Advised to reuse lances? Is that right?

[slinkimalinki]

I think I am on my third lancet since October. Test multiple times a day and no problems here. When they are $20 for 100, which would only last me roughly 2 weeks, I am not changing everytime. Also, just because the manufacturer says they are single use, doesn't mean that is true. They want your $$, they are not going to say use them as long as you like.

 

[leslie10152]

I think I am on my third lancet since October. Test multiple times a day and no problems here. When they are $20 for 100, which would only last me roughly 2 weeks, I am not changing everytime. Also, just because the manufacturer says they are single use, doesn't mean that is true. They want your $$, they are not going to say use them as long as you like.

Be careful when you do this. The point deforms with repeated use and can damage the tissues resulting in scarring. You can even promote infection from previously used lancets. If you must reuse them, ensure that they are sterile.

 

[chalup]

I change them when they begin to hurt, every couple of weeks. Never had an infection and I am immune compromised.

 

[Goonergal]

I change mine about every couple of weeks or so - usually prompted by them starting to hurt.

 

[lessci]

I've got 2 different lancers - the one which takes individual "single use" prickers I change every time, the one which takes a sealed drum with multiple prickers I reuse multiple times

 

[PattiT]

I change them when I go 'owww', too

 

[eventhorizon]

Changed mine this morning. It's a 6 barrel Accu Chek multi clix. It must be 2 or 3 years since I last changed it.

 

[coxymk2]

I use mine once. I have always had a problem with any little scrape or scratch I tend to get an infection and I've had this problem all my life so rather be safe than sorry

 

[seadragon]

I reuse mine all the time. Change them occasionally when I remember. Never had a problem at all even when testing many times a day. I have never had a problem with basically using the same finger all the time either. I test the blood drop and then lick my finger to clean up the blood. Testing finger is perfectly good and skin is as soft as the one on other hand I never use.

 

[MelissaC]

I change mine every time I test. Quite surprised that the nurse told you to re-use them, which I'm sure is probably fine, but I expect she isn't really meant to say that! Whatever you're comfortable with is fine though

 

[C-Mack]

In the first few months I changed each time... that got tedious and I started slacking so now I change each time I open a new set of strips.

 

[Nidge247]

I generally change mine with every use. Occasionally I may reuse one once or twice but that is more by accident than the norm. However, with immunity compromised, and with me working/living in a high-risk environment, I value my relatively good health above the cost of a few lancets.

 

[Rustytypin]

I just wish there was a way of reusing the test strips......

 

[doyoutakesugar]

Lancet changes ... I try to change mine once a week.

 

[Ken_Elmer]

Used to change mine rarely. Nurse found out and told me off. Change it daily now when I change my syringe needle

 

[Ken_Elmer]

I just wish there was a way of reusing the test strips......

Used to have a device that cut them down the middle.

 

[Ken_Elmer]

Used to have a device that cut them down the middle.

When the colour indicated the result

 

[DaftThoughts]

I generally always use a new lancet, unless I'm out and about and don't have a lot of space or time. Then I will end up reusing a lancet a second or third time max.

After the third time (and on the lowest setting, mine is set to 1) I start noticing that my skin gets torn instead of pierced, so fresh lancets are a must.

They are covered by insurance so I never have to pay for the basic amount though. (After 400 per 3 months I have to buy them myself.) I totally get that people who buy them with their own money reuse them, but I personally always recommend using fresh ones whenever possible. I never have sore fingertips or anything like that despite testing up to 7-10 times a day.

 

[karona]

It must be weeks since I last changed mine, despite having a couple of hundred new lancets to use.

 

[smudges dad]

I reuse until it hurts or I get a strange reading. Life is too short to change it every use.