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From: David WE Roberts on 14 Apr 2008 10:55
Hi,

My surgery, with a specialist diabetic nurse, tell me that they have
stopped giving out test kits to the newly diagnosed because they weren't
seeing any real benefit.

They now put you on diet and exercise initially, then test you after 3
months to see how your long term results look.

I presume after that they start you on medication if your levels are still
up.

Is this strategy now common in the UK?

I see posts (some from the US) which suggest that some newly diagnosed T2s
go straight onto medication and testing.

I am feeling O.K. at the moment - no sign of the symptoms which alerted me
to having diabetes - but I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough. It is
hard to tell without symptoms or a test kit.

Cheers

Dave R
From: michiko on 14 Apr 2008 12:22

"David WE Roberts" <nospam(a)talk21.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2008.04.14.14.55.00.113823(a)talk21.com...
> Hi,
>
> My surgery, with a specialist diabetic nurse, tell me that they have
> stopped giving out test kits to the newly diagnosed because they weren't
> seeing any real benefit.
>
> They now put you on diet and exercise initially, then test you after 3
> months to see how your long term results look.
>
> I presume after that they start you on medication if your levels are still
> up.
>
> Is this strategy now common in the UK?
>
> I see posts (some from the US) which suggest that some newly diagnosed T2s
> go straight onto medication and testing.
>
> I am feeling O.K. at the moment - no sign of the symptoms which alerted me
> to having diabetes - but I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough. It is
> hard to tell without symptoms or a test kit.
>
> Cheers
>
> Dave R

They suspected I was diabetic after a routine blood test done after my
lunch. The doctor said I was lucky they drew the blood after lunch because
they caught me early. He sent me to a lab facility for a glucose tolerance
test. Then he said I was diabetic, given metformin and a meter with
instructions on how and when to test.


From: John Williamson on 14 Apr 2008 12:25
David WE Roberts wrote:
> Hi,
>
> My surgery, with a specialist diabetic nurse, tell me that they have
> stopped giving out test kits to the newly diagnosed because they weren't
> seeing any real benefit.
>
> They now put you on diet and exercise initially, then test you after 3
> months to see how your long term results look.
>
> I presume after that they start you on medication if your levels are still
> up.
>
> Is this strategy now common in the UK?
>
It seems to be, unfortunately. The argument has been that testing isn't
cheap, as you'll find if you buy test strips off prescription, & a lot
of diabetics aren't motivated enough to do anything about the results.
If you can convince the DSN of your motivation, then it *may* be
possible to get a prescription for test strips if you buy a meter
yourself. Ask the surgery which one they recommend, as they often get a
better deal on strips for those.

Depending on your numbers at diagnosis, they sometimes start on D & E,
sometimes with medication.

> I see posts (some from the US) which suggest that some newly diagnosed T2s
> go straight onto medication and testing.
>
> I am feeling O.K. at the moment - no sign of the symptoms which alerted me
> to having diabetes - but I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough. It is
> hard to tell without symptoms or a test kit.
>
Unfortunately, they're the only real ways to tell. :-(

The meters cost between 10 & 20 pounds, with strips being on the order
of 25 or 30 pounds for 50, retail.

If the symptoms come back, though, make an appointment to see your DSN,
as it means the treatment isn't working as well as it might.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.
From: Nicky on 14 Apr 2008 13:43
On Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:55:01 +0100, David WE Roberts
<nospam(a)talk21.com> wrote:

>I am feeling O.K. at the moment - no sign of the symptoms which alerted me
>to having diabetes - but I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough. It is
>hard to tell without symptoms or a test kit.

Buy one. If you get one that takes OneTouch strips, mail me and I'll
give you enough to start with (assuming you're UK based). If you're
not testing, you're shooting yourself in the foot. Or the kidney, or
the eye.

NICE says that you should be allowed to test. It takes some doing to
get this entitlement in some areas - but it's possible. Just keep
asking how you can be expected to improve without feedback?

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25
From: Duncan Heenan on 15 Apr 2008 09:00
"David WE Roberts" <nospam(a)talk21.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2008.04.14.14.55.00.113823(a)talk21.com...
> Hi,
>
> My surgery, with a specialist diabetic nurse, tell me that they have
> stopped giving out test kits to the newly diagnosed because they weren't
> seeing any real benefit.
>
> They now put you on diet and exercise initially, then test you after 3
> months to see how your long term results look.
>
> I presume after that they start you on medication if your levels are still
> up.
>
> Is this strategy now common in the UK?
>
> I see posts (some from the US) which suggest that some newly diagnosed T2s
> go straight onto medication and testing.
>
> I am feeling O.K. at the moment - no sign of the symptoms which alerted me
> to having diabetes - but I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough. It is
> hard to tell without symptoms or a test kit.
>
> Cheers
>
> Dave R

Same here. I've bought my own kit and am running regular tests - partly to
learn. Also because it was me who told my doctor I was diabetic, and he only
agreed after proper lab tests, so I'm not sure I'm not sure I trust all
medics they way they would wish.--
Duncan Heenan
(Speaking personally)

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