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Sd Codefree Test Strips

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

nanturner

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello. I am type 1 diabetic, and have been on insulin for 55 years. I have been using Aviva test strips, 3 tubs of 50 strips every month. About 10 weeks ago my GP reduced the tubs to only 2 a month. Result has been I have been buying additional strips. Good news is, I have discovered SD CODE FREE STRIPS, costing only ?4.99 for 50. I have been comparing reults along side the Aviva strips and have found no difference to speak of. If anyone is forced to buy strips then I recommed these strips. They are good value. Has anyone else discovered these strips?
 
There should be absolutely no need to buy your own strips when you are on insulin - your GP was wrong to try and limit your prescription. I would suggest raising this with your surgery.
 
I have raised it with the surgery. The problem is though they are an otherwise excellent practice, and I did not want to fall out with them. However, no problem now as I use these strips.
 
This will NOT cause you to fall out with them nan, many of us use more than 150 a month anyway - simply because we need them.

You need to speak to your GP about it though, not a nurse or anyone else. All GPs can - and willl quite happily - override such things, once they realise it's necessary. You should understand it isn't them directly - someone at the PCT decrees that too much money is spent on test strips and say 'so you need to restrict them wherever possible'. This loses something as it filters down the line. Or they work on the principle that they'll just restrict it for all diabetics, on the basis that those who need more will request more, and then they'll alter it back for those that do!
 
I had a similar problem a while back, so got my MP involved by asking her to ask the health secretary if consumables were now being rationed for type 1 diabetics...long story short, nice letters back from head of pct etc & no more such stupidity since. I strongly suspect they actually ARE starting to squeeze all of us, but unless we all shout up such restrictions will creep & affect more & more people, not all of whom will be able to afford to top up their prescriptions. Please do consider challenging this, even gently, as it might just be that they think they are testing whether you 'really' need those strips or not & if it goes quiet they'll just assume you didn't need them (hope that makes sense!).

Meanwhile thanks for the tip - I'll bet it will be helpful to type 2s too, who often don't get strips...makes me want to bang my head on the wall...!!! :(
 
Hello. I am type 1 diabetic, and have been on insulin for 55 years. I have been using Aviva test strips, 3 tubs of 50 strips every month. About 10 weeks ago my GP reduced the tubs to only 2 a month. Result has been I have been buying additional strips. Good news is, I have discovered SD CODE FREE STRIPS, costing only ?4.99 for 50. I have been comparing reults along side the Aviva strips and have found no difference to speak of. If anyone is forced to buy strips then I recommed these strips. They are good value. Has anyone else discovered these strips?

As a type 1 you should have access to the strips you need. I would challenge their decision.
I also bought the code free meter and strips. As a newly dx'd type 2 they are refusing me strips (Type 2's don't need them, so I'm told) and as I'm having to self fund, they are a godsend 😉
 
Well I have just had my test strips increased from 100 to 200 every month there was no problum at the Doctors he even said that if it wasent enough then just ask for more or put repet in sooner our Doctors are very good.
Sorry you are having bother with yours but you should go back and tell them how many tests you are doing a day and get them to add it up as to how many you need a month good look
 
Welcome to the forums, Nanturner - and thanks, on behalf of those who have to buy strips, for news of a cheap option. However, as others have said, you should be able to get more than 100 strips a month, so it's worth checking with you GP.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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