Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 In a message dated 7/4/2006 1:52:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, sisterpiranha@... writes: Are you supposed to get the control solution with every box of strips you get? I just got my 2nd box of strips and no control solution again. Hi Marisa, I have to purchase the control solution separately. Have never received it with the strips. hugs Eunice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Are you supposed to get the control solution with every box of strips you get? I just got my 2nd box of strips and no control solution again. ~Marisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 I don't think we get control solution with the test strips....just with new meters. Barbie _____ From: diabetes [mailto:diabetes ] On Behalf Of sisterpiranha Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 12:42 PM To: diabetes Subject: control solution Are you supposed to get the control solution with every box of strips you get? I just got my 2nd box of strips and no control solution again. ~Marisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Marisa, I use a TrueTrack meter and Walgreen's where I purchased it does not stock the control solution. They told me to call the manufacturer customer service number. I told them I needed a new bottle, and they sent me one right away free of charge. Told me to call again when I need more. Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Thanks Eunice, I couldn't remember. ~Marisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 In a message dated 7/4/2006 11:06:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, schappaugh@... writes: If my reading doesn't make sense, I use the control. Otherwise, if I'm doing a fasting reading and it's consistent with what every fasting reading usually is, I don't see much point in using the control solution. Hi Mike, When I first started testing, I used the control solution for a couple of times. Have not used it since. If I have an unexplained high number, I'll do another test. I've been testing for several years and have not had any problems. hugs Eunice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Marisa, You have to order the control solution separately. It doesn't come with the strips. I have Medicare and they only pay for control solution once every six months. Don't know about other insurance. sisterpiranha sisterpiranha@...> wrote: Are you supposed to get the control solution with every box of strips you get? I just got my 2nd box of strips and no control solution again. ~Marisa --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Ok, I'm confused. I thought you needed new solution every 3 months? Is that true? I think it's crazy that you need this solution but it doesn't come with your strips, etc... oh , well Ok, so how do I get the solution. Obviously my educators sure didn't help us with this part. ~Marisa Are you supposed to get the control solution with every box of strips > you get? I just got my 2nd box of strips and no control solution again. > > ~Marisa > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 , how or where do I order it? > You have to order the control solution separately. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Marissa: If your strips and meter require the control solution, just ask your pharmacist - they should know which solution to use with which strips and meter. My meter requires control solution to calibrate the strips. The solution is good for three months from opening. My control solution comes two bottles to a box. I don't recall it being very expensive, and my insurance doesn't cover that particular item. Sadly, you may find that you'll gain FAR more information from this list than your educator - it's a component that seems to be seriously lacking in this case. Also, you may also find that they will recommend the standard ADA diet - and most of us on the list have found that allows WAY too many carbs to be successful in tight glucose control. Most use a low carb way of eating in order to keep A1C's in the 5's. Don't panic and don't get discouraged. It's a lot to sort out - just do one thing at a time! Regards, C Re: control solution Ok, I'm confused. I thought you needed new solution every 3 months? Is that true? I think it's crazy that you need this solution but it doesn't come with your strips, etc... oh , well Ok, so how do I get the solution. Obviously my educators sure didn't help us with this part. ~Marisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 THANKS ! I will go in tomorrow and ask at the pharmacy. I also need the solution to calibrate each box of strips. ~Marisa > > Marissa: If your strips and meter require the control solution, just ask > your pharmacist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 I get mine from a local medical supply company who sends me my strips every 3 months, but you can check with your pharmacist about where to get some for your meter. It's a good idea to use the control solution maybe once a month or so; or whenever you get a reading that doesn't seem right, you'll want to check to be sure your meter is still working properly. I don't think the solution is very expensive, and I don't understand why Medicare only supplies