Xpert Meter - DAFNE Online

March 20, 2012 14:45

Eugene DAFNE Graduate
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts

Anyone any opinions of this meter ? I have been offered one by my local Diabetes Centre, currently using Optium Exceed meter and Accu Check , multiclix.

Was considering Accu-chek compact plus, like the way the strips were automatically fed out of the testing kit and pen could be used while attached to the meter, any users with any dificulty with either Question

March 20, 2012 19:56

Ladybob DAFNE Graduate
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 4 posts

I've had niggly problems with the Expert....

The batteries don't last long. Had it since approx Sept '11 and have changed batteries 4 times so far.

I understand why the meter doesn't give bolus advice when a test is hypo, but when I've put in that it's mealtime and the carbs i'm gonna have it won't give me a bolus. I have put the carbs in separately and then it tells me I should test my blood before asking for a bolus!!!

Apart from that, it's been a great help. I now have a 6.1 Hba1C and I've managed to lower some of my insulin.

To sum up, the benefits outweigh the problems for me personally.

March 20, 2012 21:39

Eugene DAFNE Graduate
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts

Ladybob said:
I've had niggly problems with the Expert....

The batteries don't last long. Had it since approx Sept '11 and have changed batteries 4 times so far.

I understand why the meter doesn't give bolus advice when a test is hypo, but when I've put in that it's mealtime and the carbs i'm gonna have it won't give me a bolus. I have put the carbs in separately and then it tells me I should test my blood before asking for a bolus!!!

Apart from that, it's been a great help. I now have a 6.1 Hba1C and I've managed to lower some of my insulin.

To sum up, the benefits outweigh the problems for me personally.

Thanks for the reply, forgive my ignorance what is "bolus"

March 20, 2012 22:29

Ladybob DAFNE Graduate
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 4 posts

A bolus is term used for quick acting insulin - taken with food or as a correction.
Basal is term used for long acting insulin taken once a day or twice a day, whichever suits better

The Expert meter gives advice on how much insulin you need for the carbs you input and takes into account what your carb/insulin ratio is.

March 21, 2012 22:42

Eugene DAFNE Graduate
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts

Ladybob said:
A bolus is term used for quick acting insulin - taken with food or as a correction.
Basal is term used for long acting insulin taken once a day or twice a day, whichever suits better

The Expert meter gives advice on how much insulin you need for the carbs you input and takes into account what your carb/insulin ratio is.

Never heard the terms previously , or at any of the courses I've attended including the DAFNE one. Thanks for the information.
Im lucky I have 1.1 ratio, approaching 7 yrs as Type 1. Will see how I get on with the Xmeter, due to collect it next few days, I find judging correct carb vale with certain foods/weights bit of a pain.

March 22, 2012 08:38

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

The basal/bolus is used more often in the pumping world as they only use one type of insulin, most commonly a rapid acting analogue like novorapid, so they need to be able to differentiate between the function of each dose............. Smile

March 22, 2012 10:22

Eugene DAFNE Graduate
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts

novorapidboi26 said:
The basal/bolus is used more often in the pumping world as they only use one type of insulin, most commonly a rapid acting analogue like novorapid, so they need to be able to differentiate between the function of each dose.............

Its true what they say, "you learn somethinmg new everyday " Smile

I think the pumps will be the most commonly used form of treatment over the next few years. Seems to be very positive feedback from clinics and anyone I know whose using them.

March 22, 2012 11:25

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

I doubt it, well, at least here in Scotland, you need to meet strict criteria to be approved funding for a pump, its not cheap..................

they are brilliant devices though.........they just cost a lot of money............

March 22, 2012 14:11

Eugene DAFNE Graduate
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts

novorapidboi26 said:
I doubt it, well, at least here in Scotland, you need to meet strict criteria to be approved funding for a pump, its not cheap..................

they are brilliant devices though.........they just cost a lot of money............

Yes I was told last week that they are expensive, but was assured by the nurse in local centre that if I was seriously interested, they would just get the Consutant/Doctor to contact my local area health care, to inform them I was to be given the pump.
I think if it is going to substantially reduce the onset of long term complications, they funding will be made available. I think more and more Governments are becoming aware of the Diabetes time bomb thats just around the corner, which will have huge implications for health budgets in all countries ,if drastic action in not taken now.
Plus I think in order to have the treatment made widly available, the companies will have to make them more cost effective.
My own reservations would be more about how invasive they are ,wearing clothes,physical exersise,swimming etc. Which is why I'd like to find out more about them before taking it any further.

March 22, 2012 14:21

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

I think people get used to the pump quite quickly, probably easier to hide them for woman though.........bras/skirts................

Is there no criteria to meet where you are.............

here you need to have a HbA1c above 8.5% even after trying on MDI,you have to be educated fully obviously with DAFNE or similar. If you have disabling hypos or [loophole] the anxiety or fear of hypos then you can qualify also...........

