geez!! ok, i pick up the test liquid tomorrow and test my meter. i promise.
but...i would wonder at the practicality of using two meters, for *just* that reason. i'm relatively sure mine is good because its only a couple months old. could it also be a battery issue, in that the battery is getting old and therefore stupid in the circuts?
and thank you, lovely. i wouldnt have thought to test the meter. *hugs*
he got a second meter so he could keep one in his bag and one at home. he kept not testing his sugar because the meter was "at work" or "in the bag" or "at home" so he got a spare (sensible, and his own idea... not mine!)
but they are reading very differently, and not *reliably* differently, so now we dont know what his sugar IS..... and his test solution is way expired.
oh, and i was going to say, if wayne's doctor has the software to do it, does he take both meters in with him to show how his tests are? (i have the one touch works-for-the-stoopid-people model)
my endo can take the readings directly off the meter, and tell how good i'm doing.
Unfortunately, everything I can think of that could identify the problem requires a money outlay, like buying a new bottle of test liquid or hitting up a pharmacy clinic. It really does seem like his Dr's office could do a quick stick on him with one of their meters so you could figure out which one of his meters is off without you having to make an appointment. And if I were closer, I'd loan you mine in a heartbeat.
If you have the $ to spare - you can get a "disposable" meter at some pharmacies. the last time I looked for one, it was $20, and had test strips too. It is basically a very small meter that is in the cap of the test strip bottle. It's not the best solution, but it is likely to be closer to his correct glucose than a meter that is malfunctioning. It was several years ago that I last had to look for one, so prices and availability may have changed.
That is annoying about the meters. I know in Australia, meters are +/- 1mmol/l and still considered acceptable (which I believe is +/- 18mg/dl each side of the *real* reading) so I guess the meters are out by double that...
Do you have diabetes educators/nurses over there? I am not sure how the system works, but DEs are definitely the best person to see about diabetes over here. They check BGLs, check monitors, check medications, and injections sites, can talk to the doctor on your behalf about the best insulin to use if they look at the BGL profile and think a different insulin would be better etc. Most people with diabetes see them every 3-6 months, just to get everything checked out.
I am not much help... the only other thing I would say though is if he has a glucagon kit check the use by date. It goes out of date so fast, but it is the best thing if he has a major low.
We have DEs over here too. I agree, they are totally the way to go!! But the Pt would have to take the initiative to actually find one and then go to them and then actually follow the education they shared.
Some people find it easier to make excuses than to make progress.
That is one good thing about the system here - the doctors really push for their pts to see a DE (mind you the doctors get a bonus from the government if people with chronic disease see supportive allied health - and the pts get 5 free visits a year, so it is a win-win situation).
I keep thinking about doing the DE cert, but I haven't done anything about it...
It is up to the pt though. You are right about that. We get a lot of people in that DON'T want to change, but we try to be as supportive as possible.
the doctor has never mentioned them to me he has only talked about the health class that we cant afford
he did give wayne a referral to an endocrinologist... the first appt they woudl see him was 3 mos out.. that is now two weeks away.
pls note: thsi doctor is an improvement over the last one.
YES all the local doctors are idiots at best. there is a *reason* i was online asking how to tell if i broike a rib/punctured a lung/needed a hospital.. because the local hospital (since closed) was THAT BAD.
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but...i would wonder at the practicality of using two meters, for *just* that reason. i'm relatively sure mine is good because its only a couple months old. could it also be a battery issue, in that the battery is getting old and therefore stupid in the circuts?
and thank you, lovely. i wouldnt have thought to test the meter. *hugs*
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(sensible, and his own idea... not mine!)
but
they are reading very differently, and not *reliably* differently, so now we dont know what his sugar IS..... and his test solution is way expired.
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But I'll take your advice and test the machine regularly. :)
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my endo can take the readings directly off the meter, and tell how good i'm doing.
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they do an in house blood stick and an A1C is all.
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An endocrinologist would be able to both test and read the meters. And test blood sugars using 21st century methods.
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our local pharmacy doesnt have any in stock, i called.....
i will be calling the doctor in the morning.
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That is annoying about the meters. I know in Australia, meters are +/- 1mmol/l and still considered acceptable (which I believe is +/- 18mg/dl each side of the *real* reading) so I guess the meters are out by double that...
Do you have diabetes educators/nurses over there? I am not sure how the system works, but DEs are definitely the best person to see about diabetes over here. They check BGLs, check monitors, check medications, and injections sites, can talk to the doctor on your behalf about the best insulin to use if they look at the BGL profile and think a different insulin would be better etc. Most people with diabetes see them every 3-6 months, just to get everything checked out.
I am not much help... the only other thing I would say though is if he has a glucagon kit check the use by date. It goes out of date so fast, but it is the best thing if he has a major low.
Reply
Some people find it easier to make excuses than to make progress.
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I keep thinking about doing the DE cert, but I haven't done anything about it...
It is up to the pt though. You are right about that. We get a lot of people in that DON'T want to change, but we try to be as supportive as possible.
Reply
have
never
heard of them
the doctor has never mentioned them to me
he has only talked about the health class that we cant afford
he did give wayne a referral to an endocrinologist... the first appt they woudl see him was 3 mos out.. that is now two weeks away.
pls note: thsi doctor is an improvement over the last one.
YES all the local doctors are idiots at best.
there is a *reason* i was online asking how to tell if i broike a rib/punctured a lung/needed a hospital.. because the local hospital (since closed) was THAT BAD.
Reply
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