Hello

[k8187h]

Well this is a first for me, never posted and am newly dx'd and wondering about which glucometer I should try, am I going to be able to stick myself, and now whether I will even have to pay for one or not. My research so far is leading me in the direction of the freestyle flash and or the dex-- ( small blood samples sounds better!!) the one that stores 10 strips in it at time and doesn't require a control run with each batch of strips? And then there's the matter of lancets! As you can see I'm a little overwhelmed. K

[Harold]

Welcome to the Forums!

Just about anything you would want to know and more about the current state of meters. METERS (http://www.mendosa.com/meters.htm)

[spike]

Well this is a first for me, never posted and am newly dx'd and wondering about which glucometer I should try, am I going to be able to stick myself, and now whether I will even have to pay for one or not. My research so far is leading me in the direction of the freestyle flash and or the dex-- ( small blood samples sounds better!!) the one that stores 10 strips in it at time and doesn't require a control run with each batch of strips? And then there's the matter of lancets! As you can see I'm a little overwhelmed. K

Too many problems with the Dex. if you want a meter that holds a number of strips, get the AccuCheck Compact. The Flash is good in low and no light situations and very tiny (it lights up the strip area as well as the screen (not at the same time)). the numbers can be a bit hard to read for some, however. do yourself a favor and skip the Dex. We have had several of them and they are a PITA. errors galore. the UltraSmart is one of the best meters out there. only the screen is lighted. The Compact has no lighted screen. the ultrasmart and Compact read nearly identically to each other. The flash will vary at hypo numbers from the other two.

[kgm0612]

Do you have any health insurance? If you do, check with them first to see whether or not they cover that particular meter and strips. My brother and I both have United Healthcare and we're both on the pump. His coverage is different from mine. They will not pay for his strips for the BD Paradign Link and my coverage will.

I was using the One Touch Ultrasmart which I bought at CVS pharmacy for $30.00 with a $20.00 rebate. I love all the features that it has. In December when I went on the pump, I began using the Paradign Link because it interacts with my pump. I am not that crazy about it. It doesn't have half the features of the Ultrasmart.

Karen

[Tokyo Cate]

Welcome. I hope you find what you need on the Forums.

I use the MediSense Precision Xtra, which I am quite happy with. The test takes 10 seconds and a small sample of blood. It holds up to 450 results in memory and will show your average one week, two week and four week results. The machine can test for ketones, which I find is really handy.

The case that mine came with is somewhat large (about the size of a video cassette) but it easily stores the meter, more strips than I could use, my lancing device, lancets, an insulin pen and needles and a pencil and my log book.

Some models have test strip lights and backlights, but mine doesn't.

I have had a few error messages with it, but it is easy to re-set and the customer service I was given when I called was great.

I hope that helps!

[Belinda]

Welcome.......

Yes it is lots of info to absorb....what you have to remember is that many meters are personal preferences or the one the insurance pays for, one that is given etc....I use the one touch ultra...for the very reason I have 4 of them and don't have to remember to bring it home from work, take it upstairs each night etc.....

I do have problems with the Accucheck Compact....I was given one from them to try and well lets just say I am glad it was a freebie...the door that holds the barrel of strips pops open, and many times it says it is out of strips and when you take out the barrel only 3-4 have been used. I like to see how many strips I have not guess....anyways you should ask your Dr. or call the companies and tell them you are searching for a meter etc.....they would probably mail you one to try with 25 free strips....at least that way you can pick which one you like by testing several. Maybe your doctor has some to give you to try as well.....mine did..to the extent of two large shopping bags...:1eye:

[lelggren]

Welcome! :heeeellll I know that you will learn a ton on this forum. I have! I use the freestyle flash. I have a paradigm link that works with my pump, but my dr. prefers the flash for downloading at my appointments. I do love the light-up feature on the flash because my husband and I take a lot of road trips, and the lighting up is great when we are night driving. I also have a one-touch ultra. This is a nice meter too. Very compact and only takes 5 seconds for a reading to come up. I hope this helps! Also, if you go to the search field on here and type in meters, you will find a fountain of knowledge as well :) :top: Welcome to the forum again! and feel free to continue posting lots!

[sydneya]

I can understand overwhelmed. Diabetes is just that. Just digest in little bits and pieces. There are many knowledgeable, empathetic people on the forum. Ask, answer and share. You will benefit from it.

[spike]

Welcome.......

