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Strips very expensive

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I'm afraid it must be a post code lottery. I live in Northern Ireland, and my surgery has been just brilliant. I have never been refused anything I've asked for. I get a regular supply of 'strips' and my diabetic nurse has even supplied me with free upgraded monitors as she knows I'm a big gadget fan!

I get my oral mediaction free, and my Byetta pen etc. (previously on insulin, but it didn't work for me)

Northern Ireland assembly has just voted to waive prescription charges for all by 2010, cutting the price dramatically in the interim for 2009.
 
stebro said:
Yep. I had this discussion with my GP last night. I'm in Staffs and they apparently took the decision six months ago that Type 2 patients do not need to self test. There was also a damaging item published in the Telegraph (i beleive) that staedt that self testing caused depression amongst those doing it. I'm more depressed by NOT knowing, its ridiculous.
I don't think you will get the strips any cheaper than ?20.
I have requested a private consultatin with a a diabetes specialist I have been recommended to by someone in my family who had the same problem. He apparently contacted their surgery post consulation and insisted that they prescribe both strips and lancets. I am also writing directly to the PCT head of Pharmacy and my MP. I suggest that you don't give up on it if you want it. I've worked sinc Jul of 1973, nerev claimed any help off the state ever and have paid tax and NI for over 35 years (probably a total of around ?100,000 over that time) and not the bastards won't let me have a poxy ?20 box of strips and lancets. Don't give up on them, keep trying.
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I know how you feel Steve. I've worked all my life and always paid for prescriptions for about 37 years. OK I've got an exemption certificate for my other medication now but its not getting free strips that really bugs me. Who the hell are these GPs that can mess with peoples lives anyway?
 
I'm with you jeanus44 - I am amazed that you and others should have to pay for ANYTHING connected to a disease we suffer from.
I lived in Essex and am now in Suffolk and have always received everything, including strips, on prescription - I can have 100 strips a month if I wish.
This encouraged me to learn about my body and diabetes - everyone is different. I now know where I am at any moment I wish to check - don't these doctors realise that if a Type 2 patient is "too good" they can get too low and suffer a hypo - easily recognised and treated and planned for IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED.
My initial care was excellent, being supplied with books and frequent talks and check-ups with the specialist diabetic nurse attached to the surgery.
The initial explanation of diabetes was given to me AND MY WIFE - this is essential - it is the partner who needs to know about the disease as much as or more than the patient!
I cannot believe that a doctor can say to someone - "you are Type 2 diabetic" and not immediately arrange for a 30 minute private explanation of what this involves. A newly diagnosed patient is SCARED - and needs individual reassurance, information and medication -freely and willingly given. Doctors who say this cannot be provided should find out how other counties can do it - it isn't rocket science, and they should remember their hippocratic oath and thump the table of any accountant etc who tries to stop them giving this BASIC care.

I thought this was a civilised country! Rant over!
 
I'm continually amazed by the variation we find in care in the UK. It really seems to be the luck of the draw. I buy my strips as, like many, my local area doesn't believe Type 2 need to test and yet I'm responsible for my own well-being. For me, daily testing works - I can spot trends and review my diet and exercise and make relevant adjustments. I get warning signs when I'm going hypo so don't find I need to test to confirm that interesting experience. I tried not testing for several weeks and, guess what, my blood glucose levels crept up and my control wasn't as good.

Annual review is end of next week so I am going armed with the latest NICE guidelines and, if I can find it, the statement from the Minister of Health that says we should be able to test, evidence of my hypos and arguments about safety of activity plus outcomes of my eye hospital appointment, log of results ..... and see whether I can be persuasive!

I found the 1/2 day course provided by the NHS locally rather poor - handouts and talks varied with misinformation. So thankful to Diabetes UK (loved the store guide) and Diabetes for Dummies for information that I could understand - particularly at first when I was very confused and too tired to take much in.



Vanessa
 
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Well knock me down with a lancet!

I just saw my GP an hour ago and said I found the testing really helpful in my initial stages. He relented and hey presto a prescription! The prescription was of course payment exempt

I was a little insistent and he was concerned at the high levels. Maybe those of you who've had negative responses should go back?
 
I've already been back Paul. Several times in fact! They still insist that type 2's dont need to test their blood.
 
Blimey. It really does seem that you have a lottery with the practice you're at.

I absolutely could not cope without testing.

One thing though - I see you get 10 lancets / strips with a new monitor. The monitors can be as cheap as ?6. It may be more economical to buy a new monitor each week and carry out a fast and after tea test each day?

Thought about moving to another GP?
 
Cost of strips

My doc won't prescribe them either, on the ground of expense. I went to the chemist (Lloyd's Pharmacy) and they quoted me ?35 --- for TEN! I then had a look on ebay and bought 50 for ?20, this included a meter - and inside the meter box were another 10, so I paid ?20 for 60 instead of ?210 it would have cost from Lloyd's. Incidentally, I wrote to Lloyd's head office and was simply told that the price was correct. Someone is making an awful lot of money at our expense!
 
