Where to start?

Stingray · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 05:20 AM

I am sorry if this question has been asked before but I couldn’t find it on the search. I am a 30 Y/O who was just diagnosed with Diabetes. My doctor has suggested that I check my blood sugar several times a day. I am very confused with:
1. Which meter to get. Can someone with a little more experience please help me out with this?
2. By several did the doc mean 3-4?
3. How many times a day do people usually check their blood sugar?

Thanks much

Axiom · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 05:41 AM

Meter type or make is probably not im[prtamt, what I dp is J/K kkk.
The meter draws a venous sample, hte lab a plasma, the meter performs a correction to bring your results closer to the lab analysis. Bring your meter with you to the lab, after they have finished go to the washroom wash your hands and perform the meter test. You can assume that the meter and the lab results deviate by the same amount at least for that bottle of strips. In the beginning test often, as you determine what foods affect you you will slow down in your testing not if your t1 these souls test many tumes a day.

princesslinda · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 05:47 AM

Hi Stingray, welcome to the forum! Are you Type 1 or 2? Are you on any meds? I'm answering your question as if you're T2 since i'm T2 as well.l

Regarding what type of meter....any type is fine...your doctor may have samples at his office...i'd call and ask. I use One-Touch Ultra Two...I like it because you can mark your post-meal levels. Walmart has an inexpensive meter and strips available in the pharmacy...I can't remember the name, but you can see it on display in their pharmacy along with other meters.

Testing is very important, its the only way to know on a daily basis how your blood sugar is doing. I test 4-5 times a day, but when first diagnosed I tested a little more. I'd suggest you check when you wake up before you eat, 2 hrs after your first bite of b/fast, just before lunch, 2 hrs after first bite of lunch, just before dinner, 2 hrs after dinner and at bedtime.
Keep a journal of everything you eat and your corresponding blood sugar. You'll see how certain foods affect it and therefore will make better food choices.

If you are on a medication such as metformin, realize it can take a few weeks sometimes to see optimal results. Your #s should start to come down some within just a few days though.

Exercise is very important in good blood sugar control...every little bit helps.

I eat a lower carb diet, avoiding white bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and sugar. I eat a lot of chicken, lean beef, seafood, green veggies and salads...for dessert, I have s/f pudding or jello or the occasional apple or cantaloupe. For now, i'd suggest you avoid fruits until your blood sugar normalizes.

Diabetes is a stressful diagnosis, but it does get easier to deal with as time goes by. Look around the forum, ask lots of questions. You'll do fine.

xMenace · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 05:50 AM

Hey, welcome to the forum.

Another black star for a doctor! *sigh*

kgm0612 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 06:14 AM

Hi Stingray & Welcome to the forum. Nice people and tons of valuable information to be found here, so we hope you stick around!

Call your doctor and ask if he has any meters in stock that he can give you. Or.......If you have insurance it will pay for a meter and most (or all) of the cost of the test strips.

Karen

Stingray · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 07:55 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys....

How would I know whether I’m a T1 or a T2? My results showed that I had a blood sugar level of 120 while fasting. I did a second test and it came back with 109. My doctor has not prescribed me any medicine but has told me to watch my diet and do exercise. However he has not told me whether I am a T1 or a T2. He also told me to monitor my blood sugar for a month and then come back to him with a chart of results. To be very honest, I am very confused right now.

volleyball · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 08:45 AM

If your doctor wants you to test, have him write a script for the meter and strips. If you're out of pocket, walmarts may be the cheapest.
There are tests to tell what type you are. Maybe you are prediabetic.
I'd say test 5 or 6 times a day for the next month so you doctor can get a good picture. You could go all healthy, eating well, exercising a lot and skew your results towards normal but I don't think you should do that until after your next visit

shockme · #8 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 09:02 AM

hi stingray and welcome to df! if you have insurance-call them and ask them which metes are covered. the meters themselves aren't too much $$,it's the strips...so if they cover specific brands-get that meter to save on strips.... trish

pdxdennisj · #9 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 09:08 AM

Walmarts has the cheapest meters and test strips by far, I think. Most people check their BGs first thing in the morning before eating (fasting response) and then again 2 hours after a meal to see if the BG has dropped down again to before meal level. I've been at this for 15 years now and I'm perhaps a bit lax- I usually only test 2-3 times a day.

KickStart101 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2007, 02:34 AM

Hey There Stingray!

Great to see you here.
Yes, most meters do the job. I use the Ultra 2.
I think the one Folks are talking about at Walmart's
is the Reli-On meter.

I test 7-9 times a day but I am a Type 1. I doubt
that you are a Type 1 unless you have been grossly
misdiagnosed. Of course, that has happened before.
It's actually not a bad idea for a Type 2 to test 6 times
a day for the first while until you get an understanding
of how foods, exercise, stress, etc. affect your sugar
levels. If it is affordable to you, of course. I wish you
well and hope to see you posting often.