Recent Posts

15,751 posts found

Jun 9, 2010 Rachie Wilson 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Hey Anil I do 4 test a day, one before each meal and then 1 before go to sleep and i do more if I have a bad day. I am maybe lucky and my doctor is always on call no matter when and if he isn't there he rings back when he does come in. I have been at my doctors since i was born and they were the ones who realised I was diabetic so I do have a close relationship with them. When I had finished my DAFNE course the DSN who did the course wrote to all our GPs and explained that we needed more test strips and they were put on the system for us. As far as I know none of us have had any problems getting our perscriptions changed. I really hope you get sorted out and I do feel so lucky having the GPs I do.

Jun 9, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne I believe that all Type 1 Diabetics should BY LAW be forced to do DAFNE, They do this in germany, If your diagnosed with Type 1, You spend 2 weeks in hospital learning DAFNE, Its the LAW in Germany. I think they should do this here, Maybe not in hospital, But force employers to give PAID time off for people to do this, High BG can show in your work (low concentration, forgetfulness and generally being "Tired" all the time), so It can help employers AND the government to save money in the long term by not having to treat common complications of diabetes which costs alot more then doing this DAFNE course. It really helped me, Despite what you know, Im sure EVERYONE will learn something new. For me, It was the Alcohol Related stuff and the Sick day stuff was very useful, (Im always ill, I have a very poor immune system I think, and catch colds and the flu easily). Also, (if im honest) the Drug related stuff as well, I've smoked marijuana occasionally with friends and stuff in the past, and noticed it didnt have a affect on my BG (positive or negative affect) but it was nice to have it confirmed, Again, everything in MODERATION, I exercise 7 times a week, one day Cardio-Vascular and one day Muscular and alternate this. (So I dont need any lectures if your planning on giving them!) Also, the little CP Handbook they gave was very useful plus looadds of other stuff, like the ability to ask questions that trained people know the answers to and the helping out with prescriptions and stuff, REALLY ACE! Highly recommend, and IF you know ANYONE who is a Type 1 Diabetic, Recommend them to this course, I even told my GP the same thing "Anyone who's Type 1, MUST... I repeat MUST go on this course, WITHOUT FAIL", Its really important for their health and general well being. Tips for AFTER DAFNE Practice It DAILY until it becomes a habit, It may seem daunting, but Its very easy, and will help for the REST OF YOUR LIFE, it is a SKILL FOR LIFE, and like all skills, Practice = Perfection. Review your progress weekly when your free, (Sitting in front of the TV or something, bring your DAFNE BG book out and see what happened and when, Did you go out?, Did you do exercise? etc) If you have any questions or problems.... Post them on this Forum! The best people to ask are US, We all have gained experience through practice. If your ever worried about something... JUST ASK!! EXERCISE!!!... (I know this isn't a "Tip", But its really important for us to exercise regularly, This will help with blood circulation (which improves nerve growth & repair, and reduce nerve damage) and generally help to prevent any long term complications. Treat yourself every now and again for excellent BG control, This helps reinforce what you've learned and practiced and will also motivate you (Sub-conciously even) to make it into a habit. And last one... Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!!... <--- This is very important, (I know I said it already!, But its THAT important) don't under-estimate it, take the time to know what your doing and review it every so often (Make changes were necessary) Anyone else, feel free to share your own!

Jun 9, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? OMG, people are having to MOVE just to get WHAT THEY NEED, Surely this is a infringement of our Human Rights in the UK or another law, how can they get away with this?, I'm going to speak to my GP once more, and ask to amend my prescription or to write a letter detailing exactly why they cant issue me more tests. Then at least in the future when I do suffer from complications (which i probably will at this rate :S... oohh more stress, just what I needed) I can file a law suit against the practice and NHS. Im going to have to do something about this. This is just NOT ON.

Jun 9, 2010 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Hi Rachie, Any job and houses up north? My Doc would only give me 1 cassette, so I stuck with the Freestyle light, which is now becoming increasingly difficult to get enough sticks to allow for 4 tests per day. Vic.

