tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post634987688286659409..comments2024-03-18T00:20:39.782+11:00Comments on Type 2 Diabetes - A Personal Journey: Painless PricksAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-36869427495836257772018-02-03T12:32:04.974+11:002018-02-03T12:32:04.974+11:00G'day Shelly. I saw your post on the ADA forum...G'day Shelly. I saw your post on the ADA forum. I'm glad you have achieved that first test. Now read "Test, review, Adjust" to see how to get the best out of testing. <br /><br />Best wishes.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-72813363823275334532018-02-02T12:55:07.063+11:002018-02-02T12:55:07.063+11:00I am a newly diagnosed type 2. I’m pretty much in ...I am a newly diagnosed type 2. I’m pretty much in denial and I’m ticked that I have this disease. I have seen first hand what this does....my hubby is a type 1 and has been our entire marriage. Watching him go through DKA several times not to mention all the lows where I’ve had to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital. I am the only bread winner he has COPD as well and can’t work anymore he is on disability and has Medicare to cover all his medial things. I on the other hand have NO insurance and can’t afford it. This is an expensive disease it’s not in my plans, it throws a monkey wrench into everything and I have enough stress the way it is. I sound like a cry baby but can help it. <br /><br />I see my doctor tomorrow for the first time since I was diagnosed. The one thing I just can’t do is the poking thing. I’ve tried several times I just can’t do it. I’ve read what you have posted but I still flinch. I’m afraid I will never be able to do it. I guess for now my hubby will have to do it for me. I hope with time I will accept this nasty disease and finally be able to test by myself.....so discouraged at this point!Shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08746377455432455376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-3720584458092184882016-11-27T09:22:56.264+11:002016-11-27T09:22:56.264+11:00Alan, I'm so glad you use your lancet more tha...Alan, I'm so glad you use your lancet more than once. I do too but wasn't going to admit it to anyone! I keep my supplies in a case that is then put inside a zip lock bag. I don't handle anything until I have thoroughly washed my hands and dried them with a clean towel. No one shares my lancet. Since I don't have AIDS I don't think I can give myself AIDS by using the same lancet more than once for Pete's sake!Pdillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01331298531987203598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-41441056214799241022016-07-16T05:50:25.967+10:002016-07-16T05:50:25.967+10:00Thanks for all the useful information. I had to tr...Thanks for all the useful information. I had to try to find some way of learning something about this deadly disease while I await my first appointment with the endocrinologist scheduled from 3 weeks away. I am very newly diagnosed, June 7, 2016. JD Strawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12363824406071467831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-29933313856474854762015-06-26T14:19:51.979+10:002015-06-26T14:19:51.979+10:00The needle is extremely small and thin and when it...The needle is extremely small and thin and when it punctures the skin it gets damaged. This damage can make it painful to use more than once. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is the fact that when the needle goes into the tissue it contacts blood which is sticky. The needle may look clean but it is now covered in microscopic bacteria and maybe even viruses. You can wipe it off but remember the needle is damaged and now storing bacteria in its microscopic cracks. Using it again now puts you at risk of bacterial infection. Remember you are sticking this into your blood supply so you are giving the bacteria a free ride to your capillaries and tissues. Bacterial infections can rapidly turn into dangerous situations especially in people not in optimal health (people with diabetes). <br />Medicare/Medicaid and most insurances will cover enough lancets so you never have to use them twice. If you cant afford them you need to ask your pharmacist or health care professional for ways to get your lancets for discounted prices/free.Relztik1https://www.blogger.com/profile/00403221127681717028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-14938563899752380252012-01-10T21:38:18.464+11:002012-01-10T21:38:18.464+11:00Hello DesertDweller
I am still involved with seve...Hello DesertDweller<br /><br />I am still involved with several forums; these are probably the most active but there are others:<br /><br />ADA forum: http://community.diabetes.org/<br /><br />TuDiabetes: http://www.tudiabetes.org/forum<br /><br />DSF UK: http://diabetes-support.org.uk/diabetesforum/index.php<br /><br />I'm happy to chat with you on any forum :)<br /><br />Cheers, AlanAlanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-69955898552283335082012-01-10T15:16:25.141+11:002012-01-10T15:16:25.141+11:00Hi Alan...another newly diagnosed diabetic. Just h...Hi Alan...another newly diagnosed diabetic. Just had my 1st nutrition class and all the info is over loading me but it will come. Your info has been great.Just found it and read a post tht you are no longer allowed to do it.Is there a site we can all connect again on with out the restrictions? Thanks so for taking the edge off. I'm a young 60 year old female and this is not easy to digest.A1c was 6.5 so not as bad as it could be.desertdwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16113647803221013627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-32262679158247490302011-12-14T08:45:19.748+11:002011-12-14T08:45:19.748+11:00Thanks Kate, glad I could help.
