Phoned in for 2 items the other day and only one has appeared so I assume the Dr will not give me the test strips.I'm 60 years old and have paid my taxes and NHS contributions all my life and still working,yet I see other people who never did a days work in their life getting anything they want.It's not that I am constantly using them but rather I am testing what the different foods will do to my sugar levels.How the hell can I know what is good or bad for me if I don't have the tools to test with.Surely in the long run this will benefit the NHS as I will only use them occasionally once I work out what to eat.Really,really ****ed off with this state of affairs.
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Doctor Refuses To Give Me Test Strips(I Think)
- Thread starter Jon
- Start date
- Status
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Unfortunately docs see type 2's don't need to test unless they are on hypo causing meds and from experience they still don't want you to test very often, one DN told me to break DVLA's guid lines on testing, by saying you don't have to test if going on short drives. Did not cross her mind that it could of been several hours before one started to when one last tested 
. They don't look at the long term gain that by monitoring our levels we can save on expensive complications later on.
Even worse they say the annual HbA1c test is enough to catch any complications, pity it's not true.
. They don't look at the long term gain that by monitoring our levels we can save on expensive complications later on.Even worse they say the annual HbA1c test is enough to catch any complications, pity it's not true.
Amigo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
This is so typical Jon and it's annoying and short sighted of the Health Service. Speak to your GP and explain why you want to be a partner in your diabetes care not a clueless spectator!
I had this recently too but my GP reinstated them quickly. GP's do have the discretion to provide testing strips despite what they say. Good luck.
I had this recently too but my GP reinstated them quickly. GP's do have the discretion to provide testing strips despite what they say. Good luck.
Lucy Honeychurch
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Jon I think you need to speak to your GP...it may be a mistake...clarify the issue first...then if you have been refused...give us an update...we may be able to help...several of us here have been in a similar position...either refused testing strips & meters...others have had their testing strips withdrawn or restricted...we have challenged that decision..as @Amigo has said then had them prescribed/reinstated...just a little more information may help...presumably you have had testing strips on prescription before?...for how long...have they been withdrawn without any discussion/consultation...as you rightly say if you don't have the tools to test/manage your diabetes...how are you supposed to do that...the long term benefits for patients in our position is rarely considered...let us have more detail...it will help with advice/suggestions...but...please do check with your surgery first...ask them why you were not prescribed the strips.
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Definitely worth making appointment to see GP and explain how you are using test strips to gain knowledge about you and your diabetes. In these early days, you probably need to test more, and fewer tests will be needed in the future. If on medications, other than metformin, and you drive, then DVLA rules are important, yet not well understood bh some GPs and prescribing practice nurses.
D
Deleted member 18634
Guest
@Jon Please take a look at our Advocacy Pack about test strips to see what you can do to try and have this decision overturned:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Advocacy/1092C_Test_strips_advocacy report_WEB.pdf
Hope this helps!
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Advocacy/1092C_Test_strips_advocacy report_WEB.pdf
Hope this helps!
happydog
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I have had this problem. I was politely persistent that I could not be expected to control my disorder if I did not have the means to do so. I also pointed out that if I could get control without medication they would save money. There have been a couple of DNs who have tried to take them away and then I have simply made an appointment with the GP or written to him. So far it has worked. I get 50 bimonthly which is not a lot but useful. Good luck and keep trying. 🙂
Ralph-YK
Much missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I've never been provided test strips. Which means no testing ever as I don't have any money. Lots of people don't get any strips, including people on insulin. The attitude of health care professionals is that diabetics being able is manage there diabetes is of no importance.
Amigo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I have to be honest and say there are parts of the advocacy pack from DUK relating to type 2 diabetes that conveys a rather half hearted support for the need for prescribed testing strips for type 2's not on insulin. The line taken from the section on what DUK think about this says;
'The exact role of testing for type 2's not on insulin is less clear'. 😱 (I'm pretty clear of the role).
