Lancets

[419ireland]

I've just started testing my BG levels and the manufacturer's instruction is to use a new lancet every test. Is that what others do? I know we can get them on prescription (free in Scotland) but that is going to use up an awful lot of lancets.

Rob

 

[Emmaathome]

I think i average about 10 tests per lancet. I'm sure others change more often / less often depending on how they feel about it.

I reckon I probably should change more often (i'm prone to skin infections) but to be honest i'm costing the tax payers enough already!!!!

 

[Northerner]

It's traditional to change your lancet on St Swithin's Day, have a read of this:

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/lancet-change-st-swithins-day.html

I'm still on my first box of lancets four years on - I change them more often than once a year, but probably not more often than once every 3-4 weeks 🙂

 

[robofski]

I have the accu-chek fast clik with 6 lancets in a drum and I keep forgetting to 'flick the switch' and change to a new one, I think I've used 3 drums in 3 months!

 

[Vicsetter]

I fit a new one and set the depth gauge to 1. Continue testing until I get no blood, increase gauge to 2, repeat until it either hurts or I get to 4 when it's bound to hurt and then put a new one in.

 

[Copepod]

It's not just the cost (financial & environmental) of the lancets, but also the cost of disposal. I last got a box of lancets in 2003.

 

[ypauly]

I try to start the day with a new one. I have a dirty job so have been known to change it at work so I would say I change once or twice a day but not every test.

 

[AlisonF]

I generally change mine on bank holidays, and always on New Year's Day so if all else fails, I definitely have one new lancet per year!

 

[Northerner]

It would be interesting to know the proportions of sales of lancets to needles (for insulin users). I change my needle for every injection, although I know many don't.

 

[Old Holborn]

As I buy every other box of test strips I use a new Lancet (on prescription) every test.

 

[DeusXM]

You can change lancets?

 

[trophywench]

I never changed on St Swithin's day but just with the same frequency - in that I used to put a new one in to go on my summer holiday. And (get this for wasteful!) sometimes at Xmas too!

I got paranoid about pen needles and rotating after an enormous crater appeared on my thigh some years back and although 'bad absorption areas' are less apparent on jabs, so you have a high reading one day, so what? - bit odd you think but don't spend any more time on it than that fleeting though as you correct at next mealtime .... well once you start pumping you soon observe you actually have quite a few more iffy places than you thought .....

 

[lauraw1983]

It's not just the cost (financial & environmental) of the lancets, but also the cost of disposal. I last got a box of lancets in 2003.

2003!!! :-o How many are in a box? Think mine are boxes of 100 - the BD ones?

I can't believe how little some of you change them! I start to notice them hurting more as they get older, blunter I presume?

I change them at least weekly, if not every few days - sometimes every day but I often forget that!

 

[MCH]

I fit a new one and set the depth gauge to 1. Continue testing until I get no blood, increase gauge to 2, repeat until it either hurts or I get to 4 when it's bound to hurt and then put a new one in.

You've made me feel guilty! 😱 😱 😱

I start at gauge 2 and change when it hurts too much or I don't seem to get enough blood at that depth. (Mind you if I am happen to be low, I seem to turn the gauge up and then change later on. 🙄)