Balancing testing with cost

[Katieb]

I am resolved to get a better handle on my bg control this year. Last year my testing was somewhat random so I learned some of the things that spiked my bg, but I still don't feel confident that I know my body well enough🙄 As I have to pay for my testing strips, haphazard testing seems a bit fruitless. I have read the recommended links regarding testing, but these are written by people who don't take into account the fact that some have to pay for their strips. I have managed to find (via Amazon) competitively priced strips for my Accu Check Aviva Nano (?20 for 50 inc P & P), but if I only test 3 times a day, these will only last me just over 2 weeks😱 I am prepared to invest in my long term health and wellbeing, but wondered when others who pay for their strips test or those who don't think the best way to approach this is? My bg is currently 6 plus on waking (I got this down under 6 mostly before Christmas). Is your waking bg a good yardstick of control? Any ideas anyone as I really want to make a good go of this! Thanks for your support. Katiexx

 

[cherrypie]

Hi Katie,
One of the things I would do in your position is to swap my meter to one of these, https://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup
The strips are much cheaper and you can buy them direct.
I would also keep a food diary so that you are not testing the same foods over and over again. You will probably never get the same readings on the same food intake on different days as you have to allow for so many variables, stress, exercise or lack of it, length of sleep, possible illness or infection.
A waking reading does not give the full picture of what has happened the day before and you may have had highs and lows.
I think I would be inclined to do a full day's testing once a week especially if you include new, untested foods on these days.

A little tip I found was to include a vinegar based dressing or lemon juice on any foods that are suitable. This has been proven to work in reducing blood sugars. http://www.diabetic-diet-secrets.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=179

It is so unfair that you have to pay for test strips. This is from DUK and explains how to try and challenge your Gp about the refusal of test strips.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/How we help other/Test strips 2011.pdf

 

[Mark T]

Fortunately I?m one of those who has not had problems so far with getting strips from my GP.

I think you have to consider what will be your long term test regime as well. Once I got past the stage where me levels seemed to be fairly stable and I had a good handle on which foods would spike me; I then dropped my testing to twice a week with occasional extra tests if I eat something completely different or want to check something. At testing twice a week, 50 test strips will last me a good few months.

Of course you do have to get to the point that you are happy you understand how your BG?s behave ? which can take a few strips to achieve.

Oh, at peak I was only testing twice a day - before and after a meal. The only time I tested more was when I had lasagne and I wanted to see just how long the tail went on.

 

[pgcity]

Hiya.

Have a look at the microdot link. They have very cheap testing strips.

The other option is to pursuade your GP or practice nurse to prescribe for you. They may do this if you can show them it helps bring down your hba1c. You can do this initially by testing in the morning (usually the lowest reading) and testing just before and 1-2 hours after your biggest meal. After a week or two try adding in a walk or some other exercise to see if that makes a difference. You will need to keep a diary showing the readings and what you ate at the meal that records the carbohydrate content. It will take a while before you see any patterns and this may include differences due to the glycaemic index of the meal or the fat content or time of the month or exercise taken or stress. There are so many things that can impact and they are different for everyone. Your GP/practice nurse shold be so impressed that you've done this yourself and funded it yourself that they agree to prescribing.

Best of luck.

 

[Copepod]

As Mark T has pointed out, strategy in the early days of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis will be very / different to longer term strategy. Early on, you're aiming to find how various foods / meals / activities affect you, and that needs at least a baseline reading and one or more after readings. Once you know how certain foods / meals / activities affect you, you may only need to test when trying a new food or activity or to check when feeling unwell.

Personally, even as a type 1 with no restrictions on number of strips (average 3 to 4 per day) I still take care to test only when the result will tell me something important eg so I can adjust my short or long acting insulin doses, before driving / physical activity and during if a long drive or race / run etc. Some pre insulin times are the same as pre driving / activity, and some of my activities are so well known, that provided I've eaten and had the right dose, I know I'll be OK eg to cycle 3.5 miles to work, which is why my average isn't higher. But I always test before starting to drive.

