Urgent Help Please

[learning2me]

Please advise.
Trying to test my FBG for the first time and my new meter - SD Codefree is coming up Error 2 every time.
I have read and reread the instructions and used several test strips. Also tried the control strip, which says the machine is OK.

Can't work out what I'm doing wrong as I'm following instructions to the letter.
Holding the tip of the test strip onto my finger, but as soon as the blood hits the strip, the machine bleeps and comes up E2.

I'm desperate to have my breakfast, so if I can't sort this, I'll have to leave this until tomorrow.

 

[catherinecherub]

According to the manual you are not putting enough blood on the test strip.

• Discard this test strip and
  test again using a new
  test strip and a larger
  sample, making sure blood
  is placed to the narrow
  channel in the top edge of the test strip. See Chapter 3 “2.Performing a Blood Glucose Test”
  
  http://www.homehealth-uk.com/PDF Test Instructions/User_Guide_UK_final.pdf

 

[learning2me]

I read that in the book, but the second the blood hits the test strip, the machine beeps and comes up E2

 

[catherinecherub]

Are you putting the test strip in the machine before you collect the blood onto it?

 

[learning2me]

Yes, and using immediately.
It says that blood will be drawn up the little window in the test strip, but as soon as blood touches strip, it beeps E2

 

[azure]

I don't use that meter, but one of my meters sounds a similar alarm on occasion and I found it seems to be related to dodgy test strips. I've had to try 4 or 5 before one works.

I don't know if that helps, but it might be something to try if nothing else works. Coukd you open a new box of strips and try one of those maybe?

 

[azure]

I've also found that if I've used something like hand cream recently, although I get a normal size blob of blood appear on my finger, the consistency of it must be different as my meter doesn't draw it up properly and so sounds a 'not enough blood' alert.

You could try washing and rinsing your hands again perhaps.

 

[learning2me]

I've also found that if I've used something like hand cream recently, although I get a normal size blob of blood appear on my finger, the consistency of it must be different as my meter doesn't draw it up properly and so sounds a 'not enough blood' alert.

You could try washing and rinsing your hands again perhaps.

Thank you so much.
Washed my hands again and opened a new box of strips and managed to get it to work.
Not happy with the reading though - 8.8 and all I've had is a cup of tea!

 

[sanguine]

Some of that could be the stress of getting it to work!

But yes, absolutely clean and dry fingers is essential.

 

[azure]

Thank you so much.
Washed my hands again and opened a new box of strips and managed to get it to work.
Not happy with the reading though - 8.8 and all I've had is a cup of tea!

So pleased you got it to work! It's very frustrating when a meter plays up like that. They can be temperamental little things!

 

[learning2me]

Some of that could be the stress of getting it to work!

But yes, absolutely clean and dry fingers is essential.

Absolutely right Sanguine, Just tested again before eating and it was 6.4

 

[Daibell]

Hi. It does sound like those strips or the meter are a bit fussy. My meter(s) will play ball with a cold/warm slightly damp finger etc.

 

[learning2me]

Hi. It does sound like those strips or the meter are a bit fussy. My meter(s) will play ball with a cold/warm slightly damp finger etc.

I think the pot with 10 strips that came with the meter may have been faulty.
Only have a couple left, so when I'm more experienced, I'll go back and try them again I think.
May also have been because I had just had a shower, although I had washed my hands again before testing.
Bit of a mystery really.

 

[sally and james]

Sounds like @learning2me is sorted out now, so our tale is a bit late, but it might help someone else. First attempts at testing, we struggled and struggled. Tempers became frayed, there were drips of blood everywhere. Constant error messages. Discarded test strips all over the place. And what caused it? "Brains", the diabetic nurse had prescribed the wrong strips to go with the meter!
Sally

 

[learning2me]

LOL - if I hadn't bought them all together I might have thought the same!