Meter malfunctioning; few strips left; shooting blind

[Shirley and Ragnar]

We have a terrible situation here. The meter will give only E2 error - "insufficient blood." I tried 7 times yesterday with good drops and got the error. Finally I brushed away the small drops I'd normally use, and didn't test until I had a huge one - dipped the end of the strip in that lake of blood - E2 again.

I was on the phone with Bayer support (that is, TRYING to reach them) from before midnight until after 2 AM. They had a recorded message telling people to wait for the next available person, but after waiting more than two hours, I am sure there was no one there. (Initially the recording told me the wait would be 10 minutes.) Ragnar reappeared about 2:30 and had his shot (the AM shot was at 11:30, so his schedule is really goofed up too).

Today I reached tech support and oh no, they don't plan to send me another meter. The connection was terrible, but he had me use one of my 12 remaining test strips to touch the blood drop without touching my finger (of course, I was the guinea pig - I wasn't going to try to get a drop from Ragnar under those conditions - and don't mind it except for the waste of a strip). He finally is going to email me - no doubt with more useless instructions, rather than send a working meter as he should.

HELP!!! We are shooting blind. I don't know if his BG is 600+ or 50. The only consolation is that my course of action doesn't change unless it drops below 70 - and he's ravenous, no confusion, I don't think it's low but possibly very high. I am going to give him his "AM" shot now, about 11 hours after his "PM" shot yesterday morning.

Bayer is absolutely irresponsible - and remember, they are trifling with HUMAN lives, even in my case as far as they know. They left that recording on all night, telling people their wait would be 10 minutes, with a voice every few minutes encouraging them to keep waiting - but after over two hours, I am sure there was no one there. They also gave an option to leave a message and let them call back later (you want to wait for a call back at 2 in the morning??), but pressing that number did NOT lead to a recording device - I pressed it at the end of the 2 hours, and there was nothing. They should be reported to the FTC - and I might do that, but right now the priority is Ragnar. Shot time.

Blessings,

Shirley and poor little Mr. Hamburger Ears

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

I've got a bunch a meters that I was going to send to Cindy for her newbie kits - I think I have mostly bayer contours if that works for you, in lots of colors. I may have an OTU mini, not sure.

Let me know if you want one that I have - it comes with 10 strips I think and I'll get it in the mail to you on Monday - I know that doesn't help for weekend, but it's something.

or you could send a note to Cindy & Mousie and ask her what meters she has and what she can send to you - she's the newbie kit person.

one more thought - when talking with the meter people - NEVER tell them you are using it on a cat! Always tell them it's used on yourself - then they may be more inclined to help.

When I had issues with my OTU - they were always helpful and quickly sent out replacement parts.

 

[Libby and Lucy]

Wal Mart has meters for $9, I wouldn't shoot blind even once with a cat who just came back on the juice. He might go off as quickly as he came on, you HAVE to know the number. Go to the store and get a cheap backup meter. Everyone should have more than one meter anyway, for just this reason.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

Wal Mart has meters for $9, I wouldn't shoot blind even once with a cat who just came back on the juice. He might go off as quickly as he came on, you HAVE to know the number. Go to the store and get a cheap backup meter. Everyone should have more than one meter anyway, for just this reason.

i wholeheartedly agree with libby. go get another meter. like libby said, you can always keep it for a backup. everyone should have a backup meter.

 

[Deb and Pippin]

I finally dumped my Bayer meter for the same reasons, I can really recommend the Reli on micro and strips are the least costly too.
I hope that helps.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I wholeheartedly agree with having a back-up meter. I use the Contour and picked a 2nd one up when they were on sale for $15 a couple of months ago.

Have you replaced your battery at any point?

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

Wal Mart has meters for $9, I wouldn't shoot blind even once with a cat who just came back on the juice. He might go off as quickly as he came on, you HAVE to know the number. Go to the store and get a cheap backup meter. Everyone should have more than one meter anyway, for just this reason.

Only $9!!! We don't have a Walmart here, alas! And I am very low on strips too; ordered an Accu-chek meter and strips for it yesterday, but that meter will take 7-10 days to get here, they said. :sad:

Hillary is going to send me a meter, though, and although it's a Contour, I have a few strips left (12, I think) and barely lost two ebay auctions for more. I will surely win one of those packages of strips before mailing is possible again on Monday. Then, if she sends me extra strips i can replace them (I'm sure she won't want the originals back), and I will have a backup meter.