it once every 6 months, when it is supposed to be used within 3 months of being opened. Maybe I shouldn't count on what my supplier says and find out from Medicare directly. On the other hand, I could just spring for it on my own. Anyway, things will start falling into place for you, and, as others have pointed out, you will learn quite a bit here that you won't get from your doctor or diabetes educator. There are so many little details of information you should have, and it's almost better that you get in small pieces from a group like this. It's less overwhelming that way, and, if you have questions, you get answers right away from some of the knowledgable folks here. One book I got that is helpful is THE FIRST YEAR: TYPE 2 DIABETES by Gretchen Becker. It is a very good primer for learning about how (and why) to manage your diabetes. sisterpiranha sisterpiranha@...> wrote: , how or where do I order it? > You have to order the control solution separately. > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 > > Ok, I'm confused. I thought you needed new solution every 3 months? > Is that true? I think it's crazy that you need this solution but it > doesn't come with your strips, etc... oh , well > Ok, so how do I get the solution. Obviously my educators sure didn't > help us with this part. Marisa, My bottle of control solution doesn't talk about discarding it after 3 months. It just has an expiration date on it. Lacking instruction to discard prior to that date, I keep it until it is expired. I've never gone through a bottle. The most I've ever used is one drop for every package of strips I buy. My strips come packed as two vials of 50 when I buy 100 at a time. I would only use the control on one of the two vials in each package (since both vials come from the same lot and have the same callibration chip). The only time I would think of running an additional control is if I thought my meter was wrong. This is, of course, if I do it at all. ;-) Since there are no 'moving parts' and my meter is kept with my insulin so it's not likely to be damaged by excessive heat or cold... I usually consider myself the control. If my reading doesn't make sense, I use the control. Otherwise, if I'm doing a fasting reading and it's consistent with what every fasting reading usually is, I don't see much point in using the control solution. I believe each meter has it's own control solution. Go to your pharmacy and ask them for it. If they don't have it, they should be able to order it for you. Someone also posted that they called the meter manufacturer and were sent a free vial of the control solution. That's certainly a cost effective means of doing it! ;-) It's certainly up to you if you use control solution... I wouldn't advocate doing differently than you were instructed. I just don't see much need to use a strip and control solution to prove that things are working when they aren't changing on a day to day basis with my testing. (Also, my control solution is 'high' solution, so the control test is 'ok' as long as it is between 357-483 for my current batch of strips...that's quite a spread in my book.) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 Mike, I believe it states on the bottle and in the book that my control solution is only good for 3 months. I had to date it myself when I opened it so I knew when it expired, according to when I opened it. I use it for each new box of strips and I've used it once or twice in between when I've thought things weren't right. I talked to my pharmacist today and it was about $20 for the box of solution. She suggested I ask my doc for a prescription so I will do that when I see her in a few days. Thanks Everyone! ~Marisa --------------------------------- Sneak preview the all-new Yahoo.com. It's not radically different. Just radically better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 > > If you are on Medicare you can get your testing supplies free from Liberty > Mutual. I do not know all the details. I have a friend that gets his > free. He has Medicare and a supplemental and he does not have to pay one > cent for any supplies. You can get your supplies for 'free' with Medicare if you do the following. 1) Have a supplemental insurance policy that covers your coinsurance and deductible amounts from Medicare 2) Go to a supplier who 'participates' with Medicare (in other words has sign a participating agreement with Medicare to accept Medicare reimbursement (less co-ins, and ded.) as 'payment in full' for services. It is probably possible to find supplemental policies that cover the difference, regardless of the participating status of your supplier or physician. Not sure about that. But working with a 'participating' provider/supplier always keeps your costs lower. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 Ok I have a (i think) Stupid question.. What is control solution? Also My dad needs Lances, an test strips .. He doesn't have a dr apt til next week .. Is there a service I can get these through. Money is super tight her now. Kim Cute but psycho so things even out! Re: control solution > > If you are on Medicare you can get your testing supplies free from Liberty > Mutual. I do not know all the details. I have a friend that gets his > free. He has Medicare and a supplemental and he does not have to pay one > cent for any supplies. You can get your supplies for 'free' with Medicare if you do the following. 