• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Meter/Test Strip Price Balance



Hello Brassyblonde 900
I’m in UK. I get my test kit free but the Docters Clinic will not provide expensive ones (NHS cut backs).
I’m using Contour Next USB. It’s neat small 4 1/2 x about 1inch.
I charge it by taking the end bit off and there’s the USB to plug in USB charger mains.
It has a screen lights up blue with three buttons to navigate your test
And the test strip goes in the other end.
So easy to take out with pot of strips and a stabler.
Some on the market are so complicated.
There’s a manual explaining how to plug in into your laptop and upload stuff.
But I can’t be bothered lol.
I’d be interested to know if my tester goes high as my sugars have been in the 15-20 mmol. It’s so hard to get it down.
Every month the hospital increases my insulin.
Any advice will be gratefully accepted.
 
bulkbiker said:
Just saw the £95 for the meter too!
Click to expand...
Hello.
I’m in the UK am I right in thinking most people here are in lovely USA ?
I’ve had test kits posted from company’s for free.
And sometimes us older folk can get them free from Doctors surgery or hospital.
Try asking a company for a free be and you’ll test it for them ??
I think is awful you don’t a NHS over there
Happyhippy
 
No most of us are UK based although we have do people from all over the world.
 
 

Hello CHICKY53
Yes I was offered same. But I said my Contour next usb was easier for me to hold as I’ve some Arthritis in my hands )thumbs mainly)
The practice manager said the strips are about the same price so that was ok!
I keep it with a pot of strips and an old favourite stabbed in a small makeup/ purse.
Fits in my jeans back pocket lol.
I find if you chat to them and explain why something is better for you it helps.
Good luck
Happyhippy x
 
 

Ps why do you pay for strips. I’m 62 and live In Bedfordshire and I get free prescriptions. X
 
Hello Happy Hippy,
I wish I could help, unfortunately your meter is not one of the ones I happen to have/use.
A lot of people on the forum have suggested, taking a 'suspect' meter with you on your next appointment, and doing a test there and then with your meter on the same blood drop, and comparing the results you get at the Dr's.
A High reading meter is extremely demoralising. I used a demon meter for almost a year, until a kind wise forum member here likened my affinity to that torture, to something akin to loving an undesirable man, hoping he would change. I then saw the light.

I wish I could be of more help, I know how dispiriting a high reading meter makes one feel. Especially if you are very strict about your readings and want very tight control.
 
Happy hippy said:
Ps why do you pay for strips. I’m 62 and live In Bedfordshire and I get free prescriptions. X
Click to expand...
I live in Somerset and, like many others, can’t get them on prescription. I think it’s a lottery which most diet controlled T2s lose.
 
Wow that is quite pricey for a box of accucheck performa nano strips.
I buy mine on eBay. They work out between £5.43 and £5.80 for 50 strips depending on the quantity I buy at the time.
Right now the seller I buy from has some listed, and you can get 400strips for £43.49
I am extremely happy with both the seller's service and the strips I have been getting from him.
 
Daphne917 said:
I live in Somerset and, like many others, can’t get them on prescription. I think it’s a lottery which most diet controlled T2s lose.
Click to expand...
Yes, and it's **** short-sightedness, particularly as a meter is an excellent motivator when one is solely diet controlled.

I likewise couldn't get test strips, but until I nailed the ketone diet my DN was quite forceful attempting to coerce me into metformin and statins.
 
My DN still tries to get me to take statins at every review but I always refuse her offer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…