? Ken
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
7.6 was my reading in February, I have since started regular testing and reducing my carbs. I have a blood form for my next test, I will go on Monday to have my next Hb1ac done.
I am presuming looking at the results on my monitor it will be around 6.5 over last 30 days, I'm pleased with that :mrgreen:
Suppose I will have to wait a week for the actual results and the good news :lol:
 
cocacola said:
Just picked up my script with test strips and lancets on :mrgreen: they are also on repeat too 8) No more spending on strips on Ebay :roll:
Click to expand...

It's because you are on meds Chris.

The rules at my PCT in Teesside are that diet only (me) are restricted to 4 tubs of strips per year, but should I go onto meds, then like yourself I can have as many repeat prescriptions as I want.

Crazy IMHO, but there you have it!
 
Ardbeg said:
cocacola said:
Just picked up my script with test strips and lancets on :mrgreen: they are also on repeat too 8) No more spending on strips on Ebay :roll:
Click to expand...

It's because you are on meds Chris.

The rules at my PCT in Teesside are that diet only (me) are restricted to 4 tubs of strips per year, but should I go onto meds, then like yourself I can have as many repeat prescriptions as I want.

Crazy IMHO, but there you have it!
Click to expand...
But I still thought that even though I was on meds, it would be difficult to get strips and lancets on repeat script.
I'm under Sefton PCT in North Liverpool.
Where can I find out what the allowances for my area are? Other than Sefton PCT, can't find anything on there.
 
Ardbeg said:
It's because you are on meds Chris.
Click to expand...

I am on hypo inducing meds and I have been told that even though my strips were on repeat I can have no more until end of July as I have had 5 tubs since last June - So it isn't always the case - I am preparing my argument for my DN when I see her next - armed with the nice guidelines and all other official stuff - but I have other bigger battles to fight at the moment so may put it on the back burner for this visit
 
I have it on good authority that the majority of test strips cost your G.P. 28pence as opposed to the 50pence per strip when bought over the counter. An HBA1c cartridge costs £4 and the test rises to £8 if you include the phlebotomist and labour involved. Some GP's are thinking of HBA1c's every 2 months for Type 2's as this would be cheaper than test strips and would go some way to reassuring the patient.

Although NICE guidelines are not always interpreted properly the main reason that PCT's are finding it hard to keep up with the cost is because of the indiscriminate testing by some Type 2's. There are more and more being diagnosed and if you are not educated as to what to do with the results then it is a waste of time testing.

What is needed is more education for Type 2's and more educators as nurse specialists for diabetes are very thin on the ground. It is a role that some practice nurses are forced to take on as there is nobody else and they have not had the training, only the basics.

All in all it is quite a sad state of affairs as we have a chronic disease, a lack of education on how to manage it and no basic tools supplied.
 
I wouldn't mind having the HbA1c test every couple of months, rather than self testing. :D

I haven't been given a meter yet as I'm waiting for my first Hb test. I was asked to wait until that result. My problem is that I suffer from dermatitis occasionally and psoriasis all the time, and if I were to suffer from more split finger tips it would cause further problems if I started with lancets.

Maybe I'll just mention this to my nurse...
 
JanetS said:
My problem is that I suffer from dermatitis occasionally and psoriasis all the time, and if I were to suffer from more split finger tips it would cause further problems if I started with lancets.

Maybe I'll just mention this to my nurse...
Click to expand...
Some monitors will test blood from alternative sites, other than finger tips.
 
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