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Testing to many times

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On the last two occasions I have seen him my doctor has mentioned that I am obsessed with testing and requesting far to many test strips for my own good, he even thinks that testing 4 times a day is obsessive.:( Once again I tried to reason with him and explain that dafne say to test before each meal to work out the insulin dose, as I eat 3 main meals and a small snack before bed this covers 4 tests, told him also that I test before getting in the car as the DVLA advise - often I am in and out the car 3 or 4 times daily, finally I always test before bed so that I get a restful nights sleep, each test I do is never wasted and I use the results to my advantage.

On the dafne point he argued that they don't suggest testing before meals which is totally wrong, even arguing that testing before getting into the car isn't always necessary - he'd better tell the DVLA this, seriously thinking now to put a letter into the practice with evidence from dafne that pre meal testing is necessary and print off the advice to insulin users when driving from the DVLA, I don't need or want this hassle every time I see him.😡
 
The argument on the forum is that we need to test (all of us) to see which foods affect our levels. I can't see how we can test less as it is such a usefull tool in self management.
 
It's both shocking and depressing that these supposed inteligent and educated people are so desperate to save money that they can't see sense even when it's spelled out to them! Short sighted and false economy in the long run. :confused: XXXXX
 
He clearly is one of these people who thinks he knows better than everyone and is more concerned in saving a few pennies now rather than allowing you to test for personal safety, and the safety of others as advised by the leading authorities. Has he ever been on a DAFNE course? Is he an insulin user who drives? Why does he want you to risk potentially severe hypos from not testing before meals or potentially life-threatening complications from hypers, including DKA if you need to test when ill? Would he want to restrict his lifestyle to never being able to enjoy extended exercise or a varied diet?

I would suggest that these are the questions his practice manager should be asking him and you should write to him so he can then respond you with answers. Unacceptable! 😡
 
Toby, your doctor is being very unreasonable in my opinion, probably a cost cutting thing. You need to test before meals, or how else can you work out how much insulin to take, testing before bed is sensible and testing before driving is essential, not forgetting the post meal tests! I would write a polite but forceful letter to you GP's practice including DVLA advice and DAFNE guidelines and complain about your treatment. I'm sure if your doctor was in your postion he would expect better.
 
Toby

I would speak to your consultant or your hospital DSN, explain what your doctor is saying and they will be more than happy to write to your GP putting right on the matter..

I would knock up a letter and ask your doctor to sign

I have advised Toby, that he can safely ignore the current DVLA reccomendations/advice concerning the need to test BG's before driving to ensure his BG levels are within a safe range to commence his journey. As it is my opinion this isn't required to maintain safety while driving.

Due to my advise being contrary to the DVLA reccomendations I will take full repsonsibility,

Signed doc

That might be change his mind a bit
 
I'd love to send the letter Elie suggested !!

when I visit my GP Nurse she always asks me if I have enough test strips!! It seems doctors have al the brains but no common sense.!
 
I really feel for you Toby. That's a terrible position to be put into. I woudl go with Ellie's suggestion of getting something in writing and then forward it to a consultant or the PCT, along with the guidelines as you suggest.

It's totally wrong to expect us to manage our own condition to ensure our future health and then deny us the means to do it. I wonder if there is a legal standpoint on this. I'm sure there must be something a solicitor could do with the DVLA guidelines at least.

Rob
 
Hi Toby...

I would do ALL OF THE ABOVE suggestions!!!

Write to practice manager, get him to sign a waiver and let the hospital head consultant know what the community doctor is advising!

The more people who know what this immbecile is advising the better. This sort of advise is affecting our lives, our future and our quality of living!!!!!

How attrocious, I've never been one for testing in the past 12 years but since being on DAFNE, I have been the worlds best tester!!!! Maybe you should suggest your doc logs on here and have a debate with all of us!!! He'd be the best educated diabetes doctor in town, real life accounts from the service users themselves is the best education around!!!
 
yes! would drive me mad too do what they say, sounds good.

Hope you're well anyhooo.


Rossi
 
Thanks very much everyone for your comments they are much appreciated.🙂 I will do as you all suggest and write a stern but polite letter to the practice manager outlining all the points you have raised, failing that I'll send the same letter off to my PCT.

