Hey everyone,

I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and am looking for info regarding blood glucose monitors and software. When I was diagnosed I went out and bought the cheapest store brand model I could find, but I'm tired of logging all the readings and would like to update to one of those models with software that manages all the data. Can anyone offer advice? I've looked through the product comparison guides which are helpful, but I'd like to hear from people who have used devices for an extended period of time. Are there any that you think are the best, any to avoid at all costs? Which software is the most useful? Also I'd like to know which devices are the most user friendly, my current model ooks and works like a relic from Soviet Russia. I'd appreciate input from anyone who has used a BGM. Thanks so much!

Joe

I use the One Touch Ultra and the software downloaded from Lifescan for free. You need to buy a cable to connect to your computer for about $20. My doctor was very impressed by the printed reports I showed him. It is easy to use and gives a number of different types of reports.

hello all...i also favor the one touch ultra...only 5 seconds for a glucose reading...it's a palm-sized meter...the strips come in a small round snap-top container.The Bayer Glucometer Elite XL is pretty good also,but the readings take about 45 seconds,i think...don't know anything about the software....the diabetic doctor that my companion goes to does all the downloading of information....she provides the papers that have 3 weeks of graphs that u document daily glucose readings and what amount of insulin u take at each meal...much easier than a book u have to flip thru....also the one touch ultra is probably one of the most expensive meters....but most diabeticians have a supply of different meters on hand for their pts. to try, for the asking.

Hi, Newbie! My insurance only covers Accu-Chek Advantage, so that's what I have to use. It is fairly small and does have a memory feature, but no download feature. It also has one of those ugly little black cases and they usually supply a small log to use when away from home. At home I record into a little fat notebook, also putting down anything unusual I did or ate that day that might affect BG. I designed my own spread sheet and just enter the stuff from the notebook into that every week or so, then print it out when going to the dr. or the nurse. I just carry a few hard candies in my purse - you could put them in your pocket, and usually have a little (6 oz) can of juice with me if I'm out in the car, or in a tote bag. My diab. educator nurse doesn't believe alcohol swabs are necessary for tests if your hands are freshly washed and dry. I used them in the very beginning, then quit after a while. If you carry a briefcase, you could carry your bits and pieces in that, or they have nice men's shaving or toiletry kits in various sizes. If you fly, always take all that stuff and your meds or insulin if any in your carry-on bag and these days, might help to have a copy of your prescriptions. Good luck! I've been Type 2 for 10 years, on insulin for 4, and so far no complications.

Hi. I used a freestyle tracker for quite some time before my PDA screen cracked. It was a special attachment you can attach to your PDA, it fit some 5-6 models of PDA's. It was actually given to me by my endocrinologist, a lot of times they will have machines like this given to them to try out on some patients. I loved it, and am looking to go back to it once I get a new PDA. It is really an amazing machine. The software that comes with it lets you download all information onto your computer, and you can track everything through your PC. Also, there were pie charts, line graphs, etc. showing sugar ranges. You can tell what percent of the time you are running high, low, or in range, and which times of day you need to work on. Really an amazing machine. It also had software on the PDA that tells nutrition information on tons of regular every day foods, restaurant foods, etc. It also has areas you can type in what you have eaten, how much medicine you took, how many carbs you ate for a particular meal, so when you eat that meal again you can see how your sugars reacted to the amount of insulin you took, so you know how to adjust if needed next time you eat the same meal. Truly amazing machine. I'd recommend going online at checking it out.