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Is this true?????????????

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cathplum

cathplum

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I'm shocked! Just got back from pharmacy to collect insulin. They asked me if I had 5 minutes to go over the various medication I take - I said sure. Anyway to cut to the chase: I was asked how many test strips I use. I use at least four a day (I inject 4 times a day). The pharmacist then said that was too much - the new advice is that it is only necessary to test twice a week!:confused: I asked are you sure? And was told the same information! I even checked a third time as I could not believe what I was being told!! Surely this is incorrect??? I'm worried that people are being given the wrong information.

Has anyone else been given this advice?

Is it right? Or should I inform someone that incorrect information is being given?!
 
For most non insulin using type 2 that is common, but if your on insulin you need to monitor its effect on you...............so that treatment is just ignorant of them............and if they know your on insulin then that is a shock.........
 
Possibly true for type 2's who are not on insulin but even then I think it is unfair. But when you are on insulin you need to monitor your levels more closely or how else would you be able to work out doses and prevent hypos / hypers 😱
 
These stories are coming through thick and fast recently! It sounds like they have been give a simplistic list of how many times x-type diabetic should test. In this case it sounds as though they don't have an entry on their list for T2 on insulin. Of course you need to test more than twice a week on insulin. Even if it is just a basal insulin then you need to make sure you are safe at all times and, for example, not too low at night. On MDI, definitely need to test 4 times a day minimum.

Out of interest, which pharmacy was it Cath?
 
Goodness me seems like there really craking down on us diabetics ive just had a similier experience this morning which i posted about in here,before long we will have to sit in a room and bring a diary in with all our testing regimes 🙄
 
Steff said:
Goodness me seems like there really craking down on us diabetics ive just had a similier experience this morning which i posted about in here,before long we will have to sit in a room and bring a diary in with all our testing regimes 🙄
Click to expand...

I wonder if we'll reach a point where we have to report to the pharmacist for a test strip each time we want to test, with a letter of approval from the consultant? It's beginning to remind of the story I heard about someone who was told they were using too much insulin and that they didn't need to waste any by doing the (recommended) 2-unit airshot beforehand...
 
I was one that was interrogated by Boots too - I never thought it was linked to the test strips. They asked me all sorts about whether my sugars were under control, about my diet, my weight, all on the shop floor too! I think my obviously p**d off response stop them getting to the test strip bit. I was still kept 40 mins though and did write a letter of complaint, although I have not had a response.
 
I don't understand this at all. It is none of the pharmacies business. Surely you are within your rights to say that you only discuss your medical requirements with your GP, DNP or consultant. Who are they to start telling you what you should and shouldn't do? That would be my response if asked anyway. Luckily I have a great pharmacist and feel confident that he would never even dream of asking me these questions or trying to tell me what to do.
 
It would be interesting to hear what RachelT has to say about this - any 'insider knowledge' of any ultimatums being issued? 🙂

I actually doubt that my GP, DSN or consultant would question me about the number of strips I use, so certainly wouldn't expect a pharmacist to know better, hardly knowing anything about me. My pharmacist didn't even know what blood ketone strips were. I wonder how many people who have been questioned have been worried by such questioning and have reduced their strip use - possibly against the advice of their doctor etc.? A bit worrying, I think.
 
I would ask them politely why they want to know and would they please provide the service they're employed to do.

I picked up some needles this morning and not a peep, so presumably just a silly idea for England.

I wonder if other chronic sufferers are going through the same ordeal ?

Rob
 
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