Blood Glucose Meters

[katie]

...

In my view the best meter is the Abbott Freestyle Lite - mainly because it's got a light that lights up the test strip (very useful for night-time use) and the strips allow you to add more blood if you don't put enough on first time, instead of chucking you a error message and demanded you start again like most meters.

that sounds good! I hate it when they make you waste a strip because you didn't get time to squeeze some more blood out thanks.

 

[NiVZ]

hello,

Just found the user manual for the yet to be released Bayer Contour USB

Have a look here:

http://www.bayercontourusb.us/pdfs/CntrUSB_UG_US.pdf

And you can try out a Virtual Meter where you can press the buttons here:

http://www.bayercontourusb.us/explore/explore

Looks fantastic - I always wanted a meter that would fit in my pocket. The software is provided on the USB drive ready for installation, and it has a light up test strip area for testing in the dark.

I'm so impatient - I'd love one of these now!! 🙄

NiVZ

 

[katie]

Ive been meaning to ask this for awhile. Anyone using OneTouch strips... What calibration number is on your vial? Mine has been 25 for moooonnths! So they might as well just not have test strip calibration 😉

 

[NiVZ]

I use OneTouch and mine have been 25 for ages too

NiVZ

 

[katie]

I use OneTouch and mine have been 25 for ages too

NiVZ

hmm weird. Oh well, it's nice and easy this way

 

[shootuporputup]

Yeah - I've had a almost constant series of 25s. Maybe they're trying out self-calibrating strips and this is their beta version test?

 

[shootuporputup]

that sounds good! I hate it when they make you waste a strip because you didn't get time to squeeze some more blood out thanks.

Yes! It drives me potty - nothing is worse than having stone cold hands and a hypo at the same. I've been known to almost scream (in a manly way) with frustration trying to get out a tiny bit more. At least this meter makes life a little easier...!

 

[LisaLQ]

I've not got a meter yet, not sure if I'll get one either from my nurse. So can someone recommend one that is accurate, but more importantly cheap (as I'm on benefits) - not just to buy initially, but for strips/lancets etc. Just in case she says no when I ask on 11th.

 

[NiVZ]

LisaLQ,

You can get a lot of the meters cheaply, and some are even free. It's the test strips that will cost you. Most are between ?10 - ?25 for a box of 50 test strips.

The only other suggestion I have is to use these GlucoFlex-R strips which don't require a meter (you match the colours instead):

http://www.wms.co.uk/Glucoflex-R_Blood_Glucose_Test_Strips.html?V=&SID=&SSID=&GID=136677

I used these when I was first diagnosed 13 years ago, but they do do the trick and are only ?8.41 for 50 which is a bit cheaper. The only downside is you have to leave your blood on them for 1 minute, then wipe, then leave to develop for another minute (so it takes 2 minutes, instead of 3-5 seconds) and obviously they are not as accurate as getting a decimal reading in mmol/L.

[EDIT] That site has a ?5.53 delivery charge!! But you might want to check out this site as recommended by NHS Diabetes who sell both Glucoflex-R and Betachek strips:

http://uk.betachek.com/
http://www.diabetes.nhs.uk/nhs_diabetes_forum/?topic=28

Just an idea.

NiVZ

 

[katie]

Hi lisa. The Optium Xceed is very cheap:

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/optium-xceed-blood-glucose-meter_1_1044.html

I got myself one from boots once and it was ?5. The Strips cost ?21.10 on this site:

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/optium-plus-glucose-test-strips_1_1043.html

It might be worth shopping around if you have to buy your own strips, to see which meters use the cheapest ones.

These strips are a bargin! http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/accu-chek-active-glucose-test-strips_1_1020.html

They don't sell that meter on this site though, so not sure how much it costs.

 

[katie]

Oh and a really good idea would be to record your levels in a diary and record what you've eaten, carb content etc. Then record what changes you've made to improve your levels.

Once you've got a a few weeks under your belt go to you doctor/DSN and show them how much testing has improved your control, then SURELY they have to prescribe you strips.

Worth a try!

 

[LisaLQ]

Thanks folks - I'll have a look at those xx

 

[karinagal]

Ive been meaning to ask this for awhile. Anyone using OneTouch strips... What calibration number is on your vial? Mine has been 25 for moooonnths! So they might as well just not have test strip calibration 😉

The ones I got with my one touch ultra easy were 9..

 

[rachelha]

I use OneTouch and mine have been 25 for ages too

NiVZ

and mine - weird!

 

[AlisonM]

My Freestyle Freedom Lite must be the Testing For Dummies machine. It doesn't need calibrating. You just stick a strip in the slot and it wakes up, do the test, remove the strip and it falls asleep again.

 

[rossi_mac]

My Freestyle Freedom Lite must be the Testing For Dummies machine. It doesn't need calibrating. You just stick a strip in the slot and it wakes up, do the test, remove the strip and it falls asleep again.

My contour bayer bayer is the same I don't think they think I can cope with anything else, although I am getting very tempted to try and pinch an ultra smart from someones cup'd!

 

[squidge63]

Ive been meaning to ask this for awhile. Anyone using OneTouch strips... What calibration number is on your vial? Mine has been 25 for moooonnths! So they might as well just not have test strip calibration 😉

The last few of my test strips have been 25 as well..!!

As for meters i have always used one of the one touch meters, I have just bought an Ultra easy for ?7 from Lloyds pharmacy so that i have a 2nd meter and i love it.. havent tried it with my laptop yet as i need to buy the cable for it..

 

[NiVZ]

@Squidge - If you contact Lifescan they will send you the OneTouch cable for free.

NiVZ

 

[katie]

Haha I would just get round to asking and then guess what...

Got my prescription today and the OneTouch Ultra test strip box has now changed colour and ive got number 17 I reckon they were getting rid of all the old colour and they were number 25 😉

 

[karinagal]

@Squidge - If you contact Lifescan they will send you the OneTouch cable for free.

NiVZ

You're right - they did for me. I phoned the technical helpline number I got from their website and it arrived the very next day. Fab service.

Karina