Welcome to Diabetes Forums!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
|
 | | 
02-21-2006, 11:54 AM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
| |  Hello
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 |
02-21-2006, 12:52 PM
|  | Super Moderator
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Do Dah, OZ, aka Kansas
Posts: 4,607
| | Welcome to the Forums!
Just about anything you would want to know and more about the current state of meters. METERS |
02-21-2006, 12:56 PM
| | Banned
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,358
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by 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 | 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.  |
02-21-2006, 04:11 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,815
| | | 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 |
02-21-2006, 04:37 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 706
| | | MediSense Precision Xtra
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! |
02-21-2006, 04:47 PM
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,371
| | 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... 
__________________  Belinda
"- work as if you don't need money, - love as if you've never been hurt, -
dance, as if nobody can see you, - sing, as if no one can hear, - live, as
if the Earth was a heaven."
|
02-21-2006, 05:14 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 842
| | Welcome!  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   Welcome to the forum again! and feel free to continue posting lots!
__________________  Laura Anne  "Happy Day! All is well! Pumping with Paradigm 712 since November 17th, 2004 Type 1 since April, 1995 |
02-21-2006, 05:18 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia River Gorge
Posts: 1,139
| | | 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.
__________________
" Those who wait for roast duck to fly in mouth must wait a very long time. If you need something, don't wait. Go get it."
"This one makes a net. This one sits and wishes. Can you make a bet, which one catches fishes?"
______________________
Syd--20 years Type II diabetes 18 years insulin dependent.
|
02-21-2006, 05:27 PM
| | Banned
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,358
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by 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... | 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?? |
02-21-2006, 05:45 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada, ontario
Posts: 1,747
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by spike 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 |
02-21-2006, 06:20 PM
| | Banned
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,358
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by psilocybin 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. |
02-21-2006, 06:31 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,351
| | | 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. |
02-22-2006, 10:08 AM
| | Banned
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,358
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by 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. | 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. |
02-22-2006, 11:09 AM
| | Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 292
| | | 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!
__________________ Biking is fun; burn fat, not oil  |
03-18-2006, 05:17 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
| | | 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 |
| |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | |
|  | | » Site Navigation | | Diabetesforums.com | | | Resource Directory | | | Contact Zone | | | |
<- this is so me