March 20, 2012 14:45 Eugene DAFNE Graduate Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts	Anyone any opinions of this meter ? I have been offered one by my local Diabetes Centre, currently using Optium Exceed meter and Accu Check , multiclix. Was considering Accu-chek compact plus, like the way the strips were automatically fed out of the testing kit and pen could be used while attached to the meter, any users with any dificulty with either
March 20, 2012 19:56 Ladybob DAFNE Graduate King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 4 posts	I've had niggly problems with the Expert.... The batteries don't last long. Had it since approx Sept '11 and have changed batteries 4 times so far. I understand why the meter doesn't give bolus advice when a test is hypo, but when I've put in that it's mealtime and the carbs i'm gonna have it won't give me a bolus. I have put the carbs in separately and then it tells me I should test my blood before asking for a bolus!!! Apart from that, it's been a great help. I now have a 6.1 Hba1C and I've managed to lower some of my insulin. To sum up, the benefits outweigh the problems for me personally.
March 20, 2012 21:39 Eugene DAFNE Graduate Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts	Ladybob said: I've had niggly problems with the Expert.... The batteries don't last long. Had it since approx Sept '11 and have changed batteries 4 times so far. I understand why the meter doesn't give bolus advice when a test is hypo, but when I've put in that it's mealtime and the carbs i'm gonna have it won't give me a bolus. I have put the carbs in separately and then it tells me I should test my blood before asking for a bolus!!! Apart from that, it's been a great help. I now have a 6.1 Hba1C and I've managed to lower some of my insulin. To sum up, the benefits outweigh the problems for me personally. Thanks for the reply, forgive my ignorance what is "bolus"
March 20, 2012 22:29 Ladybob DAFNE Graduate King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 4 posts	A bolus is term used for quick acting insulin - taken with food or as a correction. Basal is term used for long acting insulin taken once a day or twice a day, whichever suits better The Expert meter gives advice on how much insulin you need for the carbs you input and takes into account what your carb/insulin ratio is.
March 21, 2012 22:42 Eugene DAFNE Graduate Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts	Ladybob said: A bolus is term used for quick acting insulin - taken with food or as a correction. Basal is term used for long acting insulin taken once a day or twice a day, whichever suits better The Expert meter gives advice on how much insulin you need for the carbs you input and takes into account what your carb/insulin ratio is. Never heard the terms previously , or at any of the courses I've attended including the DAFNE one. Thanks for the information. Im lucky I have 1.1 ratio, approaching 7 yrs as Type 1. Will see how I get on with the Xmeter, due to collect it next few days, I find judging correct carb vale with certain foods/weights bit of a pain.
March 22, 2012 08:38 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	The basal/bolus is used more often in the pumping world as they only use one type of insulin, most commonly a rapid acting analogue like novorapid, so they need to be able to differentiate between the function of each dose.............
March 22, 2012 10:22 Eugene DAFNE Graduate Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts	novorapidboi26 said: The basal/bolus is used more often in the pumping world as they only use one type of insulin, most commonly a rapid acting analogue like novorapid, so they need to be able to differentiate between the function of each dose............. Its true what they say, "you learn somethinmg new everyday " I think the pumps will be the most commonly used form of treatment over the next few years. Seems to be very positive feedback from clinics and anyone I know whose using them.
March 22, 2012 11:25 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	I doubt it, well, at least here in Scotland, you need to meet strict criteria to be approved funding for a pump, its not cheap.................. they are brilliant devices though.........they just cost a lot of money............
March 22, 2012 14:11 Eugene DAFNE Graduate Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 27 posts	novorapidboi26 said: I doubt it, well, at least here in Scotland, you need to meet strict criteria to be approved funding for a pump, its not cheap.................. they are brilliant devices though.........they just cost a lot of money............ Yes I was told last week that they are expensive, but was assured by the nurse in local centre that if I was seriously interested, they would just get the Consutant/Doctor to contact my local area health care, to inform them I was to be given the pump. I think if it is going to substantially reduce the onset of long term complications, they funding will be made available. I think more and more Governments are becoming aware of the Diabetes time bomb thats just around the corner, which will have huge implications for health budgets in all countries ,if drastic action in not taken now. Plus I think in order to have the treatment made widly available, the companies will have to make them more cost effective. My own reservations would be more about how invasive they are ,wearing clothes,physical exersise,swimming etc. Which is why I'd like to find out more about them before taking it any further.
March 22, 2012 14:21 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	I think people get used to the pump quite quickly, probably easier to hide them for woman though.........bras/skirts................ Is there no criteria to meet where you are............. here you need to have a HbA1c above 8.5% even after trying on MDI,you have to be educated fully obviously with DAFNE or similar. If you have disabling hypos or [loophole] the anxiety or fear of hypos then you can qualify also...........