Type 2 strip war

[happydog]

After a long battle with my GP I eventually got him to "allow" me 50 test strips per month. When my prescription was collected there was only one month's supply. I was told to write in as he was away on holiday. I did this and today I received a phone call from the DN who said it is practice policy not to issue type 2's with any strips and that if I wanted to test that was up to me as an annual HbA1c is all that is needed for someone who is type 2. I told her that it is the only way for me to monitor my BG and she replied that is only necessary for type 1 diabetes. I told her that I have discussed this matter a number of times with the GP and he had decided that I could have them. She repeated about practice policy and said again that if I want to do it I may but not at the expense of the NHS as it is unnecessary. I asked if I could speak to the doctor and she said he is not in until Thursday and is fully booked but I could try but may not get to speak to him. Can she go against the Doctor like this?😡

 

[Northerner]

Grrrrr!!!!! 😡 This type of thing makes me so angry! I would be very surprised if the nurse could override the GPs wishes, so hopefully you can get things sorted out when he is back. In any case, the issuing of strips should be decided on an individual basis, not a blanket 'policy' of denying strips to Type 2. I wonder if the nurse's knowledge would stretch so far as to realise that there are nearly a million Type 2s on insulin in this country, plus another half million on medications that can create risk of hypos?

An annual HbA1c is NOT sufficient - it only shows what has happened, not why. Plus, it only shows a result of the previous 6-12 weeks control - what about the other 9 months of the year?

I hope you can get the strips restored. I would love to have a face-to-face conversation with every HCP who behaves in this manner so I could teach them how to do their job properly!

 

[pav]

As Alan says the annual HbA1c testing is not enough, I learnt the hard way and in the end had to justify why I needed strips.

Its very maddening after you managed to get the doctor to give you strips even on a limited amount, then to have it overruled by the DN.

Strange thing the head of the of the NHS does not appear to have a problem getting his test strips. 😡

I managed to get test strips as well, but had to see a doctor last night and he questioned why I was testing 😡, did not dare ask him for a repeat as got the feeling it would be bye bye strips.

 

[AlisonM]

*Head Wall* *Head Wall* *Head Wall* *Head Wall* *Head Wall*

When are these people going to understand that the ability to test blood sugars is the one sure way to help any diabetic get a handle on their condition?

I hope you can get to the doctor soon so that you can have your prescription reinstated. The nurse has no right to countermand a doctor's instructions without his/her permission and I think a letter to the Practice Manager on the subject is called for.

 

[jalapino]

Such a common thing now isn't it! you are right about one thing type 2 means we should not get strips, HbA1c once a year is enough this will sort everything out! yea right pull the other one! 😡
Being diagnosed t2 makes it are fault straight away!!....I have never been told I am over weight even tho I want to lose a stone to be happy and content, but even tho now I am on insulin I have to ask for 50 strips a week and this is only short term as when my lets says levels are good!! ha ha then I do not need to keep testing, only morning and night or if I feel funny!!
In my eyes I take insulin no matter what type or how much but I can still hypo so why little strips? I feel your pain as other t2;s do 😡

 

[Lauras87]

If I can find it on my phone (if not tomorrow at work) I have the recent DUK advocacy pack on blood strips.

I can email it to you

 

[PattiEvans]

I feel very strongly about T2s being able to have strips to monitor BGs and adapt their regimes.

I am hoping to submit this petition - please read and see why and then sign
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-nicholson-chief-executive-of-nhs-england-make-blood-glucose-test-strips-available-to-people-with-t2-diabetes but I need some more sigs.

 

[LeeLee]

Signed, with reasons given. Thank you for setting this up.

 

[jalapino]

Yep signed 🙂

 

[Brendan]

Signed. Good letter.

 

[pav]

Done and signed.

 

[AlisonM]

Same here, just signed.

 

[Northerner]

Access to test strips ? A postcode lottery? (Aug 2013)

Report from Diabetes UK on the topic:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Professi...s-to-test-strips-A-postcode-lottery-Aug-2013/

I wish there was more weight being put behind the advantages of testing for the newly-diagnosed, so that they can assess their diet and retain flexibility in what they eat, but at the same time keeping good control. It does say, however that for T2 not on insulin or sulfs the cases should be assessed on an individual basis and a joint decision between patient and doctor, not simple refusing and saying you don't need to test.

 

[pav]

With the approach the doctor I saw the other night, even more type 2's would have their strips withdrawn if they were to see him. His approach was type 2's not on insulin don't need to test, even if they are on meds that can cause hypos.

 

[Northerner]

With the approach the doctor I saw the other night, even more type 2's would have their strips withdrawn if they were to see him. His approach was type 2's not on insulin don't need to test, even if they are on meds that can cause hypos.

Then he is absolutely wrong and should not hold the position he does. As a matter of interest, how old is he? I find a lot of older doctors are still of the opinion that a patient has no right to question a doctor's decisions, and will simply ignore you.

 

[pav]

Would say he is in the 40's

 

[caroleann]

Steve got a letter in the post this morning to say his test strips have been removed from his prescription he only has 50 a month i have rang the surgery to ask how they can do this when he needs them, steve has cirrhosis of the liver and this also affects his diabetes he is on 80mg gliclazide twice a day,he now has an appointment to see the doctor on the 30th.😡

 

[pav]

As he is on gliclazide the doctors are making him break DVLA's guidelines to test before driving (assuming he drives) its the argument I used to get my strips re-added.

 

[happydog]

I have signed the petition and got my husband to do so as well. I will try to get more signatures. Thank you for doing this. Phoned to speak to the Doctor this morning and was told he would phone back if he could. Just had a call from the DN who said that he is too busy but she must stress that there is absolutely no need to test as I am not on medication, therefore no strips in the future. She said that I only have a mild form of type 2, (didn't know there were strengths of this disease?) She said there is no point in testing if you are getting readings under 10 and are not on medication. She warned me against being obsessive about diabetes and said that I should be very grateful that I am controlling it by diet and exercise and I am "one of the lucky ones". She also said that to put my mind at rest I could have another HbA1c in September, four months early! Although I don't appreciate her attitude I can see that there are many people who are either type 1 or type 2 with a lot of complications, so I guess I should be more appreciative of my "good health". 🙂 I intend to carry on with my current plan including testing and will buy the strips that I need.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Do you know what your most recent A1c result was HD?

I would agree that there is little point ttesting if a person intends to do nothing with the results, but that doesnt seem the be the case for you.

Perhaps your DN hasn't met many patients who want to actively manage their condition rather than just sitting back and waiting for the inevitable* complications to arrive

* or perhaps 'inevitable' in her experience?