I was just diagnosed so he recommends 3 times.

I have insurance (COBRA, I was fired after my diagnosis).

I suppose if your BG is stable, testing need not be as frequent.

My doctor first prescribed twice a day - morning and before dinner. I can't see how that was enough being newly diagnosed, considering postprandial readings are very important. So, I told him I was already testing more and to prescribe more strips. He said test 4 times a day - 150 strips, but my insurance goes by and will only cover 4 times a day for a 25 day supply. I have purchased 400 strips from ebay at a great price and they have worked perfectly. When I go back, I will tell him I want to test 6 times a day - before and after each meal. Even if I don't test that often, at least I will have extra strips. Those error messages stink - it's like flushing a dollar bill down the toilet each time!

Thank for your input. When I was first diagnosed I tested about 4 times a day. Since then we moved and I had to change dr's and it has been a challenge to get enough strips to test twice a day. My insurance has no problem with me receiving strips to test 4 times a day.

Well there has been days were I have tested 12 times a day! All it takes is for one higher then expected reading to make me want to check before eating, 1 hour after eating, 2 hours after eating, and before and after exercise! That's a lot of poking! They say the best way to control your diabetes is to test test test.. Too bad it is so expensive to test and we only have 8 fingers to test on (I refuse to stick my thumb ... ouch). I was just diagnosed on May 25, 2010 and I can already see the little bumps forming on my fingers from where I've poked it so many times! =(

Once I've lost all the weight I want to, I hopefully won't feel the obsessive need to check my BS so much.

I use to poke the tips of my fingers but now I poke the side of the finger. Does not hurts as much and my fingers are not quite a sore. My Boss is a type 1 and he was the one who gave me the idea of poking the side of my fingers. Thanks for your response.

I test 4 times a day, if I didn't I would not know how much insulin to inject. Yes, sides of the fingers is a good thing.

Yes, I am talking about the sides of my finger as well. Does anyone use their palms? I have done both my palm and finger and they seem to be close. I just know my ring finger and pinkie fingers hurt the least and bleed the most.

Good thing none of you are on medicare like me. Med allows 1test a day for type 2 and 2 for type 1. I'm type 2 and my Dr, Rx was for twice. Now every 3 months I have to fill out papers with all my results and explain why. To add insult to injury the pharmacy only gives me 50 strips for a month so there's 5 days I can't test. or 10 days I can only test once. Don't ya love government run healthcare!

Corler is that really true about Medicare?? I am trying to get on social security disability and eventually Medicare and I did not know that.

As for testing, I am supposed to test 8 x a day but I don't and I use the inside of my forearm. The tester comes with two different caps..one for finger tips and one for the forearm. I don't know what the different is?? I really have a hard time doing all that testing, that's why I am not compliant with my insulin at meals.

I have a friend on Medicare and she has no problems with her test strips, do some checking I am sure you have the same benefits. I might add this, my Doc's nurse always takes blood from the middle finger of either hand, they say it is the most accurate. Just saying.

I did not know testing using the middle finger was more accurate. That is nice to know. Thanks.

I am on Medicare and they pay for all testing supplies and meds

Arline,
What plan are you on as your supplement? I don't know of any one not having to pay unless your on medicade and even them some people here have to pay co pays for meds and strips are still expensieve. Just curious as you said they pay for everything and you pay nothing?

For all my medications and diabetic supplies I just pay my co-pay.

My supplemental is Aetna. I have the same medical coverage I did when I was working. If you were there 20 years or more you got your medical for life although I do pay monthly but a hellava lot less than getting it on my own. But I really thought Medicare covered everything. Next time I'm in drug store I'll ask the pharmacist.