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Can't get any blood?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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I have never had this problem before. I am 18 and I have had type 1 diabetes since I was 5 and I have always been able to get blood from my fingers but the last few days I have been having problems. Tuesday morning when I tested my blood I couldnt get much blood at all it wouldn't even fill the test strip so I started to get a little fed up so I left it and just took my insulin. Its been like it near enough all week. I have just tried testing my blood now and couldnt get anything. I have a few finger prickers and one of them which I thought was one of the best that wouldn't even get any blood out. Has this ever happened to anyone else?
 
hya
i had that problem,the diabetic nurse said it was because my skin was thickening on my fingers,i suggest you see your nurse i sometimes test on my arm so my fingers stay soft,
take care, :wink: totsy
 
Have you tried massaging the finger then using the lancet without the finger pricking machine? I have fingertips like rhino hide so i never use the machine.
Also prick at the side of the finger rather than the front,it's less painful and you usually get more blood.
 
My son has had this problem a few times, the week he was first diagnosed the diabetes nurse said to him, 'We usually put builders and the likes of your dad on 4 but you'll only need 2'. She then tried to prick his finger on 2, then on 2 1/2, then on 3, then on 3 1/2 then on 4 and finally got blood at 5! She was very apologetic.

After a few weeks he did go down to 2 1/2, but every so often we have to dial the lancet machine up.

I put it down to his dad being Scottish and me being from Yorkshire, a recipe for stinginess if ever I heard it!

Kind regards

Pud x
 
Which is your favourite finger for getting blood? I find that either of my little fingers are best.I very rarely use my thumb.
 
My son prefers his ring finger or middle finger on his left hand for getting blood. He prefers to inject his Lantus into his tummy, even though the nurse has told him it works better in the legs!
 
This has never happened with me, although sometimes it can be a little sluggish. i think a number of things can influence this: if your hands are cold -run them under warm water or rub them together (i find the first better); other medication - for example aspirin helps the flow; finally as you have all said test site. I used to use a medscape lancet device and the tips of my fingers. I found this horrendous and to be truthful often skipped testing cos I couldn't face it. I have a new lance thingy - it is great I only dial to 1. But my real secret is where I test - on the pads just below my finger nails. Yes I know it sounds weird but it works, is far less painful and I have more fingers to choose from!!! Why nobody tells us these things I'll never know.
 
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