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Strips very expensive

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J

jeanus44

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
My doctor wont prescribe me with lancets or strips to test my blood. He said they are too expensive. I had to buy my own strips which I bought for ?20 off the net. I cant really afford to keep paying out like this. Does anyone have the same problem?
 
I am SO pleased I saw this thread. I was formally diagnosed today after an awful episode that landed me in hospital yesterday. I was 25.6 yesterday and 22.7 today apparently. I see I'm aiming to keep below 10.

I've just purchased a monitor, and inquired at the cost for the replacement strips. ?23 for 50 I was told!

I'll mention this to my GP on my next visit to him. I'm starting to keep a monitor of my levels from tomorrow. Could anyone tell me when the best time to take a reading is? I haven't even opened the packaging on the monitor yet.

Cheers

Paul
 
Hi Paul
To get an idea of what is going on the best time to take a reading is 2 hours after you have eaten. it make take a few days for your body to adjust to the metaformin. Good luck!
 
Th level they seam to care about the most is what's referred to as the fasting level i.e. to be taken first thing in the morning. Beyond that as type 1 I test before a meal, two hours after a meal then before bed.

My target is between 4 - 8, I prefer to keep to the low side of this say just below 5. I'm starting to test a little less now that I have fixed in my mind the relationship between food intake and insulin intake, so I'm drooping some of the before meal tests.
 
Thanks guys. I'm so new at this that I am soaking everything up like a sponge.

It's a real pleasure to be able to chat to the real experts!
 
HI

I have also had this problem and was told in no uncertain terms at my DESMOND course that it is for purely financial reasons that I do not get strips or lancets on prescription, although the diabetic consultant at the meeting agreed that I was monitoring my blood sugars in a responsible way and that it was the only way that i could, as a newly diagnosed diabetic, know how what I was eating was affecting my bloods. thank God for Diabetes UK picking up this issue and fighting our corner!
 
hi paul.at the start i was taking my sugars left right and center..i went out and bought a glucometer and then the day after at my diabetic clinic was told i neednt have bought 1 as they would hav supplied me.ive never had any worries with regards to getting the lancets and strips.always free.ive been testing my sugars alot lately as they have been rising but when im in control i test less frequently.im lucky i recognise wen my sugars are high and when they are low.i know this doesnt happen for everyone.im going on to a new insulin regime hopefully this week so will be testing more frequently.give the metformin time to work as it can take a few days before it kicks in.all the best to you🙂
 
It seems that different doctors have different rules but having to buy my own strips and lancets is out of the question if I want to test my blood daily. My doctor asked me why I needed to check every day. He said there is no need unless I am on insulin. Not being able to test after different foods means I am not in control. At the moment I am testing about once a week and luckily everything seems to be ok. I have several friends who are also diabetic and they get all there strips free. It all seems very unfair to me.
 
People with type 1 diabetes get a medical exemption card and they get all prescriptions free whether or not its diabetes related. Type 1's are supplied with everything! However the same cannot be said for type 2's as they are expected to pay for theirs, i think type 2's who are on insulin may get free prescriptions.

But if you are struggling to pay for your prescriptions they do offer a service where you can pay a fee up front which covers 12 months usuage which will overall mean your prescriptions wont cost as much.
 
Type 2 get an exemption certificate too and we dont have to pay for our tablets but when it comes to the strips thats a different matter. It doesnt make sense does it?
 
If you have any kind of diabetes, if you are treated with anything other than diet and exercise, you are entitled to free prescriptions. You are also exempt from paying for VAT on things like meters. You should be able to get strips on prescription.

As to how many strips you are allowed each month, that depends on your PCT and GP trusts. DiabetesUK are campaining to allow users as many test strips as they require, not limited by budgets.
 