Jun 9, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? 200 a month!! OMG! I wanted to move to the accu check mobile but apparently their "To expensive", even thought I suspect their the same price, plus their not even on my GP's Prescription list. 200 a month! Im struggling to get 50 a month, I have to fight, shout and stomp my feet to get 50 a month (That's less then 2 tests a day, 25 days @ 2 tests a day)! I've been diabetic and going to the same GP for over 10 years now, (Maybe 13 years since diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic), never had a problem in the past, but I probably wasn't testing as much as I should have, and thats why i've had high HBA1C results for the last 2 years, (Which is why I went on DAFNE) I don't think people should be allowed as many as they want, BUT THEY SHOULD GET WHAT THEY NEED , I mean I would like to do 3-4 tests a day (I wouldn't do 4 tests each and every day if i could help it, But I think I should be allowed AT LEAST 3).But right now I have to think, "Well i've done 2 already today, Morning and lunch so we'll call that it), Then I wake up the next morning with a SUPER high BG over 10, sometimes over 14-15 IN THE MORNING, AAARRGGHHH!! :@ Im so frustrated, I've been so stressed with my job these last 2 years, and now I got this hanging over my head as well. I just dont know what to do... God, I wish I could do 3 tests a day, but really have to limit my self, Every time I go to the GP, I get told the same thing, "You shouldnt be doing so many test" or "We just gave you a box of 50 2 weeks ago" or some other rubbish, I think I may have to switch GP's, I think this is a problem with my GP looking at everyone else's response. Anyone else have a view on this? Do you get enough test strips or are you in my position and have to "shout, scream and stomp your feet" like I do just to get 2 boxes a month.

Jun 9, 2010 Rachie Wilson 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Hi I must be one of the lucky ones then. I am on the Mobile Accu Chek and i test about 4 times a day more if i am unwell or going low!!! I get on average around 4 cassetts a month which is a total of 200 test!!! I have been told by my Doctor if I need anymore or if uping I am just to let him know. I am really shocked that you are struggling to get test strips and think that everyone should be aloud as many as they need. I am from North Yorkshire.

Jun 9, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Prayer4aCure Dam, each pig is worth $350,000!! Probably more then how much a single human is worth!! Watch the video in the above link, its very interesting, and again... Gives us HOPE.. at least we have something to look forward to! (Maybe!, Fingers crossed!)

Jun 9, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Prayer4aCure Hi, I dont discount a cure for diabetes, I really hope a scientific breakthrough occurs to help us! And Im sure at sometime it WILL be cured, almost certainly, but the question is when. I knew they tried a implant like this (With other cells) a few years ago, but it didn't work out well, After watching this video im very intrigued at the possibility that MAYBE their is hope for us! Even in the video, they say this could be the "Scientific breakthrough" we've been waiting for! I'll be keeping an eye on this. If you have any more information please share. But until this comes out of this testing stage, We still have to strictly manage our diabetes ourselves, This may cure the daily injections and blood tests, But any damage done now (For long term complications) will be permanent, so we must be very vigilant in this starting from now. After watching this video i'm astonished how far science has got us, I take back my previous comment that it will not benefit us (and only our children), But Maybe it will, Maybe its right round the corner, Maybe this is the scientific breakthrough we've been waiting for (HOPEfully). BUT taking care of ourselves for now is THE priority, like I said, any permanent long term damage done now, is NOT reversible, so keep good control, exercise weekly or more if you can, and maybe their is more hope then I thought so us Type 1's!. Thanks for bringing this to my attention! and I hope this is something i'll be reading more about in the coming months/years. As for a "Prayer for a cure", I see what you mean now, Not a prayer for "God" persay, but a prayer for the scientists who work everyday to make our lives easier and to give us HOPE, maybe I was loosing hope these last few years, but after watching this video, I'm very positive about a long term cure that may benefit US and not just our kids in 20-50 years.

