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New technique for finger pricking!

F

Finzi

Well-Known Member
Messages
366
This was in Dr Bernsteins diabetes solution book so many people may already have seen it but for me, it's completely transformed my blood testing - he says to use the BACK of the fingers (ie the nail/knuckle side). Sounds really odd and I was sure it was going to really hurt but it totally didn't, and I have not had any difficulty getting blood out, whereas normally I find it incredibly hard. Just press the lancet a bit more gently than you normally would because the skin is thinner.


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:lol: :crazy: well.... was concentrating so much, waiting for the pain that I didn't notice the pen was upside down so ended up stabbing inside finger on the other hand! Had to pick OH up off the floor once he had stopped laughing :roll: Ah well, there is always tomorrow...
 
34 years ago my wonderful DSN suggested I do this, I was 10 years old newly diagnosed and finger pricking was so painful. I've done it there ever since.... However some DSNs tell me I shouldn't!!! They can't say why though!! Best place to prick!!! Good luck



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I never suffer any pain when using my fingers.

A tip I picked up from this forum was to go just above the joint of the fingers where there are less/no nerves. Works for me every time and I test pain free. Use a low setting say 2, that way the needle doesn't go very deep.

I have to take aspirin, so the only problem I have is stopping the bleeding. Oh well, can't win them all !
 
Well I tried it, and tried it, and tried it. Only got a tiny pin drop of blood. Finally went back to the side of the pinkie.


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Tried Sue's idea, it worked better for me. I am quite thick skinned (which is a good thing in my job! lol) so have to use a 4 or 5 setting, got a decent drop without squeezing, thanks Sue
 
Mine was about what I expected as had potato (just one small roasted, would have been three or four in the past!), parsnip and carrots for tea...
 
Sharon68 said:
Tried Sue's idea, it worked better for me. I am quite thick skinned (which is a good thing in my job! lol) so have to use a 4 or 5 setting, got a decent drop without squeezing, thanks Sue
Click to expand...

Where exactly did you prick the finger. I'm a wimp so I'm all for pain reduction and having to only prick once. Right now I have to prick about three times (different fingers each time).


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I used the middle finger on my left hand and went just above the top joint whereas usually I go nearer the tip. I did try the back of the finger (after yesterdays hiccup! lol) but couldn't get a decent drop. Make sure your fingers are warm, shake them to get the blood flowing.
 
About 2mm above the joint if possible and on any finger, I tend to favour my smallest and the one next to it. Middle and index fingers tend to be a bit more sensitive and so I avoid them.

Yup the less pain the better is my theory too and when you are testing up to 4 times a day - I am a type 2 on insulin - it can be very painful..
 
Just use number 1 setting if your don't have much callus.
 
Does anyone use the side of their thumb I have very skinny fingers (like the rest of me) and I tend to bruise but if I use my thumb I get a good drop of blood ,no pain and no bruise
CAROL
 
I have type 1 diabetes and had trigger finger on my left hand wedding finger.
My GP refered me to a private hospital with NHS funding to see a hand specialist, the specialist (May have been commision lead) suggested I have the operation. He went through the steriod options but said in his opinion the operation would cure it once and for all.
I had trigger finger for three years previous to this, just more of an anoyance than painful.
In the end I agreed to the operation - the best decision I could have made. Two years on now and the finger is still ok!
It took two weeks to heal and I was driving on the third week. After a month my hand was back to normal

:thumbup: Hope this helps.
 
Hi I did try it but didn't get any blood out and it did hurt,probably because of the pain in my hands and some fingers.

All the best RRB
 
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