Guest guest Posted July 8, 2002 Report Share Posted July 8, 2002 Hi larry; I'm interested as I'm a canuck; I would like to find a talking meter that is also very easy to run as I tried one meter and even though it talked it was very difficult to get the blood in the exact spot. My wife reads another meter which does not talk but is very easy to get the bloodlet to run down the strip aEtc. Please let me know what you've discovered if anything ok? Ken B BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Thanks Ruth and everyone for the warm welcome. If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious as to what meters you and other Canadians on the list are using for testing. My research has shown that Canadians have far fewer choices than Americans. Furthermore, it appears that nothing is being done about it. Take for instance the Prodigy meter, developed in conjunction with the NFB. That one is not on the approved list here. I won't go further with my findings as I realize that this topic has limited interest, aside from Canadian members, but I am curious. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 The Prodigy Voice is what many Canadians are using Larry. I'm forgetting, but perhaps you are sighted, and your wife is blind? Anyway, any of the prodigy meters should be available to you. Ruth should be able to chime in here. Dave BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Thanks Ruth and everyone for the warm welcome. If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious as to what meters you and other Canadians on the list are using for testing. My research has shown that Canadians have far fewer choices than Americans. Furthermore, it appears that nothing is being done about it. Take for instance the Prodigy meter, developed in conjunction with the NFB. That one is not on the approved list here. I won't go further with my findings as I realize that this topic has limited interest, aside from Canadian members, but I am curious. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Hi Larry, I work for Diagnostic Devices here in Canada and we are working on bringing the Canadian papers to bring the Prodigy Voice and Auto Code blood glucose meters to Canada. Have a little patience, our government is slow with the process. If you want a meter before we get the approval, contact me off list at ruthhogue@... and I will give you more details and info. Ruth From: blind-diabetics [mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Larry Naessens Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 5:29 PM To: blind-diabetics Subject: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Thanks Ruth and everyone for the warm welcome. If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious as to what meters you and other Canadians on the list are using for testing. My research has shown that Canadians have far fewer choices than Americans. Furthermore, it appears that nothing is being done about it. Take for instance the Prodigy meter, developed in conjunction with the NFB. That one is not on the approved list here. I won't go further with my findings as I realize that this topic has limited interest, aside from Canadian members, but I am curious. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 And here I thought Canadians were able to get the Prodigy meters as easy as we can. Although, I gather getting the meter is not as much the issue as getting it covered through some kind of insurance. Dave BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Thanks Ruth and everyone for the warm welcome. If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious as to what meters you and other Canadians on the list are using for testing. My research has shown that Canadians have far fewer choices than Americans. Furthermore, it appears that nothing is being done about it. Take for instance the Prodigy meter, developed in conjunction with the NFB. That one is not on the approved list here. I won't go further with my findings as I realize that this topic has limited interest, aside from Canadian members, but I am curious. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Dave, having lived on both sides of the border, though not at the same time of course, I understand your confusion. In the States, several talking meters are available that are not available as yet in Canada. This can be the case for a couple of reasons. First, the Canadian government has, thus far, not approved as wide a selection of talking meters for use in this country. . Second, health Canada declines to reveal how far along they are in the approval process for any specific audible meter, thus making it difficult for blind diabetics to get a handle on what might be available to us around the corner. In fact, they will not telk us what meters are being considered, citing the right to privacy of the companies involved. Third, I am told that some companies choose not to applied for the right to market their medical devices in Canada. As for insurance based issues, government health coverage varies from province to province. In Ontario, where I live, diabetics are covered for insulin and/or oral medications. Test strips and related equipment would either be handled through group insurance at work or would be an out of pocket expense. Talking meters are covered in part if one is on insulin. For those on oral meds, it is an out of pocket expense. Right now, I'm looking at the likelihood of insulin due to limited success with oral meds. Meanwhile, the only meter that I've had any success in working consistently without having it error out frequently, is one designed for sighted people. That is a problem because my wife works an hour away while I work from a home office. My meter is therefore read when my wife gets home from work. This won't be ideal if I go on insulin, which is why I'm exploring options. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Ken, I'll be happy to pass along what I learn to anyone here on the list who might be interested. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Ken, I'll be happy to pass along what I learn to anyone here on the list who might be interested. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 I hope Ruth will pop in here with news on how to get the Prodigy. She is frm Canada and has one. Iven if you have to buy one, it is not terribley expensive and the test strips are considerably less expensive than the previous machin's was. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Hi larry; I'm interested as I'm a canuck; I would like to find a talking meter that is also very easy to run as I tried one meter and even though it talked it was very difficult to get the blood in the exact spot. My wife reads another meter which does not talk but is very easy to get the bloodlet to run down the strip aEtc. Please let me know what you've discovered if anything ok? Ken B BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Thanks Ruth and everyone for the warm welcome. If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious as to what meters you and other Canadians on the list are using for testing. My research has shown that Canadians have far fewer choices than Americans. Furthermore, it appears that nothing is being done about it. Take for instance the Prodigy meter, developed in conjunction with the NFB. That one is not on the approved list here. I won't go further with my findings as I realize that this topic has limited interest, aside from Canadian members, but I am curious. