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Type 1 How often do you need to change bg moniters

Damonite

Active Member
Messages
39
Location
Burton on Trent
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have Aviva expert which does everything I put my carbohydrates in and it tells me how much to inject cause I never got the hang of it. I was wondering do you have to replace them every few years?




Sent from my SM-G950F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
I think (I'm probably wrong and have only been using BG monitors a few weeks) that it's down to a regular schedule of testing their accuracy using the control fluids. All my meters recommend performing a control test

- If a reading seems wonky
- Upon opening a new batch of strips
- At routine intervals, eg every 3 months
- After changing the batteries.

As long as your control test is within the solution's allowed range, your meter is working fine and you don't need to change anything at all.
 

Isn't there quite a difference here between the type of monitor you and I use for Type 2 diabetes and the kind that @Damonite uses as a Type 1 ?
 
I have no idea, but all 3 of my meters say to perform control solution tests and a quick google of the meter the OP uses gives the same advice in a downloadable .pdf booklet:

https://www.accu-chek.com/download/file/fid/14356 (clicking will download the "Accu-Chek Aviva Expert Standard Owner's Booklet")

So, sure, different type of meter, but seems that the maintenance process is the same.
 
@Damonite in my experience meters have been long-lasting - I don't think there's a policy, as such, for replacement need on a timed basis.

I've always used any of mine I've ever had (and I've had a wide variety, in my 31 years of diabetes) until they've broken or died of old age (ie also broken).

The Expert meter is a brilliant piece of kit in that it works out your bolus insulin for you - I have one as a back-up in case my pump meter/handset fails, as it uses the same calculator technology as my pump handset.

 
My first sd codefree meter lasted about 6 months and just stopped working.
The codefree one I am now using, have been using it 3 years. The only time I will stop using it, if it stops working.
I did have another meter that can not remember what it was, it was free but the cost of strips were a fortune to buy so I threw it away.
 
Hi I've never used a control solution where do I get them from.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
Any meters I have used you can get the control solution from the manufacturers and it's usually free. If you have registered your meter with the manufacturer they usually replace the meters for free if they break or if they update the meter. You can also usually get blood glucose diaries etc for free from them too.
 
Hubby is still using his original Bayer Contour monitor - he was diagnosed in Jan 2010 - so it's now 7 1/2 years old and still seems accurate.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
Damonite said:
Hi I've never used a control solution where do I get them from.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
Click to expand...

Not to sound a little bit miffed, but that information is in that .PDF I linked right there for you. It's fine to ask for help, but it takes anyone else as long to source this info as it would you - and the information you need is literally one click away.
 
Polgara said:
Hubby is still using his original Bayer Contour monitor - he was diagnosed in Jan 2010 - so it's now 7 1/2 years old and still seems accurate
Click to expand...
I often wish I'd kept hold of my original gear! My first Novopen was a work of design genius and was very attractive, and my first meter (in 1986) was the size of a house brick and cost my dad a fortune! It wouldn't look out of place in a museum!

 
I think BG monitors are a very personal piece of kit. If you're happy, confident and comfortable with your meter then stick with it.
I've always used Abbots and for me they work fine, granted I've had upgrades over the years, but a bit like cars a Ferrari will always be a Ferrari and a Skoda will always be a Skoda, it's the same with BG monitors I find.
 
I've been an Accuchek girl for years and I agree, @therower , I like the continuity of brand loyalty. I was relieved when my 'you're getting THIS one' pump turned out to be from the same garage!


PS For the record, Mr S is very pleased with his Skoda Octavia Scout......!
 
Hi @Snapsy . Mr Snapsy is to be commended for his choice of car.
Skoda Favorit.
Octavia
Fabia
and now on my 2nd Roomster.
I've loved um all.
Yeti next?????????
 
Snapsy said:
I often wish I'd kept hold of my original gear! My first Novopen was a work of design genius and was very attractive, and my first meter (in 1986) was the size of a house brick and cost my dad a fortune! It wouldn't look out of place in a museum!

Click to expand...

I can see it now...

[SCENE: A nightclub circa 1980. Blondie's "Atomic" plays loudly. Neon lights flash in time to the beat and the dance floor is awash with lace gloves and back-combed hair. Men in military coats and badly-fitting faux-leather trousers watch women dance around their tiny handbags, decorated with chains and ribbons and other hanging bits placed on the floor in front of them. Goodlooking Man gazes around himself in boredom.]

Enter: Snapsy.

Snapsy is dressed in a fluorescent fuchsia jumpsuit with a lime green belt and matching head band. Her hair is a twist of back-combed curls with long lace lengths hanging down in random intervals. She is pulling an enormous machine at least as large as a fridge-freezer with lots of flashing lights behind her. Occasionally it beeps. A line of ticker tape covered in numbers spews endlessly from a slot.

Good-looking Man: Say, little lady, need some help with your massive doo-dad? (He gives her a salacious wink and rolls the sleeves of his tan blazer up to his elbows)

Snapsy: No thanks! It's my portable blood glucose testing meter. It goes everywhere with me.

The GLM nods politely, clearly somewhat intimidated by the huge machine. It beeps intermittently, constantly whirrs and lights flash like a coms panel on a starship. He leans over to Snapsy and mutters something unintelligible at her before backing away slowly. As he leaves, a HUGE intermittent siren drowns out the music. He pauses, startled, and looks back to Snapsy.

Snapsy: I'm sorry! My phone is ringing!

Snapsy reaches off camera for her "mobile phone". It is at least as large as her portable BG machine...
 
Hi. T1s and T2s use the same type of standard Glucose meter for finger-prick testing. I've had mine for years. I think you'll find you don't need to calibrate them as the strips themselves are self-calibrating but you can get calibration fluid from the manufacturer if needed but I wouldn't bother. I have two meters one in the car and one at home so can compare the two.
 
Good-looking Man: Say, little lady, need some help with your massive doo-dad? (He gives her a salacious wink and rolls the sleeves of his tan blazer up to his elbows)

Snapsy: No thanks! It's my portable blood glucose testing meter. It goes everywhere with me. Besides, I'm ELEVEN YEARS OLD!

The GLM nods politely, clearly somewhat intimidated by the huge bearded SnapsyDad who has appeared from the shadows rolling up his sleeves and flexing his fists. The GLM runs for the hills.
 
therower said:
Hi @Snapsy . Mr Snapsy is to be commended for his choice of car.
Skoda Favorit.
Octavia
Fabia
and now on my 2nd Roomster.
I've loved um all.
Yeti next?????????
Click to expand...
My Mini got smashed up at the gym car park yesterday....... Negotiations are in progress!

Shopping list for my next car has Yeti at the top - I hope the Mini will be put back to its previous pristine state in the shorter term, though!
 

Just saying you were an early bloomer, Snaps

You got off quite lucky - I was going to stage it in a 1960's sci-fi show...
 
Hey @SockFiddler . GLM back in the 80's. Brings back memories of being an ULS and not even getting a second glance from a Snapsy or anyone else for that matter.
 
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