Accu-Chek Aviva Expert

[everydayupsanddowns]

... my problem is that i never seem to be able to write down all my readings and see what i need to do/where i go wrong. I realise it's an expensive piece of kit but can anyone suggest where I could buy one from?

Hi Meacey

I was one of those that got an Expert as part of a trial (completed feedback and sent to Roche). I think some some DSNs still have Experts available, bu tit looks like yours is not one of them. As far as I know the *only* way to get one is via your DSN as you need to be shown how to set it up and use it (caution over the bolus advice facility I suppose).

What I would say though, is that even though I love the Expert and use the meter every day I only use its data functions for 'general overview' if I was trying to crack a particular problem I would revert to keeping records in my preferred phone app where I find the data analysis/handling so much better/easier to scan though. The expert's data screens just require too many fiddly clicks to do much compare/contrast and I've not wanted to shell out for the 360 software/upload cable to use a PC to review the data.

The expert works better when you are having lots of 'normal' days where you can carefully fine-tune settings to suit. It doesn't cope very well with periods of rapid change/variability in my experience.

 

[Northerner]

...and I've not wanted to shell out for the 360 software/upload cable to use a PC to review the data...

I was sent the 360 software and cable free of charge Mike, they automatically upgraded me from the old 'Compass' software (also sent free).

 

[novorapidboi26]

Hi everyone 🙂

First post but i've been Type 1 for just over 10 years now. I've been doing a lot of reading lately (your fine forum included!) about the Aviva Expert meter.
I'd love to get my hands on one to give a proper try but alas my diabetes nurse couldnt order me one as they didnt think it would benefit me (i disagreed but i wasn't about to argue) at least i got to see what it was like 🙂

I know my hba1c isn't brilliant, and my problem is that i never seem to be able to write down all my readings and see what i need to do/where i go wrong. I realise it's an expensive piece of kit but can anyone suggest where I could buy one from?

Thanks 🙂

I use the freestyle insulinx, a new meter that I think has similar functions to the expert, a bolus calculator basically..........I still write all my readings down as I seem to be changing things a lot recently.....but the insulinx is really good if your not in the habit of writing things down as it records it all for you and you can review your results and dose on your computer, print reports etc............a handy function also is the insulin on baord function, if you are snacking mid meals etc it will review your active insulin and come up with a dose to suit.........

As you say, your team doesn't think it will benefit, but maybe worth mentioning, as it new and they seem to be keen to get it out and used by the public........

 

[Ellie Jones]

Hi maecy.

I would argue the point if you feel it would benefit, keep nagging.. Roche will sell you the meter cost ?80, but you have to go via the DSN/consultant as it's done under prescription in the similar manner as insulin pumps due to needing training to use it🙄

Another meter that has an electronic log book, is the lifescan Ultrsmart you can enter carbs, insulins (plus type) other medication and health details, sadly it doesn't include a bolus wizard... It does have the ability to produce reports on the meter, but on the meter is basic and not alway very clear..

The software though is probably one of the best I've used, as it's it gives massive of choice to what data to include in any of it's verious different reports, and allows you to add comment into reports that you couldn/t.didn't on the meter..

You can download the software off their website free of charge, and they will send you the data cable free of charge as well..

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I was sent the 360 software and cable free of charge Mike, they automatically upgraded me from the old 'Compass' software (also sent free).

I gave up after asking them twice. Both times they quoted me the list price on the website (which is not massive, but I'm annoyed enough by it to resist having to install extra software, when actually I just want csv output via a USB cable 🙂 )

 

[Northerner]

I gave up after asking them twice. Both times they quoted me the list price on the website (which is not massive, but I'm annoyed enough by it to resist having to install extra software, when actually I just want csv output via a USB cable 🙂 )

They do seem to be a bit hit and miss. I once asked them for a meter (to use as a spare) and they refused, then about two months later a free Nano turned up in the post 🙄 Maybe it depends on who you get, or perhaps they have some sort of quota.

