Lancets

Diabetic-Canada · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 11:15 PM

Just a quick question about the lancets... no where in my manual does it tell me about these and how often you have to replace them. Is it after every test?

TAutry · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 06:55 AM

Hi David,

The conventional wisdom is that you should replace your lancet after every test. Many of us replace after several tests. I tend to use one lancet per day. Normally that would put me replacing after 3-4 tests.

Good Luck tomorrow!

Travis

am1977 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 08:17 AM

I was told the same thing as Travis, to replace the lancet after each test. However, I really have never followed those instructions.

I tend to change mine whenever it seems to start going dull. That's not really a good example to follow, I know!

Andrea

lgvincent · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 08:59 AM

I check my blood sugar at least 5 times each day and I tend to replace the lancet about every 4 days unless it touch something other than my skin in which case I replace it immediately. I clean it with alcohol before and after each use just to be a little safer.

Belinda · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 03:00 PM

I change mine about 1x's a week but I also have 3 different meters I use so none of them really get dull. The key is if it starts hurting when you prick your finger (not the usually sting! lol) then change your needle it is DULL

Diabetic-Canada · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the responses... It seems a little too much to change it every time, so I am glad to hear that a lot of you don't.

lgvincent, good idea about cleaning the needle. I think I'll try that one.

rzrbks · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2004, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Belinda

I change mine about 1x's a week but I also have 3 different meters I use so none of them really get dull. The key is if it starts hurting when you prick your finger (not the usually sting! lol) then change your needle it is DULL

I don't even change the needle on my Novo Nordisk insulin delivery system once a week

I change the lancet about 2x a month.......maybe

mg_2204 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2004, 01:13 PM

Hello!

I change lancet after 5 or 6 tests. I do as LG does; put a little alcohol on the lancet when I'm done using it. Had a little infection once near the finger nail and since then, I'm quite cautious.

I once boarded a plane with my makeup case and glucometer in my handbag. I usually never do that but that time, I did, for some unknown reason!!! I had totally forgotten I had tiny cissors in my makeup case ---which were promptly confiscated! ... but they never took away the lancets. The man looked at them carefully, talked to his superior... but in the end, they let me keep the lancets. I was so glad they did! In a foreign country, would have been hard to get some...

Can you stab someone to death with a lancet??!?? sheesh...

Marie

lgvincent · #9 (**permalink**) 01-15-2004, 03:41 PM

I had the same problem when I worked at A T & T. The center manager acted like I was a threat to my co-workers with the lancets and wouldn't let me bring them into the work place. I had to keep them (and my syringes) in the car. I told her the lancets were of no danger to anyone but she wouldn't listen. I felt like telling her I could find a much quicker way of killing my co-workers if I so desired but I thought it would be beyond her ability to understand. I carried my strips and insulin in with me anyway because I felt the heat in the car would ruin them.

lgvincent · #10 (**permalink**) 01-15-2004, 04:08 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best lancet device to use? I like the Accu-Chek SoftClix because it doesn't hurt as much as other lancet devices but it does leave really big holes in my fingers, which I don't really care for. Heather suggested a One Touch lancet device and I think they come with the One Touch UltraSmart meter, which I would like to buy but haven't been able to do yet.

Harold · #11 (**permalink**) 01-15-2004, 06:44 PM

4 to 6 test or one a day. Basically it's what your comfortable with, but if your using it over days be sure to clean it. I know one guy that used them for a month or more. Lancets are the cheapest things you will buy for your diabetes. I believe if you shop around you might find them for as little as four or five cents apiece.

As for the lancet device I use the One Touch, it's adjustable. Using a three setting on my least caloused fingers, which usually gives me enough blood for the Ultra. It would not be enough for the strips that need to be dripped on. Any of the adjustable ones should be okay and if you don't need very much blood you shop around for the finest lancet and pick a device they will fit into. Most of the devices can be purchased without buying the meter.

zookeeper671 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-16-2004, 04:59 AM

I use 33 gauge lancets changed twice a day for about 6 tests a day with a Freestyle lancing device (Freestyle Flash meter) set at the lowest setting (1).

(Nothing beats a good, old fashioned run-on sentence.)

~Angie

Jenny · #13 (**permalink**) 01-25-2004, 10:04 AM

I replace mine when it seems to get dull too.....for me that is when the testing hurts more than normal........or just whenever I think I should.,....that is probably not the most sanitary way, but I am the only one using the thing.....

lgvincent · #14 (**permalink**) 01-25-2004, 10:44 AM

During the last 2 years they've been using a new type of lancet at the doctor's office and in the hospital I've never seen before. I always forget to ask about the things but I'd like to try a few and see how I like them. They don't seem to hurt that much but I've never seen them for sale.