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie,
One of the things I would do in your position is to swap my meter to one of these, https://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup
The strips are much cheaper and you can buy them direct.
I would also keep a food diary so that you are not testing the same foods over and over again. You will probably never get the same readings on the same food intake on different days as you have to allow for so many variables, stress, exercise or lack of it, length of sleep, possible illness or infection.
A waking reading does not give the full picture of what has happened the day before and you may have had highs and lows.
I think I would be inclined to do a full day's testing once a week especially if you include new, untested foods on these days.

A little tip I found was to include a vinegar based dressing or lemon juice on any foods that are suitable. This has been proven to work in reducing blood sugars. http://www.diabetic-diet-secrets.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=179

It is so unfair that you have to pay for test strips. This is from DUK and explains how to try and challenge your Gp about the refusal of test strips.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/How we help other/Test strips 2011.pdf

Thanks Cherrypie, some good advice here! I have had a quick look at the Abbots website, but can't see where to order strips or how much they are (perhaps it's me being daft!). I will make a point of testing for one day per week - perhaps varying the day and my diet - to see how foods affect me. I will also buy a dedicated diary and write everything down - more ammunition to fight for a prescription methinks!! I'll also try the lemon juice/vinegar tip as I often have salad for lunch and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and black pepper is a good dressing option (especially if I have fish).

Thanks so much for the advice - I'll let you know how I get on! Katiex

 

[Katieb]

Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone. I know that I should be testing to see the impact of certain foods and as I tend to repeat certain meals, testing should reduce over time. Cherrypie's idea of testing once a week is a good one - maybe varying the days and the diet so that I can log the results and avoid the foods that spike my bg. I ran out of strips at New Year and have just received a new batch, so tomorrow I will test in the morning, before and after my main meal. I'll then re-test in a few days making sure I vary the meals. Then repeat. Does that sound about right? I usually have salad/fish/low fat yogurt at lunchtime which I know does not spike my bg. After this batch of strips I'll take my findings to my doctor (not got an appt til May though!) and ask for a prescription. I'll also note what impact exercise has by repeating the same meals on the days I exercise/test. It's all a bit confusing! Katiex

 

[cherrypie]

Hi,

I don't use the Abbots meter myself but have seen postings where people say that the strips are cheaper. There is a freephone number for Abbots shop. 0800 316 8884.
Peeps here may know of cheaper ones?

 

[AlisonM]

Katie, perhaps you can persuade your doctor/nurse to prescribe strips for a few months while you 'learn' how to 'manage' your diabetes on the grounds that it will 'help you establish good control'.

Before my Dx was changed to 1.5 I had to buy my own strips, not easy on benefits. I used to get them roughly half price from eBay. I use Abbots Freestyle Freedom Lite and swear by it because it's idiot proof and when I'm hypo, I'm an idiot. Abbott's sent me one free when I thought I busted the first one and I've always found them very helpful. Also, there's some software you can download from the Abbott's website that will let you transfer your test results to a PC. Or you can just use a spreadsheet as I do. The food and exercise diary is an essential tool too, especially in the early days and I found it invaluable.

 

[Katieb]

Katie, perhaps you can persuade your doctor/nurse to prescribe strips for a few months while you 'learn' how to 'manage' your diabetes on the grounds that it will 'help you establish good control'.

Before my Dx was changed to 1.5 I had to buy my own strips, not easy on benefits. I used to get them roughly half price from eBay. I use Abbots Freestyle Freedom Lite and swear by it because it's idiot proof and when I'm hypo, I'm an idiot. Abbott's sent me one free when I thought I busted the first one and I've always found them very helpful. Also, there's some software you can download from the Abbott's website that will let you transfer your test results to a PC. Or you can just use a spreadsheet as I do. The food and exercise diary is an essential tool too, especially in the early days and I found it invaluable.

