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Interesting GP discussion

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Bubbsie said:
They obviously wouldn't want her advising other T2's she uses testing strips Sally...I think it's as simple as that unfortunately.
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Yes. Very shortsighted but I guess they’re not interested in long term....short term is what their budget constraints are all about
 
Sally W said:
Yes. Very shortsighted but I guess they’re not interested in long term....short term is what their budget constraints are all about
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I'm not sure it's solely budget restraints...overall the advice given to T2's is often basic at it's very best...we've had some members who are lucky with their health care providers...but our management should not be reliant on luck Sally...there is a lack of continuity...I have heard few positive reports about the DESMOND programme...even if members find some aspects of it useful...there's no continuing education/development...I believe we are mainly badly served by our HCP's with many of us reliant on sites & forums for the right advice & assistance...we need & deserve more than that Sally.
 
I was using 100 strips/month this year. All of a sudden, at the end of Jan. 2018 a blanket change was imposed, with no warning, to GlucoRx strips, that I didn’t have the meters for! I only found out in March after more strips were changed after ordering my usual ones! But, my chemist kindly changed them in Feb. so, I got through THAT month! But, not again in March! So, I went looking for them online & found the best price on the Diabetes UK online shop! Saw there was a forum, joined & the rest has been history PLUS, the best support I’ve had in you lot! 🙂

Now, after some advice from @Northerner , I phoned my GP & argued my case & my strips are back on prescriptions AND I’m now using 200 strips a month as my BS readings & insulin doses have been changing a lot so, I’m testing 6-8 times/day, sometimes more?
 
Lanny said:
I was using 100 strips/month this year. All of a sudden, at the end of Jan. 2018 a blanket change was imposed, with no warning, to GlucoRx strips, that I didn’t have the meters for! I only found out in March after more strips were changed after ordering my usual ones! But, my chemist kindly changed them in Feb. so, I got through THAT month! But, not again in March! So, I went looking for them online & found the best price on the Diabetes UK online shop! Saw there was a forum, joined & the rest has been history PLUS, the best support I’ve had in you lot! 🙂

Now, after some advice from @Northerner , I phoned my GP & argued my case & my strips are back on prescriptions AND I’m now using 200 strips a month as my BS readings & insulin doses have been changing a lot so, I’m testing 6-8 times/day, sometimes more?
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Well done Lanny...but we shouldn't have to argue our cases...you may have had some more leverage since you use insulin...but for those T2's who do not...well there seems to be a blanket refusal in most cases...do you fee you have better control since you've been on the DUK forum...we shouldn't have to rely soley on charity to keep us well...but that is what seems to be happening more & more nowadays...not just with diabetes but in general.
 
Brando77 said:
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.
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Brando that’s exactly what I do, it just keeps things ticking over and stops me getting complacent 🙂
 
Brando77 said:
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.
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Makes perfect sense @Brando77 - you should only ever test if you think you will obtain useful information from the result that you can then act on 🙂 No point in testing for the sake of it, it's just a waste of strips and money!
 
There are no hard & fast rules to when we should test our BGs...or how often we need to...clearly if members (or anyone) chooses to limit their testing to new foods/circumstances & feel confident doing so all well & good...however I don't believe others who test more frequently are wasting money or resources...or test just for the sake of it...after all it is a matter of personal judgement...we accept that diabetes can be contrary...what works for one doesn't work for another...I have no objection or judgement for anyone testing frequently or infrequently...it's a matter of choice and always should be.
 
My view on testing is rather quite simple.
Firstly, when I was diagnosed I was not given any information whatsoever about testing and the benefits of doing so. Any information I had to discover my myself.
I self fund but I am fortunate to be able to afford it whereas many find the expense of strips challenging. They are not an inexpensive item. People who find the expense prohibitive I believe should get help to obtain strips. Type 1 because they are essential and Type 2 because I view than also as a critical tool in stopping complications creeping up which in turn adds significant costs to the NHS. The costs are not on the meter but are reflected in the ongoing strip funding. We should make no mistake about diabetes irregardless of the "type". It is a chronic and incurable. We manage it but it is always with us from the second we are diagnosed and more than likely has been hiding within us undetected for a very long time.
Initially I tested before and after every meal. We need that I firmly believe so that we can develop a route map for our individual journey, everyone is different. Diabetes effects each and everyone one of us in a varing ways and degrees of severity.
Now I have it fairly well under control I limit my testing to A) waking and B) if I eat something that is different from my usual regime and I am not sure about what effect it will have on my levels. It's vital we do not become complacent when our BG levels are within the non-diabetic range and we need testing data to ensure they stay there or indeed they are drifting and need remedial action because of other issues effecting our levels not related purely to diabetes. Rising BG levels often indicate other problems lurking in the background.
The choice when to test or not to test is down to me and as with everyone else testing is a matter of individual choice. If people feel they get beneficial and useful information by testing 8 times/day then that is up to them if not, it is also up to them.
 
Testing is to providing information for us to manage our condition. If you get the information then you are testing the right amount. Regardless of whether it's lots, meadiom or low. Personalky I don't see the point of once a day though.
Personally I'd go with plenty of testing to find out what is going on & sorting out diet. Once that is done the amount of testing can be dropped down. (As long as checking for hypos ect are covered.)
Of course, it's also a case of what works for you & your diabetes.
 
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