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I've never heard anything negative concerning the prodigy meter. I understand it's a big step forward from the hit and miss method of testing blood. I find now that I often use a couple of strips before successfully completing a test. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Well, Larry Even with the Prodigy I sometimes have to use more than one strip. If I don't get enough blood on the end of the strip, I have to do a repeat. You know wehen you don't have aenough because the machine gives you a ridiculously low BG reading and sometime I will put the blood on the strip and a few seconds later, rather than immedicately, it will say " testing " and then give you a low BG reading. I don't know of any meter, however, that tells you when you don't have enough blood on the strip-talking ones or not. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me I've never heard anything negative concerning the prodigy meter. I understand it's a big step forward from the hit and miss method of testing blood. I find now that I often use a couple of strips before successfully completing a test. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Hi . Thanks for that suggestion. If it's one thing I've learned since moving to Canada, it is that things are much different here than they were in the States. This is only natural as we are talking about 2 separate countries, but the differences surprised me. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Ths trip sticks out of the machine and is it is real easy to feel the end. You just wipe the end of the strip against the spot whre you have stuck your finger. My biggest problem is getting myself to bleed enough! Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Yeah, I sure understand that problem. I'm a lousy bleeder myself. So there's me, touching an unbleeding finger to an unsuspecting strip yielding unsatisfactory results. This does not make my day. Larry Larry Naessens Vinyl Trans4mations A Division of Jalana Enterprises Bradford, Ontario Phone: Vinyl Trans4mations, a Burn Above the Rest At Vinyl Trans4mations, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome all of your enquiries by phone or email. Before sending us your media, please contact us for important shipping instructions. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Hi , I don't seem to give up my blood willingly either, I haven't got my meter yet, still waiting to hear from this person at the Royal New Zealalnd Foundation of the Blind, who is in charge of getting our meters for us, lucky my doctor and the diabetic staff at our local hospital don't seem to think it enecessary that I test myself each day, although I am looking forward to being able to do that, it will help give me more guidelines I think. But when I did the blood thing at the doctor's, the nurse said it was hard to get my blood, and at the lab they found the same thing, felt a bit like a pin cushion when I came out of there lol. Hugs, Maggie. There's music in a horseshoe, there's music in a nail,There's music in a tomcat, when you stand upon his tail. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 My wife is like this too. the lab people told her some time back to drink water before having blood drawn, and this does seem to help. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 My wife is like this too. the lab people told her some time back to drink water before having blood drawn, and this does seem to help. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 My wife is like this too. the lab people told her some time back to drink water before having blood drawn, and this does seem to help. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 For those who have trouble getting enough blood for the test strip, you might try something that seems to help me. Before testing, just run warm water over the hand with the finger that you plan to stick for the test. When I do that for a few seconds, I seem to have a little better luck in getting enough blood for the job. I can't promise improvement for anyone with the problem, but it's worth a try. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 For those who have trouble getting enough blood for the test strip, you might try something that seems to help me. Before testing, just run warm water over the hand with the finger that you plan to stick for the test. When I do that for a few seconds, I seem to have a little better luck in getting enough blood for the job. I can't promise improvement for anyone with the problem, but it's worth a try. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 For those who have trouble getting enough blood for the test strip, you might try something that seems to help me. Before testing, just run warm water over the hand with the finger that you plan to stick for the test. When I do that for a few seconds, I seem to have a little better luck in getting enough blood for the job. I can't promise improvement for anyone with the problem, but it's worth a try. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 I do that too Dave-unless it is afasting blood test, then drinking water before hand does not make it a true fasting blood sugar. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me My wife is like this too. the lab people told her some time back to drink water before having blood drawn, and this does seem to help. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 I do that too Dave-unless it is afasting blood test, then drinking water before hand does not make it a true fasting blood sugar. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me My wife is like this too. the lab people told her some time back to drink water before having blood drawn, and this does seem to help. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 I do that too Dave-unless it is afasting blood test, then drinking water before hand does not make it a true fasting blood sugar. Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me My wife is like this too. the lab people told her some time back to drink water before having blood drawn, and this does seem to help. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Not true. Water has no affect on the fasting blood work. Or so the doctors and nurses at my medical facility say. Dave Re: BG test Meters for Canadian Members (was) Re: Introducing Me Pat, is there something that you can feel which helps to guide your finger to the appropriate action spot on the strip? Maybe a tangible notch or something? It seems to me that I read somewhere that there was. Is this true? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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