What a joke

[Andy4767]

Get told you have diabetes, but can't get a blood monitor kit to help keep track of the condition on prescription.
I am on Universal Credit and have to think about what I spend the little money I get on. £40 is a lot of money to take away from food

 

[Mark Parrott]

Hi, Andy. You are right, it's a complete joke! I had to fund my own meter & strips. I'm also on a limited income as I am a full time carer for my wife. Most people on here go for the SD Codefree meter from Amazon or Home Health (the manufacturer) which has the lowest priced strips at around £8 for 50.

 

[Grannylorraine]

I agree, I work so no argument about buying a meter and strips, but no matter how cheap you can get them it is still a lot when you are on a low income. I think if you are on Universal Credit it should be funded for you, as you say it could come down to either a choice between a meter and strips or food.

 

[samanthag46]

I count myself very lucky then as I was diagnosed yesterday and was lucky enough to be given a testing machine and a prescription for strips and needles.
I am a poor student and also a carer for my son who has a learning disability so it has made all the difference to be given them for free.
Sam

 

[Brando77]

I was given a meter with lancets and test strips on prescription but I found out when you're on Gliclazide they have to cos of hypos? Is this true? Not on Metformin?

 

[grovesy]

I was given a meter with lancets and test strips on prescription but I found out when you're on Gliclazide they have to cos of hypos? Is this true? Not on Metformin?

Yes that is right.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Yes that is right.

Yes. Although I've known people on insulin who didn't get them. As well as stories of people having limited strips.

 

[Brando77]

Yes. Although I've known people on insulin who didn't get them. As well as stories of people having limited strips.

I think even if I wasn't put on Gliclazide I would've bought one myself otherwise how do you know where you're at concerning eating etc.
It's the only tool you have to check what direction you're going.

 

[mikeyB]

I’ve got an idea. All us who can afford the Libre don’t need their old meters - you can use the reader with strips. I don’t know where my old meter is, but if any of us have spare meters that don’t use very expensive strips, why don’t we open up a “Previously owned” shop on the forum for financially disadvantaged folk?

Or folk who’ve upgraded for any reason? We all must have perfectly serviceable kit we don’t use.

Course, we all need to know how to scrub the memory clean....

 

[Kaylz]

I’ve got an idea. All us who can afford the Libre don’t need their old meters - you can use the reader with strips. I don’t know where my old meter is, but if any of us have spare meters that don’t use very expensive strips, why don’t we open up a “Previously owned” shop on the forum for financially disadvantaged folk?

Or folk who’ve upgraded for any reason? We all must have perfectly serviceable kit we don’t use.

Course, we all need to know how to scrub the memory clean....

What a fantastic idea, well done for coming up with that! Best of luck with it! 🙂 xx

 

[pav]

Most of my old meters, used the expensive strips which the GP's won't fund in my area or if they do are probably in the phase of switching over people to the cheaper strips and meters. I have given meters away in the past with new sealed lancing devices, but for the past few years I have been on the cheap strip meters. Thankfully the meter supplier has great c/s as I have had a spell where I have been breaking a fair number of meters sort of like like one every other week or so, and they have always popped a replacement in the post with net day delivery.