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Diabetic problem ??

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Hello to all ,, Im Bill Stewardson, Diabetic living in Woodhouse Mill.

 

I'm looking into the growing problem of self testing equipment being denied to Ds in the Steel City.

 

Are any Ds experiencing being denied meters or strips on prescription ??

 

Many thanks.

 

Bill.

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Hi Bill,

 

Are you sure you actually need self testing equipment? A relative with diabetes, controlled by tablets, was told by the medics that they did not need to test blood sugar levels daily. The daily testing (or more) was really for those using injection to control their condition. They have not used any equipment for the last 10 years, only going for regular blood tests (about every 6 months I think) to check every thing is ok and have not had any problems.

 

Don't know if it still applies but you used to be able to get a free self testing device from one of the manufacturers (maybe Accu-Chek). You then just needed the test strips to put in the machine - which I assume is how they make their money.

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i am diabetic and always been give any new meters and kit and indeed spares so i can keep one at work or the mrs etc for free without hassle by my diabetic nurse or specialist i see once every so months etc that comes from the centre at the hallamshire. never had an issue at all even with sharps boxes too

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Yes I'm aware that these things have been freely available.

 

However, across the UK Ds are having their scripts for testing strips withdrawn notably T2s, which I experienced in Sheffield when I requested a meter, I then bought my own and buy my strips.

 

I'm keen to hear from others, T1s are not affected.

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I have been a type1 for most of my life and I have to say the level of care I get at the moment is the worst it has been.I buy my own meters but do get the test strips for free.The test strips are expensive to buy and denying type2's test strips is just going to cause poor health among type2's which is inevitably then going to cost the NHS more in the long run.

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Many thanks for your reply.

 

This is just the sort of feedback I require.

 

I have written a column in the Telegraph this week, depending on reaction I will be pushing this issue in the local media.

 

Thanks again.

 

Bill.

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Blood glucose meters and strips are available for people with diabetes who are on diabetes medication that can cause a hypo.( low blood glucose) That is insulin and gliclazide tablets. This is in part because it is illegal to drive without testing your blood glucose before you drive if you are on either of these treatments. GPs and the hospital diabetes centres can provide the meters and the strips come on on prescription. Due to the crazy cost of the strips for these meters, for other people with diabetes, meters and strips aren't provided. For some that suits them, for others it can seem like withholding a really useful tool for motivating, educating and monitoring.

Nothing has really changed on this for a long time so not sure why you are experiencing problems.

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If you are diabetic 2 they do not class you as being in need of testing machines as your pancreas will still be producing insulin albeit not enough and with proper diet and exercise and losing weight and everything else they tell you then you should be able to control your diabetes with the help of tablets.

On the other hand if you are diabetic 1 then your pancreas has ceased to make your own insulin and you are dependent on insulin injections and a testing machine is a necessity. Diabetes 1 usually occurs in infancy and childhood for the rest of their lives although Theresa May found out she was diabetic 1 later in life.

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diagnosed type 1 aged 25 myself. now on needles and tablets after years on just needles then years on just tablets now require both and specialists tell me that the experts are now thinking there are not just type 1 and type 2 but subtle variants inbetween of which i may well be one!

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If you look on the online forum of the Diabetes UK website there's a whole discussion about this, where a woman was refused a prescription for testing strips by a GP in Sheffield. Though maybe that's why this thread has appeared.

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Again, I am aware of the thread in the DUK forum, I'm part of it, also I am very aware of the NICE guidelines and CCG view ( I have an upcoming meeting with them).

 

The point is surgeries all over the UK are denying strips etc to patients without consultation , there are pros and cons to that. Such as early spotting of other problems via self testing etc.

 

I just want Ds to feedback their experiences.

 

Thanks.

Edited by bigbill

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I think the "need" to test blood sugars is largely dependent on the individual rather than the diabetic "type"; some patients find testing helpful and reassuring whilst others find themselves worrying excessively about small, apparently random, changes. For a patient injecting insulin the main purpose in testing is to help avoid hypos which in my case usually occurs in the middle of the night; I use my blood sugar reading to decide whether to treat myself to a mid-night snack of a chocolate biscuit and a cup of tea!

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