This is such a shame really as I have always had good relationship with my doctor and have always trusted his expertise, possibly he may have pressure on him to reduce certain items on prescription due to financial reasons but this doesn't excuse his lack of knowledge on not testing before driving or before meals - which to be perfectly honest took me by surprise. I accept test strips are costly but they are the only tool available to manage our diabetes, without knowing what our glucose readings are it's impossible to inject the correct amount of insulin, eat the right foods or stay safe when driving or participating in outdoor activities, until such times that test strips are replaced with new technology then I don't see the alternative but to test regularly.
 
I'm sure you are right Toby, I guess in the current climate lots of GPs are under pressure to reduce costs per patient. Hope you get a good response from your letter.
 
i had the same experience with the guy at the chemist when i picking up my prescription. He said i was ordering too many strips and said he would have to deny my next order! He said, 'My brother is a type 1 & a professional athlete and he only test 1-2 times a day, you dont need to do it anymore than that'.

I pretty much said everything thats been mentioned on here but he wasnt budging. then got a bit angry & he began to see sense, im added... exactly, that is because he is a professional athlete, he will have his levels bang on to the exact .x 24/7, cause he needs them to be like that for his job! eventually he gave way!
 
I'd be interested to know what kind of professional athlete - very regular training might actually need less testing than "normal" life. Although nowhere near professional level, my activity levels vary day to day. Yesterday was a spectularly unusual example - breakfast, cycle 3.5 miles uphill to work, next 3 hours rounding up cattle for hoof trimming, then early dinner, cycle 4.5 miles to next job, sitting and walking a bit, invigilating a 3 hour exam, then cycle 2 miles home, quickly get changed, feed cat & caterpillars, cycle 4 miles to evening orienteering, as I was key holder for car park, run round about 4km, cycle home 4 miles. Today, just 1 mile bike ride to work, but able to get home for dinner (now), when heading back to work and back home, will be driving approx 95 miles this evening, then some evening walking / geocaching. Tomorrow, training (sitting down) all day, then driving towards home, stopping off for evening running group at 50 miles / 40 miles point.
 
My levels are much more stable when I am exercising regularly (not at professional athlete levels of course!), but I still test 5-6 times a day. Perhaps he uses a CGM, so doesn't need strips except to verify suspect readings? Lots of US athletes use CGMs all the time. Anyway, where on earth does a pharmacist think he has the right to question your treatment and deny you the means to manage your diabetes? Another complaint, I would have thought!
 
Exactly Northerner - I'd a) complain about him to whatever their Society is and b) never darken his shop door again. They do get paid to dispense all our bits and pieces, would have thought we were nice little earners for a pharmacy!
 
DanW81 said:
i had the same experience with the guy at the chemist when i picking up my prescription. He said i was ordering too many strips and said he would have to deny my next order! He said, 'My brother is a type 1 & a professional athlete and he only test 1-2 times a day, you dont need to do it anymore than that'.

I pretty much said everything thats been mentioned on here but he wasnt budging. then got a bit angry & he began to see sense, im added... exactly, that is because he is a professional athlete, he will have his levels bang on to the exact .x 24/7, cause he needs them to be like that for his job! eventually he gave way!
Click to expand...



Well it was bad enough for a GP to lecture me on testing to much but a pharmacist I would have drawn a line.😡 His job is to dispense medicine as the doctor prescribes, yes they should check meds for suitability when taking other drugs but should not dictate to a customer how many times they should test their blood glucose a day, his brother must take a very casual approach to his diabetes if he only tests one or twice a day.

Change your pharmacy Dan.
 
Hi Toby,
I haven't read through all of the comments, so this one might already have been made.
When you write your letter point out that your GP is actually impeding your quality of life as the restriction on test strips prohibits you from driving a car, so obviously this would also impact on your income due to work restrictions.
Also ask how much medical negligence he is covered for.
Also point out that if you hypo at the wheel of a car it's you not him that goes to jail. Also point out there are other road users besides you on the road and they need to be kept safe by you as in testing blood sugars before you drive.
 
Dan: As I said on another thread, it is not up to the pharmacist to deny you something that has been presacribed by your doctor. If such a thing were to happen you would be well within your rights to complain to the Royal Pharmceutical Society of which they should be members and to the Head Office of the particular chemist you used.

Toby: A letter is called for to your PCT and/or the Practice Manager detailing the doctor's comments and quoting the relevant parts of the DAFNE documentation as well as the DVLA/NICE guidelines where they're appropriate.

This is our health they're messing with and nothing is more important. Nothing.
 
well like i said he seemed to understand in the end & ive not seen him since and not had any problems getting it so all is good
 
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