Do your finger pricks hurt?

[MissMuffett]

This question was prompted by another post discussing changing of lancets.
Have you noticed one finger hurts more than the others when you do a finger prick test? I try and alternate fingers (I’m right handed so always my left hand gets it), and my index finger is the worst for pain no matter where I do it!

 

[HSSS]

Yep. Some fingers give up blood easier (ring and little ones for me)

Its also about being well hydrated and warm, massaging from palm to finger tip before stabbing, allowing time for the drop to well up, pricking the sides not middle of the fingerprint, rotating stabbing locations and adjusting lancet depth to the minimum that is successful

 

[MissMuffett]

Yep. Some fingers give up blood easier (ring and little ones for me)

Its also about being well hydrated and warm, massaging from palm to finger tip before stabbing, allowing time for the drop to well up, pricking the sides not middle of the fingerprint, rotating stabbing locations and adjusting lancet depth to the minimum that is successful

Little and ring fingers are best for me too

 

[Robbity]

My first question when my GP announced my T12 diagnosis was one of horror: "Will I have to inject myself with insulin now??" And although I started off with this bit of a needle phobia I discovered the Fastclix and now never have to see any "pricky bits" as they come hidden in little cassettes of 6 which get popped into its body and all adjustments are done from the outside which made it a lot easier.... And so while I do occasionally now get an "ouch" prick I no longer need to shut my eyes and think of England when I test .

Being left hand I always use my right hand but never use my forefinger and thumb and they're most "functional". My little i finger is usually most generous with its blood offerings, and being warm, hydrated and relaxed, definitely helps matters. My right arm is also the one that gets subjected to vaccinations and blood tests, and I've also found that the veins on my right inner elbow are also much more wiling to give up blood.

 

[flonvic]

I was told not to prick my index finger.

 

[jonathan183]

Short answer sometimes ...
I use side of middle two fingers most ... usually on left hand. I use fast-click lancets and change them when they start to hurt or after about 5 or so uses. Sometimes that's one use and sometimes it does not really hurt.
Dr Bernstein's diabetes solution shows top and side of all fingers and thumb can be used ... I found top of fingers does not work well for me. Little finger hurts and have never been brave enough to try thumb I either read or was told not to use index finger so never have ...

 

[LivingLightly]

Like the OP, I'm right-handed, so my left hand gets the punishment. I find the sides of my left thumb the most comfortable option, perhaps because my thumbs are better 'upholstered' than my other digits.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

I recommend practicing pricking your right hand. I too am right handed so prefer to,prick my left hand but as well as wanting to spread the load, I have had occasion when my left hand is injured so need to use my right hand.
It takes some practice but only a little. Before I had a CGM, I would finger prick test 10 times a day. I would prick my left hand on odd dates (1st, 3rd, 5th, … of every month) and my right hand for even dates. It quickly became normal.

 

[becca59]

Change hands each week on a Monday morning. Using the left to prick right is not so intuitive but not difficult at all. I change buttock each week for my once a day basal, legs and area of stomach. Today is change over day so left side this week.

 

[Lainie71]

I find that since I lost a lot of weight my fingers are a lot skinnier if that's possible! I find my fingers hurt more in winter but summer not so. Normally its like trying to get blood out of stone in winter!

 

[HSSS]

I find that since I lost a lot of weight my fingers are a lot skinnier if that's possible! I find my fingers hurt more in winter but summer not so. Normally its like trying to get blood out of stone in winter!

So that’s probably about warmth, and possibly hydration as we pay more attention to it when it’s warm out

 

[MrsA2]

I don't use my thumb or my index finger, they were too painful. My little and ring fingers are best and I rotate between left and right.
My middle fingers are always slow to give good drop, so I only use them occasionally, mainly when it's warm.

@missmuffare you using the very sides of your fingers near the nail? Using the pads is much more painful

 

[MissMuffett]

I don't use my thumb or my index finger, they were too painful. My little and ring fingers are best and I rotate between left and right.
My middle fingers are always slow to give good drop, so I only use them occasionally, mainly when it's warm.

@missmuffare you using the very sides of your fingers near the nail? Using the pads is much more painful

I use the side of my finger but not too close to the nail and never the pad. After reading everyones reply I’ve stopped using my index finger. I’ve never used my thumb

 

[Daphne917]

I have the Fastclix which is just as well as sometimes it takes 6 attempts to get enough blood to test

 

[MattInUSA]

and adjusting lancet depth to the minimum that is successful

This is big imo. My fingers don't hurt, and I set the lancet depth as shallow as possible, to the point that sometimes it doesn't even penetrate the skin. This is fine, I just press a little harder the second time. I had a finger prick at the doctor's office that left me sore for a week, it must have been set at max depth and went to the muscle. If you're having trouble getting blood, wash with warm water first. Rotate where you're stabbing (as has been mentioned). I don't believe pain should be a requirement.

 

[Grace04]

I was told not to prick my index finger.

When I was reading up of finger prick test I read not to use the index finger.

”Choose which finger to prick but avoid your thumb or index finger (finger next to your thumb).” This was on the diabetes uk website. They don’t say why.