I agree about shooting blind. That's why I'm in such a panic. I wasn't really sure the meter was bad until I tried it with so much blood at 2:30 AM, and now it's too late to get another with the weekend.

Fortunately, if it's high I am supposed to keep the dose the same while his reservoir fills. If it's low, I will be able to tell - and he's ravenous, drinking like a fish, so it's undoubtedly high.

Blessings!

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

Have you replaced your battery at any point?

There's supposed to be an icon that shows when the battery is low, and it hasn't shown! So unless that's malfunctioning too, the battery must be OK!

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

I've got a bunch a meters that I was going to send to Cindy for her newbie kits - I think I have mostly bayer contours if that works for you, in lots of colors. I may have an OTU mini, not sure.

Let me know if you want one that I have - it comes with 10 strips I think and I'll get it in the mail to you on Monday - I know that doesn't help for weekend, but it's something.

or you could send a note to Cindy & Mousie and ask her what meters she has and what she can send to you - she's the newbie kit person.

one more thought - when talking with the meter people - NEVER tell them you are using it on a cat! Always tell them it's used on yourself - then they may be more inclined to help.

When I had issues with my OTU - they were always helpful and quickly sent out replacement parts.

Thanks so much - you have probably gotten my PM with please please, and thank you! :smile:

I sure didn't tell that man I was using it on a cat! He told me to stick my finger, and I did it. If Bayer is that careless with people's health, I cringe to think how they would be about cats.

Since I have a few Bayer strips left and plan to bid for more - and am familiar with the meter - I'd like one again, although their tech support is atrocious. The Accu-check that will be here in 7-10 days will probably be my main meter eventually, but the Bayer would be backup - and I see that a person needs backup! (Bayer's Microlet lancing device was so bad, even Dr. Jen couldn't get any blood with it - except eventually from her own finger. She was using the "arm" attachment and going clear through his ear. The accu-check lancing device WORKS - and I am hoping their meters will also be much better quality. Their support certainly is.)

Blessings!

 

[bettyandhank]

Do you have a CVS?

here's a link from a thread re:a contour meter that will cost you -0.- netting you back $5 if you use coupon as mentioned.
Without the coupon, it would still cost only $5 net.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13968&p=140236&hilit=contour#p140236

CVS will honor their sale prices for upcoming flyer starting eve of - Saturday 6PM. (may be 6:30- you cold call yours to verify)

The contour I got on a recent sale also came with 10 strips (for backup meter- haven't used it)..so you also end up with some extra strips

You do NOT have to shoot blind- DON'T WAIT.

Ravenous can certainly mean LOW.

betty

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

I finally dumped my Bayer meter for the same reasons, I can really recommend the Reli on micro and strips are the least costly too.
I hope that helps.

Oh, shoot (no pun intended)! When I saw how bad the Bayer was, I ordered an Accu-Check, and have already ordered extra strips for it - although it won't be here in time for this emergency. If it doesn't work out, though, I will surely go with Relion!

Blessings!

Shirley and (who was that again? He's in hiding.)

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

Do you have a CVS?

here's a link from a thread re:a contour meter that will cost you -0.- netting you back $5 if you use coupon as mentioned.
Without the coupon, it would still cost only $5 net.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13968&p=140236&hilit=contour#p140236

CVS will honor their sale prices for upcoming flyer starting eve of - Saturday 6PM. (may be 6:30- you cold call yours to verify)

The contour I got on a recent sale also came with 10 strips (for backup meter- haven't used it)..so you also end up with some extra strips

You do NOT have to shoot blind- DON'T WAIT.

Ravenous can certainly mean LOW.

betty

I'm sorry, there's no CVS here either - it's a really small town. So I may have to pay Valley City prices for a meter and strips if available, since Ragnar is truly priceless. (Our prices are notoriously high for everything - gasoline 20 cents higher than in Fargo, etc.)

I might not find one, though - they close early on Saturdays and aren't open Sundays. (We have a Pamida store that's open evenings/Sundays, but ours doesn't have a pharmacy or meters.) We have a Family Dollar that's open evenings, but I doubt if they have them - will call them right now and get back to you if they do. Please Hillary, go ahead and send!! If you send extra strips, I'll send replacements.

