How long does the average glucose monitor last? Do they need to be replaced every few years or do they last until something breaks?
I used my first meter for about 2 years… then it started to give really inaccurate results. I don’t know the actual answer to this question, but I do replace mine every couple years (because they are cheap or free).
Hmm, very interesting. I have noticed mine seems to read significantly higher than, say, the one at my doc’s office. I know there is a margin of error, but when mine reads 177 and the other one is showing 108… well that seems like its quite a bit of error!
I have had diabetes almost 19 years. I find meters last for much longer than I want to keep them for. I usually upgrade to something newer and better than what I have, so I’ve never actually experienced the “death” of a meter. I’ve had the same Freestyle Flashes for a good 6? years maybe.
I had a similar experience with my One Touch Ultra after two years. My doctor told me that it was time for a new meter. I don’t know if the inaccuracy was caused by age, but it’s a good idea to measure compared to your doctors when you go.
I got my first glucometer elite in 1997 and it lasted me a good ten years. Then I got a onetouch a few years ago, which is now my backup. I’m presently using the freestyle monitor attached to my CozMore pump.
I’ve never had one go bad, despite putting them through some rough and tumble treatment over the years.
Cheers, Mike
I’d be interested to know what happened with your One Touch Ultra. Did it just crap out or what? I’ve had mine (an Ultra2, actually) not even two years and as of yesterday it seems to have gone totally wonky (e.g., gave a result of 80, an hour after I’d eaten a big bowl of wonton soup – the Accucheck read 151, which seemed a lot more like it …). I’ve already wasted a bunch of strips trying to figure out if it’s the meter or the strips, and compared results to a couple of other meters just to see … I’m still not sure what’s going on, or what my BG really is! A few weeks ago when I got the Accucheck, I tested it against the Ultra2 five times in a row and they were within a few points of each other every time. I guess I’ll have to trust the Accucheck for now … even though I like the Ultra2 better.
I’m not necessarily averse to switching meters, but I have several boxes of strips for the Ultra2 that I’d like to be able to use up. I got the One Touch meter for free, the same day I was diagnosed … But since it was free, maybe it was already old when I got it? Maybe that’s how they use up their stock of expiring meters?! I’m going to call and see if they’ll send me another one.
More interesting monitor events - after “behaving” for the last few weeks, my monitor seems to be stuck in the 183-187 range. Could it be accurate? Maybe, but after last nights reading I injected a few units of Novolog before bedtime. I expected to be in the 80-120 range this morning. Nope, I was 185 for the third consecutive reading! The odd thing is that I calibrated it just yesterday morning with a new vial of strips.
I’m thinking about purchasing a second meter and running side-by-side comparisons for a few days. I’m currently using a OneTouch UltraSmart. I really love the rolling 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 day average. Any suggestions???
Same here, that thing is a workhorse! Although recently I began encountering this amazingly annoying thing where I would insert the strip, get the blood ready, and then touch the blood to the strip, only to realize that the meter had turned off at some point between when I inserted the strip and applied the sample. And very little time was elapsing between insertion and sample- maybe 10 seconds at most. So of course, I’d have to do a new strip and possibly another finger prick.
When I called Therasense, they sent me their newest Flash and 200 test strips for free. Of course, this meter is a “no code” and can only use the matching strips which cost more.
What I find wears out quicker is the lancing device. I just picked up one of those free One Touch Minis online and it has the most luxurious lancing device. For some reason it is just a lot less painful than the Flash’s and a lot better at bleeding me properly. So I tossed the meter in a drawer and swapped out the Therasense lancer for the One Touch. I recently stopped doing arm/leg testing because it isn’t accurate enough for my tastes, especially when dealing with Symlin where hypoglycemia is a bigger risk. But I am sticking with the Flash.
I am with Melissa. I usually toss my meter before it goes Kaput. It is a hassle to change. I just did it and getting the strips in line, getting rid of the extra strips and convincing my insurance company I need a new one etc, is a PITA.
Rick
I usually lose mine before they can go bad and then get a new one, and, as soon as I do, I find the lost one again. I don’t think I’ve had one last more than a year without losing it.
I just broke down and bought a OneTouch UltraMini from the HealthWarehouse. I chose the UltraMini because I have all the supplies needed for the OneTouch Ultra family, so this will help keep costs down. I will begin double testing myself tonight and let you know what I discover.
Thanks again for everyone’s input!
I guess I shouldn’t mention OneTouch is giving away this meter for free right now?
Doh!