problem with aviva accucheck

[e||ement]

a couple weeks ago my aviva accucheck told me it needed a new battery, so i replaced it.

a week later, it said the same thing. so i replaced it again. it wouldn't even turn on after that.

i called the hotline and they said i needed a new battery. i explained that i just replaced it. they persisted that it was a battery issue and said they would send me a new battery that i would receive in "less than 5 days". yah, like that's going to help me!

anyway, it miraculously began working again that night, thank goodness.

today, a week later, it died on me again. i just happened to have that brand new battery in my purse, so i swapped the battery. still nothing. swapped the battery again. still nothing. waited 10 minutes, put the original battery back in, and now it's working again.

what the heck!?

anyone experience a similar problem? anyone have troubleshooting advice?

thanks.

[fgummett]

Living in Canada I have never bought a BG meter... usually the deal is a "free" meter with the purchase of 100 strips... even if insurance is doing the "purchasing". I'd replace the meter before replacing the batteries.

How many times a day do you test? I'm assuming quite a few as you are Type 1 on MDI.

I'd either call them again and request a replacement... be clear to them how many strips you use per day... or go to the pharmacy where you get your strips and do the same.

[e||ement]

i live in the great white north as well...so haven't bought one either.

i initially did ask for a replacement from aviva when i called them. perhaps i'll just ask my pharmacist then. can i do that? i'm still pretty new to all this. i'm less than a year in ;)

i do test a lot. at LEAST 6 times a day, but sometimes up to 10 times, especially if i experience a low.

[fgummett]

If you are testing up to 10 times a day and your pharmacist does not arrange a new meter on the spot, I'd take my business elsewhere :)

[e||ement]

cool. i'm pretty sure she'll be ok with it. she's my cousin after all, LOL.

i just didn't know i could do that. i guess i didn't ever ponder the protocol for getting a new meter when i wore mine out.

thanks frank!

[fgummett]

It's the strips where they make the money after all... so you should qualify as a "valued customer"

[imac]

The same in australia , you never have to buy a meter so i always keep a spare. You only have to drop them and they dont work anymore.

[Tattoo azz]

The same here in UK. I've got 5-6 i think, all different makes and models. I had a freestyle lite, but fell on it when i went hypo and now it's sort of broke. I mainly use my ultrasmart now though.

[xMenace]

I currently own

1 BD Link
2 Contour Links
1 Contour
1 Aviva
1 Aviva Mini
1 Ultra 2
1 Ascensia Freestyle
1 BD Logic

I probably paid for my BD Link as it came with my pump, but the rest were free. I'll be getting one or more Novamax's if and when they are approved here.

I replace the batteries in the links because I can't get any more for free. Pharmacies don't carry them.

Every one of the cases is black. Do you realize how hard it is to find the one you want when you have impaired vision? I wish each company had it's own color :eek:

[e||ement]

You only have to drop them and they dont work anymore.

Well that explains a lot..since I catch my 2.5 year old playing with it (i.e. playing hockey with it, LOL) from time to time.

Wow, I should definitely have a couple of back ups then, eh? I'll get over to the pharmacy today. Thanks for all the input guys.

Has anyone used that meter that comes with the drum of strips? (Accucheck compact plus?)

[jbsmomto1]

everytime i get refills on my scripts they offer me a new meter, so far I have 3...not sure why they think i need so manu though lol. Here in Canada they are free with the strips.