Test strip worry

[Lauras87]

Have to echo my sentiments- shock and disgust about your treatment
If stuck without strips how about ordering the SD code free meter and strips online-meter is about ?13 and strips are 6.99 for 50. They tend to read a bit higher than some meters but if concerned about hypos you could always set targets slightly higher
In fact SD are now listed in the BNF- so NHS prescribable but I would not volunteer this info to your practice unless 1. you are happy with this monitoring system and 2.they will up your prescription to the amount required if you change
Did you manage to find those guidelines?

Yeah I found those guidelines, 3 boxes to start & 2 boxes a month.
I've printed them off with dvla guidelines & copied my blood sugar diary since September when I got a bug & haven't been on top form.
Like today I had a hypo at work, I felt light headed, faint & couldn't concentrate so tested. I've used 6 strips so far out of my 4 a day allowance & still have bed time to test for.

I wish gp's would see how it affects us all & stop moaning about testing too much, if I hadn't of tested & just treated for a hypo I'd of been done for coz I had to treat it again 15 mins later as I'd only gone up 0.1 in bloods.

If I don't get an answer when I call tomorrow, I'm going up to my gp's surgery armed with the info & won't be leaving til I get an answer which is either yes you can have more strips & if they say no, there had better be good grounds for the refusal

 

[robofski]

Reading the problems people have with strips makes me thankful my surgery are OK. Other than once in the early days when the system flagged up 'over use' (how it could have determined that I don't know it was only my second prescription, hardly enough to establish a pattern) they have been really good. Was getting 100 at a time but that lasts about 3 weeks so was always having to order a repeat, quick word with the nurse next time I saw her, she put the repeat up to 200, makes it much easier.

How your being treated is really poor and I can only imagine how frustrated it must be, I'd be complaining to every Tom, Dick and Harry!

Hope you get a satisfactory resolution - soon!

 

[Vicsetter]

I am really lucky then cause I get 200 One Touch strips a month and 100 Mylife Pure strips (not that I actually ask for them every month as these are for driving). Last repeat prescription the Mylife was highlighted and when I asked why they said would I like to review the need for it as I hadn't requested a repeat for a couple of months - no problem.

I do hope you get this sorted out, it's criminal.

 

[trophywench]

Oh I couldn't have a sep meter cos I do my BG in the house before I go out to the car, it goes in my handbag and that's that - always by me. I'm pretty sure I'd forget to test if I went out to my car first and then had to test.

 

[Marier]

Lauras87
Can i ask what strips you on ?? Think it absolutly terrible you getting treated like this hope you get it sorted
Marie x

 

[Lauras87]

Lauras87
Can i ask what strips you on ?? Think it absolutly terrible you getting treated like this hope you get it sorted
Marie x

I get aviva accu chek ones
If they were cheaper to buy id fund the machine myself

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Laura,
any problems in having your strips increased, then ask for a prescription review.
Go through the list and point to the insulin and say oh I don't need that as can't have test strips to use that dangerous hormone, so not safe to use.
The silence will be deafening
Also ask if they have good insurance cover as you will be suing someones butt off due to the complications that could have been avoided, if you had been allowed to control your condition.
Bet you will have the strips increased.

 

[Lauras87]

Hi Laura,
any problems in having your strips increased, then ask for a prescription review.
Go through the list and point to the insulin and say oh I don't need that as can't have test strips to use that dangerous hormone, so not safe to use.
The silence will be deafening
Also ask if they have good insurance cover as you will be suing someones butt off due to the complications that could have been avoided, if you had been allowed to control your condition.
Bet you will have the strips increased.

I have a prescription review which is as good as a chocolate fire guard, as all my medication has been given to me by the hospital until it went on at the gp's. they often say I don't need my blood pressure pills & try to take me off my contraceptive pill (er hello diabetic & unplanned pregnancy = bad news)
Ha! Wish I'd thought of that line!! I'm not due til August but I may bring it forward, I'm just waiting for 10am so I can ring for an answer

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I have a prescription review which is as good as a chocolate fire guard, as all my medication has been given to me by the hospital until it went on at the gp's. they often say I don't need my blood pressure pills & try to take me off my contraceptive pill (er hello diabetic & unplanned pregnancy = bad news)
Ha! Wish I'd thought of that line!! I'm not due til August but I may bring it forward, I'm just waiting for 10am so I can ring for an answer

You can have a review any time you like.
Haven't read through the whole post so not sure if you have written to your GP or not. If not put all your displeasure in writing 😡 Point out the end result of not testing (complications ambulance calls, loss of driving licence etc) and ask politely who is going to pay for all of this?
Then add you sincerly hope he s/he has good medical ins cover as s/he is going to need it.

 

[Abi]

Sometimes critiscism of doctors and GPs really causes me to raise my hackles but perusal of this thread certainly goes some way towards explaining some "anti GP" sentiments voiced by the general public
With recent publicity about targets not being met, increased mortality rates in diabetics, the cost of treating diabetes ( of which above 80% is due to cost of treating complications) etc etc
I personally am delighted when a patient with a self manageable condition is prepared to go away and manage it properly rather than harassing me ( so I can go and attend to demanding old ladies who expect a house visit at the drop of a hat and in some cases are perfectly capable of sorting out their own medication but can't blood ywell be bothered to do it so we have to run around sorting out dosette boxes etc etc- and when medication needs changing just after that months worth of boxes have been sorted out- they have to be taken back and done again- I';m sure pharmacists claim another fee for this at even more cost to the nhs- grrrr- sick to death of media going on about how badly we look after certain groups of people and failing to bring enough attention to the total lack of care for others)
And you were asked why you test 4 times a day on basal bolus?
Is this guy thick?
Are you sure he wasn't the cleaner cause sure as hell he didn't go to medical school ( no unfortunately a cleaner would be better able to advise you how to manage your diabetes)

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Abi, some GP's richly deserve the criticsim they get as you say.
Laura's GP falls in that catorgry 😡

It's a great pity though that the ones who fall over backwards to help their patients get very little praise and it's just taken for granted 😡

I'm very lucky as my GP is the tops, listens and makes suggestions and above all allows me to have as many test strips as I need.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Abi, some GP's richly deserve the criticsim they get as you say.
Laura's GP falls in that catorgry 😡

It's a great pity though that the ones who fall over backwards to help their patients get very little praise and it's just taken for granted 😡

I'm very lucky as my GP is the tops, listens and makes suggestions and above all allows me to have as many test strips as I need.

Vote of confidence for my GP too - she's excellent 🙂 Although the GPSI at the practice is not so good, so I don't see him at all. Also encountered a GPSI standing in for my consultant once and was unimpressed with him also. I think part of the problem with some HCPs is that they don't accept that you might know more about managing your condition than they do, which can lead to a poor patient/HCP relationship.

 

[Lauras87]

Hi Abi, some GP's richly deserve the criticsim they get as you say.
Laura's GP falls in that catorgry 😡

It's a great pity though that the ones who fall over backwards to help their patients get very little praise and it's just taken for granted 😡

I'm very lucky as my GP is the tops, listens and makes suggestions and above all allows me to have as many test strips as I need.

I had a brilliant GP, she was diabetic too but sadly she has retired & the level of care has fallen since
I know GP's are busy & up against it

 

[Lauras87]

Update!

Rang the GP surgery as requested.

They have issued 150 strips as a one off!!!

I told the receptionist very politely that insulin is a dangerous hormone to be injecting with no strips to be told yes I get type 1 is a serious condition. Ill refer it to the on call doctor, ring back tomorrow to check your quota has been upped!!

Now if the receptionists yesterday & today would let me speak to a GP I wouldn't be getting ****** off with it all.

I'm going to ring DUK at lunch

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Don't bother with phone calls Laura.
Put everything in writing.

 

[yorksman]

I'm thinking of going tomorrow am to ask to see the head gp but wondered if I spoke to DUK if they can give me anything to give to the gp (like medical points)

I don't know anything about Type 1 but the NICE Guidlines, 1.8.2 Self Monitoring of Glucose states that, 1.8.2.6

Adults with type 1 diabetes should be advised that the optimal frequency of self monitoring will depend on:
? the characteristics of an individual?s blood glucose control
? the insulin treatment regimen
? personal preference in using the results to achieve the desired lifestyle.

So that sounds like your GP should take your wishes into account. Also, 1.8.2.7 also states that pre and post prandial glucose levels be kept within the stated ranges. That has to mean at least 6 strips per day otherwise how can one follow the NICE guidelines?

Type 1 diabetes: diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes in children, young people and adults

 

[brett]

Just seen this, its ridiculous, and.very frustrating for everyone.

 

[Marier]

Thanks Laura
Just wonderd in case i could of helpd you out with some but i dont use those ones. Hope you get on ok with Diabetes uk

 

[Lauras87]

Thanks Laura
Just wonderd in case i could of helpd you out with some but i dont use those ones. Hope you get on ok with Diabetes uk

Thanks 🙂
My nurse is now dealing with it, she wasn't impressed with my gp.
Just wish I could make my mood improve, noone asks for T1 but I hate it now.
Just would like it to go on holiday for a month & be greeted by an accident

 

[PhilT]

My GP is great too. When I have my three monthly check with my DSN if I need anything added to my repeat she puts it on the system and the Doctor never says no you can't have that. When I upgraded my BG meter to an Accu-Chek Mobile the cassettes were more expensive than my old meter but because the meter suited me better because I had recently gone onto 4 daily injections it was sanctioned without any fuss. It's a pity that there seems to be no consistency from Surgery to Surgery and some people have such problems getting the most basic of items needed to control their Diabetes. Hope you get a favourable outcome Laura as it must be like banging your head against a brick wall with such an unhelpful GP.