1) Have a supplemental insurance policy that covers your coinsurance and deductible amounts from Medicare 2) Go to a supplier who 'participates' with Medicare (in other words has sign a participating agreement with Medicare to accept Medicare reimbursement (less co-ins, and ded.) as 'payment in full' for services. It is probably possible to find supplemental policies that cover the difference, regardless of the participating status of your supplier or physician. Not sure about that. But working with a 'participating' provider/supplier always keeps your costs lower. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 In a message dated 7/5/2006 4:41:24 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kimsulastar@... writes: Ok I have a (i think) Stupid question.. What is control solution? Also My dad needs Lances, an test strips .. He doesn't have a dr apt til next week .. Is there a service I can get these through. Money is super tight her now. Hi Kim, The control solution is used to verify that your meter and test strips are working properly to give reliable test results. In the hand book that comes with the meters, there will be a section explaining about the control solution and when it should be used. I don't know of any services that provide test strips. There are some organizations or churches will help with prescriptions/test strips, etc on a one time basis. hugs Eunice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 Kim---Not a stupid question. We need to test every month or so to see if our blood glucose monitor results are accurate. That's where control solution is used. The control soltion applied to your strips during a test should provide a response within a precisely narrow bg range. Just a method to make sure our meters are working correctly. Tim --- Kim Shepard-Leggee kimsulastar@...> wrote: > Ok I have a (i think) Stupid question.. What is > control solution? > > Also My dad needs Lances, an test strips .. He > doesn't have a dr apt til next week .. Is there a > service I can get these through. Money is super > tight her now. > Kim > > Cute but psycho so things even out! > > > > Re: control solution > > > On 7/5/06, Dianne > wrote: > > > > If you are on Medicare you can get your testing > supplies free from Liberty > > Mutual. I do not know all the details. I have a > friend that gets his > > free. He has Medicare and a supplemental and he > does not have to pay one > > cent for any supplies. > > You can get your supplies for 'free' with Medicare > if you do the following. > 1) Have a supplemental insurance policy that covers > your coinsurance and > deductible amounts from Medicare > 2) Go to a supplier who 'participates' with Medicare > (in other words has > sign a participating agreement with Medicare to > accept Medicare > reimbursement (less co-ins, and ded.) as 'payment in > full' for services. > > It is probably possible to find supplemental > policies that cover the > difference, regardless of the participating status > of your supplier or > physician. Not sure about that. > > But working with a 'participating' provider/supplier > always keeps your costs > lower. > > Mike > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 Thank you. I asked my dad an he is like what is that.. lol I was lik ei dunno you tell me you have diabetes.. ~Kim Cute but psycho so things even out! Re: control solution > > > On 7/5/06, Dianne > wrote: > > > > If you are on Medicare you can get your testing > supplies free from Liberty > > Mutual. I do not know all the details. I have a > friend that gets his > > free. He has Medicare and a supplemental and he > does not have to pay one > > cent for any supplies. > > You can get your supplies for 'free' with Medicare > if you do the following. > 1) Have a supplemental insurance policy that covers > your coinsurance and > deductible amounts from Medicare > 2) Go to a supplier who 'participates' with Medicare > (in other words has > sign a participating agreement with Medicare to > accept Medicare > reimbursement (less co-ins, and ded.) as 'payment in > full' for services. > > It is probably possible to find supplemental > policies that cover the > difference, regardless of the participating status > of your supplier or > physician. Not sure about that. > > But working with a 'participating' provider/supplier > always keeps your costs > lower. > > Mike > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 I can't see spending all that money on the control solution to throw it away every few months. My insurance doesn't cover any of the cost so I don't use it at all, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 My meters didn't come with control solution and I can't remember reading anything about it either. The strips are too expensive to waste on that for me. I have the Precision Xtra. Lois RE: Re: control solution I can't see spending all that money on the control solution to throw it away every few months. My insurance doesn't cover any of the cost so I don't use it at all, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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