• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Test Strips

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

Persil

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi all,

Why are test strips a never-ending battle?! Before I moved to Norwich, my repeat was for 200 test strips, which was great. I could go back to the pharmacy once a month, as I signed up to the repeat prescription service they had -- it was easy. I then changed my meter and began using the One Touch Ultra. This was after I'd moved to Norwich, and they put 150 test strips on my repeat, and this was enough for me personally, although I did miss the 'security' of having that spare box. I then changed to a Caresens meter, at the request of my GP due to the fact that the test strips were cheaper. I agreed, as I'm not really fussy when it comes to test kits and things. Anyway, I'm now back to my One Touch, and they're only prescribing me 100 test strips at any one time. The GP/pharmacy is quickly becoming a second home!!

Am I right in thinking that, for a type 1 diabetic, that's a low amount of test strips to be given at any one time, or am I just complaining about nothing?!

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
No, it's worth having a moan about. I get three hundred per repeat. It's always worth kicking up a fuss about that sort of thing.
 
I also get 300 per repeat, and 200 needles - I do 4 injections and 6 tests on average a day, so it lasts me around 50 days which fitted in with the 56 day supply of pills I was being given various other reasons. I originally had 100 per repeat, but explained how things were running out at different times creating many extra visits. I now only need to go every 6 weeks or so and sometimes don't get the pills because I have built up a surplus. This seems perfectly sensible to me, so why on earth some people are getting their prescriptions weekly is beyond me - it can only generate more work for everyone!

How many needles do you get? It may be that the surgery is issuing a blanket restriction on strips to see who complains, as this would be the easiest way of cutting costs rather than asking everyone what their needs were. I'd go back to them and explain this to them and hopefully you will be restored to at least your 200 strips 🙂
 
Hi,

It took a letter from our Consultant to finally get daughters strips upped from 100 to 200, they didn't take notice of DSN requests, really irks me 😡 like we want to test her all the time ? Would love it if 100 were enough 🙄

Best of luck, it's not on!
 
WHAT? 300 test strips in one hit!! I get 2x50 strips each month. I get no say whos test strips I would like to have, I am given a meter and told to get on with it. I have been told to cut down my tests from four to three or less every day. I get through 100 needles every 25 days on average. You are very lucky. Soon they are going to realize that only one make of tester and test strips are reqd and all the others will be dumped, its only a matter of time as money is getting tighter.
 
Austin Mini said:
WHAT? 300 test strips in one hit!! I get 2x50 strips each month. I get no say whos test strips I would like to have, I am given a meter and told to get on with it. I have been told to cut down my tests from four to three or less every day. I get through 100 needles every 25 days on average. You are very lucky. Soon they are going to realize that only one make of tester and test strips are reqd and all the others will be dumped, its only a matter of time as money is getting tighter.
Click to expand...

That's something that's being proposed in New Zealand at the moment - they currently have a choice of 4 but are moving to one supplier who only provide one reasonably adequate meter. It has been pointed out though, that limiting to one supplier may mean everyone has to change again when the contract is up, ad infinitum, with associated costs of training/education (might seem like a small issue, but when it's everyone then it adds up). Also, what about ketone testing if the 'approved' meter doesn't provide it? Plus, it is potentially dangerous to leave everyone on a sole supplier because supplies might run out for whatever reason. And, it shouldn't be dismissed that the meter companies actually provide a great deal of input and support to people using their meters, often lifetime guarantees and also support other projects, and all this would also be lost. 🙄

If you are on 4 injections a day, then no way should they even contemplate restricting you to 3 tests a day, that is potentially dangerous.
 
Hi there Northerner. When I was on Actrapid/Monotard two injections a day and hope for the best I got so good at counting the carbs I never tested for months. Yes I was using BM test strips and could gauge how much carbs I was going to eat and gave up testing as every time I did I was 4.5 or there abouts. My long term whatever its called was excellent so I kept on not bothering to test for almost a year when they gave me an electronic tester and onto insulin pens. Then I had to test four times a day. Scary 'eh?
 
300 test strips a go!! I'd love that!! I've got an appointment with my consultant next Thursday, so will see what she says. I've then got an appointment with my GP next Saturday to moan as all other appointment slots clashed with my classes.

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
Persil said:
300 test strips a go!! I'd love that!! I've got an appointment with my consultant next Thursday, so will see what she says. I've then got an appointment with my GP next Saturday to moan as all other appointment slots clashed with my classes.

Vicki 🙂
xxx
Click to expand...

Good luck Vicki! 🙂
 
Austin you drive! - you have to test before you get in your car, every time.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top