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alcli01957

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Was diagnosed around 3-4 weeks ago & put on Metformin 500mg twice a day. Just had a group meeting with practice nurse yesterday. I was not told my initial readings until yesterday. I am a bit puzzled as I was not told by doc, who was a newbie, to fast before having bloods taken. Apparently my reading was 8.4 on which my diagnosis was set. Have my next appointment in Jan but was told do not need to test my bg's until told to monitor by practice. I did however buy an accu vue nano kit but do have an aversion to needles & with all good intentions set myself up to check before going to surgery but bottled out so havent a clue where I am at moment. Has anyone else had this aversion & if so what did you do to overcome this? I know prob most will say just get on with it & once first time done will get easier but this is a real phobia for me. Anyone used this kit & is it not as painful as I prob fear or was told by nurse yesterday. :shock:
 
The depth that the small needle puntures your skin at is adjustable (usually by twisting the end of the device). I'd suggest setting it to the lowest value, and giving it a try. It is over in a fraction of a second, and there is virtually no pain. If you get no blood from the lowest setting, increase the depth a little and try another finger.

A good trick is to take the blood from th eside of your finger, at around the mid-fingernail level. I promise, you'll hardly feel it.

Do it now - I'm sure you'll surprise yourself. :wink:
 
Distraction could be the key. Set yourself up to do it. Put the lancet on the side of your finger pad then look at something on telly and click. Good luck. You can do it!!
 
Hi there,

My mother has been diagnosed type 2 for just over a year and is metphormine and diet. She has lost weight since then and is now only 45 kilos height 5 foot 1. Her blood levels are normally quite good and she tests it with the stick testing kit, which I think it not as good but costs less for the NHS and I come round a few times and give her a blood test as I am diabetic in remission as I have had a panceas transplant but I was type 1 for 26 years, you so get used to it but it is still an inconvenience but worth it as you will get to know when you are high blood levels and also low blood levels if you were on insulin.

I hope this helps you and believe me you will soon find it becomes second nature of sorts.
 
Thanks for the encouragement folks. Did wonder if the nurse saying not to test until they say is a new thing or common practice? Also if my levels with not fasting prior to blood test would have been lower with fasting, suppose an english brekkie & couple of coffees albeit with substitute for sugar in would have had an effect. (Oops :? )
 
I have heard before of people being told not to test until their nurse tells them it is ok for them to do it. So it seems to be the idea with some HCP, but I have no idea of their logic, whether they think it will be too confusing or people won't be able to understand what is going on or maybe they think that people will get upset by high levels?

But I think that if people need to test and get control then all power to them, seeing your levels comig down can be very encouraging, we are individuals and need to be treated that way.

It jsut seems to be part of the we are the proffesionals and in charge, leave it to us syndrome.

Eating before the test might effect the reading but it depends how long before testing you had eaten and what you ate etc etc.
 
It isn't that bad once you get over that initial aversion... trust us!
Perhaps you could get a 'significant other' to do it for you? 8)
 
The first time I did a test I broke out in an almighty sweat and it was almost like a panic attack that hit me. Now I look back on it and really laugh as it is not at all painful! My daughter, who has to inject hrself every month for her athritis, reacted the same which was hilarious under the circumstances.

As for the testing, it is apparently being phased out as much as possible in the uk. Having been diagnosed about 2yrs ago and told then not to test myself as it is sufficiant for it to be done on my 6 monthly visit to the surgery, I have bought myself the equipment but the nurse is not at all happy about it!
 
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