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Finger prick pain

abi-tbh

abi-tbh

Active Member
Messages
34
Location
Worcester
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello,

I've been doing my finger pricks for a while now but more recently I've been having pain in the tips of some of my fingers a while after doing them when writing or on my phone. They're quite tender.

Is this normal? Any suggestions of what I could do to ease or get rid of the pain?

Thanks xo
 
i try to rotate as much as possible and use the sides as well as the "fronts" of the pads.
I am currently testing 10-12 times a day.

It also helps to get the best tester you can find-- perhaps have a word with your DSN to see if she has any options on trying other brands of finger prick testers.
 
@himtoo Yeah I've been rotating and using my different fingers for each blood test I do. But yeah I'll speak to them and ask :) thanks!
 
abi-tbh said:
@himtoo Yeah I've been rotating and using my different fingers for each blood test I do. But yeah I'll speak to them and ask :) thanks!
Click to expand...
One thing I found really helpful when I started getting tender fingers during a period of intense testing was to only just have the lancing device touching my skin, rather than pressed onto it. That way I seems to get a decent sample, not tenderness and the toughening up I was beginning to see my n my "favourite" fingers (we all have them, don't we?) has gone.
 
AndBreathe said:
One thing I found really helpful when I started getting tender fingers during a period of intense testing was to only just have the lancing device touching my skin, rather than pressed onto it. That way I seems to get a decent sample, not tenderness and the toughening up I was beginning to see my n my "favourite" fingers (we all have them, don't we?) has gone.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll try that when I next do my finger pricks and see how it goes
 
I don't so much get pain but some fingers just don't want to give up their blood? Especially on my right hand - while my left hand fingers it just pops out. Don't understand it
 
Try a different lancing device. The Accu-Check is nearly painless. I've only very rarely had any after-pain (and most of the time I don't feel it).
 
I agree with @Neohdiver. The Accu Chek Fastclix is almost painless. And @abi-tbh as a Type 1 you should be able to get a Accu Chek Mobile meter with the Fastclix free. Have a look at the Accu Chek website.
 
abi-tbh said:
Hello,

I've been doing my finger pricks for a while now but more recently I've been having pain in the tips of some of my fingers a while after doing them when writing or on my phone. They're quite tender.

Is this normal? Any suggestions of what I could do to ease or get rid of the pain?

Thanks xo
Click to expand...
Don't use the finger tip pads, it's where there are more nerves. Use the edges of the first three fingers from the little finger; or, as an alternative, the front of the finger below the nail. I find little finger is best for this.
 
dbr10 said:
Don't use the finger tip pads, it's where there are more nerves. Use the edges of the first three fingers from the little finger; or, as an alternative, the front of the finger below the nail. I find little finger is best for this.
Click to expand...

So use the sides of my fingers rather than the pads? Got it! I'll give that a go thank you
 
abi-tbh said:
Hello,

I've been doing my finger pricks for a while now but more recently I've been having pain in the tips of some of my fingers a while after doing them when writing or on my phone. They're quite tender.

Is this normal? Any suggestions of what I could do to ease or get rid of the pain?

Thanks xo
Click to expand...
Hi, most of the diabetics I know and including myself don't test the fingers. If you clench your hand in a fist the edge of the Palm by the little finger becomes engorged with blood. Test here, it's usually painless- less nerves. I have done comparison test with fingers and it's just as acurate given that no two fingers and no two hands are the same.
 
abi-tbh said:
Hello,

I've been doing my finger pricks for a while now but more recently I've been having pain in the tips of some of my fingers a while after doing them when writing or on my phone. They're quite tender.

Is this normal? Any suggestions of what I could do to ease or get rid of the pain?

Thanks xo
Click to expand...

I've heard it takes about a week to fully heal, and if you gotta do 5-7 tests a day, then you'll need a lot of places to test!
Don't just use your finger tips, use your entire finger (all of the segments, not just the one at the end of the finger!). Use your forearms too! Most testers come with an extra attachment/lid thingy for the pen, to use on your arms and legs etc.

When my fingers get sore I just start testing on my forearms for 1-2 weeks, until my fingers have healed over. Hope this advice helps!
 
Richard McCann said:
I've heard it takes about a week to fully heal, and if you gotta do 5-7 tests a day, then you'll need a lot of places to test!
Don't just use your finger tips, use your entire finger (all of the segments, not just the one at the end of the finger!). Use your forearms too! Most testers come with an extra attachment/lid thingy for the pen, to use on your arms and legs etc.

When my fingers get sore I just start testing on my forearms for 1-2 weeks, until my fingers have healed over. Hope this advice helps!
Click to expand...

I didn't have an extra attachment but I mentioned it to my nurse when she can and saw me Monday and I got one delivered in the post today! So hopefully this solves my problem
 
abi-tbh said:
Hello,

I've been doing my finger pricks for a while now but more recently I've been having pain in the tips of some of my fingers a while after doing them when writing or on my phone. They're quite tender.

Is this normal? Any suggestions of what I could do to ease or get rid of the pain?

Thanks xo
Click to expand...

Hello, I have a 3 year old daughter who we were having the same issue with... She literally used to cry every time it was time to test her sugars... We started using the Genteel poker and we can test all over her body. She doesn't even wake up when he test her levels 2x a night.... I'd give it a look, for sure. I think it would help you! :)
 
Just one other option- the Freestyle Libre? Scans readings instead of finger testing. I took the plunge and started using this just after Christmas. Gives a lot more information which is really useful. Costs are an issue though, so I alternate between buying a sensor then going back to finger testing. This gives my fingers chance to recover a bit.
 
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