Update on insulinx meter

[sedge]

See? - I did tell you what she'd say didn't I?  LOL

[Pattidevans]

I have the secret code and it's the same for all the meters. Ner ner ner!  LOL!

[sedge]

I hope you've accidentally dropped it out to somebody ....

So what have you found out, can you make it fly round the room or what?

[Pattidevans]

See the other thread - don't like to broadcast it since it may be secret for a reason I have no idea about, but anyone can PM me for it.

[FordPrefect]

Well I guess they could keep the code secret to stop people as a "prank" or maliciously changing the settings. IE changing somebodies ratios so they end up taking double the amount of insulin they should be! You would hope that a) People would have a rough idea of how much they need to take without this meter and b) That people would not be stupid enough to reprogram the thing as a joke. However stupidity seems to be a universal human constant wherever you are

[nytquill17]

But thing is, as we've seen on here, if even ONE clinic is giving the code out for all to see, then it's pointless for the other ones to keep it secret.  The code is out of the bag.  All the secrecy does is complicate life unneccesarily for patients of these particular practices.

[FordPrefect]

But thing is, as we've seen on here, if even ONE clinic is giving the code out for all to see, then it's pointless for the other ones to keep it secret.  The code is out of the bag.  All the secrecy does is complicate life unneccesarily for patients of these particular practices.

Exactly would make far more sense to pin protect all settings with a user/nurse specified PIN

[nytquill17]

Of course then you have the issue of people forgetting their PINs so you have to set up a helpline to reset it for them...

[Pattidevans]

I think it's absolutely ridiculous not to let patients re-set their meters themselves - I can't see why pranks should prevail given that 3rd parties shouldn't be told the pin in the normal course of events unless the patient trusted them eg a parent/partner/OH.  The only reason I can see is that the manufacturers need it to be given out to T1s who test a lot (as opposed to T2s not on insulin) hence only issuing it through nurses and that they regard the general run of patients as a bit dim.  Which, frankly, is pretty much par for the course as far as attitudes of manufacturers go.  On the other hand, there are some patients who would no doubt make a dogs dinner of it.

[Victoria]

Just had a call from DNS she has booked me in for the accu-chek expert course as insulinx clearly does not meet my needs.I actually bought the insulinx on ebay unaware that it needed code to set up so dns did that for me so changing meters is not costing nhs twice

[HelzBelz]

I also have the 'secret code' if anyone needs it - pm me lol

but I was told they dont give the code to everyone as some people might not fully understand what they are changing and why, and alter the dose setting too much/too little, alter teh insuln duration to an unrealistic time span etc.....I personally thought this was quite a good idea as I have met some diabetics who do not understand their condition..

(only yesterday I met a local lady I know and she was telling me she had flu symptoms and her BG was 30 something....she put the way she was feeling down to illness rather than the fact her BG was through the roof - I would worry about her changing the settings for example lol)

hope you get on ok with the other meter Victoria xxxx

[Victoria]

Helz I absolutley agree with you on the reason for caution when giving out the code and so should be the DNS who gives it out to the right folk,but first the nurse should be very experienced with all the meter functions,as I was told wrongly that this meter did not do half units and when looking at booklet it clearly did but then i was unable to alter it due to lack of code till my fairy godmother waved her wand and hey presto was able to alter it to my personal needs but still the problem of being unable to factor in planned excercise so thats why was considered for course which i was told was for type 1 however got the call and will go in December
Will let you all know how that goes
Does this one have a code too I wonder?

[everydayupsanddowns]

Nope! You are free to tweak and twiddle with the Expert's settings to your heart's content.

Though I think distribution is limited to DSN-only to ensure you get a proper training session to begin with

[sedge]

Did the Expert have the same as the Combo Mike and allow you to pre-programme boluses for illness as well as exercise?

ie on the BG screen you get your BG reading, then Carbs, then exercise, then health.

For both of these you can eg have Exercise 1 - minus 10%, Exercise 2 - minus 30% or whatever, and health is the same, but pluses.  V useful that, for girlies!

[Pattidevans]

Just had a call from DNS she has booked me in for the accu-chek expert course as insulinx clearly does not meet my needs.I actually bought the insulinx on ebay unaware that it needed code to set up so dns did that for me so changing meters is not costing nhs twice

Since going on the course I don't think it cost the NHS anything, I think the presence of the reps from Abbott says it all!

but I was told they dont give the code to everyone as some people might not fully understand what they are changing and why, and alter the dose setting too much/too little, alter teh insuln duration to an unrealistic time span etc.....I personally thought this was quite a good idea as I have met some diabetics who do not understand their condition..

(only yesterday I met a local lady I know and she was telling me she had flu symptoms and her BG was 30 something....she put the way she was feeling down to illness rather than the fact her BG was through the roof - I would worry about her changing the settings for example lol)

Yes, I can see the reasoning behind that.  We all had a printed form in front of us which had the code on it, and we had to fill the form in with our TDD, ratio etc etc and put our names on it.    However, they instructed us all to put the numbers into the meters ourselves and I had to do it several times whilst we all faffed about calculating stuff and the meter turned itself off.  The forms were collected in later, so you did have to memorise the code if you wanted it for later.  I wonder how many others on the course did memorise it?

Anyway when I went to the nurse yesterday at the GPs surgery about the conjunctivitis she asked how I'd got on with the meter and I said it was "good but" and made my points about my concerns she said that there was going to be a trial of another meter soon and I said "If it's the Accuchek Expert I really would like that one since it's got the features I was looking for" and she said she'd tell the DNS and so fingers crossed.  Anyway will be seeing the DNS in 4 weeks after my visit to the dietitian.

but still the problem of being unable to factor in planned excercise so thats why was considered for course which i was told was for type 1 however got the call and will go in December
Will let you all know how that goes

Of course, you are stuck with a T2 label aren't you Victoria.  I doubt I'd have got on the course in this neck of the woods without my re-diagnosis.