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How to revive stabbed-to-death fingers?

T

TheSparkyPony

Well-Known Member
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Location
Cheshire UK
Hey everyone,
I'm getting increasingly annoyed with my fingers atm - I'm doing roughly 6-10 BMs a day (BIG progress from, erm, 0 a day :oops: ) but am finding it really hard to get blood out of them now.

I've tried alternating the strength/depth of the lancet, warming up my fingers, massaging them to increase the circulation, changing the lancets (I seem to have a random collection from previous machines!).
The Accu Chek muticlix one used to work quite well, but now it's becoming a struggle even with that.

Anyone got any tips? I used to have a rather strange contraption that you could use on your forearm, a huge monitor that vacuummed your skin up, pricked it, then released the suction, but I was only a guinea pig for that and it had to be sent back, else I'd try that again :lol:

Any ideas welcomed and tested!
 
Hi sparky
do you use the pen on the sides of your fingers or the tips. Someone gave me a simple solution on here to prick the sides. It's a lot better than the tips as i have to have 5mm needles to break my skin . Do you test 9 x's everyday?
JF
 
JUSTFOCUS said:
Hi sparky
do you use the pen on the sides of your fingers or the tips. Someone gave me a simple solution on here to prick the sides. It's a lot better than the tips as i have to have 5mm needles to break my skin . Do you test 9 x's everyday?
JF
Click to expand...

Yes, JUSTFOCUS, I test on the side of my fingers. My testing varies, but as my levels are swinging from normal range to 2.6 I'm having to keep a firm check on them at the moment. I saw my consultant on Tuesday, who also felt I needed to test pre and post meal and before bed, which equals 7 tests before any extra tests for low readings :shock:

Thankyou for the advice though :D
 
Me too, testing anywhere between 8-13 times a day/night at the moment due to problems with the pump and me getting on together, and I would love to know a way to help more poor fingers. THey look like a well worn dartboard all sides of every finger and are sore and they are loathe to give up blood easily
 
Maybe using hand cream regularly would help? The massaging effect of rubbing it in two or three times a day? But you'd have to make sure you washed it off before testing.

Viv :)
 
Hi :wink:
it has absolutely ruined my rockstar guitar career :lol: :lol:
i know a type 1 that uses baby oil to keep his skin supple .I would have thought that was a chance of contamination. But it works for him :D
 
TheSparkyPony » 27 Feb 2011 16:05
Hey everyone,
I'm getting increasingly annoyed with my fingers atm - I'm doing roughly 6-10 BMs a day (BIG progress from, erm, 0 a day :oops: ) but am finding it really hard to get blood out of them now.
Click to expand...


Try laying down on the bed and drop the arm you wish to test to the floor (hand lowest point)
this will increase the blood pressure in your hand because its below your hart


Same thing if you cut damage your Arm/Hand you would raise that arm above your head to stop the bleeding

Worth a try
 
if you can get your bg meter into the right position (possible with a bit of practice) it might be possible to go back to doing it on your forearm. I did it for a bit with an ordinary lancet/meter combo, and it was possible, but in the end I gave up because I didn't personally like what it did to my arm (I looked as if I was seriously self-harming!). If you've already managed it in the past with a different meter it might be worth trying again with the ordinary meter?

The other thing I do is mutilate one finger at a time - gruesomely I end up not even having to use the lancet, I just squeeze and the finger bleeds - then move onto the next finger next week, leaving each finger a good long time to recover. I'm not sure I'm recommending that method actually, as I write it out it sounds horrible!
 
Anybody considering using AST (alternative site testing) should always consult with their HCP first. It is not considered in medical circles to be as accurate which is why finger pricking is the favoured option.

Take a look at a previous thread about AST :

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11245#p105824
 
I prick a different hand each week. I also use four fingers and have sometimes been known to use the thumb. That gives me 8 sides of finger to go at, and I try to hit a different spot every time.

I find it helps being able to slide the meter out of the clear band in the black carry-case. It's easier to get the strip to the awkward spots if it's in your hand. Just takes a bit of stretching of the plastic!

Viv :)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, have given me some food for thought!

I used to use Palmer's Cocoa Butter cream on my hands & feet but they never really softened so will definitely try the baby oil.
I've got another appointment at hospital next week, this time with my DN, so if she has any additional tips I'll pop them on here for the other guys with cheese-grater fingers! :mrgreen:
 
I have the same problem and now use my toes to give my pinkies a rest. It hurt at first but got used to it. However I only do this at home as people don't like me getting me toes out in public!!
Nics
 
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