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Test Strips

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
799roger

799roger

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I was at the diabetes UK conference in October, one of the speakers was a MP Adrian Sanders Lib Dem, he is the chair of the Parliamentary Group for diabetes, I asked a question about test strips and the non supply by GP's, he informed me that if you require the strips you were fully entitled to demand them from your GP, and if he/she refuses, take it up with your MP, if you feel that they are beneficial to you you have every right to demand them, I am type 2 and fortunately have no problem with my GP and I test on a regular basis, if I did not have them how would I have known that my bloods had risen to 33 over one weekend, the strips can only be refused on agreement with you, that was what the NICE statement on test strips stated, unfortunately PCT's saw it as an ideal opportunity to save money with no thought to the well being of diabetic patients !!😡
__________________
 
It looks like a lot of us need to do something about this now. If I hadnt bought my own strips a few weeks ago I would never have known when my BS was up and down for a few days last week and it was only down to me that it was regulated. It makes me so angry that doctors can play with peoples lives like this...Isnt there someone in here who could start a petition or something?
 
I think one of the problems is that there hasn't been any solid research papers that say that testing for type 2's improves results.
It obviously does if those testing know what the results means, how to interpret them and what changes they can make.
I think it should be assessed on an individual basis.

there have been petitions int he past by other UK based forums (Pattidevans a members here was invovled i believe)
 
I understand where you are coming from but and it is a big but, to obtain good control of your bloods you have to know what the numbers are, different food affects us as does exercise, so as a type2 I believe that the only person relevant in the equation is the person with the illness, the medical profession are very good at saying there is no medical reason to use strips because type 2's cant do anything to affect the blood glucose levels, well that is not true at all, by knowing the effect certain foods have on your metabolism, and what exercise dose, you can effect a change in the levels!, there is one other very important point in all this and that is "depression" no care is offered to diabetics suffering depression, this usually occurs when information about diabetes is lacking, test strips in my mind are a very important tool in the treatment of diabetes and we should all promote the dispensing of them to all type 2, until effective control is obtained, this of course could go on for many years.
 
Nicky I am at a loss as to your answer, can you please expand, Roger
 
I really don't understand roger, why are you at a loss with my answer?
I don't disagree with you at all. We think the same that testing for type 2's can be very useful if they know what to do with the information and can improve their blood sugars.

I think each person should be individually assessed when it comes to test strips. I disagree that all type 2's should be prescribed them.
 
sofaraway said:
I really don't understand roger, why are you at a loss with my answer?
I don't disagree with you at all. We think the same that testing for type 2's can be very useful if they know what to do with the information and can improve their blood sugars.

I think each person should be individually assessed when it comes to test strips. I disagree that all type 2's should be prescribed them.
Click to expand...

I think that the education and monitoring should accompany the prescribing of strips - yes, people shouldn't be prescribed strips if they are not able/willing to act on the information, but it is up to the health care team to ensure that the person is capable of it (an ideal world scenario, unfortunately). If the person wants to test and improve control then cost shouldn't be a factor as it's a false economy.
 
It seems a bit of a postecode lottery as to waht we do and don't get and the treatment we recieve. I always feel with my GP he'll give me the test strips as long as I don'yt take up more than a 5 minute appointment.

On the other hand my father who only livea few miles away can talk to his GP for as long as he likes and gets everything he needs, including emtional support.

I appreciate that GPs are busy people, but some folks need a whole lot of reassurance too.
 
I am lucky in that I have a diabetic clinic at my GP's surgery and have already had my eye scan, 2 group based structured education sessions and an appointment with a dietician since being diagnosed early Sept. However, what I am finding is that whilst they are giving me lots of information, what they dont tell me is WHY - for example why won't some beauty salons wax your legs if you are diabetic? What do I do if I get a positive reading from my diastix? Is it true that exercise lowers your blood glucose levels? All that I have had to find out for myself - maybe its my fault for not asking the questions, but how do I know what questions to ask? WHen I asked my GP's nurse what I could do to lower my blood glucose she said eat less sweet stuff - I hardly eat any 'sweet stuff' anyway! But hey - I have half the info - and the rest I tend to get from this board. Thanks guys!
 
Hi,
Yes possibly it should be a combined agreement for a type 2 to be prescribed test strips, but if that is the case HbA1c test has to be done on a regular basis, you mention the care team, with all respect who are they ??, I have had type 2 for 11 years not through weight but I believe stress, I See my allocated diabetic nurse less than I see my consultant, she is overworked to the hilt has not the time to support patients or educate them as to how to use strips and use the results to their benefit, I think that first diagnosed type 2 who are on diet Alone should not be prescribed strips, but once on medication the avalanche of drugs descends on you, for your well being you need to know what your bloods are doing on a regular basis, not 20 times a day maybe once or twice, just if nothing else but get the well being factor into your life, just to say that in my case I was taken of insulin and put on Byetta (exenatide) 10 micro grams twice a day, my blood sugars have never over the past year been below 13, often as high at 28, so the answer insulin glargine 26 units a night then a glitazide on top of the Byetta a,d 4 metformin a day, no one checks me I have to contact them, it is impossible to contact my nurse as I said she is overwhelmed so end up speaking to any nurse on the team who can spare the time to contact me, so for my well being and to keep depression at bay I test twice a day the only benefit is that I know where I am and what is going on inside my body, so I find it a sorry state of affairs that some health authorities have withdrawn test strips ad hoc, I also have another reason it goes against Diabetes UK policy on test strips and as I belong to the Campaigners Network and I am a Service User Rep for them I have to support something that I am so supportive of, it might be better if NICE managed to get a better deal on the supply of strips that withdrawing them with out any consultation with the patients,
 
I disagree that type 2's on diet only shouldn't get test strips. they should so that they can adjust their diet to prevent progression of the condition.

Maybe

first 6 months- enough to test 4 times a day
after 6 months- enough to test 2 times a day

From your statement that you test twice a day and only to see where you are, that seems to me like it has no benefit to you doesn't inform your actions, medication, insulin dose, diet etc. then maybe you are someone who shouldn't have test strips.

Roger it's a shame that you haven't managed to get good control yet, hopefully 2009 will be better for you. If I were you i'd set up an appointment with your nurse for a good session to go over everything.
 
Roger,
I have been following this thread because it is my belief that Diabetics should test, but that they should use the results of that test to bring about a CHANGE! Why test if you don't do something about it - it must be depressing to see the readings "going through the roof". I have been trying to convince Diabetes UK that type 2s can achieve good blood sugars if they control the amount of carbs they eat. I wrote a short paper putting "The case for a controlled carbohydrate approach", but as yet they have not responded to it. In fact I offered all on this message board a copy (see Diabetes UK is ignoring me!) but in spite of well over a 100 views I have received NOT 1 request. I have used a controlled carbohydrate approach for the last 12 years - see my signature
 
Hi Dodger, I'd like to receive a copy of your Carbs literature please. Can you do it through my personal approach email shown in my profile or does it need to be delivered by snail-mail ? Kind regards,
 
Dodger, I would also like a copy of your report. Let me know if you need my address.
 
Dodger, I would also like a copy of your report. Let me know if you need my address

Dear Portman,

I have sent a copy to you by E-Mail

Regards Dodger
 
C*5_Dodger said:
Roger,
I have been following this thread because it is my belief that Diabetics should test, but that they should use the results of that test to bring about a CHANGE! Why test if you don't do something about it - it must be depressing to see the readings "going through the roof". I have been trying to convince Diabetes UK that type 2s can achieve good blood sugars if they control the amount of carbs they eat. I wrote a short paper putting "The case for a controlled carbohydrate approach", but as yet they have not responded to it. In fact I offered all on this message board a copy (see Diabetes UK is ignoring me!) but in spite of well over a 100 views I have received NOT 1 request. I have used a controlled carbohydrate approach for the last 12 years - see my signature
Click to expand...

Hi roger
Having read your input to this thread i would be really greatful for a copy of controlled carbohydrates please.
Test strips have been very helpful to me towards my carb control as i have discovered today after eating 1 wholemeal roll my BG's shot up, i have been keeping my levels between 4 & 7 untill today....very depressing.
Without the test strips i would of been left in the dark....my Dsn only lets me have 1 lot on presciption i had to go for another script 2 wks b4 my monthly script is due, when i asked for 2 lots a month i was turned down so will talk to my GP about it next week see what happens.
When eating new foods i need to know how my BG levels.
 
Had to buy extra test stips today cos my DSN will only allow me 1 lot a month
😡 Omg ?25..... how can i controll my BG levels as to to what food i eat if i don't get enough strips.
 
sweetsatin said:
Had to buy extra test stips today cos my DSN will only allow me 1 lot a month
😡 Omg ?25..... how can i controll my BG levels as to to what food i eat if i don't get enough strips.
Click to expand...


Have a look on eBay. There are bargains to be had... I got some Aviva strips for ?9 including postage.
 
sweetsatin said:
Had to buy extra test stips today cos my DSN will only allow me 1 lot a month
😡 Omg ?25..... how can i controll my BG levels as to to what food i eat if i don't get enough strips.
Click to expand...

Oh my god !!! that is a disgrace , cant you complain to your Doctor about it ? surely it is better to test and avoid more problems later on . I think it is a shame that us Diabetics have to suffer and not get the medication / strips we all need to try and stay as healthy as possible , basically to save the authority money. 😡
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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