Jun 9, 2010 Prayer4aCure 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Prayer4aCure Hi, I'm not offended by your opinion, I am quite interested in the discussion, not offended - though I did feel the word "no" was perhaps a little strong when referring to a cure! I have researched many people who are working hard for a cure.... I am personally glad they don't give up on us because then there would be "NO" hope! Perhaps anyone interested in the story I have been following myself would like to take a look at this story at - http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/article/7189766/guinea-pigs-more-information/ ! There are successful human trials where people have been implanted with encapsulated porcune islet cells already. There is also further information on http://www.lctglobal.com/.... I wish them well....... I'm not really here to argue the HP, Universal Source Energy, God whatever you choose to call it, I really suggested this prayer idea quite innocently & I fully understand that everyone chooses for themselves what they believe about this, join the prayer, don't join the prayer we all have free will. Believe in a cure don't believe in a cure, again we all have feee will & our own belief systems... You seem to have quite a positve attitude toward diabetes management & I have discovered that is important for success myself - I would like to point out my visualisation/prayer/hope is very different to my daily practice of diabetes management & would not recommend anyone stop taking excellent care of themselves (sorry if that was the interpretation), quite the opposite if we are to be recipients of a cure we need to make sure that we have taken excellent care of our bodies until that is possible. Sue J

Jun 9, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? I would need around 100 strips a month to do around 3 tests a day. Im forced to cut down to 2 tests a day at the moment, I bought some test strips from ebay as well, better then retail prices almost half, but I cant afford to do this every month, I dont earn no where near that much to do so (I work in a supermarket) so wages arnt great to say the least. I've received test strips from ebay from other diabetics who have them prescribed and then sell them on eBay (Still with the prescription label on), So some people are obviously got way to many test strips (Enough to sell on ebay and keep the money for themselves), and others like me are struggling just to get the minimum amount I need. I think it may just be a problem with my surgery by the sounds of it, I'll be speaking to my DAFNE instructors next week for a follow up, maybe they can advise me what to do. If you do have any problems, let us know in this forum, it would be helpful to know if it is just me and my surgery or across the UK. DAFNE is great, Im sure you'll learn a thing or two you never knew before, All I can say is PRACTICE it daily, it will become a habit and second nature very easily, and will help your drastically in maintaining a tight Glucose control!! It helped me especially with knowing what foods have carb's in them, I never used to take insulin for milk (But I used to drink around 1 pint of milk with my meals) and this in turn shot my insulin levels through the roof, After DAFNE im much more confident in controlling my Glucose and taking the right amount of insulin to what I eat, It also helped me with issue's with drinking alcohol and allow me to ask questions I had but could never ask anyone before (Dont be afraid to ask ANYTHING, their all there to help!). Let us know how you get on!

Jun 9, 2010 Paul Bignell 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Hi, I am currently undertaking a DAFNE course at Northampton. After being diabetic for 26 years didn't think I could learn a massive deal more but I was quite wrong, very useful info and the help they are giving us in reducing insulin is fantastic. Any way, back to the point. I was talking about test strips with them yesterday and they said that GP's have been told to reduce test strip usage for type 2 diabetics as once they have established their own parameters they then only need to test very occaisonaly but a lot of type 2's were checking two or three times a day. With the DAFNE training we have received we will need around 150 per month to maintain the regime and they told me at the end of the course they will write to our GP's informing the of this. Prior to starting the course I had spent a couple of months trying the 'DAFNE regime' of my own back and had felt guilty about asking for more test strips from my GP so I had been buying them from Ebay. Prices I have paid vary from Â£9 ish upto Â£12 per 50. Less than half the normal retail. Might be worth checking out if you get stuck! Bottom line though is that your GP should not be restricting your access to test strips for type 1 diabetics, in particular for people who have had the DAFNE training which is promoted and provided by the same NHS system! Madness I know but as others have mentioned, funds are tight and will only get tighter.

Jun 8, 2010 louise russell 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hi!..... Im New i did the dafne course in feb this year. i found it was really helpful to manage my diabetes. i found out about the dafne course from my practice nurse at my doctors. i have been a diabetic for 28 years. since doing dafne i have lost nearly 2 stone in weight. i would like to thank dudu,nav and elaine for doing the course. i really enjoyed it from louise

Jun 8, 2010 louise russell 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne i did the dafne course in feb this year and i found it really good. it made me understand my diabetes more. i have been a diabetic for nearly 28 years. i think i got stuck in to how i managed my diabetes from when i was first told i had diabetes. the dafne course really opened up my eyes. since doing dafne i have lost nearly 2stone in weight. my hbc1 has dropped down. my hypos are very rare now. i might have a hypo if i have not eaten enough.

