Finger pricking shenanigans

[Neens]

Don't you believe it! There are techniques to reduce the pain and there will be times when you hit a sweet spot but there will be plenty of times when you don't.
My skin is tough but I still have nerves. Sometimes I do hardly feel it but occasionally it will still be sore the next day.

Thanks, Barbara - I hit that sweet spot once! Although it was my index finger which I have since discovered it is advised not to use (despite the GP using it).

 

[trophywench]

More nerve endings and blood flow at the end of the index finger in comparison to the other ones so it's not recommended both cos it's likely to hurt more and because in view of the extra nerve population it's your usual finger for detecting fine textures and such so you don't want to damage the end of it!

 

[paul.johnson]

Aaaaggghhhhhh The Autolet. Count to 5 press the button, grimace wait for pain. Gently squeeze or you have a gusher lol

 

[rebrascora]

Although it was my index finger which I have since discovered it is advised not to use (despite the GP using it).

You will sadly learn that GPs often don't know a great deal about diabetes in general and to be fair if they only show a patient how to use a lancet and BG meter once a fortnight or once a month they are unlikely to remember all the relevant info every time. Just like you struggled to operate it when you got home.... once you are doing it multiple times a day every day, you soon learn what works and what doesn't and discover different tricks via the likes of this forum to make it easier.

 

[chaoticcar]

I nearly sliced the top of my finger off slicing veg (thought it was a courgette !) The next time I took my bloods I couldn't get any blood out of my finger with my vampire machine 😱 Had it all soaked into the plaster ?🙄
Carol

 

[Ditto]

I wonder if it's like when you open a can of drink or something, you need two holes to get any out? I can never get any out. Plus if it's only a tiny pinprick I get a higher reading. I wouldn't mind where it came from, I just want some blood!

 

[Neens]

More nerve endings and blood flow at the end of the index finger in comparison to the other ones so it's not recommended both cos it's likely to hurt more and because in view of the extra nerve population it's your usual finger for detecting fine textures and such so you don't want to damage the end of it!

Thanks, Jenny - I learnt this in the Learning Zone. I did use my index finger once - as it was the only one left without a hole. !

 

[Neens]

You will sadly learn that GPs often don't know a great deal about diabetes in general and to be fair if they only show a patient how to use a lancet and BG meter once a fortnight or once a month they are unlikely to remember all the relevant info every time. Just like you struggled to operate it when you got home.... once you are doing it multiple times a day every day, you soon learn what works and what doesn't and discover different tricks via the likes of this forum to make it easier.

Thanks, Barbara - it was getting easier - then I had several days where no blood came until the 4th prick and yesterday the needle got stuck! Terrifying. Having a day off from pricking - food plan done and I know I am okay with all the food/ingredients. Got retinopathy so all food prepped and boxed last night - don't fancy cooking with blurry vision!

 

[Neens]

I nearly sliced the top of my finger off slicing veg (thought it was a courgette !) The next time I took my bloods I couldn't get any blood out of my finger with my vampire machine 😱 Had it all soaked into the plaster ?🙄
Carol

Carol! 😱
The day I couldn't get any blood I had bashed the side of my knuckle and broke the skin, it bled for 2 days... my fingers though - took 4 to get anything!
As we have said before on here - easy to cut ourselves and bleed but ask the needle to find some and it may as well be a haystack not a hand! 😉

 

[Neens]

I wonder if it's like when you open a can of drink or something, you need two holes to get any out? I can never get any out. Plus if it's only a tiny pinprick I get a higher reading. I wouldn't mind where it came from, I just want some blood!

I hear this! Hoping it gets easier!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks, Jenny - I learnt this in the Learning Zone. I did use my index finger once - as it was the only one left without a hole. !

Glad you’ve been finding the Learning Zone helpful @Neens

 

[Neens]

Glad you’ve been finding the Learning Zone helpful @Neens

I have to wait until March for my education course so I thought I would get started. I did lots of my own research in the weeks before I joined this site/forum and to be honest some of what you read is scary and inaccurate so it is good to know that the facts are correct etc. Plus members here are very knowledgeable and kind. Which is an amazing discovery. The diagnosis period is a dark gauntlet and some days I really wish we could all be coached through this. On the plus side - I like healthier/low carb foods I just had a year of really bad physical health and was relying on my partner to cook after working full time - so we ate convenience a lot! I read threads from members who hate veg and that must be really hard.