Glucose Meter

Pasta Lover · ‎08-10-2010

Hi,

I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes since April 2016. When I was tested again last December 2016 my A1C was alot better but the doctor suggested I test my blood sugar at least 3 times a week. She briefly showed me how to use the Freedom Style Lite meter at my last appointment. This model was listed as accurate and easy to use but finally I tried it and I am having problems using it. Does anyone have this meter and do you have any trouble using it? Any imput is appreciated. I know I should have been using it a month sooner but I have been sick with other problems.

Thanks,

Linda S.

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

@Pasta Lover wrote:
Hi,

I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes since April 2016. When I was tested again last December 2016 my A1C was alot better but the doctor suggested I test my blood sugar at least 3 times a week. She briefly showed me how to use the Freedom Style Lite meter at my last appointment. This model was listed as accurate and easy to use but finally I tried it and I am having problems using it. Does anyone have this meter and do you have any trouble using it? Any imput is appreciated. I know I should have been using it a month sooner but I have been sick with other problems.

Thanks,
Linda S.

Wow, your doctor only wants you to test three times a week? Are you sure he didn't say three times a day? As a new Diabetic there's no way to know what foods are doing what as far as your blood sugars are concerned without testing two hours after you eat. Then you start to understand what spikes your sugars and what doesn't. The whole point is to keep your sugars from doing that and to keep them at an even keel.

I don't know your particular meter but they are all roughly the same. You may wish to come over to the DIABETES THREAD (on the WELLNESS THREAD) and ask there. The posters there are all diabetic, some newly diagnosed, some having it for years and are very nice with a lot of valuable experience and suggestions! Hope to see you there!

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

By the way, when I was diagnosed my A1C was 12. In three months, using my meter and adjusting what I ate according to what it was doing inside me, I brought my number down to 6.3. Even after ten years, I still check my blood about three times a day, just to make sure I'm on track. I hope you are able to come over to the Diabetes thread and ask all the questions you'd like to ask....

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

I have to agree with @Q4u wholeheartedly about testing--I've never heard of testing blood sugar only three times a week. Three times a day would be a minimum to start figuring out what your sugar levels were doing.

That said, again Q4U is also right about the meters all being about the same. Yours should have come with an instruction booklet about how to test, calibrate, and set time, etc.

If there are any specific questions you have, perhaps posting in the Wellness forum would help you. Many people here are happy to help out.

CareBears · ‎08-30-2015

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes years ago, and I test a minimum of 3 times per day, is there a way you can call your doctor and confirm 3 times per week?

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

The only thing I have to do with my One Touch meter is insert the test strip, stick my finger, touch my finger to the spot on the strip, and in 5 seconds I have my reading.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

Is it the sticking your finger part that you are having trouble with, @Pasta Lover? Some lancing devices are better than others in my experience.

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

Some meters are automatically calibrated and you don't have to do anything, but other meters you need to follow the instructions and it will take you through setting it up point by point (I had one of those initially). Now I'm using Reli-on (WalMart) and it's a relatively inexpensive meter and so are the strips and lancers. I've also had my blood sugar readings with that meter and my doctor's reading looked at and my Reli seems to be accurate.

BTW... as a Diabetic everyone is different, but I can't even eat a tiny bit of pasta. The white flour (simple carbs) shoot my numbers way up and then they crash. I can't even eat wheat pasta. Not as dramatic, but I don't tolerate pasta and just don't eat it.... I saw your name and am hoping you are able to eat what you love..... but test your blood two hours after you eat and that number should be well below 170.

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@Q4u There is a pasta called Dreamfields that is much lower in carbs than regular pasta. I comes in a black box. They highly recommended it when I took diabetes class. I swear it tastes exactly the same. I buy only this brand now. It is important to only cook it the amount of time it says on the box - they stressed this in class.