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Struggling With Lancing Device, Any Advice

B

Becr

Active Member
Messages
28
Hello!

I have been told I am pre-diabetic and have started testing my blood as I want to get my HbA1c down. My father and brother are both type 2. I have bought a blood testing kit but the lancing pen doesn't seem prick deep enough to get a decent drop of blood and I am losing so many test strips and getting frustrated. Can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks so much.

Bec
 
Hi @Becr and welcome to the forum. Well done on taking action to avoid becoming diabetic and monitoring your bs levels.
What sort of lancing device do you have? Most have adjustable settings so you can change for a deeper penetration.
I use a an Accu Chek Fastclix device. You can but it separately online, but the price is about the same if you buy it with a meter - I use tha Accu Chek Mobile. Cheapest price was in ASDA pharmacy.
 
Wash with warm water, dry thoroughly. Let your hand hang down to let the blood flow down to the fingers.

Your Lancet should have settings running from 1 to about 4. The highest should be the deepest.
 
thanks for your reply! I have bought a GlucoRX Nexus which came with a lancing pen. I have it on the deepest setting but getting a drop of blood seems to be so difficult even with my arm down low. Often the machine will time out because of an insufficient blood sample. I think I will buy a different pen and will look at the one you have recommended. Thank you!
 
To bring the blood to the tips of your finger before pricking, make sure they are warm. Perhaps you could "cuddle" a mug of tea/coffee before pricking as well as shaking your hands whilst hanging down.
If you are having problems with the meter timing out, I would recommend not putting the test strip in until you have a big enough drop of blood on your finger.
 
I love my ACCU-CHEK FastClix. If you get one, keep in mind that if you are the only one using it, you don’t have to change the lance point with every stick. If you do it will end up fairly expensive to use. I move to the next point every month or so, when It seems harder to get blood.
Arm down and warm hand definitely work. You can also try your pinky finger. For many it seems to give the largest drop.
 
My fingers are often too cold first thing in the morning for me to get enough blood for a test so I warm them up first. I find even the lowest setting a bit painful so instead of increasing the setting I use a wheatbag heated in the microwave, which doubles as a low back pain reliever, too.

There might be other places in the body you can get blood safely but I suggest asking your nurse or doctor about that.

Also, are you pricking the sides of your fingertips or the pads?
 
And don't squeeze your fingertip but start at your hand and squeeze the whole finger, rather like milking a goat (or a cow, I guess, but I never milked a cow, so not sure). Good luck!
 
Antje77 said:
And don't squeeze your fingertip but start at your hand and squeeze the whole finger, rather like milking a goat (or a cow, I guess, but I never milked a cow, so not sure). Good luck!
Click to expand...
I have milked a cow (once) and you're right! lol. I often squeeze my finger to get enough blood for a test and your method does work better.
 
Thanks so much for your responses all! I have bought some of the disposable lancing devices and these seem to go a bit deeper. I am also able to use them on the upper forearm as since they go deeper I get a decent drop of blood.
 
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