Unfortunately, yo...Thanks Kate, glad I could help.<br /><br />Unfortunately, you may be the last person to come my way from dLife. That forum has had some changes. A lot of people left when the software was changed recently. Now a new moderation team has decided to change the rules for those remaining.<br /><br />I have been banned for doing exactly what I did for many years on dLife and what led you here: suggesting newly diagnosed people read the tips on this blog.<br /><br />Best wishes, let me know if you need further assistance.<br /><br />Cheers, AlanAlanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-11928578329717595422011-12-14T03:37:39.626+11:002011-12-14T03:37:39.626+11:00Hi Alan,
Thanks so much for this information! I g...Hi Alan,<br />Thanks so much for this information! I got my meter last night and felt much more confident having read this first. I probably would have freaked out at the process otherwise, but it was "no big deal" in the end. This blog is so helpful in so many ways to this newbie (you pointed me to it in a comment on dLife) - so thank you! <br />KateKatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-84154607784971025622010-12-31T13:38:02.485+11:002010-12-31T13:38:02.485+11:00I can't really say for you, but my preference ...I can't really say for you, but my preference has always been the side of my fingertip. I've never needed to try any other test points.<br /><br />Try starting at the lowest setting, hold it a little more firmly, and try not to flinch. If that does not supply an adequate blood drop, move up one setting. Keep adjusting until you get the correct setting for you. <br /><br />Cheers, AlanAlanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-33873190425577738332010-12-31T12:54:07.378+11:002010-12-31T12:54:07.378+11:00I am new at this. Is it best to test on mt forearm...I am new at this. Is it best to test on mt forearm, or finger. I must be flinching. because sometimes I am making a long cut.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-81176995770639191142010-06-21T04:43:13.363+10:002010-06-21T04:43:13.363+10:00Thank You,Thank you,Thank You ! I just tried your ...Thank You,Thank you,Thank You ! I just tried your tip of using a low setting and using the upper side of my finger..it worked without pain. I was set at 5 and using the middle tip of the finger....ouch ouch ouchUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10057305522279825275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-61655806546059370402010-05-23T23:49:44.044+10:002010-05-23T23:49:44.044+10:00I am a complete Newbie, to both diabetes and this...I am a complete Newbie, to both diabetes and this site, suffering extreme information overload. If my question has already been addressed, please point me to the answer.<br /><br />Is anyone using a satisfactory Excel spreadsheet for recording blood glucose several times per day, calculating fasting averages and total averages for any 7, 14, and 30-day period? Thank you.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16154562252870990884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-59609412544627286112009-07-23T08:33:38.148+10:002009-07-23T08:33:38.148+10:00I can't say whether it would affect the readin...I can't say whether it would affect the readings. However, it sounds like you are either setting your lancet depth too low or you aren't pressing it firmly against the side of your fingertip when you press the button.<br /><br />Try pressing more firmly first, and don't flinch as you press the button. If that does not solve the problem adjust the depth by one click.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-17684036099721539752009-07-23T08:10:57.638+10:002009-07-23T08:10:57.638+10:00I'm new to this -- My fingers sorta sting and ...I'm new to this -- My fingers sorta sting and I can't seem to get enough sample. I look at my meter like it's a vampire!<br /><br />I'm thinking of coating the lancing area on my finger with a bit of Ambesol ---- washing it well, then using the lancet ...<br /><br />I wonder if that would screw up the readings?Zeppnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-48347471896283715432009-04-13T23:23:00.000+10:002009-04-13T23:23:00.000+10:00Hi all. I just got a Bayer Vaculet device and it ...Hi all. I just got a Bayer Vaculet device and it is great. I teach and my hands are always dirty so I prefer not to test on my fingers. (Too many nasty germs out there!) With my first lancing device I couldn't get enough blood from my foreare or thigh. The vaculet actually forms a slight vacuum and draws the blood out. It is great! I test on my thighs without pain and always get enough blood. One word of advice - the first 2 times I used it I bruised because I used in incorrectly. Once the device is against your test site, press the plunger right away and then allow the vacuum to draw up the blood. For some (dumb) reason I held the vacuum in place before I pricked my skin with the bruise resulting from the blood being drawn to the surface of my skin with no where to go! Anyway, I truly love this device. <BR/>LorraineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-59876400530898421812008-12-07T09:42:00.000+11:002008-12-07T09:42:00.000+11:00Alan,Thank you for this info for painless pricks -...Alan,<BR/>Thank you for this info for painless pricks - it helped me immensely! I thought about using other sites on my body to take the blood from, but apparently the reason the fingers are best is that it's capillary blood, which is what gives better BG readings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-50518937708595930152008-11-27T14:06:00.000+11:002008-11-27T14:06:00.000+11:00Alanthank you thank you, no one showed me how to u...Alan<BR/>thank you thank you, no one showed me how to use the equipment I was handed after giving the RX to the drug store. I was actually given an accu-check ativa with the lancet device along with a huge box of the soft lancet. I tried the device but because no one instructed how to use it I gave up and went to the other style and suffered the pain that goes with uncontrolled depth. I now can test more often which means I can get more meaningful readings. Not just my morning fast reading. I'm only prediabetic so I am so very grateful to your information.