Lancets

[TiredOldGal]

I’m sure that this has been asked before, but with my codefree BG testing meter, how long should I change the lancets? I’ve been changing after each use so far and as this is just into my second week of T2 I’m testing before and after meals and writing everything I eat down.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[TiredOldGal]

Thank you. I’ve been doing it by the book so far, I think I will keep on doing what I’m doing

 

[Kaylz]

Some change once a week, some once a month and so on, I change my lancet everytime but I use fastclix so its 6 lancets in 1 drum which is changed every day and a half, I did start out with single use and changed everytime as well x

 

[karloc]

I started changing them each time but then got bored and change them maybe every few days or if I get a slightly more painful stab.
Obviously don't share them (my kids wanted ago 🙂) .
They are pretty cheap so not really an issue using new each time, its just slightly quicker not changing each time - that the only reason I don't really.🙂

 

[Ditto]

I never bothered to change but I've got millions so I've started trying to remember to change them daily, get rid of them. Wish I had as many strips!

 

[rebrascora]

One lancet will last me months and I have it on the deepest setting. I work outdoors and my hands often get cracked or cut by quite dirty things like a hoof knife when I am trimming hooves. I am pretty sure my immune system can take a lancet being reused.... obviously only for myself though.
I should mention that technically the lancets should be disposed of in a sharp safe. I am provided with one by my GP practice because they supply my lancets and needles but when you are self funding, it is your responsibility to dispose of them safely and not just drop them in the bin.

 

[Kaylz]

One lancet will last me months and I have it on the deepest setting. I work outdoors and my hands often get cracked or cut by quite dirty things like a hoof knife when I am trimming hooves. I am pretty sure my immune system can take a lancet being reused.... obviously only for myself though.
I should mention that technically the lancets should be disposed of in a sharp safe. I am provided with one by my GP practice because they supply my lancets and needles but when you are self funding, it is your responsibility to dispose of them safely and not just drop them in the bin.

That does completely depend on the Lancet though, if accu chek fastclix they are perfectly fine to go in general waste as no risk to anyone with being enclosed in a drum x

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @TiredOldGal🙂 I use Unistik Comfort Lancets, they are sprung loaded individual lancets and can only be used once. It states quite clearly on the box of 200, do not put in household waste use a sharps bin to dispose of, contact your local refuse department for advice. When I go out I take a different meter which uses a drum, ACCU-CHEK Mobile which gets changed every week but the drum goes in the sharps bin too. Its great you have a food diary and keeping an eye on your blood sugars, also self funding can be financially difficult for some T2 Diabetics so every time you see your Dr or DSN give them a hard time about getting a meter and strips.

 

[TiredOldGal]

Hello @TiredOldGal🙂 I use Unistik Comfort Lancets, they are sprung loaded individual lancets and can only be used once. It states quite clearly on the box of 200, do not put in household waste use a sharps bin to dispose of, contact your local refuse department for advice. When I go out I take a different meter which uses a drum, ACCU-CHEK Mobile which gets changed every week but the drum goes in the sharps bin too. Its great you have a food diary and keeping an eye on your blood sugars, also self funding can be financially difficult for some T2 Diabetics so every time you see your Dr or DSN give them a hard time about getting a meter and strips.

I have a codefree meter, but thank you for your reply. I will ask the DN when I get to see her

 

[SB2015]

I change my lancet on Ouch-day.
I am still using my first box of fastclix drums.
I am trying to remember to move into the next lancet a little more often.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Tradition has it that people with diabetes change their lancet annually on St Swithin’s Day (whether they need to or not)

 

[trophywench]

I also use an Accuchek Fastclix finger bodger with the drums which I have so far had for 4 years and am on my 4th box of drums. I re-use each lancet & change approx. every 3rd day once it gets a bit blunt. The drums then go in household waste cos its silly wasting space in my sharps bin with them when there's no need.

OTOH since nothing in em is biodegradable - it is morallycriminal sending them to landfill, same as it is so-called disposable insulin pens!

 

[KARNAK]

My sentiments exactly TW.

 

[Ljc]

I too am concerned at all the non recyclable waste I create esp as I use a Libre as well.

I use a Fadtclix finger bodger too and only click to the next lancet when I have had to change the depth a few times and as a Libre user it’s a long time before that happens .

 

[Docb]

I'm with TW. Got a fast clix bodger and started out religiously clicking on every test. Then I started to forget to do it and now change every few days. Have two boxes of drums in the bathroom, so I'm good for a few years.

 

[grovesy]

I self fund the Fastclix, I bought mine in Boots and they often have special offers on them and the drums.