Jun 8, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Yes, I read that same article about cutting BG test strips for Type 2 Diabetics, also, I think this will only affect some people, IF your GP has a large enough budget to allow them to continue issuing test strips, You shouldnt have a problem, Like I said, the problem I have, Is that MY GP has alot of diabetic's regsitered in their surgery, and this means they have to cut back on some BG strips to some patients to stay within budget. If you are part of a surgery that has a large budget, and not many diabetics registered under 1 surgery you should be fine, But something tells me that over the next few years this will affect a percentage of us, because the NHS is so broke at the moment, the "Easy" way to save money is to cut back on issuing test strips. I agree, this will only lead to more problems for some of us in the future, the cost of hospital admissions and diabetic complications drastically outweigh the cost of these test strips, God knows what the NHS will have to do when more people in the future have more complications which in turn.... Cost ALOT MORE Money. Then just issueing the test strips and allowing us to have tighter control over our BG's. Like I said, this may or may not affect all of us, but over the next few years, I suspect the NHS see's this as a "Easy" solution to save money (In the short term). But over the long term... Im not so sure. If you one of the lucky few that have not had their strips cut, Good for you, Don't ask your doctor about it, this may trigger a thought like "Wooah, are we issuing to many test strips to this patient". In my experience from my last review, I was told that I can only do MAYBE 2-3 tests a day, MAX, otherwise I will run out of strips before my next repeat prescription is due, and ill be stuck with nothing. Just want to know if anyone else has had this problem?, or is it just MY surgery. If so, I may be considering changing to another surgery, (I shouldn't really have to do this, I mean my local GP is my local GP, I shouldnt have to travel a few miles to just pick up my prescription should I? If anyone does have any problems what so ever (With ANY prescriptions ie, not just BG Strips), Please post it here, I'm interested if its ONLY me and my surgery or is it across the board.

Jun 8, 2010 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Hi Karen, I wouldn't worry, too much, a few GP's seem to have a bee in their bonnet about it but most are fine. Unfortunately my Dr doesn't even know what DAFNE is despite me giving him a letter at the end of the course.

Jun 8, 2010 Kentbabe 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? hiya i remember an article about cutting test strips for type 2's in balance magasine last year. I never thought they would do this for type one. Isnt prevention better than cure? And will this not then lead to more hospital admissions for us and un do all the hard work that dafey has done so far? Luckly my GP hasnt restricted my test strips yet. karen

Jun 7, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Hi Sam, Yes I'd love to know how you get on, I want to know if this is a problem just in my area or across the UK. I was doing around 2-4 tests a day in the past (4 as a maximum when im exercising and eating new foods and stuff). Now im FORCED to do around 2 a day MAX, so I really have to think do I need to do this?... Also a big problem is when I have high blood sugars, I experience symptoms of low blood sugars (ie: thirst, hunger, little shakey, need to eat), So the only way I know if im high or low is a BG test. If i was to only rely on my "feeling" I suspect my sugars will rise big time. Really worried about this but I guess we'll see how we get on over the next month or two. Love to know how you get on, If you doctors dont say anything, dont prompt them about it, They may decide "Wooah, hang on, are we giving this guy to many test strips". So if your GP has a big enough budget you may be allright, But I suspect this will affect alot of us over the coming years, Its just not right, Again.. I still feel it is a "Human right" to have the correct amount of medication and resources to manage my diabetes, I can understand they need to save money, but comprimising peoples long term health is just not on. (Also, Ive just ordered a box of test strips with my own money to tie me over "hopefully" for a month or two (Call it a backup box, Just in case, I suspect ill be needing it), but I dont earn enough money to be doing this all the time, so its just a temporary fix for now, I mean Â£15 per pack of 50 is alot of money for me! I cant be doing this forever! What a state our country is in!, I cant even get the medical resources I need to manage my condition, Im sure our taxes will still go up over the next year even though their cutting back our supplies (At our health's expense)) Anyway, Let us know how you get on, really interested!

