Re-using lancets??

[CathyN]

Hi

In Gretchen Becker's book TYPE 2 DIABETES THE FIRST YEAR she mentions that some people re-use lancets and that this is ok, as long as they are not shared (obviously) and are used on pre-washed hands (obviously).

Do any of you re-use lancets - if so, how long do you go before getting new ones??

CathyN x

 

[Sparklygal]

I have actually been using the same lancet for ages, I have a one touch monitor and accuchek pen (dont ask lol). there were about 6 preloaded in the pen and I've only used 3 in about a year or two. In saying that if i could find my one touch pen i'd be changing lancets fairly regularly. Sorry I haven't actually answered your post!

 

[BaliRob]

I have never changed mine - it is not blunt either - I will not shock you by telling you how many years of use it has had. Clean bag, clean hands, clean life (ha ha ha) you will be ok.

 

[catza]

I change my lancet when it feels uncomfortable doing a test. Each can last for weeks and my current one has been in use for at least a couple of months. At the rate I am using them my initial buy of 200 lancets will last for the next 20 years.

 

[Paul1976]

Only when it feels blunt and makes my finger throb,I've got loads of them so could change more often but I don't feel the need to.

 

[Paul_c]

fresh one every day

 

[Patch]

I change mine if it starts to hurt. Get a nice, fresh SHARP one!

Once every couple of months...

 

[Riri]

I usually change mine twice a day - that is testing upwards of 10 times though.

 

[noblehead]

I rotate the lancet drum once a day.

 

[hanadr]

I use my lancets for ages and don't wash my wrist before I test either. No damage so far in 9 years.
Hana

 

[Sarah69]

I use mine for months on end in fact I've never had to get another prescription for them! I don't wash my hands before using it I don't see the need to.

 

[Defren]

I use a new one each day. I don't see the point in a new one each test.

 

[Riri]

My only query would be if something sweet was on your fingers is it possible that it could get on the lancet - I don't know?

I certainly wash my hands before each test as I've seen the wrong readings by not doing so. I had a BS of 28 one night and I ran to the bathroom in a panic to wash hands and re-test - ahh BS of 8 .................and breathe!!!

 

[lisamariebrankin]

My daughter was diagnosed 2months ago, we use a fresh lancet each test!!

 

[docvern]

think the general concensus is to use them for long time,,,,like i do ,,,i thought i was the only lazy one!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Elc1112]

I tend to change every two days - it hurts less that way!

 

[smidge]

Hey there!

I try to rotate the drum every time so I always use a fresh lancet - although I do forget sometimes. I don't deliberately re-use lancets and I never re-use needles. I feel that diabetes gives me enough worries with higher risks of all sorts of infections and complications and I don't want to add to this by re-using items that are specifically designed as single-use. You wouldn't re-use a plaster, so why re-use lancets?

Smidge

 

[abs]

I change each time, however I get them on script. Or test at work using individual ones. Always wash my hands to do it or if I'm up with my horses use a baby wipe to clean hand.

 

[purplekat]

Quite glad to see that it's fairly safe to re-use them, provided you are sensible about clean hands etc. I don't get them on prescription, and I was buying them myself to test different foods and their effect on me. Although considering how sore I find it, I may have to continue changing quite often.

Does alternative site testing hurt less (especially with re-used lancets)?

 

[BlindFaith]

I use one lancet a day and test 4/5 times a day, I wash my hands before each use and try to use a different finger - I end up with bruised fingers otherwise!!

I've not had any problems so far.