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New lance every time or can I use the old one?

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M

Martin W.

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Having poor eyesight I frequently get the 'error' message on my blood glucose monitor due to 'missing the target'. This means I have to start all over again with a new testing strip. My question is, do I need to use a fresh lance with the fresh strip or can I use the old one? Thank you in advance.
 
Martin W. said:
Having poor eyesight I frequently get the 'error' message on my blood glucose monitor due to 'missing the target'. This means I have to start all over again with a new testing strip. My question is, do I need to use a fresh lance with the fresh strip or can I use the old one? Thank you in advance.
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The naughty secret most of us have is that we change our lancets somewhat less than annually!

A lancet can be reused multiple times and many people don't even bother changing it till it starts to hurt.
 
Or using the Fastclix bodger, it fails to hit your digit, so you have to wind it on to the next one!
 
Another guilty one here 🙂
@Northerner usually reminds us When its lancet changing day. :D.
 
I used to change them religiously, but now once every couple of weeks.
 
Martin W. said:
Having poor eyesight I frequently get the 'error' message on my blood glucose monitor due to 'missing the target'. This means I have to start all over again with a new testing strip. My question is, do I need to use a fresh lance with the fresh strip or can I use the old one? Thank you in advance.
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Guilty as charged.
 
Well, I was diagnosed 8.5 years ago and I'm still on my first box of lancets... 😱 🙂 I think that may answer your question! 🙂 The tradition is to change your lancet on St Swithin's Day, but obviously it's a personal thing, so the answer is that you don't have to use a new one every time, but change it if you are unhappy with how it is performing i.e. if hurting too much or failing to get blood. It's more important to try and perfect your technique and get fewer strip failures - the strips are a much bigger expense to the NHS.
 
What glucose meter are you using Martin W? I realise it is often what your surgery gives you if you are fortunate enough to be prescribed strips or often the Codefree meter if self funding. The Contour next meter allows you to put extra blood on the strip if you don't get enough on first time - a very good way to stop test strips from being wasted.
 
I'm like Northerner. I've been diabetic for over 20 years, and I think I'm on my third box of lancets. Of course they want you to change every day, but there's no need unless you've got dial up to 10 on the depth dial to get it through the top layer of skin. Never had a problem with infection.

And don't get me started on needles....
 
I change mine every Ouchday. I should do it before then.
 
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Crikey, the things you learn on here! Well that certainly more than answers my question. Thanks everyone.
 
Flower said:
What glucose meter are you using Martin W? I realise it is often what your surgery gives you if you are fortunate enough to be prescribed strips or often the Codefree meter if self funding. The Contour next meter allows you to put extra blood on the strip if you don't get enough on first time - a very good way to stop test strips from being wasted.
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I'm using the Glucomen Areo meter that the surgery gave me. I bought a load of my own strips off Amazon too but when the surgery found out they insisted on putting them on repeat prescription for me. I know how expensive they are so I'm as careful as I can be. Thank you for your reply.
 
Martin W. said:
Crikey, the things you learn on here! Well that certainly more than answers my question. Thanks everyone.
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We're a rebellious lot :D
 
There are meters designed for the sight-impaired, do they not have something to help? Or - RNIB?
 
St Swithin's Day sounds about right to me. :D

I do have trouble getting blood out, I'm just not a bleeder! 😱 Really.
 
I must be the exception then! I change mine every time, same for needles too!
 
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