Meters, Lancets and Test Strips

[Martin.A]

Would be interested in how many of you phave been given meters or have had to buy one. I was given one when told I needed to get my BG into single figures and have been getting test strips and lancets on prescription, 200 at a time. Is my experience typical or is there a so-called Post Code lottery on this?

 

[Docb]

The NICE guidelines say you should be offered a meter if you are prescribed medication that can result in hypos and operate machinery which I assume includes driving. l was given one when prescribed gliclazide but I think it was made easier for the DN when I made it clear that I could make good use of one to get control of what was going on.

 

[grovesy]

I was prescribed one when started on Glicliazde but only 50 a month, which I supplement with one I self fund.

 

[Drummer]

Nothing for me - just take the tablets.

 

[SueEK]

I was given a meter from where I work (gp surgery) and my dr issues lancets and strips, however I do buy lancets myself as well as used a lot to begin with and don’t want to take the ‘mick’ out of the nhs.

 

[Ralph-YK]

No meter, strips or support for self testing for me. Medical people dismissed me self testing, and patronized.
Note I'm not on Glicliazde or insulin.

 

[KARNAK]

Hi @Anitram, it appears to be a postcode at the moment, it also depends on what meds you are on for your Diabetes.

 

[Ljc]

At my diagnosis many years ago now it was the norm in my area to provide people with T2 a meter and test strips, we were also taught that carbs were our enemy , sadly unless you are very lucky both of these are sadly lacking today .

 

[Ljc]

Thanks for the replies. Does seem a bit random, then. Hopefully my GP will continue to prescribe but as I'm down from 20.5 to an average 5.8 fasting and 6.0 post-prandial, with no meds for past 3 weeks, just diet and exercise, maybe not. DN appointment next month so we'll see.

My advise is unless the nurse or Gp mentions your self testing or the test strips then keep mum. If they are mentioned point out the drastic improvement that your testing has helped you make.

 

[Ljc]

With advice like that you should be in politics, Lin....

I have had to train many a practice nurse in my diabetes lol