Thanks Alison, will try and persuade them! I think I will also try and send for a free Abbots meter if I can find cheaper strips than for my Accu Check. I am starting my food and exercise diary as we speak!! Katiexx

 

[Newtothis]

Thanks Alison, will try and persuade them! I think I will also try and send for a free Abbots meter if I can find cheaper strips than for my Accu Check. I am starting my food and exercise diary as we speak!! Katiexx

Hi Katie,
I know exactly where you're coming from; just purchased a box of 50 strips at a cost of ?12 which like you say will last a couple of weeks. I have been quite lazy recently with testing; mainly because I'm not being too adventurous with food etc which I really need to get back on track. I've reached goal in terms of weight (have lost more than I should..hubby things I look a little bony)... but need to get back into some physical activity - the cold weather is playing havoc; the mini gym in the garage is great but its like walking into a fridge... and walking in this weather is playing havoc with my skin😱 I'm going to copy you and start a food/exercise diary. I have bought myself a tin money box so everytime I do a work-out I'm going to put a quid in (this is going to be put towards my Fun Run sponsor money for Diabetes UK) and re-start my swimming tonight. Let me know what kind of exercise diary you put together and I'd like to share food tips with you.... 🙂
xx
N.B Not sure if the waking up test is a waste of a strip - what do you think?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi,
I found this today

New Meter With Cheaper Strips, And It
Talks...
SuperCheck 2 is a new blood glucose meter with the
additional option to provide the user with audible spoken
instructions and blood glucose test results which will
be of great help to people who are visually impaired or
elderly and so the RNIB has tested and adopted it.
The SuperCheck 2 which has the look of an mp3 player,
includes alternative site testing, 500 test memory,
PC download option, alarm reminders. A small blood
sample is required and a quick time for results.
The SuperCheck meter and starter pack is being supplied FREE
to GPs and diabetes specialist nurses and the strips can then be
prescribed on the NHS. The cost of the strips to the NHS is only ?8.49
for 50 ? a great saving for the GP budget when compared to many
other strips. More information is available by visiting:
www.supercheck2.co.uk

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie,
I know exactly where you're coming from; just purchased a box of 50 strips at a cost of ?12 which like you say will last a couple of weeks. I have been quite lazy recently with testing; mainly because I'm not being too adventurous with food etc which I really need to get back on track. I've reached goal in terms of weight (have lost more than I should..hubby things I look a little bony)... but need to get back into some physical activity - the cold weather is playing havoc; the mini gym in the garage is great but its like walking into a fridge... and walking in this weather is playing havoc with my skin😱 I'm going to copy you and start a food/exercise diary. I have bought myself a tin money box so everytime I do a work-out I'm going to put a quid in (this is going to be put towards my Fun Run sponsor money for Diabetes UK) and re-start my swimming tonight. Let me know what kind of exercise diary you put together and I'd like to share food tips with you.... 🙂
xx
N.B Not sure if the waking up test is a waste of a strip - what do you think?

Hi Amanda and Happy New Year! ?12 incredibly cheap for Accu Check strips. Were they an e bay special by any chance?!! I agree about the weather and exercise - even the dogs reluctant to brave the wind and rain!! I have had family staying over the holiday, so other than walks have done very little. Thinking of following you and taking up swimming more regularly!

Good for you putting a ?1 away each time you exercise. I am thinking of a sponsored slim for my last stone and a half to motivate me and raise some money for equipment for children with special needs (as you know, close to my heart).

I think morning testing for you may be a waste of a strip as you have yours well into the normal range of below 5.9 (this is the point at which it is considered high by DUK). Mine, however, was below 6 but has slipped to mostly above 6 over the holiday, so for me is a guage of how well I am doing. It is also the first test doctors do (fasting bg) when first looking for diabetes (above 6.9 considered diabetic levels) so I think I may occasionally monitor mine. Even when I have been incredibly good, I suffer occasionally from the dawn phenomenom. Your morning bg is supposed to be your lowest, but this is certainly not the case for me!

Anyway keep in touch and we will swop exercise and diet tips (though you seem to have cracked it brilliantly well!). Love as always. Katie🙂xx