Testing + playing instruments

[James.Kapherr]

Hey all,

I'm doing a lot of readings of my blood sugars - usually 3 times a day - and one thing I am noticing, although I am alternating which fingers to prick, it is impacting playing guitar as the tips of my fingers can feel bruised. Not so much on the tips - as playing the guitar hardens the skin a bit - but I am sometimes taking readings from the near side of the finger or little finger.

Any tips on where else I can take readings? I DO have one finger tip that I damaged a while back, which is numb on the tip - I assume I can't keep using that in case I damage it?

Thanks

James

 

[Deleted member 527103]

Pricking three times a day should not cause a problem. People with Type 1 are advices to prick at least 4 times a day and many of us prick many more times as we need to test before driving.
Maybe you need to review your pricking technique. I was testing more than 10 times on average before I got a CGM.
Do you squeeze your fingers to get blood out? I find that will bruise my finger tips.
It is better to ensure your fingers are warm so the blood flows easily. I cuddle a cuppa before I prick.
Have you adjusted the prick depth on your lancet device. Pricking too deep can cause bruising feelings.

An alternative if you are only doing the testing for a short time, is to apply for the free Libre trial. This will give you 2 weeks of data if you have a compatible smartphone.

 

[Resurgam]

I am a musician too - though these days I hardly test at all but at one time I did 4 tests a day, and did not have any adverse effects. I did not stab the tips of my fingers though - there was a diagram of where to stab in the instructions, and I adjusted the stabber to the lowest number required to get enough blood.

 

[HSSS]

I’m a bit confused where you are pricking and where is hurting. The usual advice is not to prick the very tips or centres. Instead the sides are a better location for the very reason you have found. The tips bruise more. As above I’d agree warm hands and being well hydrated help as does waiting for the drop to form without squeezing it. If you really must squeeze do it from the base of the finger heading up and not on the very top section. Set the lancet depth to the minimum you need too. Most of us find some fingers bleed better and others hurt more so we stick to those that cause less issues and rotate between them.
If a fingertip is already damaged I’m not sure what more you can do to it by testing with it. A table saw means i have a thumb like that with permanent nerve damage - surface numbness but pressure sensitivity. I dont use it much to test as it actually hurts more than others do.

 

[Zhnyaka]

Maybe you should do it like this? Not in the tips of the finger, but closer to the nail

 

[James.Kapherr]

Oooh that's a sensitive area - will try it though - thanks