Testing Strips & Meters For Type 2s...

[Bubbsie]

Something else I must add. When people with Type 2 are told 'it is a progressive condition & it doesn't matter what you do, you will end up on insulin' are they going to do anything to control it themselves? Most people won't bother. They won't see the point. Information like this is dangerous and by reading the newbies thread on here shows that this happens a lot.

Yep it does...told the same...my GP said 'you'll be on it eventually...might as well accept that'...that's what I refer to as the fatalistic attitude...well said.

 

[Bubbsie]

Completely agree Mark. We know people on the forum who have been successfully managing their diabetes without meds for 10 years. That’s not to say that people who need the support of medication, or insulin have failed in any way - more that it is a lot more complex and varied than ‘inevitably progressive’.

These doom laden proclamations are entirely unhelpful. As are conversations which trivialise the condition IMO, ‘a bit of diabetes, not to worry take these tablets and try not to have so many sweet things...’.

Slightly off-topic, but I don’t want to split the thread as we have kept the conversation intact after it began with Bubbsie’s initial offer of private support.

There are many more managing their diabetes that are not on the forum...many more managing their diabetes on other forums...I don't see any diversion here...the testing issue is directly linked to good management...the lack of provision directly relevant to this issue...yes...I began with an offer of private support...in the absence of any other support...members expanded on that...I welcome that...its all directly linked...whilst the core matter can be viewed as the supply of testing strips...that cannot...should not be isolated...its about managing our diabetes...testing...advice...support...they all are all related.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

There are many more managing their diabetes that are not on the forum...many more managing their diabetes on other forums...I don't see any diversion here...the testing issue is directly linked to good management...the lack of provision directly relevant to this issue...yes...I began with an offer of private support...in the absence of any other support...members expanded on that...I welcome that...its all directly linked...whilst the core matter can be viewed as the supply of testing strips...that cannot...should not be isolated...its about managing our diabetes...testing...advice...support...they all are all related.

The post was initially about your offer of private support to people trying to get test strips. It then shifted to DUK’s campaigns and their effectiveness or otherwise and what more the might do. Mark’s post and my reply was more about information given by HCPs to newly Dx. That was all I meant.

 

[Mark Parrott]

Completely agree Mark. We know people on the forum who have been successfully managing their diabetes without meds for 10 years. That’s not to say that people who need the support of medication, or insulin have failed in any way - more that it is a lot more complex and varied than ‘inevitably progressive’.

These doom laden proclamations are entirely unhelpful. As are conversations which trivialise the condition IMO, ‘a bit of diabetes, not to worry take these tablets and try not to have so many sweet things...’.

Slightly off-topic, but I don’t want to split the thread as we have kept the conversation intact after it began with Bubbsie’s initial offer of private support.

Yes, should've stated that meds & insulin are not a failure. Some need them regardless & may progress to more meds regardless of what they have done to prevent it.

 

[Bubbsie]

The post was initially about your offer of private support to people trying to get test strips. It then shifted to DUK’s campaigns and their effectiveness or otherwise and what more the might do. Mark’s post and my reply was more about information given by HCPs to newly Dx. That was all I meant.

Mike...actually it was your initial intervention that opened up the whole thread...it seemed to gather momentum after that...developed naturally...for that I am grateful...it was positive...diverse opinions...whether for or against the argument...the strength of opinions...all the issues linked to the that one focal point...for me it was all positive...new members joined in...members I had no connection with contributed...some who have been here for some time ...who's presence I had been unaware of...all of that has to be applauded...appreciated...encouraged.

 

[Vince_UK]

Something else I must add. When people with Type 2 are told 'it is a progressive condition & it doesn't matter what you do, you will end up on insulin' are they going to do anything to control it themselves? Most people won't bother. They won't see the point. Information like this is dangerous and by reading the newbies thread on here shows that this happens a lot.

That again is exactly what I was told. The nurse sat in front of me , bla rice, bla, mashed potatoes, bla sweets , bla bla bla. then the shattering statement "Diabetes is a chroninc progressive condition".
What a bombshell. Just give up Vince? Like a death sentence to be honest.
To be honest I wouldn't have bothered because without this forum I wouldn't have a clue how to be bothered.
No Way This forum changed my view 180 degrees and testing allows me to monitor and take steps to ensure it isn't a "progressve condition" and guys like Mark are proving it can be halted through hard work, determination and testing.

 

[Bubbsie]

That again is exactly what I was told. The nurse sat in front of me , bla rice, bla, mashed potatoes, bla sweets , bla bla bla. then the shattering statement "Diabetes is a chroninc progressive condition".
What a bombshell. Just give up Vince? Like a death sentence to be honest.
To be honest I wouldn't have bothered because without this forum I wouldn't have a clue how to be bothered.
No Way This forum changed my view 180 degrees and testing allows me to monitor and take steps to ensure it isn't a "progressve condition" and guys like Mark are proving it can be halted through hard work, determination and testing.

Hoi Vince...you cheeky so and so😛😛😛...what about the girls...the rest of us...well....I'm waiting.

 

[Vince_UK]

Hoi Vince...you cheeky so and so😛😛😛...what about the girls...the rest of us...well....I'm waiting.

My sincerest and humble apologies Bubbsie. "Let's not forget the "girls" contribution also".
🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

My sincerest and humble apologies Bubbsie. "Let's not forget the "girls" contribution also".
🙂

😉😉😉...well that lightened this thread slightly Vince...thank you...apology accepted.

 

[Vince_UK]

I have just remembered. When I came to China in October and told my Chinese colleques and friends I was Diabetic so they wouldn't get offended if I refused certain foods, 3 of them asked me "How many times each day have you got to check your blood?" I had not indicated testing to them in anyway.
Strange that isn't it, they told me about testing when my UK Nurse hadn't even bothered to mention it.
And that folks is the absolute truth.

