"Backwoodsman - you are misguided about T2 diabetes and no insulin. I am T2 and have to inject twice a day with about 60+ units in total."

Thanks Mingulay, I didn't know that - mea culpa! :-) And apologies to all for speaking out of turn on the thread about that point.

"Also, Blood Glucose Monitors are freely available ( I got mine from the Diabeticare Centre at my local hospital) and test strips are available on prescription, again free as diabetics in the UK do not have to pay prescription charges."

Not so, Mingulay. It may be true within your local HA area, it is true in my sister's area in the south of England, but it's far from universal - in my area, frequent testing is not considered necessary, and kits are not issued routinely, nor are strips prescribed, for T2 patients. It's different of course in the case of T1 patients (which I'd guess you're close to being?).

I bought my own kit and strips because I'm happier being able to do checks myself, not just relying on 6-monthly HBa1c tests, but I limit myself to a weekly test. My doctor and the practice nurse strongly disapprove, and have expressed their disapproval very vocally, but it's my life!

Diabetes UK are, I believ, pushing for T2 patients to have self-checking kit made freely available by all HAs. Here's hoping.

Good health.
BWM