Which Meter?

I started with Accucheck Aviva but now use the nano.
I love it.

Hi HpprKM, coding your meter is simple, in each new box of test strips there is a "coding chip" just push this into the side of your meter and check the number that displays on your meter is the same as shown on test strip tube. Just replace this chip with the new one that comes with each box of strips. hope this helps
Phillip

Hi, accu check make an aviva and an aviva nano, which is, er, smaller (The pics are not to scale)



As you already have the aviva nano I can see no point in changing at this point unless there is something that you dislike about it.

Simply put, It is useful to test before meals and two hours after meals to see what is happening to your bg levels after eating, some people also check at other intervals depending on the meal they eat as some carbohydrates act slower than others. This will give you a good picture of what different foods do to your bg levels so you can then act accordingly to reduce your bg levels. It may also be useful to test before you go to bed, so you can see what is happening overnight.

There are lots of threads here that quote the NICE guidelines for bg levels and I wont guess them but I'm sure someone will be able to quote them for you.

Hope this helps

I have a Freestyle Freedom Lite made by Abbott. It doesnt need coding and only needs a small amount of blood - 0.3 microlitres compared to 1.0+ microlitre for a previous one I had. It works very well for me and I have seen at least one online pharmacy offering it for free if you buy a box of 50 test strips for £19.99.
Oh and as I understand it, diabetics do not need to pay the VAT on these things so mention that if you are ordering for yourself and save some more £'s.

To be honest, my choice was governed by what I could get for free. I use the Accu-chek Aviva from Roche.

I like the carry case it comes with and the free software that anables me to print out some graphs.

It is a simple and straightforward meter that is fast to use, you can flag up particular results at the push of a button.

I also have a Bayer Contour from the "competition" here. It has a lot more features, when I got it, I'd started using the Aviva and had stocked up on strips. Enter the competition, you will get a meter, it isn't a real competition. The Drug companies are falling over themselves to give them away because the money is in the strips and lancets.

You will need to be persistent with the VAT, some staff, especially in the smaller pharmaices, just look blankly at you.

You can get strips cheaper on eBay. Check sellers out and make sure it has a good shelf life. Set yourself a limit and don't go over it. My limit is half the price you would pay at the shops (including postage), but I usually pay considerably less.

Depends on where you get them. Check (phone) with your usual Chemist for the VAT FREE price as a guide. If they know you, like mine does me, you probaly won't need to fill in a form for the exemption at all. If you do need a form you can download one from this sites main pages.

Ebay are much cheaper usually providing you make all the usual checks.

You can get a box of 50 test strips direct from the manufactures for just under £14. They send a small form to complete and sign with the first order to get them vat free.

Sorry forgot to mention that the test strips I spoke of are for Freestyle Lite