I'm beginning to realise how lucky I am having a GP like mine! I was given a monitor on diagnosis and have no problem getting strips on prescription. I retired last year so would have free prescriptions anyway but I thought anyone, whatever their age have free prescriptions once they are on medication. I also have 3 monthly checkups with the diabetic nurse at my GP clinic. How often do others have check ups?
 
I get a 3 monthly check up too. In fact my surgery are really good when it comes to diabetics. I even get free chiropodist treatment every 3 months now. Its just this thing over the strips that annoys me. How am I supposed to keep a check on my BS when I cant get the strips for free?
 
i had free prescriptions as type 1 and 2 but im lucky enuough to live in wales where all prescriptions are free to everyone.
 
ivygirl said:
I'm beginning to realise how lucky I am having a GP like mine! I was given a monitor on diagnosis and have no problem getting strips on prescription. I retired last year so would have free prescriptions anyway but I thought anyone, whatever their age have free prescriptions once they are on medication. I also have 3 monthly checkups with the diabetic nurse at my GP clinic. How often do others have check ups?
Click to expand...

hi ivy..i have 6 monthly check ups at my clinic but my diabetic nurse is on hand whenever i need her..i just have to phone the clinic.when 1st put on insulin she gave me her home phone numver incase i needed her in the night..my care was and still is fantastic.
 
Not all type 2 diabetics get exemptation certificates. They are only issued if you take medication for Diabetes.
 
Hi

I think it is so unfair that type 2's dont get free prescriptions. You should have the equipment to test your bloods when necessary, how else are you meant to monitor your diabetes?

Paul I too ended up in hospital, but the diabetic nurse specialist visited me and went through monitors, the lot. I think its bad that you didnt get any advice on this. it seems really hit and miss with initial information, depending on the hospital/region you are in.

If you still feel unwell in a couple of days and your sugars are high, do not hesitate to see your gp. My gp just decided I was type 2 when I am infact a type 1. My gp never tested my blood, they were around 26 for a week before I ended up in hospital. Not trying to scare you, just make sure you get full attention and your diabetes properly sorted soon. I saw two gp's my first week who never did any tests. It was only when I went to see the nurse at the gp's I was taken seriously. You need to find someone there who understands.

Good luck with it all, a lot to take in I know but you will get sorted.

🙂
 
jeanus44 said:
My doctor wont prescribe me with lancets or strips to test my blood. He said they are too expensive. I had to buy my own strips which I bought for ?20 off the net. I cant really afford to keep paying out like this. Does anyone have the same problem?
Click to expand...
Yep. I had this discussion with my GP last night. I'm in Staffs and they apparently took the decision six months ago that Type 2 patients do not need to self test. There was also a damaging item published in the Telegraph (i beleive) that staedt that self testing caused depression amongst those doing it. I'm more depressed by NOT knowing, its ridiculous.
I don't think you will get the strips any cheaper than ?20.
I have requested a private consultatin with a a diabetes specialist I have been recommended to by someone in my family who had the same problem. He apparently contacted their surgery post consulation and insisted that they prescribe both strips and lancets. I am also writing directly to the PCT head of Pharmacy and my MP. I suggest that you don't give up on it if you want it. I've worked sinc Jul of 1973, nerev claimed any help off the state ever and have paid tax and NI for over 35 years (probably a total of around ?100,000 over that time) and not the bastards won't let me have a poxy ?20 box of strips and lancets. Don't give up on them, keep trying.
 
It all sounds like the Post Code Lottery thing, some you do others if your lucky, me I got my first lot free but it's now wait and see, I must say my GB has been good in this way.
I got a free Monitor from the nurse who told me they get them free of reps and pass them on to patients, I just recently "won" a monitor on line, done a quick survey and bobs your uncle my name was one of the Hundred, but of course you need to get the strips!! I have just bought some strips Ultra whilst here in Turkey the cost ?16 for 50 as we come here for several weeks at a time I though it a good idea to se if they were available. buying the pills out here, Metaforming and (the other I cant spell) a 3 month supply would cost ?14 🙂
________
 
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