Diabetes newbie here. I used up almost all of my glucose test strips by constantly testing over a period of a coupleplus weeks, to see how different foods affected me and just to try and get a base knowledge of my blood glucose levels. Now that I have a good idea of what I can and can’t eat, I don’t need nearly as many, but I don’t want to be out completely. I’m almost out now and I’m wondering if buying them online is a good idea. The freakin’ things are EXPENSIVE! Nearly $60 for a box of 50!! The cost come out of my pocket. It’s absolutely insane, but I want them.
I have a Precision Xtra machine.
The best deals I’ve found have been on ebay, 200 for about $58 (that includes shipping), which will last me a while. Has anyone bought test strips on ebay?
In my diabetes education classes, I’ve heard that most insurance companies will pay for the METER, but not the strips. And it’s the continued cost of strips that are so darned expensive. Insurance will sometimes pay for the diabetes education classes, too, and I recommend them. I’ve never bought strips online, but I’d be pretty wary of it. Sorry I’m not more help, just wanted to clear up the insurance issue.
Enroll in the ACCORD study. You get free meds, meters, exams, blood work, etc. There should be a group in a hospital near you. My participation in this study is saving me literally hundreds of dollars every month.
And if you’re buying strips, be sure they’re compatible with your meter. Otherwise the readings are meaningless.
At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, I called Liberty Medical and found I really could save a lot on my testing supplies through them. I have Medicare, but I think even if you don’t have insurance you still might get a better deal than at the drugstore.
That’s pretty much the way it is. I got my meter and my initial strips free (“free” since I pay in one way or another) but since I used them all up quickly, I have to pay for the next strips I get, or wait 6 months for the next batch due me.
I have been going to diabetes education classes, 3 so far. They don’t like me much. I’ve started questioning them and their (IMO) horrid diet information.
That sounds like a great program/study, but unfortunately, I don’t qualify. I went to their web site and had a look. Their qualifications are:
1) People with Type 2 diabetes who also meet these other criteria:
Yes, but…
2) Age 55 to 79 with no history of heart attack or stroke.
I’m only 50.
3) Age 40 to 79 with a history of heart attack or stroke.
I’ve never had a history of heart attack or stroke, either personally or in my family. In fact, I’m the first person I know of in my family to get diabetes.
4) Type 2 diabetes for at least three months’ duration.
Almost there. I was diagnosed in February.
5) High blood pressure or…
Not anymore, it would seem. I’ve been on high blood pressure medication for years, but my doctor took me off of it last week. I’m sure it’s because my diet has changed so drastically. I still need to keep an eye on my BP in case it ever goes wanky again.
6) … high cholesterol level
Yes, but maybe not after my next blood test.
You’re NOT eligible if…
1) People who have conditions that will reduce the benefit or safety of the ACCORD procedures.
Don’t know what “conditions” they’re talking about. I also have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and a couple of other conditions that might be problematic. If I qualified in every other way though, I’d certainly call them and find out.
2) People who would be unable to follow ACCORD procedures. As a participant, it would be your job to take your prescribed medicine, come to clinic visits, and follow the health tips tailered specifically for you.
This might be hard. I could take the medication, and do the clinic visits, and follow most of the health tips, but if they were to put me on the usual low fat, low calorie, medium/high carbohydrate diet, I couldn’t do it. It might be fine for some people, but I found out it was really really bad for me. I’ve found my perfect diet that’s stabilized my numbers and I don’t intend to change.
However, it’s a great thing ACCORD is doing and I hope word spreads and they get their 10,000 people to study.
Very very good advice.
I don’t think I’d qualify, but I apprecaite the mention.
Sorry, I’m a dope sometimes! I knew you’d save more money if you had Medicare, but I didn’t realize you had to have Medicare to qualify. Geez, don’t they realize that it isn’t just old folks and us stumbly-wumblies (my preferred term to disabled) who need help paying for medical supplies? :o
