HELP What blood glucose Monitor is best and easiest

[Dalaney]

I am very new only found out last week I have T2 and still reeling frm the shock. My doctor says I dont need a blood glucose monitor as ther is nothing I can do if its high ??? But reading on here and other places it seems an essential piece of kit but there are so many. I dont mind paying for the right one but I just do not have a clue as to which one or type to go for and as my doctor does not advocate that I need one I cant see myself getting much advice there. Any help really appreciated thank you

 

[Steff]

Hi alot of meter companies will send you one out for free I got my one from my DSN when I was first dx, but I have since had 2 sent out, here is a link to get yourself one https://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup. Also Boots do there own make one as well which is good and reasonably priced which you can find here http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System_44687/ its under ?6 at the minute

 

[Dalaney]

Hi alot of meter companies will send you one out for free I got my one from my DSN when I was first dx, but I have since had 2 sent out, here is a link to get yourself one https://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup. Also Boots do there own make one as well which is good and reasonably priced which you can find here http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System_44687/ its under ?6 at the minute

Thanks thats brillitant I will take a look

 

[magswales]

Hi Delaney,

I was diagnosed as T2 a year ago. I was referred by my GP to the surgery Diabetes Specialist Nurse, she initially advised that I didn't need a monitor but I insisted on one so that I could understand what was going on with by body. It has been really helpful to me. Have you been referrred to a Diabetes Specialist Nurse yet? I use the Freestyle Lite and it is very easy. I remember what a shock I had when I was diagnosed but I promise it gets much easier to deal with. To be honest, it was a huge turning point in my life and I have never been as healthy. I haven't been on this forum long but the people on here have been so helpful, its a great source of information and guidance. Let us know how you get on. Magswales 🙂

 

[Mark T]

I have the Abbott's freestyle lite which is a nice easy to use meter.

I believe that there is a way of buying the strips directly from abbotts, which is a lot cheaper then getting them from a pharmacy. The other option is to buy strips (or even a meter) from ebay, using you trust them.

 

[slipper]

Hi Dalaney, welcome to the forum. I would discuss again with your Dr about getting a meter and test strips, so that in the first stages you can see what foods give you high readings and enable you to see what foods you can and cant eat. There is lots of threads on here about this.

That Boots meter looks good, but reading the comments on their site, it says you can only get the strips on prescription, not sure about that but needs checking out.

If all else fails, someone on here put a link for this meter at Amazon and the strips are only ?7 including P&P, but there only appears to be one supplier, so hopefully they will keep importing it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SD-Codefree...AJFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329579408&sr=8-1

 

[macabee]

Hi Dalaney and welcome.

Before you go ahead and buy a meter, check with your diabetic nurse/GP, they may provide you with one and prescriptions for the test strips and lancets.

It does depend where you live and your surgery, it's a bit of pot luck, you lose nothing by asking.

Good luck😎

 

[Dalaney]

Hi Delaney,

I was diagnosed as T2 a year ago. I was referred by my GP to the surgery Diabetes Specialist Nurse, she initially advised that I didn't need a monitor but I insisted on one so that I could understand what was going on with by body. It has been really helpful to me. Have you been referrred to a Diabetes Specialist Nurse yet? I use the Freestyle Lite and it is very easy. I remember what a shock I had when I was diagnosed but I promise it gets much easier to deal with. To be honest, it was a huge turning point in my life and I have never been as healthy. I haven't been on this forum long but the people on here have been so helpful, its a great source of information and guidance. Let us know how you get on. Magswales 🙂

Thanks Magswales. It is a huge shock and I am still reeling to be honest. I just cant imagine never enjoying a munch night in front of the tv !!! I live alone and love my sat nights with a film and some treats. I am definately going to get a monitor I need to know whats going on in my body. This is a great forum everyone is so helpful

 

[Dalaney]

Hi Dalaney and welcome.

Before you go ahead and buy a meter, check with your diabetic nurse/GP, they may provide you with one and prescriptions for the test strips and lancets.

It does depend where you live and your surgery, it's a bit of pot luck, you lose nothing by asking.

Good luck😎

Thanks Macabee I did ask my doctor and she said there was no point as I wasnt on insulin so there was nothing I could do if my levels were high !! but reading on here it seems a good idea if only for the start to see what foods work for you I may ask again next week when I go and see the diabetic nurse and see if they will do it for a coupdl of months

 

[Dalaney]

Hi Dalaney, welcome to the forum. I would discuss again with your Dr about getting a meter and test strips, so that in the first stages you can see what foods give you high readings and enable you to see what foods you can and cant eat. There is lots of threads on here about this.

That Boots meter looks good, but reading the comments on their site, it says you can only get the strips on prescription, not sure about that but needs checking out.

If all else fails, someone on here put a link for this meter at Amazon and the strips are only ?7 including P&P, but there only appears to be one supplier, so hopefully they will keep importing it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SD-Codefree...AJFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329579408&sr=8-1

Thanks Slipper I have just checked out the Amazon one and it is a great deal I have just palced an order for it and purchased some extra strips and lancets. If you buy extra its even cheaper. I now just have to be brave enough to use it Guess the needle phobia will soon be a thing of the past !! What a great forum this is I was feeling so lost before this morning . Thank you everyone

 

[Mark T]

Thanks Macabee I did ask my doctor and she said there was no point as I wasnt on insulin so there was nothing I could do if my levels were high !! but reading on here it seems a good idea if only for the start to see what foods work for you I may ask again next week when I go and see the diabetic nurse and see if they will do it for a coupdl of months

For some strange reason, most Doctors don't seem to have heard of the Test Test Test advice which gives a good guide to how and when to test and what to do with the readings.

The generic "eat lots of starchy carbs, cut down on fats" advice is not exactly completely helpful for a diabetic 😉 Fortunately my GP was actually very helpful, but it seems I'm in the minority.

Good luck with your testing, if nothing else it helps you try to take control. Sometimes your body will do things and give you readings that will have you scratching your head confused 🙄

 

[slipper]

Well done, I will be getting one of those before long, as I buy most of my own strips.

The forum is great, I agree, I would honestly have been lost without it. Whilst it cant give medical advice, it can point you in the right direction, give education, and help us to know what to ask when we see our nurse or GP.

I test with my meter generally 1 hour and 2 hours after a meal, and we should test just before the mean to establish a starting point. Your GP or nurse will tell you what levels are good for you, or look at the tips and links for new peeps in the forum.

Good luck with the meter, it will be your best friend eventually.

Oops.Mark and I posted together,

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I am very new only found out last week I have T2 and still reeling frm the shock. My doctor says I dont need a blood glucose monitor as ther is nothing I can do if its high ???

I am constantly bewildered and shocked by this sort of crazy not-thought-through excuse. The other classic, of course is that you don't risk going hypo on D&E so there is no point.

Can't do anything if you are high?! Well how about 'Not eat whatever that was again?' or at the very least 'eat a smaller amount next time'. How can you *effectively* control a condition with diet and exercise if you are not permitted to see the affect of different foods and/or exercise on your BG. Craziness!

 

[Austin Mini]

In the good old days I had BM test strips. No need for a meter just any old clock with a minute hand. Can you still get BM test strips? These were prescribed free of charge to me when I started on tablets and two months later still had em when I went onto insulin. I have only had a meter for twelve years now.