Meter Ideas
Hi everyone,
I joined this list last week. I’m a 29 year old T1, who’s had
diabetes for almost 15 years. I’m healthy, very active, and a bit of
a computer geek 
Just looking for a little feedback on suggestions for meters. I’m
kind of a die-hard Precision pen user, and am at the point where I
feel its time for me to take the leap to a new glucometer. I went
out and got a OneTouch Ultra last week, and find it to be ok. I must
say that I don’t like the canister of strips - I find it very
different from the individually wrapped strips I’m used to! I guess
my main question here is whether anyone’s tried the OneTouch®
UltraSmart machine yet, and how they’ve found it. I have to
opportunity to get one in combination with my Ultra, and am not sure
if I want to do that as yet.
I have to admit the buttons and features make it a bit appealing to
the geek inside me! LOL
Has anyone here tried it? Was it good, bad or ugly? Any insight
would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Anne
T1 dx’d 7Aug’88
October 8th, 2003 at 3:10 pm
Do you have an email addy or 1-800 number that I can try these? The other meter companies sent me out free meters! Maybe they will too?
Benita
My son is 13 and uses the accucheck compact also. Its handy to have the strips in a cannister that just slides into the bottom of the checker. The strips may be a bit more expensive but I find they are worth it. The accucheck compact is also small and easy to carry and takes very little blood to use.
October 9th, 2003 at 7:51 am
Anne,
NPH? Why not Lantus (insulin glargine)? Did your doctor mention it?
October 11th, 2003 at 2:20 pm
Anne,
Lantus (insulin glargine) is a sort of wonder drug. In combination with
a faster acting insulin you can almost simulate using an insulin pump.
Here’s how I would look at if if I were you: What are your HbA1cs? Would
you like them to be lower without having more hypos? The new therapy
might do that for you–and better control may result in lower risk for
those horrible complications. That’s what the possible benefit might be.
I’ve heard that there are some people who just can’t make the fast
acting insulins work for them. But that still doesn’t rule out switching
to Lantus for your long lasting insulin. It’s really neat stuff, in my
experience and from everything I’ve heard. I’ll bet it would be
difficult to find somebody who switched to Lantus who didn’t think it
was the best thing since buttered bread.
I suggest seriously looking into it.
SteveP
October 12th, 2003 at 9:58 am
My son was on the lantus and it’s ok, the cons are that you always have to have the insulin with you and stop to give a shot when eaten plus the 4 shots a day. My theory is if you’re on lantus, you might as well be on the pump!
Benita
It’s really neat stuff, in my
experience and from everything I’ve heard. I’ll bet it would be
difficult to find somebody who switched to Lantus who didn’t think it
was the best thing since buttered bread.
October 13th, 2003 at 2:39 am
Belinda,
First of all, just so you aren’t misunderstood, let me point out that
Lantus only has to be injected ONCE PER DAY. That’s the point. Perhaps a
few unusual people might have to take it twice.
I know you know that but what you said is a little confusing. What you
are talking about is taking the fast-acting insulin (Humalog, for
exampel) before each meal (and afterwards occasionally) That being said,
I’m sure I could shave off a couple tenths of a percent with the pump
but everything my doctor has told me suggests to me that an HbA1c of 6.1
is “good enough.” My doctor thinks that <6.5 is the goal to aim for, so
if I couldn’t do that I wouldn’t hesitate to ask him for a prescription
for a pump.
Steve
October 13th, 2003 at 10:17 pm
Steve,
Right, but it’s easier just to be on the pump in general. No shots, just the initial injection of the needle every 2-3 days.
Benita
I know you know that but what you said is a little confusing. What you
are talking about is taking the fast-acting insulin (Humalog, for
exampel) before each meal (and afterwards occasionally) That being said,
I’m sure I could shave off a couple tenths of a percent with the pump
but everything my doctor has told me suggests to me that an HbA1c of 6.1
is “good enough.” My doctor thinks that <6.5 is the goal to aim for, so
if I couldn’t do that I wouldn’t hesitate to ask him for a prescription
for a pump.
October 15th, 2003 at 9:08 am
I have felt it! Yes, the Lantus does feel funny. It doesn’t “burn”
exactly, in my case, but it is an unpleasant feeling. It seems weird an
inexplicable that it would feel different than other kinds of insulin
but I really think it does. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,
though.
October 18th, 2003 at 11:15 am
No, it’s not anymore painful than the shots. It’s just a needle going in, just like a shot except one needle is a little bigger but it’s over quickly. My 6 yr old son takes it and it doesn’t bother him a bit. It’s over so fast and you squeeze up the skin when doing it. It’s much easier than anything else.
Benita
I just started on insulin 3 weeks ago and my doctor has already
mentioned a pump. At this point, it sounds too “weird” and
setting up the “infusion site” seems more difficult and painful
than the injections - even if it is only 2-3 times a week.
October 19th, 2003 at 8:03 am
Benita - your 6 year old is probably braver than me. I actually am not
handling the shots very well. I had to get an auto-injector which is much
easier.
Although now I am getting anxiety about that and having trouble pushing the
buttom. I know its mental and when I’m relaxed it’s not a problem. It is
something I will work on. This is the problem with starting insulin at age 37 -
I’m a little less adaptable. So maybe in August when I see my doctor, I will
be prepared to talk about a pump. Thanks for sharing with me!