what are those little devices you can get for testing your blood sugar...doctor wont give me any...asked ages ago..so i better get my own i think, can you recommend any and where to get them from?also ages ago dr wanted me to take statins but i said no as i cant afford to put on more weight and i heard once you are on them you have to stay on them for good...is this right...im on 850 metformin twice a day..having my bloods done on wed...and when i go back for my results 😱i want to know what im talking about...i need to lose loads of weight so obviously dont wanna take anything that will make my weight increase....sorry bout the novel length post!
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testing for bs
- Thread starter moonymama
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Statins never affected my weight. Metformin can help with weight loss for some people. I'm not sure whether it did for me, because I started taking it about the same time as I started back with Slimming World. The combined effect of a good, relatively low carb diet with metformin and increased exercise have helped me to lose 6 stone and get my blood glucose under control. You can do it too!
As for a meter and strips, how can you be expected to know how particular foods affect you, without the means to find out? Keep trying!
As for a meter and strips, how can you be expected to know how particular foods affect you, without the means to find out? Keep trying!
Meters you can normally get for free direct from the suppliers in the likes of Bayer, Abbott Medisense, Accu Check, Life Scan etc. Have a look at their web sites to see which meter you like the look of and give them a call to see if they will send you a meter, Some meters they say are only for those on insulin, they could well offer an alternative in that case.
The problem is getting prescriptions for the test strips as that is down to a post code lottery as if you can get the trips. If you have to self fund there are cheaper test strip / meter options like the SD code free and supercheck2 systems. Also if you contact the suppliers directly some will offer the tests strips at a good saving. Abbott appears to be one of the suppliers who sell strips at a more reasonable rate direct to us.
Meter preference can be down to personal preference or the features that the meter has. My own preference is for the Bayer contour next USB, a compact meter that has a colour screen easy to read, good software via a PC, uses a rechargeable battery which is charged by a free mains adaptor (after registering the meter).
When out and about at the moment I am using the Accu Chek mobile as its an all in one meter.
The problem is getting prescriptions for the test strips as that is down to a post code lottery as if you can get the trips. If you have to self fund there are cheaper test strip / meter options like the SD code free and supercheck2 systems. Also if you contact the suppliers directly some will offer the tests strips at a good saving. Abbott appears to be one of the suppliers who sell strips at a more reasonable rate direct to us.
Meter preference can be down to personal preference or the features that the meter has. My own preference is for the Bayer contour next USB, a compact meter that has a colour screen easy to read, good software via a PC, uses a rechargeable battery which is charged by a free mains adaptor (after registering the meter).
When out and about at the moment I am using the Accu Chek mobile as its an all in one meter.
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
You can get a free meter from Abbott at the following site:
http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup
Also, if you do need to fund strips yourself, the Abbott strips are cheaper to buy direct from them.
Another cheap option is the SD Codefree Meter has test strips that are around ?7 for 50.
What some people do if they find their GP is reluctant to prescribe strips is to buy them theirselves and keep records so that they can then show their GP how it is helping to control and imprve thier blood glucose levels whilst retaining maximum flexibility with their diet (and therefore improved quality of life!). I would recommend reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S as a good guide to efficient testing 🙂 Once the GP has seen the benefits and that you are using the strips to best advantage they have little argument for not prescribing. Although strips may appear expensive, they are much cheaper than risking possible costly complications in the future, so it is a false economy to deny them to motivated people. Good luck! 🙂
http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup
Also, if you do need to fund strips yourself, the Abbott strips are cheaper to buy direct from them.
Another cheap option is the SD Codefree Meter has test strips that are around ?7 for 50.
What some people do if they find their GP is reluctant to prescribe strips is to buy them theirselves and keep records so that they can then show their GP how it is helping to control and imprve thier blood glucose levels whilst retaining maximum flexibility with their diet (and therefore improved quality of life!). I would recommend reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S as a good guide to efficient testing 🙂 Once the GP has seen the benefits and that you are using the strips to best advantage they have little argument for not prescribing. Although strips may appear expensive, they are much cheaper than risking possible costly complications in the future, so it is a false economy to deny them to motivated people. Good luck! 🙂
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