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Is there a glucose monitor for Dummies?

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Hello, I am new here. About 6 weeks ago I had tests and have finally managed to speak to my GP. I have been trying to work out what I should be eating but clearly not got it right as I now have a strong taste of salt which wasn't there before.

I bought a Gluco Navii and have discovered that I need to buy solution as well, but I have no idea how to use it or where to begin. It is far too complicated for me. I have managed to get blood, but other than that I just don't seem to be able to figure it out at all. I need something very simple but assume there is nothing available? I just don't know where to begin.

Also need to ask about diet, I have read all sorts and am just going round in circles but would like to address the monitor query first please, so I can work out what is happening.
 
Hello @Catless, I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your blood glucose monitor. I found this youtube video which shows how to use a Gluco Navii monitor
and this one shows how to use the control solution
your monitor may look a bit different to that one but it'll be the same procedure. Also that video shows the results in mg/dL but if you're in the UK your monitor will give the results in mmol/L.
 
Catless said:
I bought a Gluco Navii and have discovered that I need to buy solution as well, but I have no idea how to use it or where to begin. It is far too complicated for me. I have managed to get blood, but other than that I just don't seem to be able to figure it out at all.
Click to expand...

The solution will be control solutions to check your machine is working correctly? Personally, I wouldn't worry about that at all. Most machines have them, and most people never use (or buy) them (Waits to be corrected by 100 diabetics who do use them. :)). Just ignore any instructions on how to use the control solution.

So, you've managed to get blood out, which is the hardest bit. At that point you should just insert the strip in the meter, it automatically turns on, and you touch the strip to your blood drop.

@sleepster has already posted some videos.

Note that it doesn't matter what lancing device you use to get the blood out with (I'm a minimalist so just use a bear lancet on its own.)
 
Thank you for your replies. It looked as if I need to set the monitor up when I looked at the instructions that were in the box. I find it difficult to read the tiny print which didn't help, maybe it is for the timer/beep etc. which I wouldn't have chosen to have.

I put a strip in, the symbol with the drop of blood came up, I put the drop on the strip and nothing happened, I will try it again.

Thank you also for the links.

I have been following the NHS guidance while battling the phone system at my surgery over the last 5 weeks as I wanted to ask some questions, however the advice was the same. I have also read all kinds of articles on diet and am totally confused about when to eat. Healthy eating - I gave up added sugar, exotic fruits, white carbs etc. have lost practically no weight. Tried eating breakfast which I don't want, do I need to do this?
 
Catless said:
Tried eating breakfast which I don't want, do I need to do this?
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No, if you’re not hungry, then there’s no need to eat breakfast.

Are you taking any medication for your diabetes? That’ll influence any dietary advice people give you.
 
Thank you GoonerGal. I am not on meds, was told I was 'almost diabetic' but the the tests were 6 weeks ago and the salty taste started almost 2 weeks ago so think I have gone past the 'almost' now, because of not knowing what I was doing.

I have to have more tests in about 6 weeks which will include antibodies. My thyroid is also low. I get dizzy if I stand in queues etc. GP seems to brush it all off but I want to do something about it now, not in 6 weeks.

Clearly need to eat less, and give up a few more things.
 
Catless said:
I put a strip in, the symbol with the drop of blood came up, I put the drop on the strip and nothing happened, I will try it again.
Click to expand...
You need to scoop up the drop of blood with the end of the strip to get it to work properly..
 
Thank you bulkbiker, I should have said earlier, I don't eat meat which makes it a bit more awkward as I am not big on pulses, love cheese, salads, veg, fruit and will eat fish but happy without it. My downfall was potatoes and bread, crisps as easy to grab when hungry. Have found it easy to give up most things but think I have overdone nuts and nut butter.

I drink tea, a lot of tea, but with full fat milk, low fat gives me pains, non dairy is not nice in tea, I can give up anything except proper tea but worry about the milk.
 
Still trying to set up the Gluco Navii, so much to set and I keep doing it wrong :arghh:.

Update, set it up, tried it out, reading said 6.0.
 
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think of the strip like a straw. Hold it lightly in the top of the bubble of blood and it will suck it up. Dont put the strip down to the bottom of the bubble or it blocks... like a straw on an ice cube
Make sure you get a nice domed bubble of blood , too little or too thin or watery and its best to prick again elsewhere

We've all wasted strips getting used to the meter, its just a knack. And don't change needle each time.. the instructions are written for medical staff who do need to change needles between patients but you will be the only per using your meter so you can reuse the lancet/needle many times.
Hope this helps
 
Most of us have problems early on. @MrsA2 description of using the strip like a straw is spot on. When you get the testing sorted it will help you enormously control your levels and make further decisions on your diet when you can see the impact of certain foods/meals.
 
With testing strips, some strips the blood goes on the side of the strip (Abbot Freedom Lite), and with Akku-Ckek Performa and Contour Next goes on the end of the strip.

Once you have worked that bit out for your strips, your good to go.
 
Thank you for the tips, I didn't have problem with putting the blood in the right place, it was the setting up of the monitor that was the problem (and not being able to see the tiny lettering of the instruction leaflet). I have done a couple of tests and have no problems now that it is set up, had to wait until daylight to see what I was doing.

I have now discovered that I have been sent the wrong lancets. They do not fit the device, too big. I contacted the company to check and was referred back to the photo of the ones I had chosen and bought. They are not the ones I received. Now have to start again.
 
EllieM said:
If you're brave enough you can use a lancet on its own without a lancing device.... Gets easy with practice.:)
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I'm not quite ready for that ;). Have given up with Home Health, they are no help at all. In the end I bought a new stabber and a lot of lancets together so hopefully they will work. It actually looks the same as the one I have but thought it better to buy something that hopefully is compatible with what it arrives with. It's like trying to get Windows 10 to work, nothing is compatible with anything older so you have to keep getting new stuff.

BTW how long do I have to be posting before I can 'like' posts, or have I missed something?
 
Catless said:
BTW how long do I have to be posting before I can 'like' posts, or have I missed something?
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I think you can like them straight away. Look at the little row of 10 images under each person's post. If you hover your cursor over each one than you'll see what it is. The thumbs up hand is the like, the tick the agree, the smiley face is funny etc etc. Just click on an icon. Doesn't matter if you misclick, you can always undo your choice and choose another.
 
We've all wasted strips getting used to the meter, its just a knack. And don't change needle each time.. the instructions are written for medical staff who do need to change needles between patients but you will be the only per using your meter so you can reuse the lancet/needle many times.
Hope this helps[/QUOTE]

Thanks MrsAA2 - I haven't wasted any strips, apart from the one I put in when I hadn't managed to set the monitor up properly. However, with the lancets I assumed it would be progressively painful to use them continuously as the needles get blunt. Was told this by the vets a few years ago. I will give it a try, how many times can I use one lancet?
 
EllieM said:
I think you can like them straight away. Look at the little row of 10 images under each person's post. If you hover your cursor over each one than you'll see what it is. The thumbs up hand is the like, the tick the agree, the smiley face is funny etc etc. Just click on an icon. Doesn't matter if you misclick, you can always undo your choice and choose another.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, thank you, not used to the format of the forum yet, have to go back and like everyone or something now.
 
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