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Glucose monitor - recommendations please

richf

richf

Well-Known Member
Messages
49
Location
SE Wales originally from Northampton
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
rainy days
I would like to receive recommendations for glucose monitors especially with regards to actual cost for monitor and testing strips.

Took my first prescribed Dapaglifozin 5mg today and a couple of hours later could not read the text on my computer for a couple of hours - really weird. Information leaflet list change in vision as a side effect. Will be contacting GP tomorrow.

Rich
 
richf said:
I would like to receive recommendations for glucose monitors especially with regards to actual cost for monitor and testing strips.

Took my first prescribed Dapaglifozin 5mg today and a couple of hours later could not read the text on my computer for a couple of hours - really weird. Information leaflet list change in vision as a side effect. Will be contacting GP tomorrow.

Rich
Click to expand...
Hi @richf , a change in vision (blurry) is very common when you blood glucose changes quickly.
Do not get expensive prescription glasses but buy cheap reading glasses while your eyes adjust to your healthier glucose levels.

@Rachox will likely post the current information on glucose monitors, teststrips and free samples of continuous glucose monitors when she's online.
 
Antje77 said:
Hi @richf , a change in vision (blurry) is very common when you blood glucose changes quickly.
Do not get expensive prescription glasses but buy cheap reading glasses while your eyes adjust to your healthier glucose levels.

@Rachox will likely post the current information on glucose monitors, teststrips and free samples of continuous glucose monitors when she's online.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the information. Now you have explained that I am no longer in panic mode.
 
Change in vision happened to me also, I was so concerned I went and asked an optician, She said stop worry an do not have an eye test untill you know your vision is back to normal otherwise you will wate the test and money on diferent glases, re the monitor does your surgery giver them out nd test strips etx on prescription ?
where are you ?
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
Change in vision happened to me also, I was so concerned I went and asked an optician, She said stop worry an do not have an eye test untill you know your vision is back to normal otherwise you will wate the test and money on diferent glases, re the monitor does your surgery giver them out nd test strips etx on prescription ?
where are you ?
Click to expand...
Nothing from Surgery with regards to monitors and test strips - I think their attitude is if it needs doing then we will do it.
 
richf said:
Nothing from Surgery with regards to monitors and test strips - I think their attitude is if it needs doing then we will do it.
Click to expand...
Do you have a Diabetic Nurse or is it Dr ask them ?
I was tod by my diabetic Nurse just ask at reception for one
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
I was tod by my diabetic Nurse just ask at reception for one
Click to expand...
But you are on insulin so definitely entitled to test strips and meter on the NHS. I suspect that users of dapagliflozin on its own may not be.... (though I guess there is no harm in asking).

@richf in my experience the main cost of a monitor is the testing strips - the manufacturers often give the meters away so that you buy their strips.
 
Hi @richf , thanks for the tag @Antje77 , here’s some info with links for UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)



Abbott usually offer a free 15 day trial of the Freestyle LIBRE 2 plus:

Sampling | Diabetes Care | Abbott



Dexcom also offer a free trial of their Dexcom ONE + here

The Dexcom ONE+ CGM (Continuous Glucose Montoring) system | Dexcom
 
I had to buy some strips in an emergency last week for my accu-check meter £13.99 for 25 strips in boots!! I will ensure I don’t run out of prescribed ones again in a hurry lol
 
Thanks to all above for the replies. I feel encouraged!.

I have been on metformin for almost a year (HbA1c around 50), initially taking one tablet a day and then 3 months ago put on to 2 (HbA1c around 53). Last check a couple of weeks ago and it had risen to 63, so that is when I was prescribed dapagliflozin. Reading the possible side effects has really given me some concern. However, I have decided to try and change things with diet. Being honest I probably have been somewhat irresponsible with my diet. This has certainly focussed my mind.

Your comments have certainly given me encouragement and have given me a positive attitude. Thanks again.
 
I have good reports on the KinetiK Wellbeing test kit -- simple, effective and not expensive.
Re Dapagliflozin, I did suffer from some side effects but all were sorted with Canesten and antibiotics for UTI.

The secret is to keep any concentrated glucose well away from the surrounding area and now all is well
 
Certainly try the free samples from both Dexcom and Libre as mentioned above. Only for two weeks each but they give much more information on change in levels and help to see when to use test strips if needed. They may not last the full two weeks for a new user but that can easily be an advantage as they will be replaced with a new one, on request, by the manufacturer ;)
 
So hopefully my glucose monitor will arrive tomorrow.
My HbA1c was 62 at my last monitor almost 2 weeks ago.
In my situation the NHS recommendation is that there is no need for testing
because of the financial implications.
Hopefully through monitoring I can identify what is good for me and what isn't.
I have seen the following on the NHS website

Patient name:…………………………………………………. Date:…………………
 Test TWICE a day on ONE day each WEEK. Vary the time that you test
 Test TWICE a day on ONE day every FORTNIGHT. Vary the time that you test
 Test FOUR times a day (before each meal and at bedtime) on ONE day each WEEK
 Test FOUR times a day (before each meal and at bedtime) on TWO days each WEEK
 Test up to EIGHT times a day to guide your insulin dosing
 Test ……….. times a day on ………. Days each WEEK

Not really sure where I should start

before and 2 hours after evening meal?

daily every other day?

Any help or suggestions appreciated.
 
I’m not sure what testing like that will tell you & for me that seems a waste of strips etc it’s just random info with no useable information

The NICE guidelines for T2 is test at first bite then 2 hrs after first bite, your looking for a rise of 2 or less, this will tell you how well your body dealt with what you ate

In your shoes if I was trying to get my numbers down I would test, fasting (foot on the floor first thing in the morning) first bite & two hours after first bite for every meal & avoid snacking until I’ve built up a picture of a good few foods/meals that are giving me numbers I’m happy with. Once I have a data base of safe foods/meals you can cut back on the testing a little bit

This link from my signature, although it’s directed at newly diagnosed it still may be of help

Administrator

Thread 'Basic information for Newly Diagnosed Diabetics'

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 190,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes...
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Edited to correct spelling so it made sense!
 
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