Jun 7, 2010 Sam 64 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? I'm stunned that this is happening and wondering if that's why my GP put a note on my prescriptions to review. I'm there on Wed morning. The thing is though, on my presciptions they've marked to discuss my insulin and needles, no mention of test strips and that's what I order more frequently. The thing is what do they expect, do they want you to die? You can't be sent on a course to manage your diabetes and then be expected to cut back on testing you BGs. If that is on the agenda then everyone on this site needs to make a stance. We need to show the impotance of it. I'll let you know how I get on. Sam

Jun 7, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / reflexology helping control... Hello! and welcome! Reflexology could help with diabetic Neuropathy (A complication of poor long term diabetes control), Improved blood circulation around the body would help prevent complications like Diabetes neuropathy in your feet especially. Improved circulation will help keep your nerve endings healthy, especially in your feet, where blood circulation isn't as much as the rest of the body. I found that I used to have Cold Feet in the past (Especially in the mornings), after researching on the internet, I found this was because of poor circulation around my body, the remedy was exercise, to allow the heart to beat more blood more powerfully to your feet. After a few weeks of rigorous exercise, My feet are always nice and warm (Even when I wake up in the morning, when they used to be really cold), Improved blood circulation is very important and can help in the long run preventing long term diabetes complications. As for reflexology, unless its done fairly regularly I wouldnt think it has that much of a affect over the long term, better yet, just exercise 2-3 times a week for short amounts. (Particularly Cardio-Vascular Workouts) to strengthen your heart and increase blood circulation around your body. This can have a big affect over the long term of your life, and its keeps you and your heart healthy! I would help your friend out any way, I'd love to educate more people on diabetes as most people are mis-informed about it, This gives you the opportunity to teach them and who knows, maybe you'll learn a helpful thing or too as well!. Exercise is very important, especially for us Type 1's, to help prevent future complications especially nerve damage which is very common. As for the DAFNE, I hope you learned alot, I found it VERY useful and completely changed my Blood glucose for the better, Just Remember to PRACTICE it daily until it becomes a habit. It might seem daunting, but once you learn the CP's of the foods your eat regularly it becomes second nature, and you'll feel much better with the tighter glucose control as well. Hope this helps!

Jun 7, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Yeah, understood, I guess that's just the country we live in (I guess we should be lucky we have a NHS), We have members here from Australia, I wonder what their views are on this, The Aussies and the Germans have a more civilized & fair government & Health Service. Can Anyone from Australia comment on this situation?.. Do you have problems in Australia regarding Test Strip Prescriptions? I guess were just going to have to learn to live with it, I live in a predominately Asian area, Asians tend to have a higher risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes (I'm told) due to their Genome, I think this also plays a part in my problems, Because my GP has so many diabetics registered with their surgery, so its even worse then other parts of the UK I would think. Are their any DAFNE instructors or Doctors on this forum that can provide a insight and or further information into this?

Jun 7, 2010 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Pharmacist told me the Accu Check was no more expensive. As for the NHS, unfortunately there are so many people who are given free prescriptions, that it is the poor old person trying to earn an honest crust who has to pay.

Jun 7, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? I tried to change over to the Accu-Chek Mobile as well, but their just not on my GP's prescription list (probably because their so expensive), Looking around on the internet, I reckon the Accu-Chek Mobile ones are more expensive, from my research. Its not fair is it?.. I mean im a UK tax payer, I expect the goverment and NHS to allocate sufficient money and resources to pay for the basic treatment I require. Surley this is some sort of breach of human rights or something, Its not fair I should have to compromise my health because our bullsh*t government cant manage their money and finance's (To busy spending OUR tax payers money on all these EXPENSES scandles and such). (Sorry about the language, but it reflects the seriousness of this topic) Its just not fair why we should suffer, I reckon this will cost the goverment alot more in the long run, (Complications and such) And unfortunately, theirs nothing we can do, perhaps theirs scope for another company to come in and undercut Abbott & the other major players, to just provide a service to our country and NHS? I mean im sure they'd have to make a profit, but Screwing our NHS government and us Tax Payers for MILLIONS in profit isn't really fair is it? Would love to hear other people views on this,

Jun 7, 2010 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Anyone else having problems obtaining BG Test strips from their GP? Same as, can get one box of 50 prescribed but the old 150 has gone missing. %0 last me about 12 days. Tried to get changed over to the Accu Chek Mobile cartridge and told too expensive despite chemist telling me they were about the same price.