Freestyles

mcgriff · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:37 AM

New here and just getting my feet wet. I was sent home with a Freestyle Freedom from the hospital following my new diabetes diagnosis. It seems like a good monitor. Testing is basically pain free and I haven't wasted a strip yet due to my clumsiness. I think I want to stick with Freestyles as my insurance covers the strips.

Is it worth it to switch to a "Lite" model from a Freestyle Freedom? I see that coding is an issue, but I'm trying to figure out if that is that big of a deal. I plan to use my computer to store results. Do the "Lite" models offer any advantage in that respect? I want to make my decision soon as in the next few days my free supply of strips from the hospital will run out and I will need to stock up.

May as well ask this as well. Are Freestyles considered to be accurate and reliable? I know everyone may have different opinions, but I haven't really seen any big knocks on Freestyles of any sort. I'm open to switching brands if insurance allows and if I find there is a better meter out there. Thanks in advance!

Funnygrl · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:43 AM

Yes, the Lite is awesome! It's smaller, no coding, and has a backlight and strip light.

Mich · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 11:08 AM

Hi McGriff,

The lite is wonderful, but hold on to your Freedom non-lite in case you get a Cozmo pump with a Cozmonitor. They use the same kind of strips--the old coded ones.

xMenace · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 01:15 PM

I've tested a freedom, and I like it a lot. It seems impossible to get an error. Accuracy has been fine.

The only issue I have is not being able to see the blood go onto the strip. It's more a mental thing. We like to see things in action

Janlaton · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 01:21 PM

I love the smaller "lite" meters of any brand. Welcome to the forum. Check with your insurance co. They usually cover a wide variety of meter strips.

Cloudedbrains · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 11:19 PM

Ive got the equivalent UK version "Freestyle Mini" and I luv it

I dont mind the coding and I luv the backlight and the strip light (yes the mini's have them too)

I dont see any advantage in upgrading unless you find coding an issue but thats just my opinion

I also got the cable for my freedom to pc and luv it

Evermont · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 05:05 AM

I've had the Freestyle Freedom since Dx 8 months ago. I got a second one exactly like it so I can leave one at work. I think it's great - no complaints at all. Can't really compare because it's the only meter I've ever used, but I'm happy to keep using it. I think it might be much more accurate than the +/- 20% we kick around here.

mcgriff · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 09:38 AM

Well, I stopped at my Dr. office today and they gave me 2 Freestyle Lites w 70 total strips. I haven't used it yet so time will tell I guess. I do like the size of the unit. Now, if someone could invent a meter that requires no strips......

Thanks for the input everyone.

BriOnH · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 09:45 AM

With my freestyle flash 2 out of 3 lab results compared with the flash came back exactly to what the lab had. The one time if was off it was only by 2 mg/dl. The freestyle flash has been the most accurate compared to hospital lab samples compared to the One Touch series.

notme · #10 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 09:48 AM

I got the lite and love it. I was a FLASH fan so it was a natural progression for me.

mcgriff · #11 (**permalink**) 05-22-2008, 06:21 AM

So far so good with the Lite. One minor thing I like on the Freedom is the strips. The strips on the older Freedom seem more rigid and it's a tiny bit easier to get a sample. The Lite strips are a bit more flexible. Both meters are great, but the size alone of the Lite is enough to make it my regular meter I think.

Scrabblechick · #12 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 08:52 PM

I'd like to try a Freestyle, but my insurance won't pay for strips for those: just Accu-Chek and One Touch. And I think most of the regulars here have sensed my frustration with my Aviva. No need to beat that horse again. Heh.

My mom (age 80) asked me the other day how many meters I had. I said, "Three."
"What do you need THREE meters for? You're not using them all at the same time, are you?"
"No, I just ended up with three, that's all."
"How do you end up with three meters?" (She doesn't know about all you folks who have at least one by every manufacturer! LOL.)
"Well, I bought one, got the second one at my class and the third from Dr. H's office."
"Why do you need three meters?"
"Well, I need a backup, in case something happens to the one I'm using most often."
"How can you afford the strips for three meters?"
"I'm just buying strips for one, right now."
"Well, I just don't understand why you need three."

My mom was raised during the Depression and having more than one of anything technological just seems silly to her. She's all for me testing often and so forth, since she's a retired lab tech, but honestly, she has been funny about me and my THREE meters! LOL.

sprzepiora · #13 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:58 AM

Man I got like eight or nine and I have only been diagnosed for five weeks. I am going to start throwing them away as they are getting in the way.

Tattoo azz · #14 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 04:17 AM

sprzepiora, don't throw them away, maybe you could swap the ones you don't use for strips for the one that you use mostly. Just a thought.
Azz

sprzepiora · #15 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 04:42 AM

Well, they are all Lifescan products and I have already robbed them of the strips that came with them. I just plain have to many as every time I turn around someone is emptying there closet on me

I would do something good with them if I could, but I do not know what to do with them.