Fingers Starting To Hurt

[MummyRose2009]

Hey any suggestions, my fingers are starting to hurt from the finger pricking, i don't check stupidly often just before each meal and then two hours after each meal to check to see if i need another injection.

But my fingers are really starting to sting now and only four or five of them i have tiny sore little lumps where i've been finger pricking.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Northerner]

I have those little lumps too, although I have found that it hurts less these days when I use them. Have you got your finger pricker on the lowest setting? Obviously, this can make it hurt less, but if you have difficulty getting blood at that setting them make sure that your fingers are warm, perhaps by running them under warm water first, then hold your arm down before pricking to encourage blood flow to your fingers.

Also, remember that you have 12 available sites for pricking. It's recommended not to use your thumbs or index fingers, because these are where you need to retain sensitivity the most, So, for the other 6 fingers you can prick on either side of the pad, close(-ish) to the nail. Don't use the centre of the pad, as this has the most nerve endings and will hurt the most. So you have two sides to each of 6 fingers = 12 sites, rotate them so each has a chance to recover.

Also, do you always check two hours after eating? This shouldn't be necessary if it is a meal you are familiar with, because having done it on a few occasions you should then know what to expect. How often do you find yourself giving extra injections after two hours? If you are doing this then perhaps you are not giving sufficient insulin with your meals. If you are worried that your levels are too high at two hours then it may be because you need to alter the timing of your pre-meal dose by injecting earlier - I usually try and inject at least 15 minutes before eating in order to give the insulin time to get working and hopefully match the peak of my food digesting and raising my BG levels. It's a bit imprecise and needs a lot of trial and error, but gradually you will learn what is best for familiar meals. This would mean that you would need fewer injections and tests! 🙂

 

[Persil]

I use my forearms to sugar test. It doesn't hurt and it doesn't bruise. I was recommended to by a friend, and I haven't looked back. You should be able to check the leaflet that came with your meter, as there's usually a section called "Alternative Site Testing" (or something like that). Just remember, that if you're checking because you think you are low, you have to use your fingers. However, checking before meals etc, arms are fine.

I hope your fingers recover soon!

Vicki 🙂
xxx

 

[lauraw1983]

What finger lancer do you have?

Because I found mine so sore too, then I tried a different lancer and the first one I had turned out to have been EVIL! Was an Easy Touch or something?

The kindest one I have is the One Touch (given by a friend who had a few!) which I mostly use, but also the DSN gave me a different Easy touch one which was also much kinder!

MY fingers throbbed before sometimes after doing it and I had little peeling bit of skin too but not so much now - the odd one hurts more than others but not often.

 

[lauraw1983]

I use my forearms to sugar test. It doesn't hurt and it doesn't bruise. I was recommended to by a friend, and I haven't looked back. You should be able to check the leaflet that came with your meter, as there's usually a section called "Alternative Site Testing" (or something like that). Just remember, that if you're checking because you think you are low, you have to use your fingers. However, checking before meals etc, arms are fine.

I hope your fingers recover soon!

Vicki 🙂
xxx

Where about on your forearm? I tried it one on the pad of my hand and it hardly got any blood and wasn't worth the hassle lol - might try it again elsewhere though.

 

[Northerner]

Where about on your forearm? I tried it one on the pad of my hand and it hardly got any blood and wasn't worth the hassle lol - might try it again elsewhere though.

Toes and earlobes! 😱 🙂

 

[Persil]

Like palms down, anywhere above my wrist, if that makes sense?!

Vicki 🙂
xxx

 

[mum2westiesGill]

Also, remember that you have 12 available sites for pricking. It's recommended not to use your thumbs or index fingers, because these are where you need to retain sensitivity the most, So, for the other 6 fingers you can prick on either side of the pad, close(-ish) to the nail. Don't use the centre of the pad, as this has the most nerve endings and will hurt the most. So you have two sides to each of 6 fingers = 12 sites, rotate them so each has a chance to recover.

In 20 years of being diabetic I've never done my thumb. Also i never knew about it not being recommended to use your index finger. So am i right the 12 sites must be 1. the finger inbetween the thumb & index finger (either side), 2. the finger inbetween the index finger & little finger (either side) & 3. the little finger (either side)? I've also never done my little finger & done very few on my right hand as it's harder to manage. I do prick on either side of the pad. Of the fingers i use i do a different finger each day.

 

[MummyRose2009]

I am using the side of my fingers and thumbs but find it difficult to use the other side (im not very skilled with it just yet lol)
I find the blood comes out of my thumbs and little fingers the best my main fingers no matter how warm just dont like to bleed much haha. I haven't done a finger prick test on my finger tips cause i can imagine that it is very painful. i might try it on my arms, i had a tattoo done just above my wrist on the lower arm and that didn't really hurt a lot so i can imagine a slight stab won't hurt much either (obviously on the upper arm lol) My fingers arent painful to use or anything i can still type and pick things up and stuff just concerned about them causing blisters or something.

As for my insulin, my Diabetes nurse has told me to take it before and then check two hours afterwards. The reason being is i am suffering a lot of hypos at the moment and i need to keep a close eye on my sugar level. I am trying to cut down what i am having during the day so its just 9 before meals and that's doing perfect and then in the evening when i know im not going to be busy and i have my big meal i take the 12.

I'm going to just take it before meals from now on i think, unless i feel low of course, but i need to try and start doing something to make things a little easier.

 

[margie]

If you want to check blood from sites other than your finger tips check the information with your test strips - it will tell you the sites you can use.

MummyRose - have you tried adjusting your finger pricker. The depth can make a difference to the amount of damage to your fingers. You may have the setting higher than you need it to be.