[LauRa Lu]

Hi, I'm testing my blood sugar around 5 to 6 times a day, but my fingers are becoming a complete reck! Sometimes by the end of the day they all ache so much that it's really hard to do a test before bed...

I have to test this many times because i've only been diabetic for about 6 weeks and i'm not used to what makes my sugar go up and what causes it to go low.

Does every one else have tingly bruised fingers or am i just sensitive or something?! I do only have little fingers and sometimes it's hard to get any blood out at all.

[Shalyndria]

Hey Laura.

I test my BG's on average about 10 times a day and have small fingers as well. I have never had any problems with pain and although I occasionally find it hard to draw blood from certain fingers, a deeper depth on my lancet usually does the trick.

Are you using the sides of your fingers? What type of meter/lancet device are you using? And which lancets?

Shy

[rzrbks]

Hi, I'm testing my blood sugar around 5 to 6 times a day, but my fingers are becoming a complete reck! Sometimes by the end of the day they all ache so much that it's really hard to do a test before bed...


Does every one else have tingly bruised fingers or am i just sensitive or something?! I do only have little fingers and sometimes it's hard to get any blood out at all.

1. Are you changing the depth settings on your lancet device?

2. LauRa Lu, you really ought to be alternating fingers with each check. Start with Index, then move to "finger" finger, then to number 3, then to Pinky.

Are you using the sides of your fingers?

Don't forget to move around to different sites on each finger too.

Don't know about other folks on here, but my CDE showed us to squeeze a small bit too. You might also run your hand under warm water--I know the warm water really helps when it's cold--if nothing else, be sure to massage your finger before you jab it too.

[Harold]

tingly bruised fingers

Sounds like your using the pads. Like Shy asked try the sides, but not too close to the nails. There are fewer nerves there and it gives you two places on each finger to test.

[Belinda]

warming the fingers is very helpful but I generally rub them on my jeans not in warm water due to the fact that I have very dry hands and cracked skin if I am not too careful(help if I didn't think that I needed to use all the hot water when taking a shower LOL. I also use my forearms at times too.

[zookeeper671]

Oh man did I suffer from bruised, red and polka dotted fingers when I was first dx'd 4 months ago. Think I even posted about it asking the same thing. lol

What I learned was to use the sides of my fingers (as mentioned earlier), and to alternate fingers (as mentioned earlier, too). I had such sore fingers for about 2 months, but it's not at all a problem anymore. I can use one finger per day, sometimes for two days in a row, same side, without pain, before having to switch to the other side or switch fingers.

It just takes some time for your fingers to get used to being attacked. Try using the smallest setting on your lancing device (if you don't have any trouble getting blood), and using the smallest gauge lancets available (33g) if you're not already.

Best wishes,
Angie

P.S. Looking down at my fingers I notice only itty-bitty little specks, and when I press on the specks there is no pain at all.

[LauRa Lu]

But i do use all my fingers, use both sides of each one, warm my hands with warm water and prick on the sides..

Im using a 'Medisense' lancing device, i tried a different one but i prefer this one, the other one didnt seem to be any good on any setting and i could never get any blood out.

The one i use has 5 settings, when i was in hospital at the begining and the nurses would test for me, they went from setting one and ended up always using 5 because it seemed no blood was even in my fingers! (there was really of course.)

I use setting two now because i'm better at getting my stuborn blood to escape! But my fingers just hurt...

I'm going to try and test just 3 or 4 times today and see if it helps them get a bit beter. :p

Another problem thats only just developing and really getting me down, is my injection. at first it didn't hurt but now it seems to hurt every time. I try to change where i do it like in my belly and tops of my legs, but it keeps hurting every time now! i almost cant do it in my legs at all anymore coz no matter where i try it hurts...i know im not going near any muscle so its not that! i dont have much fat on my legs as i'm qiute tiny but i'm not sure what difference that makes..?

I also had a little bruise yesterday on my stomach from my morning injection, is this normal to get bruising now and again?

AAAAAAAHHH! so many questions!

The pain i get from the needle isnt really the sharp little prick ( :p ) that goes in initialaly, it actually hurts and is very uncomfortable as its in and as im injecting....i dont know why because its been fine up until now!

sorry for so many ?????

