How many time do you check your BS?

[MegaGirl42]

Well I just wanted to see How many times everyone tests themselfs within a 24 hour period. I check my bs 4x a day. My doc and I want to check it more but my insurance wont cover any more test strip. What can I do to see if my insurance will cover more strips and a new meater? I only have one meter and I need another one. I want a spare one just incase something happens to my only one or I lose it and maby to have one to travle with. What are your favorite meters?

Thanks in advance for your feedback! :thumbsup:

[lgvincent]

Right now, I check mine anywhere from 5 to 12 times a day, although it's usually closer to the 5. I'd like to be able to check my blood sugar more often, too.

Can you file an appeal to the insurance company's decision?

The meter I like the most if the Accu-Chek Complete. It allows me to keep track of things like insulin injections, carbohydrate intake, insulin reactions, HbA1c, and even the type of weather. It has room for 1,000 entries. I also like the Freestyle Flash and have found it to be very close to readings I get from the lab. The OneTouch UltraSmart has a lot of nice features and has room for 3,000 entries but I like the other two better. I'd love to get a Freestyle Tracker but the thing comes in at around $300 and I just don't have the money to get one right now and probably never will.

[nantomsuethom]

Thomas was checking his bgs about 20x a day.

We finally got him down to around 10x a day.

His endo wrote the script for 2000 strips for a 3 month supply. The insurance co. didn't question it. We do mail order for his meds, they sent all 2000 strips. He is using the rest of his One Touch UltraSmart strips and then is switching to the Flash.

[am1977]

Good question :thumbsup:

I generally test anywhere between 4 to 6 times a day, most days about 4. I definitely can see how one can get carried away with testing. I know most hate to test, but then there are others of us who like to know constantly where we stand blood sugar wise (inclucing myself) and I often wonder if it's almost bordering OCD. In a way I think it's a way for us to control our environment, like we are trying to control something in our lives, when we can't control other things. Nowadays , testing isn't a big deal for me, it doesn't even really hurt me anymore. So of course, I'd like to test more, but then I think maybe I'm doing ok w/ how things are now.

I think probably your best shot of getting your insurance to cover more strips is for you to sit down and talk with your doctor and ask him to prescribe more a month. My doctor, actually my CDE, gave me a script for 200 strips a month, which amounts to about 5x a day. I'm pretty positive that if you doctor writes that it's medically neccessary that you test more than what you are doing, that you will get more strips.

Good luck! ;)

[Belinda]

I check between 6-10 times a day. My doctor wrote my script for before meals, 2 hours after and at bed time. I use mail order too and get roughtly 700 strips every 60 days.

[happypumper]

1. I check about 12-15 times a day, but that means per 24 hours; not just daytime.

2. IMHO the UltraSmart is the best meter out there, but the newer BD reads consistently also (it came with my new 515 pump)

3. I've got lots of meters and for a while I was using several. I found that to be LESS convenient in the same way that if you use only cheap pens you can never find one when you want it. Also, if you want to review the readings on your PC, it's faster/easier getting the data from one meter. Now i use just one meter. They are so reliable, I don't carry a backup meter, even on vacation. YMMV.

oh, I don't like the Flash because both myself and my wife got inaccurate readings with it (too high).

[duck]

Jeanna,

My doc wrote me a prescription for the equivalent of 8 tests a day three years ago...I have been through three insurances in the meantime, and none of them balked at the prescription. Basically, if the insurance questions it, your doctor would need to justify why you test so often. Insurance companies can be evil, but they are loathe to contest "medical necessity".

I also bought extra test strips the last couple years to bulk up my supply. My employer(s) all have had medical flex spending accounts, and those are "use it or lose it" propositions, so at the end of each year I use whatever money I have put into the account for test strips.

And lastly, I use the Therasense Freestyle. I have multiple meters for my cars, my office, my work and my bedroom, and one I carry in my work bag--I am paranoid about testing and feel lost without a meter close. I found most of my extra meters on eBay...If no one else bid on them, I would: I figured it was an investment in my health.

[soremom]

I test a minimum of 10 times a day. I am on a pump and test freqently to make sure nothing has happened to the canula, and to see where I am at.

I have never had my insurance company say anything about the number of strips. I would appeal their decision.

If you want a back up meter, ask your doctor. They usually have meters from the pharmacitacal companies (sorry about spelling). That is how I get mine. I ask for a prescription for a new meter and they give me one. If you get a second one, I suggest you get the same kind as you have. That way you have the same test strips and all.

