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The test strip situation

D

DiabeticSkater

Well-Known Member
Messages
176
Location
Up Norf
I have heard many stories about problems with test strips and how many are prescribed. Now for me insulin is useless with ou the test strips. So we need to change things. If we all, and I mean all, of us stand together the government will have to listern.
I propose hitting them with marches and the like.

How many type 1's and two's are there in the UK and how many would be willing to take part in positive action?
 
Hi Skater,
Its not the government that's the problem. The government medical watchdog is NICE and their recommendation (and therefore the government's recommendation) is that Type-2s should be prescribed test strips so they can self-monitor and that Type-1s must be prescribed them. By implication that has to mean prescribing sufficient strips to be able to test meaningfully, not restricting people to a couple of strips a week. It is not the government but some local PCTs who are stopping GPs from prescribing. When PCTs are taken to task about it they just blame NICE. If you complain to NICE they say the PCTs aren't doing what they have been told.

Your eagerness to do something about this shambles is highly commendable but I think you are aiming at the wrong target. Just for once I don't think it is a government decision at fault here, more a lack of action from the government in doing something to sort the mess out.
 
My GP wont give me anymore than 150 at a time and being on a pump its a pain in the rec tum!

I'm down to using about 4-5 test strips a day and thats the very least when I have good control. If I'm ill or control changes I'll easily use 10 a day!

I've even had my doctor on the phone recently asking why I need that many ***!

Shame some if these GPs arent a little more aware of the impact they can inflict upon us! My PCT put me on a pump to get better control - now my GP seems to be taking that control away!!

Paul
 
I am only allowed 50 strips at a time and as I'm testing 4 times a day (and this I'm sure plays some part in keeping the good control I now have), those 50 strips dont last long.
 
Hi,
I`m allowed 50 strips to last me six months, thats only two a week. It`s been the same since i was told i`m T2 almost a year ago, I also do heavy lifting and driving for eight hours, I can do 500 miles a day, how is anyone going to get there type 2 under control like that.
Whatever happend to ROAD SAFTY.
I had to buy my own strips and another meter to test as and when i wanted to as I was paying thats how i found out what does what to my numbers and protect not only my life but others on the road.
 
Maybe Diabetes.co.uk and the other one DiabetesUK.com should DO SOMETHING about this situation.
I`f NICE says we SHOULD have these test strips then they should stand up and shout it out loud.
 
I'm down to using about 4-5 test strips a day and thats the very least when I have good control. If I'm ill or control changes I'll easily use 10 a day!
Click to expand...
To put it in perspective, and I'm not defendng the NHS (especially in the case of people with type 2 being denied the means to establish control) but I sometimes think some people particulary in the US test excessively. I'm also on a pump and have a generous health care service. (in France) I'm prescribed 6 strips per day, which is the normal maximum. In practice it works out at 1 box of 50 a week.
Sometimes I use far more than 6 day, but I can 'save' strips by using only 4 on 'normal' days. ( waking, before lunch, dinner and at bedtime).
I do sometimes buy strips in the UK for an accucheck compact. I check more frequently when running, and its an easier meter to manipulate (and not available here) but I tthink thats down to me, one of the costs of a hobby, alongside running shoes and my heart rate monitor.
 
I totally agree with you Diabetic Skater. The "I'm alright Jack"attitude is not helpul, because most of us reading this forum are aware that many people are not. Many GPs are restricting test-strips for type-1s and type-2s, regardless of those patients' needs, and they DO get away with it. It is very demoralising to Type-1s on insulin, constantly having to explain themselves to doctors who, frankly should know better.Patients are frightened to complain about their GP and risk their registration at the practice. A GP can remove someone from their list for no reason, and if they say there was a breakdown in the doctor/patient relationship, they get away with it.
I do think Diabetes UK, who promote themselves as the voice of "diabetics" should be more pro-active about this issue.
I beleive that with the introduction of poly-clinics, we could all be heading down a slippery slope. Cuts in test-strip prescriptions is something that should concern each and every one of us, and with that in mind, we all need to be a part of any positive action. The question is what can we do?
I will contact Diabetes Uk tomorrow and ask for their advice, I hope other forum members will do likewise and report back.
I have a great GP, and she does not restrict my test-strips, but I have recently been in that situation with 2 seperate GPs. I have also been removed from a practice list for complaining, and been threatened by another for being non-compliant regarding unnecessary tests. I left before that happened., but I intend to report them to the PCT-whatever good it will do!
There was a Type -1 pregnant woman on this forum recently saying her GP was restricting her strips, what hope is there for the rest of us if that's allowed to happen???
Jus :evil:
 
I would rather not be involved with DiabetesUK in any way, shape or form. They could have done something by now. But then again there would be no profit to be made.
 
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