Interesting GP discussion

[CathyB]

I take the line that they would be even worse not knowing what is going on, and having our ability to take control and manage our condition undermined.

That was exactly my point, for me it was about needing to be in control of it rather than it controlling me, how could I possibly do that if I didn’t test?

 

[Mark Parrott]

I don't even know what to say about this as I am so appalled by their response!😡

 

[Brando77]

I have free test strips because I'm on Metformin and 1/2Gliclazide twice a day. If they take me off Gliclazide then I don't get test strips cos Metformin alone doesn't give you hypos. What would I do? Yep, order a tester and pay for it myself of course.
It's a tool to see how you're doing. What's up with these medics?

 

[Maz2]

I don't understand why GPs are so against self-testing. I can understand their point of view if we all went there demanding they pay for the machines and the strips but if we are happy to buy our own I cannot see why it is a problem. I would have thought they would be pleased we were taking responsibility.

Of course Metformin is there to help with blood sugar control but anything a patient can do to help too has to be a good thing.

 

[bamba]

Is there a 'banging head against the wall' emoji thing?

http://www.skaip.org/headbang-emoticon
:banghead:
:banghead:

 

[Northerner]

Is there a 'banging head against the wall' emoji thing?

😱

 

[Pine Marten]

So...er...how do I save and use the banging head..?

 

[Northerner]

So...er...how do I save and use the banging head..?

There's a website here with loads of them on - you click on the one you want to use then copy and paste the link from the box at the top of the screen into your post 🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

Ack! I've never been able to do that before!

 

[bamba]

So...er...how do I save and use the banging head..?

Paste this in in text mode but use sqare brackets [ ]

{IMG} http://emoticons.datahamster.com/banghead.gif{/IMG}

( you can see this by pressing reply to Northerner's post and clicking on the spanner in the edit box. )

 

[Pine Marten]

Thanks, all - I've managed to do it now. You will guess that I am not very techy....

 

[Bubbsie]

I have free test strips because I'm on Metformin and 1/2Gliclazide twice a day. If they take me off Gliclazide then I don't get test strips cos Metformin alone doesn't give you hypos. What would I do? Yep, order a tester and pay for it myself of course.
It's a tool to see how you're doing. What's up with these medics?

I have testing strips on prescription & I have never used Gliclazide...Metformin only initially...on a point of principle I challenged my local CCG...justified my need for them...and did it with the approval of my GP who in fact he suggested it...so now I have a 150 per month on a script.

 

[Ditto]

 

[Bubbsie]

You're back Ditto...good to see you about here😉

 

[CathyB]

Bubbsie, not a cats chance in hell that my gp is going to support that 😱 I did have a bit of support today from my dental hygienist of all people....when I told her today I was diabetic so my records could be updated, I explained how I had cut sugars and gone low carb, she was thrilled, said my new diet was really good for my teeth.....I could have hugged her 😳

 

[Bubbsie]

Bubbsie, not a cats chance in hell that my gp is going to support that 😱 I did have a bit of support today from my dental hygienist of all people....when I told her today I was diabetic so my records could be updated, I explained how I had cut sugars and gone low carb, she was thrilled, said my new diet was really good for my teeth.....I could have hugged her 😳

Well mine said he would prescribe me testing strips but the CCG were bound to stop it...we discussed the rationale behind that...I said it was ridiculous he could give me anti depressants...refer me to whatever specialist necessary if I didn't manage my diabetes...and so & so on...he agreed...so said that I should write to the CCG as he felt it would carry more weight...I did challenge them on it...and they conceded...so now my GP could prescribe me strips.

 

[Brando77]

I have testing strips on prescription & I have never used Gliclazide...Metformin only initially...on a point of principle I challenged my local CCG...justified my need for them...and did it with the approval of my GP who in fact he suggested it...so now I have a 150 per month on a script.

Your GPs a star. I order around 100 every coupla months, once in am and before I sleep. Used to order more when first diagnosed but after controlling it somewhat I don't tend to test so much in the day, only when I feel weird. Think I've Sussed what food to swerve.

 

[Sally W]

I went to see my gp today to pick up my recent X-ray results, she asked me how I was getting on with my diabetes, I replied that for me it had been a positive thing in kicking my butt into action, changing my diet and walking with a neighbours dog, how I was eating fresh food and enjoying creating new meal ideas. She was so pleased she suggested I should come and talk to those newly diagnosed......then I mentioned how I was maintaining a steady 5.5 bg, she asked how I knew so I told her I was occasionally still testing to keep me on track. I then had a lecture about how I shouldn’t be testing at all, that is why I have diabetic reviews, how my daily bg doesn’t matter as its the HBA1C results that count and how I was putting myself at risk of becoming anxious!!
I stayed calm.....and replied how I was well aware of the guidance, however I used a food diary and testing to learn what my body would / wouldn’t tolerate and as a result could now eat with confidence, how at the start it was my incentive to stick with it and gain a sense of achievement as the numbers dropped...I gave her clear examples of food that spiked and how I had adjusted accordingly........she smiled at me and replied, but you don’t need to do any of that, that’s what the metformin is for!!! I was gobsmacked!!!

My nurse told me the exact thing so it seems to be an NHS procedure. But to backtrack after asking you to speak to others is just plain madness! I had a blood test yesterday, in anticipation of my review next week and speaking about diet we discussed how fruit contains sugar. When I said I largely eat berries in any quantity she said strawberries are one to be careful of as they’re very sweet I didn’t bother
responding

 

[Bloden]

Good for you, CathyB, for calmly giving her a bunch of evidence to back up your argument - if she didn’t realise how sensible your stance was, then she’s not very clever now, is she?😛

 

[Bubbsie]

My nurse told me the exact thing so it seems to be an NHS procedure. But to backtrack after asking you to speak to others is just plain madness! I had a blood test yesterday, in anticipation of my review next week and speaking about diet we discussed how fruit contains sugar. When I said I largely eat berries in any quantity she said strawberries are one to be careful of as they’re very sweet View attachment 9196 I didn’t bother
responding

They obviously wouldn't want her advising other T2's she uses testing strips Sally...I think it's as simple as that unfortunately.