Shock face: "You're testing 10 times a day!?"

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#1

I’ve been going through a lot of test strips lately. I’m new to the pump, and I have CGMS but still find the need to test all the time, mostly during problematic times, like exercise.

For example, I test right when I wake up. I test when I get back from exercise, then again after I shower / before breakfast. The reason I do those so close together is because my BS seems to rapidly change during that time and is COMPLETELY unpredictable and my CGM doesn’t keep up. Sometimes my BS will be falling fast, and others rising just as fast. Ideally, I’d like to get a grip on this, but I haven’t found a steady pattern yet.

Anyway, after that I test mid-morning. Then before lunch, during my afternoon snack, before dinner, and before bed. That equals… 8? Then there are sometimes when I don’t believe me meter. Or when one of the other times wasn’t working for calibrating my CGMS, so I had to throw some extras in.

Explaining this, I really don’t think it’s unreasonable. It helps me and keeps me sane.

However, when I called my doctor’s office this morning and requested a new prescription allowing for more strips a month, I got the totally shocked response of: “You’re testing 10 times a day!?” Me: “Well…up to.” …as if that makes it sound much better.

She put in the request, and I’m wondering if my doctor will call back asking me what is going on. I didn’t give the nurse on the phone my full spiel because it seemed unnecessary.

I also have no idea if my insurance will cover this many. But figured I’d try!

It’s almost funny how much I’ve changed. Earlier this year I would test once a day, before bed. And that was it. And you know, my A1cs weren’t that bad all things considered. 7.8 was my highest ever. Of course, I know now, the bad parts for me were all the rapid changing. Too high and too low many times a day.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what my next A1c is (February). I still struggle with some things, but when I look at the big picture, I’m doing just plain awesome by comparison.

My totally awesome 24-hour CGM graph that I just had to share:

Low bar set at 70. High at 150. And when I calibrated this morning, my meter and CGM were the exact same number, which just thrilled me, even though I know that with margin of error on both ends and CGM lag, that this was much a coincidence...BUT STILL! >:)
#2

jaclyn,

I do 10-12 tests daily and I had the same question from my GP . My observation : totally does not understand type 1 diabetes, neither the pumping and CGMS concepts , forgets that I exerise a lot ( in training for the 1/2 marathon in Disney World with Team Diabetes Canada ) Living with diabetes for 26 years and have never been in hospital for my diabetes except , when I had to learn insulin therapy ( 26 years ago !) . He called me his " model " patient …however this last comment several months ago made me decide to change GP . Dr. also not awere, that type 1 women at risk for osteporosis ( I found out type 2 as well ) and it was on recommendation by my diabetes specialist , that I have this checked out .GP( and I ) very surprised , that I have osteoporisis in my spine ( broke wrist 2 years ago ) . Remember too to finger poke , when we go behind the wheel .
I have a very good extended healthcare program and living in Canada /Pharmacare through our provincial government is quite different from what you are describing …keep on finger poking …it will pay off .Our advocay ambassadors with the Canadian Diabetes Association keep telling our politicians : spend $ 1,00 now and you will save $ 4,00 later by avoiding expensive medical payments during hospital stays .

#3

One time, I nearly ran out of strips, and was having trouble getting hold of the endo’s office, so I called my GP. The medical assistant was like “you should be testing 2 times a day. I’m not sure why you are testing so much.” I hung up and called back, saying I had a different doc and talked to his medical assistant, who told my doc what was going on and she called in a script for me. It really does seem to be an issue of understanding, even in teh medical world.
Right now I have a script for testing up to 7- 9 times a day and I’m usually at 7, 9 when I exercise. Its about 50 less than my insurance max, but right now I’m having no issues about running low on strips.

#4

I have a script for that covers around 10-14 times a day testing. My insurance does cover it with just one copay which is great.

#5

I’ve just started pumping, and 10 times daily isn’t unusual at all for me… sometimes it’s more. Luckily my meter counts those for me because I only have 10 fingers

#6

My doctor wasn’t shocked at all when I asked him for a script to test that many times a day. He said if it works for you then good. As far as insurance every 3 months I have to send in a log showing I test up to 12 times a day in a 30 day period and I am all set.

#7

I wish strips were not as expensive… so many people should test this often, but some really can’t afford it… with the increasing number of newly diagnosed people, I am not sure if health systems can afford it on the long run, however it is vital for good control.

#8

Congrats on a really wonderful 24 hour graph. I’ve had one of those so far in my month of CGMS. I wish we had them more often, you know?!

#9

Thanks so much, all! :slight_smile:

Turns out my insurance is covering the strips, so yay! I love my insurance (they cover my CGM sensors too). I just always go into it expecting the worst after reading others’ struggles on here.