Yes it is lots of info to absorb....what you have to remember is that many meters are personal preferences or the one the insurance pays for, one that is given etc....I use the one touch ultra...for the very reason I have 4 of them and don't have to remember to bring it home from work, take it upstairs each night etc.....

I do have problems with the Accucheck Compact....I was given one from them to try and well lets just say I am glad it was a freebie...the door that holds the barrel of strips pops open, and many times it says it is out of strips and when you take out the barrel only 3-4 have been used. I like to see how many strips I have not guess....anyways you should ask your Dr. or call the companies and tell them you are searching for a meter etc.....they would probably mail you one to try with 25 free strips....at least that way you can pick which one you like by testing several. Maybe your doctor has some to give you to try as well.....mine did..to the extent of two large shopping bags...:1eye:

I've gone through lots of drums and so has my wife and never a problem other than it's easy to pop the latch that holds the drum door closed. Don't you know that on the back there is a strip counter??

[psilocybin]

I've gone through lots of drums and so has my wife and never a problem other than it's easy to pop the latch that holds the drum door closed. Don't you know that on the back there is a strip counter??

i have done multiple tests with 3 meters...first off the most accurate i have is the ultra.. least accurate is the accu chack compact...i ran 3 tests. i tested blood on ultra, 6.5...tested blood with accucheck compact, 8.0??...tested again with ultra, 6.8, tested with precision, 6.9...
my conclusion accucheck compact is not accurate much of the time

[spike]

i have done multiple tests with 3 meters...first off the most accurate i have is the ultra.. least accurate is the accu chack compact...i ran 3 tests. i tested blood on ultra, 6.5...tested blood with accucheck compact, 8.0??...tested again with ultra, 6.8, tested with precision, 6.9...
my conclusion accucheck compact is not accurate much of the time


I've been testing an average of 18 times or more per day for over 15years and I can tell you that the Compact tracks the numbers from an UltraSmart as well as a second UltraSmart meter. between my wife and I we've got over 12,000 tests per year under our belts. Right now, we have over 18 meters in the house. I use the UltraSmart, Flash, and Compact currently. The Compact reads so close to the Ultrasmart it's a dead heat. The flash reads a tiny bit high at the low end. Your few tests are not indicative of the relative accuracy of those meters.

[seacomp]

I'm very happy to see people talking about accuracy. Who cares if it stores 450 readings, if the readings are wrong? Having said that, I don't know the meters discussed above, I have Asencia contour whose accuracy I trust. I threw away an accucheck advantage; it often was off by 30-40 points.

[spike]

I'm very happy to see people talking about accuracy. Who cares if it stores 450 readings, if the readings are wrong? Having said that, I don't know the meters discussed above, I have Asencia contour whose accuracy I trust. I threw away an accucheck advantage; it often was off by 30-40 points.

My wife had the Advantage and said it was the worst meter she'd ever used. The worst one I ever used (briefly--returned it before it killed me) was a Medisense, around 1993. I remember it a had a bronze colored screen and was about the size (but thicker) of a credit card. they also made a pen meter with numbers the size of amoebas.

[Ritehsedad]

Spike,

As you can see in this thread and the one on meters, opinions on meters are like a certain oriface in the body at the end of the large intestine...everyone has one!

My opinion is to start small & work your way up...check with your local Certified Diabetic Educator (check with the hospital), many times they have a ton of meters. Get one from the CDE, use it, love it/hate it, but use it. After a while you may want to try something else, perhaps you don't like dealing with test strips and coding, perhaps you don't care.

There is also a thread here basically telling you not to go buy a meter, follow that advice if possible. Also, depending on your insurance, you may have little or no choice on a meter.

The most important thing is to test as often as your doctor (or CDE) recommends so you know how you react to food, meds, insulin (if applicable), and stress.

Good Luck!

[k8187h]

Took me awhile to get back here. I have a freestyle flash and dex, both gotten free thanks to youall and your advice and info! I liked the dex at first, but not so much now, but I LOVE the Flash! As much as one can love a glucometer and having to stick one's self etc. K

[Tokyo Cate]

I was so impressed when the Precision Xtra changed strips and the test changed from a 20 second test to a 10 second test (and because I didn't understand what the nurse was telling me when she gave me the new strips, it was a complete surprise). I also love that the same machine tests for ketones. I haven't compared the accuracy but I trust it as the results match how I feel.