Three times a week may give you some indication as to whether, or not, you
have diabetes. Isn't that nice?

John

have you checked out Walmart's prices?  they are very inexpensive.

Forgive me if this appears repetitive, it's something I
wrote a while back and also posted to my blog for others in
your position:

Testing on a Budget
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2007/04/teting-on-budget.html

I'm very lucky to be in a country where diabetics in the
past have successfully lobbied for specific support within
the government health system to assist good diabetes
control. I'm eternally grateful for the pioneers who created
Australian medicare and the NDSS
(http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ndss/).

However, I'm daily reminded that others overseas are not so
fortunate. Consequently, some have difficulty following the
full "test, test, test"
(http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm)regimen
as Jennifer suggests because of strip cost.

For them, I suggest a "one strip a day" method. This works
more slowly than following Jennifer's advice completely -
but it can still work. When I say "one strip a day" I'm not
counting the FBG or other tests the doctor wants - discuss
with the doc if you can cut back there. In hard economic
circumstances I can't see that doing FBG every second or
even third day is going to be a problem for the doc - but
check to be sure. Let's face it, the "average" type 2 out
there is testing FBG maybe once per week, doing absolutely
nothing with the result, and wondering why their A1c goes up
every 3-6 months.

This other daily test strip is purely to let YOU know what's
happening when you eat.

First, it will take a few extra BG tests for two or three
days to discover when your peak timing is
(http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/11/when-to-test-one-hour-or-two-hour.html).
Once you know that for each meal, you can focus on that
timing. Some reckon you also need to test before meals to
see what the rise was; in these circumstances I would see
the pre-meal test as a waste of a strip. Just concentrate on
the absolute peak level. Target one meal per week. Most of
us have problems with breakfast, so I'd recommend starting
there.

Test at the peak spike time, just for breakfast, until you
have modified your breakfast to the point where the spikes
are acceptable to you. I use Jennifer's guidelines, which
are similar to the AACE
(http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/12/hi-all-one-of-things-that-becomes.html),
but check with your doctor if in doubt. Concentrate on that
meal for one week, by that time you should have something
workable. I've given some alternative breakfast ideas here
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/breakfasts.html,
but think outside the square and find what works for you.
There is no law that decrees cereal, juice, milk or toast
before noon. I just finished a kransky sausage with one
dry-fried egg before typing this (it's 7:40am here:-) That
will be followed with black, cinnamon-infused coffee.

Then concentrate on Lunch for week two, Dinner for week
three and so on. Then repeat over the next three weeks. Over
time you will find a range of foods that are OK - and a
range of foods that aren't - and slowly build a safe menu
base.


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
latest: Self-Testing and Type 2 Management

You're not. Those tests are for the convenience of your nurse, and
will handily measure your decline. The only tests you can use for
getting control are pp ones.

Given your circumstances, I think I'd pick one meal a week and splurge
your 3 tests on one pre-meal and a 1 and 2-hour pp. It'll take you a
while to get your personal db built up, but you'll get there
eventually.

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6%  BMI 25

Bill, you have just proved the efficacy of tresting at the right times.
I hope your endo gives you more scripts.  Why wouldnt she.  Does she get
the money you dont spend on them.  She works for you and she should do
what you need her to do for you.

Loretta

IMHO - it would be in everyone's best long term interests if the insurance
company would cover unlimited testing for the first ninety days. You can't
gain control until you figure out what's going on, and you can't figure
out what's going on with one or two tests per day - let alone per week. On
the basis of treatment I've received at the VA I've tentatively concluded
that their basic idea is to get everyone on insulin as soon as possible.
They they only have one regimen to deal with.

"Frisbee®" <billLASTNAME@yahoo.com> wrote in message

write me, off group .. at  noshohcin1REMOVE@hotmail.com  of course,
Remove the REMOVE

No I don't have a puppy to sell,, but I might have some freebies that
need a new home.