lancing device is not that good

[jalapino]

So i got my bg monitoring device tuesday and have been told to monitor levels before meals etc and first thing in the morning, i hate needles any way but understand it is to keep an eye on bl, the device i was given by my dn is a glucorx nexus td-4277 the problem is that the lancing device is pretty naff it takes me sometimes 3 shots before i get blood!! it is frustrating as doing it once is bad enough let alone 3 times to get a result, i have been told i have tough skin and have it on the highest penertrating level but still hit and miss, the lancing device even looks and feels a bit flimsy!! any idea's on better lancing devices?

 

[Northerner]

I use an Accu Chek Multiclix (there's also one called the 'Softclix' I believe) and I've never had a problem with it.

Possibly you are having problems with the one you have because you are new to it? If you have trouble getting blood, try running your hands under warm water first, and hanging your arm down before doing the finger prick. Wait a couple of seconds after pricking and then give a gentle squeeze. You could also squeeze down the finger towards the tip after pricking and this can help. Use the sides of the tips of your fingers not the front of the pad, because that will hurt more. You'll soon get the hang of it, I'm sure! 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

I use the one that came with my Freestyle Freedom Lite and the method Northe describes and rarely have trouble getting blood. I hate doing it, though I'm not afraid of needles, I do hate pain and it hurts! It took a bit of practice to get it right, so I'd give it a while longer and if things don't improve that'll be the time to change your device.

 

[jalapino]

I use an Accu Chek Multiclix (there's also one called the 'Softclix' I believe) and I've never had a problem with it.

Possibly you are having problems with the one you have because you are new to it? If you have trouble getting blood, try running your hands under warm water first, and hanging your arm down before doing the finger prick. Wait a couple of seconds after pricking and then give a gentle squeeze. You could also squeeze down the finger towards the tip after pricking and this can help. Use the sides of the tips of your fingers not the front of the pad, because that will hurt more. You'll soon get the hang of it, I'm sure! 🙂

I agree i am new to it but i do wash my hands in hot water and shake my hands and massage the blood out but as alison said it does hurt and i hate i meen HATE needles! before i do it i almost shudder, i no it sounds daft but it is so frustrating even the dn had problems getting blood from my fingers.

 

[pippin]

My dad has problems too. He keeps the lancet at the highest setting although he does get blood, sometimes he has to try again. I gave him a cream scrub to use on his hands/finger to try and keep the area softer, exfoliating the skin (It's actually a foot scrub with pumice in it)

It's the Glucomen lancet dad uses, he still keeps it at the high setting he has more success with one hand than the other. He definitely has tough skin.....but using the scrub has helped.

 

[Copepod]

If you're nervous about needles, you won't want to do this, but holding device close to skin before depressing the button gives the best chance of hitting blood first time. If you hold it too loosely, it can bounce off. You're right to use the highest setting.

 

[jalapino]

If you're nervous about needles.
Well this just about says it all i shudder before i hit the button and try not to push the device so hard on my skin...i no it sounds so stupid as a lot of you have to inject every day but honestly i hate needles so much i do a funny leg shake before i prick myself😱 my heart races i sweat and get my self into a silly state over nothing but a small prick to the skin!!! arhhhhhhh!!!!😡

 

[robert@fm]

One technique I find helps me is, instead of squeezing (pushing on) the skin near the puncture, try pulling on it, to encourage the hole to open -- this usually does the trick in my case.

 

[jalapino]

One technique I find helps me is, instead of squeezing (pushing on) the skin near the puncture, try pulling on it, to encourage the hole to open -- this usually does the trick in my case.

Thanks for the tip rob 🙂