Strips

[happydog]

My family have presented me with 200 testing strips to celebrate my success in getting my HbA1c down to 5.4. Aren't they lovely? I am so lucky both with them and the people here who have been such a support. (The DN has removed strips from my prescription.) I have to see the doctor over thyroid problems on the 20th and intend to ask why a nurse is able to countermand the doctor (senior partner's) prescriptions? I'm not giving up yet! 🙂

 

[Northerner]

So, the logic is, you are doing so well by being able to monitor your levels, so let's take that away from you? What nonsense! I hope that you can get the doctor to see the benefits of having a person with an excellent HbA1c on their books (makes them look good, even if it's you that has done all the hard work! 🙂) Very nice of you family to recognise your achievement!

 

[LeeLee]

What a lovely family!

How about using these strips as an opportunity to show your doctor what you can find out with them? If you keep a record of pre- and post-meal figures with a diary of exactly what you ate, you can demonstrate how the strips have increased your knowledge of how foods affect you, and how they can help you to maintain a good HbA1c.

If the doc says still says no, you will have the evidence to send to the CCG and NHS England with your complaint.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

What a lovely family!

How about using these strips as an opportunity to show your doctor what you can find out with them? If you keep a record of pre- and post-meal figures with a diary of exactly what you ate, you can demonstrate how the strips have increased your knowledge of how foods affect you, and how they can help you to maintain a good HbA1c.

If the doc says still says no, you will have the evidence to send to the CCG and NHS England with your complaint.

That's a great idea! Especially if you can cite some examples of 'healthy' foods that many people are advised to eat that your meter says are terrible for your BGs.

"What do you think I should be eating for breakfast Dr. I have always liked cereals - do you think Weetabix/Bran Flakes/[insert food nemesis of choice here] would be OK"
"Yes I would think so"
"Ah well, interesting that you should say that, because so did I until I TESTED MY BG LEVELS and found that I ALWAYS HIT 15 AFTER ANY OF THEM!"

Tee hee!

 

[pav]

That's a great idea! Especially if you can cite some examples of 'healthy' foods that many people are advised to eat that your meter says are terrible for your BGs.

"What do you think I should be eating for breakfast Dr. I have always liked cereals - do you think Weetabix/Bran Flakes/[insert food nemesis of choice here] would be OK"
"Yes I would think so"
"Ah well, interesting that you should say that, because so did I until I TESTED MY BG LEVELS and found that I ALWAYS HIT 15 AFTER ANY OF THEM!"

Tee hee!

I like that, might wake some of the out of date doctors up, doubt it though. At least it would prove to the docs what types of foods effect one. 🙂 🙂

 

[PattiEvans]

Happydog, your family are wonderful, but they shouldn't have to buy the strips for you.

Odd that this came up. Well, perhaps not so odd, but I was thinking that I must bump the petition up because I really want to submit it in 2 week's time, I have held off as not enough signatures. http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-nicholson-chief-executive-of-nhs-england-make-blood-glucose-test-strips-available-to-people-with-t2-diabetes
Please sign if you haven't already!

 

[happydog]

I will try your strategy about foods etc, but one only gets 5 minutes of time with the doctor and she will want to talk about other autoimmune problems that I have. I took my print out from my Bayer Contour Meter and my food diary when I had my HbA1c last December and the DN would not look at it and said I was obsessive and that it was not necessary and that she did not have time to spend on looking at graphs etc. My guess is that she could not understand it. I only got 5 minutes with DN when she did the review last week, basically it was a blood test and she took my blood pressure, maybe that is what a review is? I don't know what to expect. But I will try again.
I have already signed the petition which I think is brilliant and I will ask around friends this week.

 

[pav]

One doc looked at my charts and said to many hypos, he did not wait to get an explanation of why they were happening

My diabetic review appointments last around 1/2 hour, though not with a DN. She does discuss every thing and is a two way conversation, pity the doctors don't listen to her.

 

[LeeLee]

I will try your strategy about foods etc, but one only gets 5 minutes of time with the doctor and she will want to talk about other autoimmune problems that I have. I took my print out from my Bayer Contour Meter and my food diary when I had my HbA1c last December and the DN would not look at it and said I was obsessive and that it was not necessary and that she did not have time to spend on looking at graphs etc. My guess is that she could not understand it. I only got 5 minutes with DN when she did the review last week, basically it was a blood test and she took my blood pressure, maybe that is what a review is? I don't know what to expect. But I will try again.
I have already signed the petition which I think is brilliant and I will ask around friends this week.

You can book a double appointment. The reception Rottweiler might not like it, but it's none of her business!