 

[Mark Parrott]

I banged my head last year and nearly knocked myself out. Called an ambulance as I felt really bad. He asked me if I had any medical conditions so I told him I was type 2. He asked me what my blood sugars were this morning. He didn't ask me if I test my blood sugars, just assumed I did. Sorry if this is going o/t, but thought it was interesting.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I banged my head last year and nearly knocked myself out. Called an ambulance as I felt really bad. He asked me if I had any medical conditions so I told him I was type 2. He asked me what my blood sugars were this morning. He didn't ask me if I test my blood sugars, just assumed I did. Sorry if this is going o/t, but thought it was interesting.

Very interesting I'd say.

I wonder if it's a question of averages though? I have a vague recollection that 50% of people living with T2 take insulin (will have to see if I've completely misremembered that). Edit: Can't find a figure, but a report from 2014 shows that while the number of people using insulin has trebled recently, it's still a relatively small proportion of the 3.6million(?) T2 population. Not sure on the proportion on sulfs/glic etc.

Adding in those on sulfs and other hypoglycaemic agents, I wonder what proportion is left who are D&E with or without Met.

I suspect it's a sizeable number, but I'm not sure of the proportion of the whole population. Anyone know?

 

[Mark Parrott]

I suppose he assumed being diabetic I would be on meds. I did tell him my bloods were 5.8 that morning. He was very surprised how low they were.

 

[Bubbsie]

I suppose he assumed being diabetic I would be on meds. I did tell him my bloods were 5.8 that morning. He was very surprised how low they were.

Relevant Mark...wonder how many believe...assume we test our blood sugars...I appreciate some do not want to...but...on the whole is there am assumption that we do test regularly...well the ambulance personnel seem to hold that view...it's not over the top Mark...when I posted the thread...I expected a couple of responses...if that...no idea it would get so much attention....it just grew & grew...only posted it after a message from a member saying they has seen somewhere I had offered to help with a challenge...so decided to post the offer again...it just grew from there...all the contributions are welcome...every one of them.

 

[mikeyB]

There aren’t any up to date figures available, but it’s only around 20% of T2s who are on D&E or Meformin alone. The proportion of T2s on insulin is increasing year on year. I’m not sure why this is, but I suspect it’s a big decrease in the reluctance of specialists to prescribe it. It is certainly getting more frequent to switch folk from one or two tablet types to insulin.

Of course this is happening when T2 beta cells give up the ghost, so the T2 effectively becomes T1, but will carry the T2 label to the grave, so they can’t get pumps.

 

[Ralph-YK]

When I was diagnosed T2 I was prescribed Metformin and told to lose weight by following NHS dietary advice...which is carb heavy. I was also told that T2 diabetes was a progressive condition and that in time I was likely to require more robust medication.

Ralph...I'm sorry to hear that...I'm assuming you mean 'more' in terms of advice...testing strips...education?

Diagnosis: Went into hospital with an infection. Asked if I was diabetic as it's more likely to have infection when your diabetic.
Then told to have the diabetic test done by GP when infection was clear.
Then told by same doctor (without more tests?!): "You are diabetic!" (As she left, I was brought lunch, with apple pie and custard!)
As I was waiting to be dischared I was given some tablets by the nurse. "Here's your prescription."
That was everything I was told.

 

[Bubbsie]

Diagnosis: Went into hospital with an infection. Asked if I was diabetic as it's more likely to have infection when your diabetic.
Then told to have the diabetic test done by GP when infection was clear.
Then told by same doctor (without more tests?!): "You are diabetic!" (As she left, I was brought lunch, with apple pie and custard!)
As I was waiting to be dischared I was given some tablets by the nurse. "Here's your prescription."
That was everything I was told.

Ralph...my diabetes was diagnosed in the exactly the same way as your...massive infection...hospital...after 2 weeks of intensive antibiotics...discharged...saw GP...nothing...no health checks...later when it was apparent I had high blood pressure...GP again...blood tests...diabetes diagnosed...advised by phone...collect prescription...book on an education course...which could only offer me a place in seven months time...educated myself...the rest you know...its not the way to effectively deal/manage with this condition...not the way patients should be treated...no wonder we have so many problems with good BG control...do you have all that you need now?...I hope so...is there any help you need?

 

[Amigo]

Diagnosis: Went into hospital with an infection. Asked if I was diabetic as it's more likely to have infection when your diabetic.
Then told to have the diabetic test done by GP when infection was clear.
Then told by same doctor (without more tests?!): "You are diabetic!" (As she left, I was brought lunch, with apple pie and custard!)
As I was waiting to be dischared I was given some tablets by the nurse. "Here's your prescription."
That was everything I was told.

I thought you’d been on a couple of diabetes education courses and seen the dietician Ralph?

 

[Ralph-YK]

I thought you’d been on a couple of diabetes education courses and seen the dietician Ralph?

Desmond several months later. Had to ask about it. Doesn't cover how to manage diabetes. Doesn't tell you what you need to know about carbs. Does spend a lot of time fats & oils, cholesterol and arteries.
No help with management of diabetes.

Dietician, first seen a year after diagnosed. Told not to manage carbs, do nothing with diet to manage diabetes, ignore my BG levels, was unconcerned with management of my diabetes and went off on a stupid thing cause I'd had bacon (just the once in over a year!).

 

[Amigo]

Desmond several months later. Had to ask about it. Doesn't cover how to manage diabetes. Doesn't tell you what you need to know about carbs. Does spend a lot of time fats & oils, cholesterol and arteries.
No help with management of diabetes.

Well after 3 years on here you must be an expert now Ralph!