Need strips?

[DeusXM]

I've just found another potential loophole to get some free strips if you're desperate.

Most meters do come with a few strips with them for trial purposes. However, the Accu-Chek Mobile comes with 50 - way more than the usual 10 you get. Also, if you ring up Accu-Chek and ask nicely (tell them you test 10 times a day), they will usually send you the meter free of charge - complete with the strips!

It's obviously not a long-term solution but it may give some people a little breathing space.

 

[margie]

A lot of meter companies will provide meters free of charge - as they make the money off the prescriptions for the strips.

However, I personally would tell the truth as to how often I test. Companies may stop providing meters free of charge if people abuse the system...

I appreciate that you are trying to help - but I cannot endorse your suggestion.

 

[DeusXM]

Here's the thing though - if you had free access to strips, how often would you test a day?

I have free access and do test around 10 times a day. I'd imagine most people wanting good control would do this if they had free access to strips.

I also can't really see a scenario where meter companies would stop sending out meters for free. They're unlikely to do more than one per household and anyone who ever uses more than two packs of strips for a meter will have already more than paid for the cost.

If people are really that concerned about hurting the feelings of a corporation, you don't have to ring up and ask for a free meter. All I'm saying is if you get an Accu-Chek Mobile, that will give you 50 spare strips instead of the usual 10 - so for those who rely on 'samples' to get through the day, it's a more economical option.

 

[Northerner]

Here's the thing though - if you had free access to strips, how often would you test a day?

I have free access and do test around 10 times a day. I'd imagine most people wanting good control would do this if they had free access to strips.

I also can't really see a scenario where meter companies would stop sending out meters for free. They're unlikely to do more than one per household and anyone who ever uses more than two packs of strips for a meter will have already more than paid for the cost.

If people are really that concerned about hurting the feelings of a corporation, you don't have to ring up and ask for a free meter. All I'm saying is if you get an Accu-Chek Mobile, that will give you 50 spare strips instead of the usual 10 - so for those who rely on 'samples' to get through the day, it's a more economical option.

I test around 6-7 times a day, my average since diagnosis - I would doubt if most people would test as often as 10 unless they had particularly persistent problems, were pregnant, or had a lot of driving-hence-checking to do. Maybe that's just my perception though just as you have yours! 🙂

Do Accu chek actually supply a cartridge of 50 tests, or do they include a cut down version with the meter?

 

[DeusXM]

Nope, you get the full 50 - that's why I was impressed and recommended that if you were going to get a meter to get 'free' strips, this one would be the best bet.

Testing is obviously an individual matter - I tend to eat 4 times a day so I do pre-meal and post-prandials for each one, so that's at least 8 times, and I'll usually do a first thing out of bed and a last thing at night test too.

 

[redrevis]

The free Freestyle Insulinx meter I received came with 60 strips, which was quite impressive.

 

[PattiEvans]

Bearing in mind the fact that a lot of T2s have a REAL struggle getting strips prescribed and are often refused point blank, I think that's a good suggestion Deus. 50 strips and Alan Shanley's Testing on a Budget advice could allow many T2s to turn the corner with their control.

Meters cost little, the strips are what make the profits for the big corporations and they've had it all their own way for a long time. Having said that, I have found Abbott most helpful to me over a number of years.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I test around 6-7 times a day, my average since diagnosis - I would doubt if most people would test as often as 10 unless they had particularly persistent problems, were pregnant, or had a lot of driving-hence-checking to do. Maybe that's just my perception though just as you have yours! 🙂

I test at least 10 times a day. Plus a few night tests when needed and always for driving purposes. So some days can be 15 tests. Average is 10 times though. Many type 1's test this amount.

 

[Doc_Brown]

I test at least 10 times a day. Plus a few night tests when needed and always for driving purposes. So some days can be 15 tests. Average is 10 times though. Many type 1's test this amount.

I concur. My pump tells me today that my daily average for the last four weeks is 10.1 tests per day, although this rises to 11's or 12's sometimes, especially when basal testing...

 

[Northerner]

I concur. My pump tells me today that my daily average for the last four weeks is 10.1 tests per day, although this rises to 11's or 12's sometimes, especially when basal testing...

I've always got the impression that pumpers test more frequently than MDI'ers. My questioning was whether most people would test that frequently given the opportunity, and I was including T2s not on insulin. I can certainly see frequent testing for them initially, but once diet etc. has been established the need diminishes and becomes more of a 'maintenance' schedule of testing.

 

[Clarkey]

I just get my strips on prescription free of charge, simple.

I test 4 times a day, before food and bed.

 

[redrevis]

I just get my strips on prescription free of charge, simple.

I test 4 times a day, before food and bed.

So you must not drive, but don't you do any form of exercise either? Do you ever get ill? Ever have a hypo or hyper and need to know what your levels are? 😛

 

[Clarkey]

So you must not drive, but don't you do any form of exercise either? Do you ever get ill? Ever have a hypo or hyper and need to know what your levels are? 😛

Stop being clever. 😛 My general routine is 4 times a day. If i feel the need to test additional times, for example, I feel low, then I will. But generally I will do it 4 times a day.

And no, i don't drive. As for the exercise, i'm starting again, but my will power in that regard has never been high.

 

[DeusXM]

Out of interest, what was your last A1C?