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Comment by dotuser | Hacker News Reader

I was on a CGM (Dexcom) for about 3 months until my new insurance would not cover it. Even though it's convenient, it comes with its own set of problems - having to restock every month (with copays) got tiring and somewhat expensive compared to strips. I also had false low reads a number of times. And the amount of wasted plastic (the applicator gun) is concerning if you are environmentally conscious.

As for lancets, you might want to try the AccuCheck fastclix. It's a pen shape device with a cartridge that holds 6 lancets. One cartridge can last me a couple months as I tend to use the same lancet 10 or more times (I know, probably not recommended). It's also the most painless lancet I've ever used and it's easy to carry around.

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I second the AccuCheck fastclix. The needles are silicon coated so they don't tear tissues -- so very little pain. I hated using the other brands of lancets. The needles are encased in a cartridge, so you can throw them away in a trash can and don't have to worry about anyone getting a stick or punching through a trash bag.

> I tend to use the same lancet 10 or more times (I know, probably not recommended)

I'm not a diabetic or anything else that needs to use needles regularly, so I can only vaguely imagine the economic downsides of only using a needle once. Especially when your insurance doesn't cover them.

But this picture kind of freaked me out and would me make think twice: https://i.imgur.com/Sh8lteI.jpg

It shows microscope pictures of a needle after 0, 1, 2 and 6 reuses.

Thank you for that. I re-use them myself - I justified it as a harm-reduction technique because I test and inject myself more regularly then. This will make me take the extra effort.

I third the FastClix. My biggest problem is that they charge about 10x the cost of the cheap lancets. I also reuse them to keep the cost down.

I had one of those for a while, and it does say you should only use each lancet once. Realistically, I don't know if there are any real risks to reusing them though?

I have been mostly reusing (up to a point) both the lancets and insulin pen needles. I don't go overboard, i.e .weeks, but ... how much contamination is possible? well... i never reused syringes, however. The idea of doing that makes me wary.

I reuse them until it becomes mildly discomforting at which time I know the lancet has dulled. Of course AccuChek prefers that you use it once;)

Blush. I hardly ever change my lancet. Maybe every other month (about 100 sticks per month).

I'm using Freestyle 14 day and yea the waste for each sensor is pretty amazing. For a tiny sensor the size of a fat nickel I end up with a box of waste that's huge. Reminds of Amazon shipping. 8-)

I've been pretty happy with the accuracy compared to blood sticks - within 10% so far for each reading.

If you were on the G5, you might want to look at the G6 if/when your insurance begins to cover it. I've had both, anf the G6 seems much more accurate. Plus, you never need to poke yourself to calibrate it (I still do sometimes, but you don't _need_ to)

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