Kim

[decimaldancer]

I was told to only check first thing in the morning and one other time during the day.

My perscription for my strips says only 1 or 2 times a day and my insurance won't pay for more often.

[Peter Lee]

I'm going to be the odd person out here :1eye:

When I was diagnosed the Dr wanted 3 times a day before each main meal. After 2 weeks on the Metformin he cut it to twice a day - fasting and before dinner.

A couple of weeks back I was sent to a specialist consultant and amongst all the other things he recommended for my specific (peculiar) condition he cut me down to once a day - before breakfast. He said that in my case the important number to get down is the fasting one.

Judging by the replies in this thread there is obviously a difference in the testing frequency between Type 1 and Type 2 people and also it looks as if we all have our individual requirements (and are stuck with listening to what our medical advisors tell us :eek:)

[gettingby]

5-7X/day. I love my Ultra.

[mg_2204]

... It depends! I was told to test 3 times a week when diet controlled only and now, on Metformin, twice daily. I do test more than twice daily if I feel 'strange' or if I do more exercise or go on holidays for instance. When I'm sick, I'll monitor my BG more closely too. Like Peter Lee, my fasting numbers are the ones I must be careful about, they are the ones which have a tendency to give me problems. It's important that I keep a close watch on fasting sugars. When I was diet controlled only, I would have to make my test strips last a long time because it was hard for me to get another prescription for them. I would be made to feel as if I was using way too many.

[KrisinNM]

Judging by the replies in this thread there is obviously a difference in the testing frequency between Type 1 and Type 2 people

That is what I am getting from everyone's posts also. As a T1 pumper I test 6 - 10 times per day, just to make sure I am on track. Without any long term insulin in our bodies things can go haywire in a very short time if delivery is interupted.

My rx has always been for 200 per month and sometime I wish it were more.
I use the Freestyle meter because it is attached to my Cozmore pump.

[Dewey]

When I had better insurance, I tested 10 to 15 times per day. Now, I test approximately 6 to 10 times per day, depending on how I feel. I'm currently using the Reli-On, but when I had good insurance coverage, was using the One Touch Ultra. (Am also a Type I pumper.)

[HeatherP]

Usually 7x a day. Sometimes more, once in a while less.

I'm currently using the Freestyle Flash and like it very much.

As far as the meter goes, you can ask your doc's office for one, you might get one from your CDE. Also you can contact the manufacturer directly for one. Keep an eye out for ads - there are rebates that make them essentially free, or if you buy so many strips they'll give you the meter for free. Seems like some people's insurance will only cover certain monitors so you may want to ck first. If the ins co won't give you enough strips, have your doctor call them and see if you can get a special approval for the amount you need.

HeatherP

[MegaGirl42]

Thanks sooo much for all the input. It definitely does seem like their is a difference in how many times a T1 and T2 check their bs levels. I was suprised to see how many times the T1 people check thier bsl. To the T1.... Doesn't your fingers or where ever you check yourself hurt? My fingers hurt/are tender. I was told that I might get callouses over time and then it wont hurt as much.

As for a new meter ...I will ask my doctor about getting another one. I dont really care if its the same one I use now or a different one. I just want a spare one just incase something goes wrong with the one I have.

Thanks again Everyone!!!! :D

[Clint]

Thomas was checking his bgs about 20x a day.

We finally got him down to around 10x a day.

His endo wrote the script for 2000 strips for a 3 month supply. The insurance co. didn't question it. We do mail order for his meds, they sent all 2000 strips. He is using the rest of his One Touch UltraSmart strips and then is switching to the Flash.

Count your blessings... my ins won't cover strips and I am testing at leat 6 times a day since being on the pump and it stinks that I am spending so much $$ just so I can make sure I am ok... So far I am spending close to 150 a month on strips...

I am currently trying the BD meter that came with my 515 and so far I like it. My dr has given me an Utlra and UltraSmart, I also like the Flash.

[Tets]

I test 4 to 7 times a day (always before breakfast - I want to know the BG I'm starting with). My insurance co. gives me only 400 strips/year :-(
I have LifeScan OneTouch Ultra - great meter.
How much do you pay for 50 strips? Here in Czech Republic it costs 700,-CZK (about 30 US dollars).

Tets
Diagnosed 1.1.2005 as type I. Currently on Humulin R+N (Humapen Ergo).

[buzzborne]

At the moment I'm testing around 4 times a day, always do one before breakfast but the others vary... it tends to change from day to day.

