Does anyone know what meter Dr. Bernstein currently recommends. I saw him 7 years ago and he recommended the Bayer Contour. I'm still using it, but am suspicious of the readings lately. Maybe it's time for a new meter.
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Permalink Reply by GlacierLily on May 10, 2012 at 9:27pm Thanks!
Permalink Reply by David (dns) on May 10, 2012 at 9:35pm I can confirm that. I checked with them just about a week ago and that is the current recommendation.
Permalink Reply by onesaint on May 10, 2012 at 10:34pm Yup, I checked with Steve (his publisher) about 3 months ago and it was the accu chek aviva.
How long did you see him for and how was it?
Permalink Reply by GlacierLily on May 11, 2012 at 7:45am I only went to see him once, as I live in the West and it is a long haul and very expensive (for me). However, one appointment is 3 days long! About half the appt. is spent talking, and about half is spent checking for diabetic complications. I had lots, and had only been diagnosed 5 months prior to seeing him. Of course, no other doctor has ever told me have any complications, nor have they done any testing beyond poking my feet. He is a sharp guy, and the fittest 70+ year old I have ever seen.
Permalink Reply by onesaint on May 11, 2012 at 9:36am It is quite expensive, but seems very worth it. He's the first Doc I've ever heard say you can beat D with tight control. Thanks for the info!
I don't know about Dr.B's meter, but I'm more than happy with my Freestyle Lite. I'm in England and get all my supplies through Abbott Diabetes Care. Their service is exemplary and they gave me a free upgrade from my Freestyle Mini a little while ago. I don't need loads of bells and whistles. All I need is a FAST reading, AST and a minimal blood drop. the Freestyle butterfly strips require LESS blood than any other and allow for "Top-ups" if you don't immediately get enough. Not many meters do this.
I also prefer to test on my forearm. As a Stable T2, I'm not tracking rapid changes, so that's more than accurate enough.
There's more to the meter than just accuracy. I think consistency just as important.
Then of course, the Lite is small and discrete.
Hana
Permalink Reply by Sheila Fitz on May 11, 2012 at 6:49am I'd like to know, too. I have three Accu-Checks, and a coupon to get a free mini meter from another maker. The Accu-check is made in the USA. I'd like to know how Dr. B. ranks the meters. My purse gets very heavy, and you aren't supposed to leave a meter in the hot car in the summer....so I'm looking for a small option.
Permalink Reply by GlacierLily on May 11, 2012 at 7:42am I know Dr. B checks the accuracy of the meter. He checks his blood sugar multiple times and wants the meter to give the same reading each time.
Permalink Reply by David (dns) on May 11, 2012 at 8:44am Yes, he makes a big point of that in the book. Consistency is one of his most important criteria. Accuracy without consistency is a contradiction in terms. You can't have the former without the latter; it's meaningless. And about that frequent checking . . . Until I read his book I was only checking once or twice a day. Now I track it in detail throughout the day, and it has been a tremendous eye-opener. My fasting readings and A1C scores had me convinced that my BG was "reasonably" well behaved. Nope. Not even close. I too live in the West and I'm seriously considering buying some plane tickets and making an appointment.
Permalink Reply by Sheila Fitz on May 11, 2012 at 1:15pm I bought th Accu-Check 360degrees. It is software that will allow me to download data from my three meters. The data can be collated and put into graphs that will help the Endo and me see patterns. I also expect to see breaches of consistency among meters. I have RA and have found that I need multiple meters to ensure that I never avoid testing because I don't want to make the stairs. I am buying another meter to put in a grab and go bag to go to my dd's house/or gym bag. My third meter that I own is supposed to travel with me in my purse. BTW, for those of you who have Walgreen's drugstores in the US - they have a sale going on til Sat May 12 for Accu-Check meters at $9.99 with $9.99 rebate, or free. In the past, I've received rebates from Accu-Check for $15. I'm bad about testing at the gym and while out shopping or watching my grandson, but I still make some insulin (LADA) and last week, my A1c was 5.1 no insulin, no pills - thank-you Dr. Bernstein.
When any store runs out of meters on a sale. you can ask for a rain check that can be used when they restock.
Permalink Reply by GlacierLily on May 11, 2012 at 2:42pm Thanks for the sale tip! I will head to Walgreens.
Manny Hernandez(Co-Founder, Editor, has LADA)
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