I can't help but think that any medic reading that would feel it had a diluted message of support for the practice even though it goes on to say that some GP's feel it would help people to self-manage their diabetes and improve quality of life and give patient satisfaction benefits. They are curious terms more fitted to customer service environments I feel not medical needs. I'd have been much happier if the message more wholeheartedly recognised the impact of long term diabetic complications on people who are given no means to form a partnership in their own care and plough on in ignorance of dangerously high daily spikes in their BG's. Is there no supplementary research to support this that could have been used?
There is such a permissive culture of permittable excesses amongst some GP's for overly high Hba1c levels that could be tackled on a daily, weekly basic by type 2's who were given even a limited means to participate in their own self care. There's dozens of examples on here but sometimes hard work and personal success in itself can work against us because once we get the levels under control, the help stops.
I know I'll have an ongoing battle to keep having testing strips prescribed but am probably in a slightly stronger position having other serious co-morbidities that could be dangerously exacerbated by poor glycaemic control. That issue isn't included in the Advocacy pack as a reason under the 'make the case for testing' section.
It's so often a case by case fight but the attitude of the respective surgery and relationship with your GP can also be an important factor. At the end of the day it's about resources so it helps if individual arguments factor in savings affected from long term complications, need for additional medication and surgery/hospital time.
It's just a shame that we have to take up this fight simply to be pro-active patients who have no wish to be a drain or finish our days with diabetic complications which impact on our independence. I totally understand how you feel Jon and hope you can have this decision overturned.
'The exact role of testing for type 2's not on insulin is less clear'. 😱 (I'm pretty clear of the role).
I can't help but think that any medic reading that would feel it had a diluted message of support for the practice even though it goes on to say that some GP's feel it would help people to self-manage their diabetes and improve quality of life and give patient satisfaction benefits. They are curious terms more fitted to customer service environments I feel not medical needs. I'd have been much happier if the message more wholeheartedly recognised the impact of long term diabetic complications on people who are given no means to form a partnership in their own care and plough on in ignorance of dangerously high daily spikes in their BG's. Is there no supplementary research to support this that could have been used?
There is such a permissive culture of permittable excesses amongst some GP's for overly high Hba1c levels that could be tackled on a daily, weekly basic by type 2's who were given even a limited means to participate in their own self care. There's dozens of examples on here but sometimes hard work and personal success in itself can work against us because once we get the levels under control, the help stops.
I know I'll have an ongoing battle to keep having testing strips prescribed but am probably in a slightly stronger position having other serious co-morbidities that could be dangerously exacerbated by poor glycaemic control. That issue isn't included in the Advocacy pack as a reason under the 'make the case for testing' section.
It's so often a case by case fight but the attitude of the respective surgery and relationship with your GP can also be an important factor. At the end of the day it's about resources so it helps if individual arguments factor in savings affected from long term complications, need for additional medication and surgery/hospital time.
It's just a shame that we have to take up this fight simply to be pro-active patients who have no wish to be a drain or finish our days with diabetic complications which impact on our independence. I totally understand how you feel Jon and hope you can have this decision overturned.
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
A very diplomatic response Amigo...I would go further...the advocacy pack in respect of type 2's not on hypo causing medications...or diet & exercise only is wholly inadequate...as you say.it quotes the standard response...'The exact role of testing for type 2's not on insulin is less clear'...why on earth are DUK not listening to the many positive accounts given by members of this forum...those type 2's not dependant on insulin...hypo causing medication/or any medication at all...those who rely on testing their blood sugars regularly to manage their conditions...achieving good control...that's what they should be 'pushing' forward...if we can't get DUK to listen to 'us'...how on earth are we to convince the professionals this equipment is essential for all well motivated diabetics who wish to test in order to achieve good control of their condition...in that respect I found the DUK campaign lack lustre & disappointing...I managed to challenge my GP & the CCG on my own...others are not able to do that...with little practical assistance from those organisations charged with speaking out for 'us'...the practice will continue unabated.
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