[archimeech]

Jeana,
Read this article - http://www.diabetesforums.com/showthread.php?t=3125

You don't have to pay for a glucometer in the US.

I test mine about 6-10 times a day, but I'm T1 so that's different than what you need to test. Good luck in getting any more strips out of your insurance company, honey.
Meech

[ksa01]

I typically test 10-12 times per day -- before and after every meal; before, during, and after exercising; before bed; and always before I drive. I've been trying to keep tight control and find that frequent testing is the only way. If I'm having a day with frequent lows or highs, I test more.

For most of my tests, I use alternative sites because my fingers get sore and bruise easily. I only use my fingers when I need the most accurate results, such as when I'm low or going to drive.

I'm type I and use a pump. By testing so often, I've been able to fine tune my basal rates and carb ratio. I use the One Touch Ultra Smart meter and love it--it gives me lots of info to guage how I'm doing (avg. readings, daily insulin usage, #of hypos...)

[Mark C]

I use eight strips a day... before and after meals, and before bedtime/sleep. That's seven, and I always have one error per day. The insurance company never reimburses you for those doggone errors!

How else would I ever figure out what to eat?? I only tested once or twice a week before I started insulin.

[Barb]

I was testing once in the Morning after fasting and once before bed....now since my BS have run a muck i am testing seven times a day before and after each meal and in the AM..

[Zokes]

For years I've tested 3x a day. I'll be pumping soon so I expect to be testing 6x or more soon. I use the same 2 fingers and don't have any tenderness (just A LOT of pock marks). Mi Ins covers 80% so it's not too bad.

[April Smart]

I only started Insulin recently and have been advised to test 4 x a day. Sometimes I do 6 but I can't believe people manage up to 15 times. My fingers get quite sore which takes a couple of days to heal and I run out of sites. I've tried testing on my arm but don't really trust the accuracy as I need reliable results at the moment. How do other people cope with this?
April

[dixiepixie64]

April,
I am very careful about rotating about my fingers and avoiding the tips. I use the sides of the fingertips and try to hit different spots as best as I can. I find if you warm up your hands well and use the meters that require less blood (my Accuchek requires me to nearly open a vein whereas the BD Logic that came with my pump only requires a tiny spot) that the procedure is easier & the areas heal more quickly.

[PeptideBong]

Long time since I've checked in but great thread.

I switched over to the fast acting insulin in January and hadn't had any diabetes education since this week and was really going low quite often (too much bolus insulin, basically shooting blind) and was testing 8-15 times a day just so I could catch lows and see what direction my BG was heading in and relate that to how much insulin I had taken and how much was still to be absorbed.

Now that I have done some education classes and started the carb counting and know my carb ratio testing has come down to 4-6 times a day.

I was quite worried about insurance but recently got my first job out of school and am covered so with my new insurance they will have no idea about the large amount of testing before and the old insurance hasn't said anything.....YET.

Testing so much made me feel like I was becoming dependent on my tester and I didn't like that at all. testing so much made me feel like my diabetes was controlling me and not the other way around.

[UpNorth]

I test 8-12 times/day :whistling And i have been using a medisense precision extra but got myself an Accu-chek compact a few weeks ago and i looooove it :thumbsup:

[daddyo]

Does anyone know why the tips of your fingers is supose to be more acurate than forearms or as my BD meter says I can use my palm which I find is far less painful than my finger tips after 23 yrs of testing I barly feel it when I test but once in a while it hurts like .... so I go back to my palms the readings seem to be the same as my fingers also because of the neoprathy in my feet the toes are always a good choice no pain ever but at home is the only chance for that because of the logistics of it but the numbers seem to match with the finger pricks in total over the years thats about 35,940 little holes I'm suprised I don't look like a sprinkler when i drink a glass of water So i guess the Question is does it realy matter were you test and if so why ?

[pbmax]

I asked the Diabetec nurse about ,"why the finger tips?", last week in class and was told it had to all the capilari blood vessels in the fingers. Basically to me to sounds like better blood serculation. Which makes since I suppose...

[HeatherP]

If you suspect you're low, then you should use your fingers to test. If not, then alternate sites are fine according to the literature.

[Ryan]

Well I just wanted to see How many times everyone tests themselfs within a 24 hour period.

Between waking and sleep, just twice. I don't have insurance and I can't afford many test strips, so I'm kind of in a pickle. My sugar is rarely over 200 though... so I can't be doing horribly bad, can I?

[jeggeman31]

I am not on a pump yet, so I only test myself 4 to 6 times a day. All Depends on how I am feeling.