I was newly diagnosed about 6 weeks ago. I was wondering if I'm jumping the gun if I get myself a blood glucose meter before the nurse may or may not say I should have one. I am not on any medication. The two levels that confirmed my diabetes type 2 were 7.1 and 7.6 This was after fasting for 12 hours. I am terrified of needles so would also be over the moon if someone could recommend a meter that doesn't make me leave the planet every time I use it. Any advice please would be so welcome. THANK YOU
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Blood glucose meter
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hanadr
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A T2 diabetic not on medication is unlikely to be offered a BG meter nowadays, but I think you NEED one. Contact Abbot Diabetes care . They can supply a Freestyle meter with test strips. The booklet with the meter will explain how to use it. NICE says you have the right to BG testing, when newly diagnosed. You need to find out what effects foods have on your BG. You may have to fight for test strips. You should also be offered a DESMOND course. (I never have been in 5 years :? .)
With my Freestyle Mini meter, I test on the inside of my forearm. If I press the top of the "stabber" onto my arm, I cannot feel the stab. (I set it at 2)
With the numbers you tell us, 7.1 and 7.6, it shouldn't be too difficult to get down to around 5, by reducing your carbs. If you follow the "healthy plate" 1/3 full of carb foods, you won't.
Abbott won't charge much for a meter, they make their money on the strips. Their website was down, but it might be back. Anyway they are in maidenhead Berks, if you have to resort to a phone book.
With my Freestyle Mini meter, I test on the inside of my forearm. If I press the top of the "stabber" onto my arm, I cannot feel the stab. (I set it at 2)
With the numbers you tell us, 7.1 and 7.6, it shouldn't be too difficult to get down to around 5, by reducing your carbs. If you follow the "healthy plate" 1/3 full of carb foods, you won't.
Abbott won't charge much for a meter, they make their money on the strips. Their website was down, but it might be back. Anyway they are in maidenhead Berks, if you have to resort to a phone book.
totsy
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I would tell anyone diabetic to buy a meter
it is the only way you can see what foods affect your blood gluose and how much so, as for which monitor i have had 2 different ones..the accuchek compact plus,this was good as u dont have to keep putting strips in and the tester was easy and pain free,i did have a few problems with them chewing the drum up so i bought a one touch ultra easy..this is my preferred one now as i like the ease of use and smallness of the monitor although this does tend to hurt my fingers a tad,
there are many on the market so get one that will suit u best, im sure more of the forum will tell u their favourites
it is the only way you can see what foods affect your blood gluose and how much so, as for which monitor i have had 2 different ones..the accuchek compact plus,this was good as u dont have to keep putting strips in and the tester was easy and pain free,i did have a few problems with them chewing the drum up so i bought a one touch ultra easy..this is my preferred one now as i like the ease of use and smallness of the monitor although this does tend to hurt my fingers a tad,
there are many on the market so get one that will suit u best, im sure more of the forum will tell u their favourites
sugarless sue
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If you have been diagnosed diabetic then a meter is an essential tool to help you gain control of your diabetes.They are not expensive,it's the test strips that cost the money but testing helps you find out which foods affect your blood sugar levels.
Bubsy Malone
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I'm not actually diabetic but I had a high fasting reading in June with a disposable test (over 8 - not sure exactly how much) so I've bought myself a Freestyle Lite to keep an eye on my readings. It seems to be easy to use and my first reading I took (2 hr pp) was 4.6!! Mind you, I've lost over a stone since June so that might have helped! I want to keep an eye out anyway because my mum is type 2 and nearly blind, and my gran went completely blind because of her Type 2. I don't want to carry on the family tradition!
tubolard
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Other than the lite has a backlight, the only other difference is that the freedom has larger numbers.
If you register your meter, abbotts will send you free replacement batteries when you need them and a link cable for your PC, you can then use their software as a log book.
Regards, Tubs.
If you register your meter, abbotts will send you free replacement batteries when you need them and a link cable for your PC, you can then use their software as a log book.
Regards, Tubs.