I was going to ask if someone had an extra meter/strips I could *borrow* when Hillary made her generous offer. Thanks, thanks, thanks!! To all of you for your support!

Blessings!

PS: It's encouraging (as far as "low" is concerned) that he's getting so little insulin - we are starting very low and going slow, and his 1/2 unit is only a smidgen.

 

[Libby and Lucy]

If it's low, I will be able to tell - and he's ravenous, drinking like a fish, so it's undoubtedly high.

That may have been true with your previous insulin, but Lantus behaves very differently and many cats don't feel their drops. Lucy has been in the 30's many, many times and I would never have known it (and I was watching for it, because I knew she had a tendency to drop). I've seen cats here in the 20's lots of times, with no symptoms. I think most people here could tell you the same story about their cat. You can't rely on appearances with Lantus.

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

If it's low, I will be able to tell - and he's ravenous, drinking like a fish, so it's undoubtedly high.

That may have been true with your previous insulin, but Lantus behaves very differently and many cats don't feel their drops. Lucy has been in the 30's many, many times and I would never have known it (and I was watching for it, because I knew she had a tendency to drop). I've seen cats here in the 20's lots of times, with no symptoms. I think most people here could tell you the same story about their cat. You can't rely on appearances with Lantus.

Thanks for letting me know - I'm new to Lantus and didn't realize that. Even with Vetsulin, Ragnar dropped to 45 (and maybe lower) with no symptoms when he went OTJ. I know he could go OTJ again - he's only been back on it a few days. At least he's not getting much insulin, really a tiny bit, and that's a comfort now. We'll get through it!

I am going to get ready now for 5 PM church - and before that, a meter search. I am far from certain I will find one, but will try. I suppose I could try Bayer Tech support's emailed instructions, but honestly I think they just don't want to replace the meter. And there's not time to do both.

Blessings!

 

[Weather Girl]

Good luck!! Sorry you don't have a CVS- the sale's pretty great. I have 2 spare contours sitting around (and plan on getting another at CVS tomorrow) so if you still need an extra- let me know.

re: the cheap Walmart meter- about how much do the strips run for that one?

 

[Shirley and Ragnar]

Update: Family Dollar doesn't have meters

No message (evidently we don't get "NM" any more...)

Since I can't get a meter tonight, I am going to rush home after church and bid on eBay for Contour strips. Maybe my meter will somehow work (never give up hope) and it's certain that I can use them with the one Hillary is sending. I narrowly missed winning twice (once they went for less than my bid, but I was too late because of my slow connection), so will almost certainly win one.

Blessings!

Shirley

PS: Weather Girl's message came in while I was writing this one. Hillary is sending a Contour meter, but if you live closer than she does, please send one - I can always give one to someone else if I wind up with too more than one good + one spare. I live in North Dakota - not sure it makes a difference with 1st Class or Priority Mail, but it might. (Letters sent within ND, for instance, usually arrive in a day.)

I am so grateful for your support!!

Blessings!

Blessings!

 

[Weather Girl]

Sent you a PM...

 

[MJ+Donovan]

Re: Update: Family Dollar doesn't have meters

I have a stockpile of Contour strips that I am not using up very quickly since Donovan went OTJ in March. I can send you some if you want. Actually I'm still trying to use up the vials that had an expiration of March 2010 (was not expecting OTJ, clearly!)

MJ & Donovan

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Shirley, You can order the Relion and its strips online from Walmart. They ship very quickly at a reasonable price. If you do this, make sure you order the correct strips for the model you order: the Relion meters each have their own strips. (and the strips are cheap compared to other brands)
Good luck!!

Ella

 

[Michelle & Scrabble (GA)]

Just want to throw my 2 cents in, we have been using the relion since Scrabble was diagnosed and I love it. Strips are cheap and like Ella said you can order it on-line! Good luck!!

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

Do you have any diabetic friends or neighbours? If you do, ask if they have a spare meter you could borrow, until one arrives in the mail.

 

[Lisa and Do Lou (GA)]

I have to agree with all that you should ALWAYS have a back up meter just in case something happens to yours hope you get a working one very soon my backup is the walmart meter and its strips and the meter are very affordable :YMHUG: cat_pet_icon