Hello and welcome
@embayweather
I'd like to start by saying how much I like your avatar
Secondly I'm sorry to hear your fingers are getting sore- I certainly found that at the start but it seemed to become easier and less sore over time. That said I have a couple of suggestions- which you may already be doing. The first is to warm your hands before testing- I use hot running water in winter but anything that helps the blood flow-opening and clenching your fist for example can help.
The second thing is to use the sides of the finger rather than the pad ad that seems to be a how lot less painful.
The third is to alternate fingers and hands- I find this a bit tricky myself- some of my fingers seem a lot happy to produce the required blood drop than others so I do tend to favour them as it is more reliable. So while I do believe this advice I don't follow it that well.
Are you on any medication for diabetes?
The other option is a CGM which doesn't require the continuous finger stabbing- is that an option for you?
Welcome and Good luck- I'm sure others will come with other suggestions