 

[Steff]

Hi Meacey and a warm welcome to the forum

 

[Robster65]

I've recently gone through the ringing Roche for an expert, referred back to DSN, who said she couldn't get one but offered me a nano, which Roche had offered me as a consolation. So I now have a nano but no cable, but will be asking Roche for one soon and see what happens.

Rob

 

[soozeee]

confused.com

Hi All

Started on the aviva expert on monday and pleased to see imrpovements in my sugars already 🙂 however couple of niggles....

the active insulin part seems to work after some doses and not after others and despite following all the rules and suggested doses and ensuring i had correctly calulated my carbs i have still woken up high the last 2 mornings!

Also presumably the monitor cannot take into account your background dose and so how does it know how much insulin u need?

Hope this makes sense and desparate to imrpove my sugars so that I can start a family

Thanks

 

[Northerner]

Hi Soozee, welcome to the forum 🙂 I can't answer about the Aviva Expert, but I can about your background insulin - your background is meant to only cover the trickle of glucose being released by your liver constantly throughout the day and night, nothing else. It needs to do this to supply your autonomic systems with enery - to keep your heart and lungs and digestive system working even when you are not eating food. As a result, your meter won't need to include this in its calculations 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi All

Started on the aviva expert on monday and pleased to see imrpovements in my sugars already 🙂 however couple of niggles....

the active insulin part seems to work after some doses and not after others and despite following all the rules and suggested doses and ensuring i had correctly calulated my carbs i have still woken up high the last 2 mornings!

Also presumably the monitor cannot take into account your background dose and so how does it know how much insulin u need?

Hope this makes sense and desparate to imrpove my sugars so that I can start a family

Thanks

Hi Soozeee

Firstly: To get your basal dose set up right you could consider running some basal tests. Getting basal right helps enormously in getting meal boluses to behave themselves! This is for pumpers but the principle of basal testing/adjusting on MDI is pretty much the same albeit wiith rather more crude adjustments possible http://www.diatribe.us/issues/13/learning-curve.php

Secondly: Active Insulin. On the Expert this *only* tracks correction amounts involved in the bolus calculation and/or other doses that you enter manually (with the Add Data function). Where your BG is slightly above the midpoint of your target range (say 8.0 and your range is 4.0 - 10.0) the Expert will add a sliver of a unit to bring you down from 8.0 to 7.0 (midpoint of your range), depending on the sensitivity you have set for that time of day. Then once your carbs have been calculated that sliver of a unit will be added in and the result rounded to whole units.

Hope that makes some kind of sense!!
Mike

 

[angelONE]

I've got one

Hey all,

I got the Aviva Expert today I find it fascinating 🙂 My only problem with it is that the stripes need toooooo much blood. Previously used FreeStyle and it literally needed almost no blood to test...So not sure what to make of it as yet...

 

[Northerner]

Hey all,

I got the Aviva Expert today I find it fascinating 🙂 My only problem with it is that the stripes need toooooo much blood. Previously used FreeStyle and it literally needed almost no blood to test...So not sure what to make of it as yet...

Hi angelONE, welcome to the forum 🙂 I find that with the Optium Xceed meter - it takes forever to suck up enough blood!

 

[Robster65]

Hi Angelone. Welcome 🙂

I'm also using the Expert and find the sample size quite small, albeit you don't get long to top up the sample if you need a bit more.

But I haven't been spoilt by the Freestyle.

Are you on MDI ?

Rob

 

[Steff]

Hey all,

I got the Aviva Expert today I find it fascinating 🙂 My only problem with it is that the stripes need toooooo much blood. Previously used FreeStyle and it literally needed almost no blood to test...So not sure what to make of it as yet...

angelONE hi and welcome to the forum

 

[trophywench]

Yes, but it's a pay off isn't it? - the Freestyle only tested your BG !!!