Post covid ICU and monitor model advice please

[Robert_D]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed in 2000 and until recently was well controlled to a degree but stopped testing due to cost of accuchek strips being prohibitively expensive a couple of years back, just relying on low carb (off all meds) & exercise. BUT ALL THAT CHANGED!

Have posted my recent survival of Covid in the T2D forum where my BG
Readings went through roof after contracting Covid going in to ICU, being put on insulin for just a few days & being on a ventilator for 2 days. 13 days in total in hospital but survived.

Long story short, Fiancee independently got me monitor which I have never heard of whilst in ICU. Used to be regular user of accuchek Aviva but costs over years of strips made getting them difficult and prohibitivly expensive hence reason stopped monitoring and having been put back on Metformin whilst in ICU and advised to continue post discharge, want to be med free again within 12 weeks.

Have stuck to a low carb for years but need to restart monitoring in conjunction to be med free and need your advice on following monitor please that my fiancee purchased in good faith wilst I was in hospital knowing I have had no strips for years and previous monitor was in storage.
So please just views on this model as I know there are plenty of other options out there,but just want honest feedback from those users in the know on this monitor please.

Purchased from Amazon ( appears to be Chinese manufactured but what isn''t?) Metene G-425-3 monitor With 50 strips. Repacement strips are very cost effective and plenty of positive reviews to match but no reviews on this site.
Can use my acccuchek fastclixl lancep as plenty of Lances

Thank you in advance and sorry for rambling on but that is always possible when deciding to write at 3:30 am!

Thank you again.

 

[Goonergal]

Hi there @Robert_D

I’ve never heard of the meter you mention, so can’t comment, it hopefully others will be along soon.

In the meantime, here’s some information on meters commonly used by people on here, most of which I’ve shamelessly pinched from the helpful information that @Rachox provides.

What I use

Personally I’m using the freestyle Libre as my main monitor as I like the convenience and continuous monitoring, but it’s not cheap! However, once things have settled down for you, it might be worth investing in just one or two sensors to get a deeper insight into your blood glucose patterns. I use their reader, but the sensors work with many (but not all, do check yours) mobile phones.

When not using the Libre, I use the Tee2+ from Spirit Healthcare which has cheap strips (not the cheapest strips but very reasonable): http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here: http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/ I got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order the meter and 10 boxes of strips and they threw the meter in for free. Phone number 0800 8815423

Cheapest

The meter with the cheapest strips is the SD Codefree. I used to use this but switched to the Tee2+ as the Codefree went through a period when the strips were unreliable. Strips need to be bought in bulk using the codes below and the manufacturer is in the process of switching people over to a new model (see below). http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/ and here for the extra strips http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/ Discount codes for bulk orders:

5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

Slightly more expensive

Also from Spirit Healthcare, with more expensive strips than the Tee2+ is their Caresens Dual. This can be used for testing ketones too (strips for that very expensive). https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual I know that @Rachox uses that one. I have one but use it only for ketones (the meter used to be free, so I ordered it for the ketone testing).

Home Health have recently brought out a new meter, the Navii, which will eventually replace the Codefree but I don’t have any experience of it. I think @DCUKMod and @bulkbiker may do. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/ The latest news from Home Health states:

"We have a special promotion for switching Codefree customers to the GlucoNavii, whereby if you buy a meter with 2 or more packs of strips from the below link and add the discount code "dcuk" at checkout, we will subtract the price of the meter.

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

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips.

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

 

[Robert_D]

Thanks @Goonergal The Chinese manufacturer states in manual that control liquid is included in the kit with meter and offers details of said Control liquid range but when i asked why
it wasn't included in the kit, they responded they don't have any and can't supply it, nor advise further/ So "you get what you pay for" or not as full refund offered and 2 days later refunded.in full

I considered your list and ordered the Tee2+ monitor from Spirit Health for £3 more than the Metene kitt! But comes with 50 additional strips for the price (100 in total, (only 50 with the Metene kit, free (ongoing) Control solution , free replacement batteries for life, 24 hour telephone help line, got through @745pm (on lockdown!) and their glucose monitors was offered for FREE when I paid! The strips are Accurate to ISO 15197:2015 standards.too.Plus they offer Vat free if diabetic.. So............
Chinese Metene monitor and strips = failure

Spirit Health= Peace of mind & so much more....

Thank you again @Goonergal


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