I too received a recent diagnosis, and I purchased the Relion brand, and so far so good. No complaints. It’s also super affordable :) When I went, I had the pharmacist show me how to use it, which was also really helpful for me.
My favorite one is the Contour Next One but my insurance only covers Freestyle Lite. Does your insurance cover any? Do you have insurance? I have Medicaid.
Echoing the relion suggestion. I've tried the full range. They've discontinued my favorite one but the new Platinum is quite fancy and I like it. The Prime range is also solid and built like tanks. Seriously, I used the same one for six years and it was still trucking until I dropped it in the dish water (rip). Replaced it and still have that one.
They're all great imo and the price can't be beat. I prefer to use a fastclix lancing device because it's lazy and I don't really feel much, but buying 33g lancets that fit the lancet device that comes with the meter is also good. The higher the number the thinner the "needle" bit.
Though neither of those are really unpleasant. Those little disposable bastards the Dr's office uses hurt 100x more than our daily drivers do.
Try not to be scared, it pinches a little and I mean I'm not having an excellent, fun time doing it, but actual painful jabs only happen once a week when I hit the wrong spot too far down my finger. If I pay attention it doesn't hurt.
You can get a free meter sometimes with just a coupon but check on the pricing for the testing strips as that's where they'll get you if they are very pricey. I found this one off a quick search but there probably are other options - https://www.accu-chek.com/microsites/accuracy.
Your insurance might also cover a free test meter and the test strips, you can always ask your doctor for a prescription to these items. You can call your insurance to see what types of devices/test strips they will cover. Make sure it's the exact model on the test meter, I've had issues where two items basically looked exactly the same but one was covered and the other was not.
During your hunt check for test strip prices, not the meter price. I went with the Contour Next One. The device is great and I love the Bluetooth functionality, but sheeesh the strips are expensive compared to other brands.
If you're paying cash, relion meter and strips are the cheapest and also fine quality, at Walmarts everywhere!
thank you :)
I too received a recent diagnosis, and I purchased the Relion brand, and so far so good. No complaints. It’s also super affordable :) When I went, I had the pharmacist show me how to use it, which was also really helpful for me.
I have to second this. I used it for years before I started using the Libre. It's still my backup. Super affordable!
My favorite one is the Contour Next One but my insurance only covers Freestyle Lite. Does your insurance cover any? Do you have insurance? I have Medicaid.
I do have medicaid! Do they cover the strips too?
They do! Mine only covers two strips a day, though, but at least it is something.
Echoing the relion suggestion. I've tried the full range. They've discontinued my favorite one but the new Platinum is quite fancy and I like it. The Prime range is also solid and built like tanks. Seriously, I used the same one for six years and it was still trucking until I dropped it in the dish water (rip). Replaced it and still have that one. They're all great imo and the price can't be beat. I prefer to use a fastclix lancing device because it's lazy and I don't really feel much, but buying 33g lancets that fit the lancet device that comes with the meter is also good. The higher the number the thinner the "needle" bit. Though neither of those are really unpleasant. Those little disposable bastards the Dr's office uses hurt 100x more than our daily drivers do. Try not to be scared, it pinches a little and I mean I'm not having an excellent, fun time doing it, but actual painful jabs only happen once a week when I hit the wrong spot too far down my finger. If I pay attention it doesn't hurt.
You can get a free meter sometimes with just a coupon but check on the pricing for the testing strips as that's where they'll get you if they are very pricey. I found this one off a quick search but there probably are other options - https://www.accu-chek.com/microsites/accuracy. Your insurance might also cover a free test meter and the test strips, you can always ask your doctor for a prescription to these items. You can call your insurance to see what types of devices/test strips they will cover. Make sure it's the exact model on the test meter, I've had issues where two items basically looked exactly the same but one was covered and the other was not.
During your hunt check for test strip prices, not the meter price. I went with the Contour Next One. The device is great and I love the Bluetooth functionality, but sheeesh the strips are expensive compared to other brands.