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Why dont doctors listen

M

mayoburt

Well-Known Member
Messages
45
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I finally got my urgent appointment with a diabetic specialist yesterday. In the summer I was having high 20’s readings and told I mat have to go on insulin. Well im sorry but I am not. Downloaded this App and learned so much about diabetes. Put myself on a low carb diet 3 months ago have lost 1 stone and feel great. My downfall was not testing so started testing pre and after meals to see what spiked my sugars. Back to the specialist had no idea what had been going on had to explain everything he didn’t even know what meds I was on. For past 2 months been in single figures due to testing. But docs refuse to give me more than 1 pot of strips a month which is neither here or there he says I only need to test once a day I ask you. He said looks like you have done everything yourself! What was the point in going for this appointment. I had a blood test so lets see if after 2 months my hb levels are down from 101 he wants it at 60 or under else another tablet it is but no more test strips grrrrrr
 
Well done on your progress. Very few people seem to be able to get strips on prescription. Funding is the problem.
 
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i dont seem to have a problem. consultants says testing between 4 and 6 times a day gives the best understanding. i agree. once a day is near pointless. but with bloods in the 20sinsulin maybe the best treatment. also at that level get your ketones checked.
 

Hi paulus1

Your profile doesn't say what type of diabetes you have, but for most type 2s in the UK test strips are not provided, certainly not in sufficient quantities to test regularly. There is some variation between docs and surgeries and areas, but generally a T2 is lucky to get one strip a day (for fasting test) for a few weeks after diagnosis or after a change in medication. Most people end up relying on their HbA1cs to find out what is happening to glucose levels, until their diabetes progresses to the point that they need stronger medication and/or insulin.

I chose to self fund - strips and the occasional Libre sensor. And I am so glad that I did - it means that I know where I stand on a daily basis and can gauge how much damage the occasional indulgance is doing to me. I am profoundly grateful I found this forum. Before that I didn't even know that self testing was possible unless people were on insulin, yet it has made such a difference!
 
I don't use many test strips, well under 30 a month these days. As I only test each meal 2 or 3 times and if it is clearly OK for my BG, I have no need to retest the meal. Meals that are "only just OK", I avoid, unless I am going out etc.

I still get test strips on prescription, as I had one 14 day prescription (stopped taking without telling dr after 10 days) for a drug that requires testing for driving, and I refused to start taking it without a meter etc. Maybe I will have to avoid turning up for any diabetic reviews, so my repeat prescriptions are not looked at......
 
My GP was so pleased with my weight loss that she agreed to give me 50 strips on prescription per month. She said there is no evidence that testing works! but as it obviously does for me she was happy to prescribe because I'm improving my health.
 
Forgot to say that I have the SD Codefree meter and strips, and my pharmacy has worked really hard to find a supplier of the strips. They are special order and take 7 to 10 working days to get.
 
I self fund my strips etc. My surgery only provides strips when on Insulin.
If I eat a meal that I know won,t spike me, then I will miss testing then. Purely because of the cost as being on benefits.
I will test more often each day if I am unwell
 
archersuz said:
Forgot to say that I have the SD Codefree meter and strips, and my pharmacy has worked really hard to find a supplier of the strips. They are special order and take 7 to 10 working days to get.
Click to expand...
I order my SD Codefree strips fromAmazon. They are £20.99 for 3x50 packs. Delivered usually in three days.
 
Diane60 said:
I order my SD Codefree strips fromAmazon. They are £20.99 for 3x50 packs. Delivered usually in three days.
Click to expand...

Diane - If you order directly from Homehealth, who are the UK distributors for Codefree, there is a discount if you order 5 or 10 tubs at a time. Very roughly, it works out to be around 5 pots for the price of 4, and they usually arrive pretty quickly.

You apply the code at the checkout, in the sort of way you usually would. the codes are:
 

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This thing about test strips is interesting. I was diagnosed as diabetic in 2014 and put on metformin and BG monitoring was not mentioned. September 2015 had mini stroke and admitted to hospital where it was discovered my BG was in high double figures. Tablets increased and BG monitor given but when I got home GP told me I did not need to test and would not prescribe strips, etc. I am a pensioner and long term disabled so could not afford to self fund. Then admitted to hospital again with tachycardia January 2016 and it was discovered my BG was in the 30s so prescribed insulin after which GP had no choice but to let me have lancets and test strips. However I am only allowed enough to test 3 times per day. I often wonder if I had been allowed to test my blood sugars sooner would I have been able to avoid going on insulin?
 

I'm sorry but this just breaks my heart. What is going on with our health care provision. I am so sorry that this has happened to you and that you did not receive the health care that you needed.
 
Diabete specialist seems no clue about LCHF and one hour spike... He suggested me, a pre-d with HbA1C 5.9 FBG 6.1, eating more barn oatmeal etc... He ignored my one hour spike at OGTT (10.4) and focus on 2hr (4.3) saying I am fine and refuse to give me any metformin...
 
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