That's a great price, but you're still having to pay for lancets too.

Isn't it disgraceful? As I was waiting at the chemist for my prescription, an addict came in for his methodone (he wasn't at all quiet about it) smoking a huge spliff. From the look of this bloke (and how stoned he was around 3.30pm) he didn't work. His stuff was entirely free.

Where's the justice in this nonsense? Inject yourself with illegal substances and you get a hand out, or be unlucky enough to contract diabetes and in some post codes / with some grumpy GP's you pay for medication - even though, by law, you're medically exempt and by the sounds of most on here have paid their way through NI contributions.

What a shocking disgrace.
 
i live in scotland and have had no problems getting anthying on prescription, even before type 1 diagnosis, postcode lottery indeed. how can they justify not giving a monitor to a type 2 you are supposed to be an intrigal part of the "diabetic care team".
 
I bought my strips on the net. 51 for ?20. I think the lancets were ?20 for 200 the last time I bought them. I live in the countryside Paul so we dont get chance to change our GPs
 
I had a problem getting test strips (doc complained to me that diabetics over-using test strips waste lots of NHS money). I pointed out that the only way I have been able to maintain good control is by regular testing, and if i do not maintain good control I will cost the NHS a vast amount more than a few packs of test strips. I reminded them of the complications involving eyesight, kidneys, heart etc etc, and the amount this would cost the NHS to put right. Prevention is better (and more cost effective) than cure. It's a shame that I had to prove my right to health based on cost, but it worked and i haven't had a problem getting test strips since. ^_^
 
I have no problem with test strips and lancets. I need them as i drive up to 7.5 ton vans. No testing, no licence, no job, simple as. Need them.
 
I was diagnosed type 2 just 12 days ago (still trying to get my head around it!). A mind-boggling shock, as you will all know.

The same day I was given a test monitor with lancets and strips, (plus heaps and heaps of advice literature-still wading through that!), plus a prescription for more lancets and strips. I was told that ALL my prescriptions would be free from then onwards.

I went a bit crazy with the blood testing at first, doing another one if it was extra high in the hope that it was an error (it never was):( So I have had to put in a prescription request already. Fingers crossed there will not be any problem.

I've managed to get the levels down a little bit (from 15/16s with peaks over 18) to 13/14s and hardly any high spikes, and now limit myself to 3 or 4 tests a day. A long way to go I know, but a step in the right direction and I'm pretty chuffed with myself seeing as I am (not WAS yet!) a serious chocoholic!🙄
 
Hi all.

I too have only just been diagnosed with type 2. My local surgery has a dedicated diabetes nurse, who has just given me a monitoring machine.

I got a box of 200 lancets and 50 strips on prescription, for which I had to pay two charges - thought that was a lot until I saw the price some of you guys are paying!!

Currently I only have to check once a day, as my condition is not too bad. I didn't think I was particularly unhealthy before, but its amazing what a difference the slight change in diet has made.

-Alan
 
Not easy Lynwill. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that you are controlling with diet and exercise.
If that is the case your chocs, as with anything based on refined sugar, will give you a rapid bg raise followed possibly by an insulin rush. This would show up on your peaks and troughs.
Look forward to hearing soon that you are more stable.
 
alan_s said:
Hi all.

I too have only just been diagnosed with type 2. My local surgery has a dedicated diabetes nurse, who has just given me a monitoring machine.

I got a box of 200 lancets and 50 strips on prescription, for which I had to pay two charges - thought that was a lot until I saw the price some of you guys are paying!!

Currently I only have to check once a day, as my condition is not too bad. I didn't think I was particularly unhealthy before, but its amazing what a difference the slight change in diet has made.

-Alan
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You probably had to pay the ?7.10 perscription for yours. I wouldnt mind paying that but they will not supply me them at all. It makes having an exemption certifiacate a BIG joke!
 
jeanus44 said:
You probably had to pay the ?7.10 perscription for yours. I wouldnt mind paying that but they will not supply me them at all. It makes having an exemption certifiacate a BIG joke!
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Yep, well 2 x 7.10 as there were 2 items! I don't understand how it can vary from area to area, surely we have a national health service!!

Alan
 
Hi,
Type two also get exemption cards but dont get enough test strips and have to pay for the extras.
The DVLA say you must test before you drive, maybe they should talk to our doctors.
 
Hi I am type 2 and live in Lincolnshire. On diagnosis about 2 yrs ago, my nurse registered me as a diabetic and I received my exemption card within a week.

The nurse told me that diabetes, whichever type qualified. After all we still have to register with DVLA, undergo retinopathy etc, it is only the type of treatment that differs and remember that many type 2 sufferers are on insulin!
 
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