Finger prick testing

[poemagraphic]

Hi everybody


Po the newbie here.


Just a potted history first.


I am on day 5 of insulin injection. So this is my first week taking serious note of my BG readings.


I have been taking the odd reading since being diagnosed as type 2 a couple of years, however I never really took much notice other than to say if it ever was below 10 I thought that was great.


It has been as high as 27! I was placed on Metformin 500mg twice a day… it never made any difference to my levels or the way I felt (which was extremely tired most of the time).


Last weekend, I was admitted to hospital with a viral infection that included a blinding pain at the back of my head. I had not eaten for four days.


Upon admission I was placed on a drip for three days. I saw a consultant who said my control of my T2 was not helping and so he stopped my Metformin with immediate effect and started me on 80mg of Gliclazide tablets twice daily (morning and evening) and 100 units/ml of insulin via a Lantus Solostar subcutaneous injection.


After not eating anything for over a week I lost a stone in weight. The virus was a particular virulent strain. My blood showed raised inflammatory markers in keeping g with infection.


So out of hospital on Monday armed with my Solostar and Gliclazzide I was sent home.


NOW! In the past I did not bother to wash my hands sometimes before testing (like perhaps lots of blokes do… or don’t more to the point)


MY point is this I am now keeping an accurate record of my readings


This morning my waking level was 5.4


2 hrs after breakfast it was 5.6


Pre lunch readings was 14.5! OMG! Normally after I prick my finger, I take the reading and suck my finger… Now as I licked the blood on my finger the taste was very hot indeed Bloody hell I thought I had just prepared the lunch which included cutting and deseeding a chilli.


The second I realised I did NOT wash my hands before testing.


I washed my hands retook the reading and it was 4.6 NOT 14.5 A bit different from 2mins before.


The lesson here for me plain… Always wash your hands before testing!


2 hrs after lunch 6.2.





Beware of finger prick testing without washing your hands first!


Po

 

[Deleted Account]

I often lick my finger to "clean" it and usually spot any flavourful additions on it before I test.
If you want to use something a little more robust, be wary of using alcohol gels, I have read these leave a residue on your fingers which can affect your BG as much as the substance you were trying to wash off.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes, I have always washed my hands in soap and warm water, rinsed thoroughly (to get rid of all the soap residue) then dried thoroughly. Damp hands can also cause peculiar readings. It is a bit of a bind when you test several times a day, but has to be done. Some people use wipes, but it is not advisable to use alcohol ones, and hands must be dry afterwards.

Have you fully recovered from your virus? It sounds nasty.

 

[poemagraphic]

Yes, I have always washed my hands in soap and warm water, rinsed thoroughly (to get rid of all the soap residue) then dried thoroughly. Damp hands can also cause peculiar readings. It is a bit of a bind when you test several times a day, but has to be done. Some people use wipes, but it is not advisable to use alcohol ones, and hands must be dry afterwards.

Have you fully recovered from your virus? It sounds nasty.

Hi Thank you so much for asking.
I am a lot better than I was thank you. I am eating again which is good.
Ofcourse I am now looking at a whole new way eating.
Finding so much info here that is extreamly helpful.

 

[poemagraphic]

Yes it is always best to test with a cleanish finger, especially if you have been handling food.

Reminds me of a time I work in med research, way weighing some chemicals out while getting hassled to go for lunch, went straight out eat fish n chips with hands and a little while later felt very rough. Why? Because I had been weighing barbiturates out and got some on my fingers. Definitely not to be repeated

I will ned to be extra vigilant often I carry Bio Hazards don't want to go licking them!

 

[Bluetit1802]

You can buy specialist ones for finger pricking. I think they are called diawipes or similar. Probably from pharmacies or Boots.

 

[Traceymac23]

warm water is good....cleans AND gets a bit of blood flow going

 

[Rachox]

I always have a packet of Diawipes in my testing kit for out and about where there’s no hand washing facilities. The packet is small enough to fit in my meter wallet and contains mini wet wipes impregnated with just water:
https://www.funkypumpers.com/dia-wipe/