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Essential tremor and difficulties using a strip glucose meter.

Feew27

Member
Hi, asking for some advice. I am type 2 diabetic taking medication and insulin to help control it.
I have to test my blood glucose levels around three times a day. At the moment I am using an old Accu chek mobile meter, one that requires no insertion of strips, it has an automatic test strip cassette.
I use this type as I have essential tremor, hand shakes quite badly sometimes, the shakes are not related to the diabetes.
If I have to use a glucose meter that requires test strip insertion into the slot I have difficulties and can not always do it. Give up in frustration and wasted strips.
The problem is the Accu chek I use has now been discontinued and not one of the meters that my Dr surgery gives out. Mine is ancient and on it's way out.
I am not able to wear any type of device long term like a smart watch type thing or use a Libre freestyle monitor due to other health problems I have and the Libre would be too expensive for me anyway if I were able to use one.
My question is, does anyone on here have essential tremor or know someone who does have tremor, perhaps Parkinson's disease and also has diabetes and have to test their glucose daily?
Can they tell me how they cope with glucose meters where you have to insert a test strip into the machine? I find it almost impossible.
The test strips when I use them usually end up on the floor and not in the meter itself due to my shaking hands.
Thanks so much. Any suggestions or advice most welcome.
 
I have essential tremor, but it is mainly in my left arm hand, the right is not so bad unless I'm stressed or anxious. So I can load my monitor most days with my right hand.
I use the pricker with my right hand, resting the monitor on my leg.
The tricky part for me, is because my left hand fingers are shaking, lining up the monitor strip with the blood.
If not successful, I try again, or leave it a while till more relaxed or just leave it.
If I really need to do a reading, and my tremors are that bad, I ask the better half, Mrs L to do it for me.

I know that you would like to know what your readings are. I get it.
But sometimes, you really can miss a day or so.

Do speak to your doctor or surgery, as I'm sure they should be able to provide a a way that can help you.

Best wishes.
 
Ah thanks, you have the same problem as me, inserting the strip in the meter. I have no problems pricking usually, just getting that strip in the meter. I will give your way a go thanks for the advice.
I live on my own so it is up to me to do my reading.
My diabetic nurse could only suggest a wearable device which I can not do.
 
I am wondering, (please forgive me, @Feew27 , if I am misunderstanding your difficulties) if you also have trouble with other activities that need fine hand control? If so ask for a referral to an occupational therapist team. They can come to your home and provide advice and gadgets to overcome the difficulties.
 
Hi thanks. I have been seen by occupational therapist in the past who have helped me with mobility aids.
I have never asked them about the problems with the glucose reading though. Thanks for suggesting, I never even thought to ask them about it.
Mind you in the area where I live it takes so long to be seen by medical services or adult social I usually never bother.
 
I completely understand your issue, and the manufacturers of these machines need to be told that their machines need to be designed for ease of use more than just having larger displays or read out your result. My father had a stroke and was diabetic and couldn't insert the test strips, or even get them out of the little holder. So he just gave up and never did the test out of frustration. The same can be said out the lancet I use. The needle is too difficult to even get out of the packet, and disposal of it is not well thought out with regards to needle stick injuries as the pin is exposed. Does anyone have an auto load and disposal lancet for the needles? Sounds like an opportunity for someone with a 3D Printer to create one, a bit like a nail or screw gun with the needles in a cassette, and after use the lancet will hold the used pin ready to be safely disposed of. Not a 1 use disposable lancet either as used in some hospitals. I've only just been diagnosed 10 days ago with T2D but can see so much room for improvement in the equipment being used, From a sleeve to put your finger in that aligns with the test strip for people who have shaking, else need to find their glasses to align your finger with the tester (like me).
 
Thanks Elena. I live in Qatar and was given a One Touch Verio Reflect machine with a separate lancet. I use the lancet 4 times a day, with a new lancet for each time so in a drum of six lancets is still every 2 days. There are so many machines on the marketplace and they are all slightly different, and the lancet needles don't appear to be interchangeable/intermixable, so no standards that I can see.
And loading the needles as with the test strips is not as user friendly as it could be especially for people with limited ability.
 
ElenaP said:
No need to handle lancets. Accu-Chek FastClix fingerpicker uses lancets in a drum of six lancets. It will probably be shown on their website: www.accu-chek.co.uk. Pharmacies sell them, I've seen them on shelves at Boots.
Click to expand...
Hi I use an accu-chek mobile at the moment. I had to buy these used on Ebay as I understand the unit is no longer produced here in the UK. The one I use is on it's way out. I am able to get a free meter unit from my Dr but they only do the ones where you insert the test strips.
 
You can use whichever finger pricking device you choose to get the blood. They all work with any blood test meter you use. Many people use each lancets more than once, which would mean not having to change the drum on the accu check fastclix every 2 days.
 
I use a Betachek C50 which also doesn’t use test strips and has a cassette. I’m not sure if it would be suitable though as the strips don’t move around automatically like they do in the mobile, you have to spin a little wheel with your hand/finger.

- Skip to 2:30 for test procedure.

I purchased the machine myself and then my GP happily prescribes the cassettes and needles, I just handed them the form that betachek sent me to get them to prescribe them.
 
I have hand tremors which often cause complete spoons of coffee to miss the mug/pot. If I am trying to do something requiring more control, I use clothes pegs, bulldog clips and even quick release clamps - see this link: https://www.virtualplastics.co.uk/products/tolsen-quick-release-ratchet-clamp-woodworking-f-clamps
Obviously great care would be needed to clamp a test meter to a table top, but you only need enough pressure to keep the thing still. Then I would steady my hands by clasping the strip in one and steadying it with the other. You might try Clamping one end of the strip to the table and bringing the machine to it, again using both hands. I hope you end your frustration!
 
My hubby doesn't have diabetes, well he hasn't tested so he may or may not, however he has mobility issues with his legs but more so with his hands where they seize up. He has lost so much dexterity. I often hear him crashing around and cursing in frustration when he has knocked over things in the cupboard. Things have to be spaced out so he doesn't knock things over in the first place. This is obviously just one example on a day to day basis. I really feel for anyone with tremors that have to use medical appliances to help them test there blood glucose, or any other things people use to try and make things easier.
 
If you are aware @Lainie71 I have the tremors especially in my left hand and through my whole body first thing.
I have arthritis in my right hand and have difficulty in doing certain things. But my thumbs are so weak.
Mrs L insists I have a dishwasher, and I often say, I have more chips around the plate than chips on it.
Pulling small bits off or grasping had become silly. I couldn't open things lately.
Things you have done all your life frustrate you. Even some of the things you have never had to think about.
It is what it is.
And sometimes you have no choice but destroy the thing to get it open. Ha!
You do learn how to cope, but it's not easy.
 
As I read this wonderful post I am cursing the Monday morning wrestle with blister packs - surely the invention of the devil!
 
Have you tried explaining that you cannot use them? I read that they can prescribe CGM to patients who cannot use the meters because of a disability or other reasons.
 
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