New Type 2 - info about lancets

[Silvers]

Hi All

I was diagnosed at the end of March and have been trying to read the maze of information (some of it often conflicting). I am still trying to establish what kind of diet I should be following, but one of the things I have picked up on is that, regardless of the fact that my GP thinks I do not need to test my Blood Sugar Levels, I believe, that for me, I need to be able to see what effects various carbs are having on my blood sugar levels. So.....I am the world's biggest coward and the thought of pricking my finger scares me a lot but can someone tell me whether all lancets work the same way? I was in hospital last week and when they tested my blood whatever they used had some kind of what I can best describe as a 'spring' mechanism. i.e. they didn't need to 'stab' me, but pressed a button or soemthing which did it for them. That kind of lancet I believe I could cope with. I don't believe I could use one which required me to jab my finger as if I was using a pin or something. If you understand what I mean can you advise what I should use please?

 

[pav]

The hospital ones tend to be a one shot disposable type and have a needle in them, they are single use so there no chance of cross contamination. The hospital ones and what they use on the ambulance tend to be pretty forceful as they don't have variable depth penetration. The lancing devises you get with a meter all work on the same principle in that the device is adjustable in the depth of the needles penetration and the lancet (needle) is disposable.

Some Lancing devices not only have a variable depth penetration but have a amount of pressure the lancet is hit with, my glucomen devices are this type.

 

[Silvers]

The hospital ones tend to be a one shot disposable type and have a needle in them, they are single use so there no chance of cross contamination. The hospital ones and what they use on the ambulance tend to be pretty forceful as they don't have variable depth penetration. The lancing devises you get with a meter all work on the same principle in that the device is adjustable in the depth of the needles penetration and the lancet (needle) is disposable.

Some Lancing devices not only have a variable depth penetration but have a amount of pressure the lancet is hit with, my glucomen devices are this type.

Thank You. The whole thing is so bewildering I have to say. I was diagnosed at HBA1C of 74 - came down to 67 one month later - then SHOT up to 80. Last reading 72. Later discovered infection and stress can make sugar levels rise dramatically but I need to be able to see what is going on!

 

[pav]

Medication can also effect levels like steroids, they really knock my levels sky high. This is where the meters are invaluable as no person is the same in how diabetes reacts with us. With the aid of a meter an making a note of what you eat, you can identify what foods do what to you, some will spike your levels rapidly like white bread, where whole meal will generally will take longer to reach its peak allowing your body to process the carbs better.

For some bananas can be a pain with levels, I find as long as they are not to ripe I am ok with them, all part of the learning game. Just a pity a lot of doctors don't see the need for type 2's to test, and won't issue prescriptions for test strips, think about everyone who does test finds meters are a great aid in getting better control.

 

[Lilian]

Be sure to prick the side of your fingers only, NOT the pads. Also do not do your index finger and thumb but concentrate more on the outer three fingers.

 

[Lilian]

Also, when getting yourself a meter try and get one where the strips do not need as much blood to test as some of the others. Some need more blood than others. Before testing it is always advisable to wash your hands, as there may be some residue of something you have touched or eaten and will therefore cause a false reading. Also (especially in cold weather), wash with warm water as it helps get the blood to your fingers. Do not use a lancet more than once (although it might be tempting if you are paying for them). There are a lot of people who do and say they have had no problems, but one thing about diabetes is that healing is much harder and you could get an infection, although many say nothing has ever happened to them. I suppose washing your hands before does help to prevent contamination.

 

[Lilian]

Before you go tell your doctor you are prepared to buy your own lancets and strips but can they give you a meter. Companies give the doctors free meters and lancet devices, and make their money by selling the strips to go with them. They might let you have one of these. Also the booklet that comes with it so that you can mark down your results to see a pattern.

 

[Silvers]

Thank you for all the advice. So much appreciated

 

[pav]

If you have to buy your own meter and strips a lot of people use the SD code free meter as the strips are around £7 for a pot of 50 strips, where as the big brand ones can be £25 + per pot of 50. The UK uses mmol/l measurement system so if you order and there is an option to select the right type of measurement click the right one and remember to tick or select I am a diabetic as that takes off the VAT on the purchases except any p&p

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/