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Type 1's being refused test strips

Dragonflye

Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Location
Bradford
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I know theres been a lot of talk about type 2's being refused test strips...

I was wondering if any Type 1's had?

I am NOT allowed any more test strips until september!!!

My hubby has just come back from the chemist as I'm on my last day of strips (ordered strips on wednesday) and the doctor (NOT the receptionist) has refused my test strips!!!!

I am on an insulin pump and test 7+ times a day (more recently because I havent been feeling too good)

I don't know what I'm supposed to do, I have to test a minimum of 4 times a day!!! :cry: I have an appointment with GP next week but that aint going to be soon enough :cry:

Has this happened to anyone else?
 
Get your DSN at hospital to write to tell your Doctor how many test strips you need......mine moaned like mad a few years ago...but since my DSN wrote to him telling I needed 300 a month...and being on a pump-(although he is the diabetic GP...he readily admits he knows nothing about pumps and doesn't have anything to do with it at al)l-he will not change ANYTHING about my control now unless the hospital tell him to.....
 
Disgraceful Dragonfly! :x

Is the surgery open Saturday Morning? if so go down and demand that they issue you with a prescription for test strips, as a type 1 it's important that you test your bg at least 4 times a day. My area has a out of hours gp drop-in centre, should yours be the same then why not ring them up and ask for advice on how best to obtain a prescription for over the weekend, alternatively ask NHS direct.

Nigel
 
My DSN wrote to them with how many i needed when i first went on the pump, I've had issues with them regarding test strips for over a year - when i was trying for a baby it was a requirement to get my hba1c down and do lot's of testing (the same amount im doing now on pump) and then throughout pregnancy, I was forever arguing with the receptionist but the doctor never refused... I tested a lot after my son was born (i had bad swings high and low after my daughter was born which meant i never went out of the house for fear of hypo etc - unfortunately this fear lasted and is the reason I met criteria for going on the pump) to make sure nothing went bad AND because I was preparing to go on the pump, my dsn had asked for me to keep detailed records THEN i went on the pump about 1.5month ago :(

Re opening times LOL you have to be kidding? My dad has always called them a "part-time practice" - the only semi out of hours they do is a monday when they open at 7am and wednesday they close at 12!!!

I am going to call NHS direct - unfortunately I've not been feeling too well this last week and therefore have been testing more frequently - I'm still feeling rubbish but am going to have to pray my sugars dont go too high, and keep testing for ketones as I was expecting to have had my prescription tonight :(

The worse thing is they never contacted me about this, nor did the doctor say anything yesterday when I she was overseeing a consultation with a new doctor - although i dont expect much from her as when i last saw her direct I had a variety of sypmtoms, asked her what could be wrong with me and got the answer "it could be anything" and then the consultation was ended by her :(
 
This is a case where your doctor HAS to be reported to both the GMC and your PCT ...this is absolutely disgraceful conduct and he/she has failed abysmally in their duty of care towards you. If you cannot contact your doctor first thing in the morning, go to your A&E and ask for a script for the hospital pharmacy.
 
I'm going to speak to NHS Direct tonight :( however just seeing if my dad has any spare strips (we use the same although he's a t2 on insulin who thinks testing 1x a month is good for him so it wont effect his amount as he rarely gets his prescription) I can't believe how much this has upset me :( doesnt help im feeling ill to begin with :( it annoys me so much because do they think we like testing so much?? I hate the marks on my fingers, i personally find testing worse than injecting :(
 
What an awful situation.

Being honest, I don't think NHS direct will be any use at all with this, but of course give them a try if you want to. Similarly I think A&E are very unlikely to give you a prescription either for this.

If you can afford it, your pharmacist will sell you some strips to see you through until the appointment and if you get your prescription reinstated will refund the money.

I don't think anyone could reasonably refuse a request by a T1 for strips so either a) there's been some confusion in the communication or b) your GP has lost the plot somewhat. My advice is to speak to the practice manager and put your case. Try to keep as calm as possible. If you get very upset / angry (and we can all understand why you would) they may refuse to talk to you in those circumstances. The important thing is to get your strips reinstated at this point, not tell them what you think of them. Focus on that.

Stay cool and say that you need these strips to ensure your health and that you can see no medical reason for them being refused. Ask them to explain the decision. If the practice manager refuses to do anything tell them that you will complain to the PCT and will call the local press. That should do the trick.

Unless there's been a 'misunderstanding' your DSN definitely needs to speak to your GP about this as a longer term issue.
 
