Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

Any where from 8 to 12 times and that is even on the days I wear a continuous glucose monitor.

I do it that many times for a few reasons:
1) the Continuos glucose monitor isn't always right or calibrated correctly
2) I wear an insulin pump and have had a few cases in the last 6 years where I went sky high because of tubing, infusion set, etc. Issues.
3) Because of some other drugs I am on I have symptoms of being low quite a lot and I'm not
4) I tend to eat several small meals instead of 3 regular ones
5) Because I'm obsessive compulsive and I just gotta know! :-D

Too afraid to count! Before I eat anytime during the day, before I drive the car, anytime I don't feel well, anytime I think I am getting low, etc. etc. and on and on it goes.

Diabetic Association told me I was above average in how often I tested. My reply was then ALOT of people were not testing enough. My Dad used to test once a week as that is what the doc told him - can you believe that!

I don't believe there is a magic number and if there was it certainly wouldn't be one. I test probably alot but my diabetes is under control and I have not had any problems driving.

I have to restrict my testing to 4 times a day as that is all the strips I'm allowed!!If I run out before my script is due then I end up buying them on the internet (can't afford to do that often lol)

Where do you get strips off the internet? I am only allowed so many per year because of low income and I cant afford to buy the rest. I am almost out now. Dont know what to do.

THanks for the replies. I'm lucky if I can get him to test twice a day. Not getting help from the dr. We see the Dr. Monday so I'm going to ask. Thanks again
Annie

I test 4 or 5 times a day.

Goldilox, I don't know how the US health care system works but there must be someone who regulates the doctors and who you can ask about getting more strips.

I am going to be honest here, with myself more than anything. I very rarely test my blood, only if i feel high/low. I have been diabetic for 28 years and i have got quite good at knowing what my blood is doing. I get HBA1C results of around 7.5 - 8 and Dr is pleased with that.

I do around 8, at the moment im doing more because my sugar levels are a bit out of control, I was ill a couple of weeks ago and they havnt been good since then. I am trying to keep them a bit higher because Im losing my hypo symptoms.

I test four times a day or more if I feel high or low. I am on insulin, so I have to do it at least once before each meal and at bedtime.
Lizzie... I am from Canada and unless you are on a plan from your employer that covers diabetic strips, you pay for them yourself. They are about $100 for a box of 100. If you are low income, like I am, the government has a plan that gives you $500 for diabetic supplies for a year. If you add it up, that is five hundred strips, using four a day, no where near lasts a year. I am almost finished them all now and I dont know how I will be able to afford them once they are done.
It is pretty sad that diabetic supplies arent covered. It is such a horrible illness and most other illnesses are covered if you need medication... why not diabetes? It is frustrating.

Goldilox2, I was really suprised to find the meters and test kits on ebay. Thought they were RX only. Hey, what do I know? Anyway, they are there.
I can only get my husband to test twice a day. It's like pulling teeth. His numbers are never up, although they were shortly after his transplant and he's still on 12 units on insulin nightly. His A1C test was 5.7. I just worry that 2 isn't enough.
Annie