Glucose Monitors?

[gabby]

If anyone tests their glucose several times a day...I'm just wondering what your experiences have been with different monitors and test strips. Anyone find that one is more accurate than the others?

THanks

[skbird]

I initially used a "generic" one from Walgreens, but after a year it started acting weird. I thought it was slow (taking 30 seconds to read a strip) and it took a good amount of blood, I often would not get enough out. I think it was a "Prestige" brand repackaged as a Walgreens one.

I switched to a Freestyle and it takes less blood, works faster, and also can be used on your arm, etc, as opposed to just your fingers. The only problem I had with mine is after a few months of not using it much, the batteries died and got corroded. I don't know why I didn't think about this but it happened, then seemed to work (I replaced the batteries) and then stopped working. I could see stuff had gotten in under the display (from the batteries getting corroded). I ended up buying a Freestyle Mini to replace it and I like it just fine so far. Different batteries and lancet isn't as effective as the one with the regular size Freestyle so I switched them. (uh, not the batteries...)

I go through phases of using it a lot, several times a day. So my fingers have gotten pretty sore. Alternate testing sites is a good option with a test kit. Also, keep your eyes open for a special at drug stores - sometimes you can get the meters free if you buy a certain amount of strips, etc.

Stephanie