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Test Strips prescibed

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Graeme

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I went to see the Nurse on Friday. (Got the results of my cholesterol, 3.8 which is pretty good.)

I asked about the test strips, and explained my doctor has said they would prescribe some. I basically got a flat no, saying as I was type 2, on Metformin it wasn't required, and that it came down to cost as well, all the usual stuff a lot of people on here have heard.

I did explain how well it has helped me knowing and understanding how I react to different things etc, and (probably to shut me up) she gave a a prescription for 50 strips, with the understanding that this could not be a repeat one!

Anyway, had to laugh, the prescription instructions state "use twice weekly as directed" 😱 Oops! don't think it will last me 25 weeks somehow!!!
 
The 'cost' argument is a ridiculous one Graeme. Learning about how food affects you helps you to manage your diabetes well and as a consequence you are far less likely to succumb to complications which are considerably more expensive as well as causing a lowering of your quality of life. Testing is therefore the best and cheapest option available. There should be no argument when someone has shown that they will use the strips appropriately - I bet if it was for their own diabetes then they would want to test! 😡
 
I hate all these cuts and lack of use of strips they tell you to up take! Its ridiculas, its like refusing someone with a broken leg a cast to fix it... it really is.

Without using test strips i'd be eating on levels of around 10, because they make me feel hungry, and then that'd consequence in higher blood sugars. Later on complications!

Sorry NHS that my faulty pancreas is causing YOU a problem, never mind what its doing to me!!!
 
Same as me Graeme.
I really dont understand what or who is actually making the decisions. The following is taken from NHS Factsheet 32, Glucos Self Monitoring in Diabetes.

The sheet includes Type 2 and basically says that if not treated by drugs, then self testing should only be used where there is an agreed purpose and goal, ie, how monitoring should be used to reinforce lifestyle changes. Thats what we are doing with diet and exercise.:confused:


This should include an explanation of how to self-monitor, how to interpret the results and how to use the results to make any appropriate lifestyle changes. This has the potential to improve both the quality and the efficiency of blood glucose self-monitoring.
Click to expand...

http://www.diabetes.nhs.uk/our_publications/factsheets/
 
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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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