Thank you Russ :)
The main reason I called NHS direct is I dont have the direct number for the out of hours GP that covers my area (they have always told me to contact NHS Direct first then i would be referred to them - i paniced a lot with my daughter so spoke to them on a regular basis :) ) They can write a prescription for me (i forgot my insulin 1x many years ago when I went to visit my boyfriend whos now my hubby).
Unfortunately I dont think it has just been a 'misunderstanding' as I have been battling with them for over a year about my prescription for test strips, however I have a meeting with the GP's next week in the wee hours (well 9am on my birthday of all days!!!) AND then on the same day in the afternoon I have an appointment with my DSN (what a joyous day thats going to be ;) )
It will take a lot of effort to stay calm - it's why for the past year it's my hubby who calls up for my prescriptions - i loose my wrag and start blubbering at the drop of a hat - BUT I will try, I suppose I dont have much of a choice :)
I am just soooooooo mad, and my poor amazing hubby has had to take the brunt of it this evening :(
 
I think us diabetic ladies have some phenomenalSpelling??) hubbies......
 
Hi Dragonflye,

I'm fairly sure that if I call my GP's phone number out of hours there is an answering machine message giving the out of hours number, but that may be just my practice.

I see what you mean about NHS direct - they themselves won't be able to do anything but the out of hours GP will. I do think that if you can afford it, buying a pot of strips from your regular pharmacist is the least stressful route.

As for dealing with the practice, in my experience they find it really hard to deal with people who firmly but calmly put their point across and won't be moved. I know it's hard but keeping your cool is essential. What you want is to get your strips reinstated. Without testing strips you really shouldn't be driving nor would you know how to adjust your insulin. I don't think they should be able to resist that argument. Don't get stuck into giving them a piece of your mind - you can do that later in a letter. I would write down all the points you want to make on a piece of paper with your husband and prepare that for the meeting. That way you can always take a moment to go back over the list.

There's an assertiveness technique called 'broken record'. You basically get your argument down to a few points such as:

1. You have withdrawn my strips and not told me why
2. This has been very upsetting
3. I need to have strips so that I can drive to look after my children / work / care for etc.
4. I need to have my strips so that I can manage my insulin dosages
5. I am a type one diabetic and the national guidance is very clear that I should have access to testing strips

Once you have said this, you basically just repeat points 3-5, if they are still arguing just repeat point 5. You just say the same point over and over (hence the 'broken record'). Literally just say the same line again and again.

I think this definitely deserves a complaint letter to the chief exec of the PCT. Again, keep that up your sleeve until you reach an impasse.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!
 
Thank you again Russ!!

I called them yesterday morning at about 7:59 and got the nhsdirect number :( although im wondering if they do both... might give it a try and stay on the line next time!!!

NHS Direct have been amazing, or should I say the nurse I was speaking to was, I wish I had taken her name so I could at least put in some kind of compliment for how she dealt with me - she has given me some great advise on where to go and has strangely enough repeated what you put about the "broken record" - the most amazing bit was she actually understood why I need approx 300 strips a month, which is bizarre because my GP practice dont get it even though they have a diabetes specialist clinic!!!

Unfortunately buying is not an option for me, having only just gone back to work from maternity leave and with my hubby only JUST started a new job after being unemployed for 9 months (unfortunately partly my fault with this wonderful diabetes - another story lol) HOWEVER my dad does have a spare unopened lot of test strips, also I have been told about a drop in clinic which will have a prescription ready for me to pick up tomorrow morning :)

LOL my b'day i was wanting to "chill out" with my wonderful son (my amazing daughter is at nursery and the little minx wouldnt dream of wanting to stay at home with her mum when she has her boyfriend to play with!!!) instead I'll be at docs first thing getting my prescription sorted and in the afternoon at the hospital having a good rant at my dsn (she's pretty good HOWEVER neglected to give me some equipment she should have done when i went on the insulin pump and apparently I'm not the only 1... my hubby was talking to someone who he is now working with on the pump - how is it he knows more people with diabetes than i do?!?!?!?) :)

donnellysdogs - I put a post on that's disappeared... just saying I'm glad my hubby aint registered on this forum... means i can get away with saying how amazing he is :D id tell him but wouldnt want him getting a big head :lol: to say he's not too keen on needles, he has managed to sort me out with glucogon when it's been required (3 times in the last month and half - which is a lot better than it used to be)

Sorry for ranting again!!! I was so upset I think i just needed to vent, and youve all been so nice and helpful yet again!!!
 
Well just got back from the docs regarding my prescription!!!! I am worse than fuming again!!!

apparently there shouldnt really be any need to test more than 4x a day pump or MDI, if I'm using more than this then I need to speak to my DSN to find out where I'm going wrong!!! :(
 
I'm not too sure about pumps - I thought the pump monitored your BG level, and administered insulin as necessary? I could be (probably am) completely wrong, though...

DD said:
I think us diabetic ladies have some phenomenalSpelling??) hubbies......
Click to expand...

