Diabetes Talking

Question:

… one thing many of us don’t consider when thinking

about meters is that for some, smaller is NOT better… So…if manual dexterity is a consideration, the Ultra may

not be the best choice.  … I’d think that, depending upon age, etc., it might be that

the reviews about meters that work well for children might be pertinent for older diabetics as well. How about Bayer’s DEX, where you insert a 10-pak cartridge, so you only have to fool with that part every 2-5 days or so.

Response:

In my 6 weeks as a diabetic, I have already accumulated 4 different meters for free, including the Prestige LX.  Of the 4, it’s the least convenient to use, but I’ve been using it more than the others since I was given a few hundred strips for it (I have a huge deductible, so I pay for strips myself).  My favorite (and the easiest to use) is the One Touch Ultra.  Your dad wouldn’t have any trouble using that one.  

Craig, you MAY be right…however, one thing many of us don’t consider when thinking about meters is that for some, smaller is NOT better.  I showed my FastTake to my mother’s neighbor, figuring that it would work out very well for her.  The first thing she said, was "It’s too small. And the test strips are too small.  I couldn’t keep hold of them."  She has some neuropathy in her hands, I believe…and/or arthritis.  I contacted the pharmacist who had offered free meters in this group about a year ago, for his advice.  He sent her a different model of meter marketed by LifeScan.  I’m not sure which one it was.  She said that it worked great.   So…if manual dexterity is a consideration, the Ultra may not be the best choice.  Rick Mendosa has information on some meters and links to websites with reviews of various meters. http://www.mendosa.com/diabetes.htm I’d think that, depending upon age, etc., it might be that the reviews about meters that work well for children might be pertinent for older diabetics as well.  For instance, my preference is for test strips that are individually packaged…but I know that, for instance, my elderly mother-in-law would NEVER have been able to open the foil packet (and apparently children have problems with them, too)…but for that matter, she’d have had problems opening the vials because they have a tight force fit with no good way for weak hands to get leverage on the lid to open it.  As diabetics live longer and longer, it’s going to become important for the meter manufacturers to address this problem. Carol P.

Response:

I just saw the cost (betwen 1/3 to 1/2 half the price of the others) of it and is way to small to all the other brands in the market!…Also the lancets and strips are way below (almost half) the other brand prices!… It could be set on blood or plasma to get results; wich i thnk is good!… I want it for My dad in Mexico, and he gets confused with too many menus and settings with any electronic gadget, so no computer ports or software needed… …i want it as simple as possible for him!…

In my 6 weeks as a diabetic, I have already accumulated 4 different meters for free, including the Prestige LX.  Of the 4, it’s the least convenient to use, but I’ve been using it more than the others since I was given a few hundred strips for it (I have a huge deductible, so I pay for strips myself).  My favorite (and the easiest to use) is the One Touch Ultra.  Your dad wouldn’t have any trouble using that one.  You simply insert a strip, which turns on the meter, prick your finger, touch your finger to the edge of the strip, and it gives a reading in 5 seconds.  It has a memory of the last 365 readings and weekly and monthly averages.  I highly recommend it.  I’ve also read a lot of recommendations for the Freestyle, but I haven’t tried that one out yet. On the other hand, the Prestige is a bit more complicated.  You turn on the meter and prick your finger.  You then apply the blood to a circle on the strip, then turn the strip over and wait until the circle becomes dark.  At that time, you can put it in the meter.  It takes about 20 seconds for the results.  It recalls the last 50 results.  The Prestige is about three times as big as the Ultra and requires more blood.  On the positive side, it is built really well, and seems very consistent and reliable.  And like you said, the strips can be obtained much cheaper.  I’ve seen them sell on eBay for less than .10 a strip. I hope that helps, Craig

Response:

I just saw the cost (betwen 1/3 to 1/2 half the price of the others) of it and is way to small to all the other brands in the market!…Also the lancets and strips are way below (almost half) the other brand prices!… It could be set on blood or plasma to get results; wich i thnk is good!… I want it for My dad in Mexico, and he gets confused with too many menus and settings with any electronic gadget, so no computer ports or software needed… …i want it as simple as possible for him!… Has anyone had any positive or bad experience with it?… Thank You in advance!… Leo Enriquez Houston TX. I was thinking as an option the: One Touch ultra, the DEX from Bayer; or the Free Style…but I also was looking for one where he will be able to choose if pinching his arm or his finger tip!…I just wanted to give him the option to not having his fingers sore all the time!…

Response: