Recording readings

[Fiona]

My endo gave me a diary when I was first diagnosed and told me to fill in the readings before each meal and note how many units of insulin I had etc...is this something that your supposed to do forever? cause I am really getting really tired of writing everything down every day. What do you guys do?

[HeatherP]

I've always recorded my reading and insulin doses on paper, but I do tend to get a little lazy at the end of the day.

Keeping track of this information is very important. Many meters nowadays have software available to track your readings and many other details. Some of these programs are quite sophisticated, and with many of them all you need to do is plug in your meter and upload your info.

I may be a little behind, but I know the OneTouch Ultra Smart is supposed to have many capabilities, and the Freestyle Tracker can actually be plugged into a PDA to keep records. When it comes to meter info, my CDE is the best person to give the most up-to-date advice so if you have one you should ask, but then there's also plenty of folks here who can also make recommendations as to what's available.

let us know what you decide,
HeatherP

[MarkMunday]

Fiona,

I don't write stuff down. I have tried in the past but can never keep it up. My meter, an Accuchek Advantage, records test results and I simply upload them to my PC every day. Most modern meters can be usd in this way. And it makes life a lot easier.

When analysing the data, I watch for trends. If, for example I see that my blood sugar tends to be low two hours after lunch, I probably need to reduce the lunch time insulin. The software produces and "avarage day" graph which is really useful for that purpose.

You and your advisors obviously need data to base your decisions on. The challenge is to find a way to keep data that is both convenient for you and provides meaningful info. Otherwise the system won't work for you.

Cheers,

Mark

[nantomsuethom]

Thomas uses the OneTouch Ultra Smart- and when we remember we put carbs and insulin in the meter.
We do put it on paper for 2 weeks before his appt. with the endo.

[Jenny]

I use the One Touch Ultra also and on their website there is a place to download a program that will keep track of your readings as long as you have a cable to connect it to the puter. ;) Then when I get ready to go to the doc I just print out the last month or two.

[am1977]

I am horrible about recording my blood suar readings :rolleyes: . I always say that I will try to keep a record of them, but I never do! When the time for my appointment comes around I scramble to write down my readings for the last few days at least. My one touch ultra, not the ultra smart, does keep track of last 30 readings I believe, but I really should try to keep better records of my blood sugar readings.

[TvBabe]

I use the Ascensia Contour which also has a cable....that being said I log my readings into my PalmPilot and just take that to my doctor's appointments. The software I use charts it just like the software you'd use to connect your meter to your computer. Saves time.

[Dewey]

Am,

I hear what you're saying there...lol - I'm the same way. I used to use the One Touch Ultra, and download it via the cable. I also used a PDA to record readings and food eaten, insulin taken, etc... Since I've switched meters, for some reason, I've not been so good about recording the readings (which isn't good, as I cannot download them from the Reli-On meters). I have to go to the endo Monday, and will most likely scramble to do everything...lol :rolleyes:

[Dewey]

TVBabe,

I purchased an Ascensia Contour (on eBay for $8.00..lol) and was interested in the software and cable for it. Hope you don't mind my asking, but do you have to order that direct from the manufacturer, and if so, are the prices steep? Any info. is deeply appreciated.

Dewey :D

[lgvincent]

I have gone through periods where I didn't keep track of my blood sugar or insulin injections but it isn't a problem now. As Heather said, the One Touch UltraSmart and the Freestyle Tracker will allow you to make entries when you eat and take injections, as well as your blood sugar, and other things as well. The Accu Chek Complete will also allow you to keep such records. You may want to consider using one of those meters to help keep track of things. By not keeping a record, I've had problems with forgetting to take insulin or taking and injection, forgetting about it, and taking it again. By using a logbook and a meter to confirm it, this rarely happens any more.

[TvBabe]

Originally posted by Dewey
TVBabe,

I purchased an Ascensia Contour (on eBay for $8.00..lol) and was interested in the software and cable for it. Hope you don't mind my asking, but do you have to order that direct from the manufacturer, and if so, are the prices steep? Any info. is deeply appreciated.

Dewey :D

Well I got my meter FREE when I bought 100 test strips :) I actually got the cable free (a promo for some difficulties I had with the Ascensia call center) but you can purchase it from the Ascensia website. I'm in Canada and it was regular price, $39.00 for the cable and a cd rom with the software. I suspect it would be cheaper at the American Ascensia website :)

[lgvincent]

A cable comes free with the Accu Chek Complete meter. I've got a spare I could send but I don't know if it will work with other meters.

[Belinda]

I only take in 2 weeks of results when I go to the doc that I have written down on a chart that I made...as for downloading it on the computer! akkkk what a pain...I have 4 different One touch Ultra's that I use. Whichever one is where I am at when it is time to check is the one I use!!!!

[Dewey]

Thanks, TVBabe for the info. It's much appreciated, and I'll look into it, too.

Thanks, lg, you're sweet! :)

I'll see what I can do to conjure one up...lol :) I may even be able to use one that came with another meter, if all it requires is a USB or RS-232 port. Thanks again! :D

[turtlegirl]

My boyfriend writes down all the information for every meal. He then also tracks if we were at a restaurant and what not so he can use that for a guide the next time we end up at that place.

[lazydaizy]

I write my readings in a notebook-so I can see the levels when I want-especially when the computer is being used by someone else. It also helps showing the levels come dr.visits. The only problem with putting the info on the pc-is if you don't back up the info-(save to disk)you will lose all of it-if the pc gives you the "black screen of death." (crash) can you say system restore?
In the back of the notebook, I write down the date and any weird sysmptoms I am having. I also make note when I get a new vial of test strips and run control tests on my meter-Accucheck Advantage.
LazyDaizy

[archimeech]

Lazy, you're not so lazy! I have been off and on with my glucometers for 20 years. During college, I probably checked my sugar maybe 1-2 times a month if that much. I was a very bad diabetic, didn't love myself very much. Since having kids though I have gotten panic-stricken about taking care of myself. Any of you that have children depending on you and loving you will understand. I have used many meters in the last 7 years, but there are 2 that really stick out in my mind. The Therasense FreeStyle Tracker is an awesome meter. It comes as a plug in module to a PDA. Although it uses old technology (the Handspring Visor), it is still a nice interface. I currently use the Lifescan One-Touch Ultrasmart. It acts a lot like a PDA, has a good back-lit screen and is very easy to use. Lazy, don't use the excuse of computer crashes to keep you in the dark ages. If you're more comfortable with writing everything down, then just do it. I prefer using the computer interfaces and downloading my sugars. I currently check about 6-8 times a day and that would get very tedious if I were writing them down. If you fear losing what's on the pc then after you download, print everything out and keep a hard copy. Either way, I believe that a computer log of all your sugars is a very helpful advantage over writing them down. You can instantly see graphs of your sugars and see where you're running high or low at any given time of the day.

[lazydaizy]

"azy, don't use the excuse of computer crashes to keep you in the dark ages. If you're more comfortable with writing everything down, then just do it. "

~Believe me I am not in the dark ages. I work on fixing computer operating systems and have seen what devastsing effects that worms & trojans have done to corrupt files. I can't tell you how many pieces of software are not correctly written and are not meant to run on certain systems. My own philosphy for my pc-is to keep fun and enjoyable. Not tidious or tiresome. Yah, to each his/her own.
Lazydaizy