I think us diabetic blokes ARE some phenomenal (Spelling??) hubbies..... :wink:
 
Just read through all your thread - I'm fuming on your behalf. Your GP shouldn't be treating diabetics if he knows so little.

How did you get to your doctors - car or foot? If it was by car is he aware that you should check your sugar levels before driving!

Hope you get a better response from your DSN this afternoon!

Happy birthday xxx :)
 
Dragonflye said:
Well just got back from the docs regarding my prescription!!!! I am worse than fuming again!!!

apparently there shouldnt really be any need to test more than 4x a day pump or MDI, if I'm using more than this then I need to speak to my DSN to find out where I'm going wrong!!! :(
Click to expand...

What a load of tosh! I am fuming for you!

I would have asked for that in writing to be honest... never have I herd such rubbish... to be fair I would now be talking to the practice manager or PCT as clearly this Dr has no clue about how you successfully manage t1 diabetes.

Even if you only test before and 2 hours post meal then you would need six / day and to be honest add in correction doses and re-tests etc... what a muppet
 
Do you drive? It's a requirement as far as I am aware of the DVLA that you test before getting behind the wheel. If you drive a couple trips a day and then also need to test before each meal you will use more than 4 strips a day. If your meter is anything like ours some will error so you will get wastages too. Perhaps you should suggest to your doctor that if you have an car accident resulting from a hypo you will hold him directly liable as he is failing in his duty to care for you and provide the necessary prescription to abide by the law. I would also speak to the practice manager about this situation. I've had a diabetic consultant tell me that I shouldn't be testing my daughter more than 4 times a day, I wasn't refused strips though which I get through my GP. I have since moved to another clinic in a neighbouring county as I lost so much faith in that one. Four tests a day is great if you can do it but often that simply isn't practical and more will be needed. Do these doctors think we test more than four times a day because we find it fun? Seriously, I think everyone wants to test as little as possible but testing has to be done there's no way of getting around it.
 
The doc I saw unfortunately is the practice diabetic specialist!!! The PCT have apparently been pushing them regarding test strips - i was on public transport, hubby has car and as I'm having issues after a bump a week or so back driving is out of the question for the next couple of weeks :(

I've text my DSN already and she's not impressed, so she is going to get intouch with the GP practice after my appointment :) I DID however get a prescription so at least im not going to run out for the next 2 weeks :)

Patch - the pump doesnt test sugars for you (unfortunately) it is possible to get a CGM which will transmit results to the pump however even with CGM you still need to manually test to calibrate it (I believe) - something else im discussing at my appt to see if i can get funding for the CGM as my nighttime hypos are less i am still having about 3 a month!!! Im pressuming once ive got everything "spot on" with insulin amounts I will be able to reduce testing but as far as I'm aware it is potential due to changes in my lifestyle/hormones etc there will be times where i need to test more frequently. Still being relatively new to the pump I'm mainly guessing :)
 
Good old PCT's taking the short term view that they can save money by reducing how much people test... of course in 5 - 15 years time when they are all spending loads more money on the complications of poor blood glucose control they will be spouting some different rubbish..

This really irks me... being a t1 diabetic is tough enough without having to fight professionals who should be supporting the management of a condition and not making that management harder through short sighted narrow-mindedness.

I really hope you get this sorted!
 
Hmmmmm

I hope your pump dsn will be able to reason with yr GP Dragonfly so that you get enough teststrips every month to test yr bg at least 8 times a day while you get to grips with testing yr bg levels against yr basal rates.

It's all very well yr GP stating that insulin dependant diabetics only need to test bg 4 times a day but where has he got this information from? Biphasic insulin users can probably get away with just the 4 tests because of the way biphasic lowers bg, but MDI and pump users need to test a lot more purely because bolus insulin lowers bg levels FAST. If the insulin to carb isn't calculated correctly because you are not able to test then you are for sure going to go either hypo or have higher bg levels (which you will only be able to pick up on every time you eat a main meal).

Let us know what happens next. I'm fuming as well Grrrrrrrr
 
Finally back!!!! Not being too bad a day considering I had to go to the hospital to see my wonderful DSN!!! Got up this morning (high blood sugars unfortunately) - was sat opening my pressies with my amazing 9month old son and my amazing 3 year old daughter cam into the room with daddy with a birthday cake with lit candles!!!! :D

Saw my DSN and she's got intouch with my GP about number of test strips :D I gotta admit I like the message she sent (AND the GP cannot say this time they never got anything - they have used that excuse before when they havent changed my prescription - i saw my DSN do it :) )

Now wait for the painkillers to kick in for my neck and shoulder and the sickness to go away and today could almost be perfect :lol:
 
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