<BR/><BR/>Frank SC USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-2652376036012851442008-11-14T07:52:00.000+11:002008-11-14T07:52:00.000+11:00Okay, thank you much for the info. I'm still worki...Okay, thank you much for the info. I'm still working on the courage part. Be patient with me. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-62549982677669867292008-11-13T22:38:00.000+11:002008-11-13T22:38:00.000+11:00Fingers seem to be the best indicators of real-tim...Fingers seem to be the best indicators of real-time blood glucose levels. There are meters which can be used for "alternate site testing", for the forearm or other parts of the body, but I haven't used them and can't really comment on whether they are more or less painful than fingers. <BR/><BR/>The reports I have from others is that there can be a significant delay in blood glucose levels peaking on alternate sites; the fingers seem to get the peak first. Again, I don't have personal experience of that, just anecdotes from others.<BR/><BR/>If you use the sides of your fingertips you should have no problems. Most of the sensitive points are in the pads, not the sides.<BR/><BR/>In over six years of re-using lancets, sometimes for months, I have never had a resulting finger infection myself. That is despite also having a compromised immune system (hypogammaglobulinemia).<BR/><BR/>I know of only one other person who has had a minor infection, and she is not certain that re-use was the cause. I know of no reported case of infection from self-testing in the literature on diabetes that I have read. The only other case of infection that I can recall was in a nursing home where the same lancet-holder was being used on many successive patients; the nurses were changing the lancets but failed to clean the nacelle of the lancet-holder between patients. I'm afraid I have lost the reference for that one.<BR/><BR/>You'll be fine mate. Test, test, test:-)Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-50937217797955949112008-11-13T20:26:00.000+11:002008-11-13T20:26:00.000+11:00Thank you for this. If and when I get a meter, it ...Thank you for this. If and when I get a meter, it will be very helpful. A few questions:<BR/><BR/>-Why is testing on the fingers the common way to do it? Is it possible to test somewhere else consistently? (Fingers are so sensitive, and we're always using them!)<BR/><BR/>-Do you worry about infections, either of yourself or other people, through the break in your skin? (Besides being a needlephobe, I'm a bit of a germophobe.)<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-44234955023042457672008-10-04T13:40:00.000+10:002008-10-04T13:40:00.000+10:00Alan, you dear sweet man, I am so new at this and ...Alan, you dear sweet man, I am so new at this and flich every time I test, I will have to give this one a go.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15453844740504938191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-68452846127940437702008-08-21T08:52:00.000+10:002008-08-21T08:52:00.000+10:00I tried your advice today: I dialed back my the l...I tried your advice today: I dialed back my the lancet device to half-depth, hardly felt the prick, and got enough blood. I thought I wouldn't get enough blood if I didn't set the device at maximum.<BR/><BR/>Nice blog, by the way! I liked your food planning advice, too.Pubsgalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05636089392777186992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-49559309083551865172008-08-12T19:15:00.000+10:002008-08-12T19:15:00.000+10:00If you could see the results of your tests more th...If you could see the results of your tests more than half an hour afterwards as unsightly, and you also had an "ouch", then your lancet was set far too deep. <BR/><BR/>Try again on your finger-tip-sides, starting at 0.5.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes,<BR/><BR/>Cheers, AlanAlanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868809225921579099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967781860933132301.post-87682431003482328682008-08-12T17:09:00.000+10:002008-08-12T17:09:00.000+10:00I tested on my fingers for the first 4 days, looke...I tested on my fingers for the first 4 days, looked at the pin pricks....only brave/silly enough to use one side of a couple of fingers....and said, "how unsightly and ouch!". I have been a forearm "baby" ever since. I test freely because I have no fear of pain. I suppose if I actually knew someone, face-to-face, who could guide me and show me (I'm a visual learner) I would be less resistant to finger testing. You have brought up some good points that I keep in mind about forearm testing. However, I'll continue to test on my arm...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com