The problem, though, is what happens if it turns out your diabetes is not under control. Without health coverage, you will find it difficult to get prescription medications. (I can keep mine under control with diet and exercise).

The Walgreens meter is only about $ 15. Their test strips are also less costly than many others, but since there are a couple of models, be sure to ask how much for the packages for your model. Always make sure that you have the right test strips for YOUR meter before you leave the store.

As far as completely free test strips, sorry, but the only groups I’ve seen that sponsor this so far are for those with Type 1 and insulin dependent Type 2. There already isn’t enough money to go around for these 2 groups, so being prediabetic, you probably don’t have much hope there. In the meantime, all you can do is do what the doctor said – watch your diet and get daily exercise.

Do you have a local Minute Clinic? They can do the A1C which will tell you one way or the other whether you are diabetic.

If you haven’t seen the doctor in a while, what symptoms are you having?? usually you can drink water or exercise to bring down sugar levels or if to low you can simply eat a nutritional snack to bring up your sugar. I hope this helps If your symptoms get and/or are serious, go to the ER than will not turn u away or make you pay before treatment.

only downside is that if you get a mis-reading you can’t delete it and it messes up the graphing software you get with it…

Walking is a good way to start out, if you can do that. I also have an exercise machine called a Gazelle (which I purchased at Sears). I can’t remember how much it cost, but it was not very expensive. It’s easy on knees, etc., but really gives a good workout. I only allow myself to watch daytime tv if I am on the Gazelle — I often get in an hour or two by the end of the day (I love watching the cooking shows!).

Swimming is also a good exercise that’s easy on the joints but unless you have a swimming pool, you have to leave the house to do that.

You could also buy a video for Yoga (especially one for us older folks!). I do Yoga every morning, just to keep limber. You only need to do 5-10 minutes and you’ll really be able to tell the difference.

Good luck! Let us know how you are doing.

you can convert the mmol’s to mg/d numbers by multiplying it by 18, so 6.3 is 113. wish i knew more so i could answer more, but that is why the meters show different readings depending on where you live.

Excellant, thanks.