Laura x x

[DeusXM]

Bruising is 'normal' but not really a good thing. It happens when you spike a blood vessel rather than fat. The bruise you get usually looks absolutely brilliant, all huge and purple and speckly before going a delightful shade of yellowy brown!

Don't worry about it too much, it does happen from time to time.

As for injection technique:

Basics: Make sure you're injecting vertically, none of this approaching at an angle because you might get the blunt side of the needle hitting first.

Change your needle regularly. A new needle is sharper, more lubricated, and less likely to hurt.

When injecting, make sure you pinch up any available fat, but don't pinch so much that you can feel yourself pulling up muscle, or you'll jab the muscle and that'll hurt a bit.

Try injecting in other place. I know it's fairly inconvenient, but if you can, try injecting in your arse cheeks. Typically it's where you've got the most fat, and the least nerve endings, so hopefully it should hurt less.

In my experience you may want to restrict the amount of injections you do in your stomach. They tend to get absorbed more quickly, and also there can be some unpleasant side effects. I'm by no means a fat person, but there's actually a visible band across my stomach where I used to inject frequently of tougher skin and a deposit of fat, which effectively ruins my six pack.

As for testing, have a look at http://diabetes.about.com/cs/glucose...ess_meters.htm. It talks about some companies who make alternative-site testing kits that you use on less sensitive parts of your body like your inside lower arm etc. You may want to consider them.

Good luck with the injections and testings. It sounds to me like you're in that really nasty stage where you've just been diagnosed and the reality is just beginning to sink in. Unfortunately most of us go through that bit, and it's not fun at all, but I PROMISE you, this will get better. It may take a while, but the first few months are probably the hardest for all of us. It's not fair, you and I didn't ask for all this (it's now one of the reasons why I'm an atheist), but you will become a much stronger person than you ever thought possible.

I know that's not much of a comfort for you at the moment but please trust me on this.

[WiseWords]

Laura Lu,

Sounds to me like you are one of those people who has
difficulty getting blood easily. As you do more testing,
you may find that the blood flows easier!

With the lancet device on the last number, you are
really going deep, and that will make a bigger wound,
which will take longer to heal and/or be sore, as you have experienced.

Different lancet devices will probably not make
much difference, as they all do pretty much the same thing,
and have variable settings. However, different lancet
manufacturers can make a big difference. I have used some
brands that were significantly poorer, including the 10 free ones
that come with most meters. One of the worst brands, IMO,
is BD, although I have never used their lancet device.
Their lancets do not fit into the lancet device as easily as the
other brands of lancets. It may be possible that you have a
combination that is not overly compatible, if not with the device,
than certainly with your fingers. Try a different brand of lancets.

I have found that the Monolet lancets, (and Monoject Syringes),
from Sherwood Medical, are far superior to the BD products.
Don't know if they are available in the UK.

I don't think you will have much luck with the arm testing,
and it is not as accurate as with your finger-tips. Some people
have complained of dots or bruises on their arms that did not
heal quickly. You may be one of those.

Another suggestion, aside from a different brand of lancets,
is to shake your arm vigorously in a downward motion,
and then, squeeze the lower part of the finger that you plan to
stab before you prick it. That will push the blood to the finger-tip.

Although most people use the side of their fingers,
I find it more difficult to get blood from the sides of
my fingers. I use the front, padded part. There is actually
more blood there, and that was the part used by
labs years ago, when they occasionally took blood from
a finger-tip in glass pipettes, (about 5-7 miniature glass tubes),
instead of from the arm. It was less traumatic for very small
children, or adults with poor veins in the arm.
The reason they tell you not to do it on the front, padded
part of the finger-tip, is that before it has healed sufficiently,
it may be sensitive, but it will get toughened up, and you
may find it easier to get blood from that part.

[LauRa Lu]

Originally posted by DeusXM
my six pack.

:p in the uk, similar age, single?

:p :p :p :p

Originally posted by wiseWords
It was less traumatic for very small
children, or adults with poor veins in the arm.

Or for wimps like me who hate it in it in the arm sooooo....much!





Thanx for the replys guys, I'm going to try using the sides of my fingers better than i do at the moment...i think i'm doing it kind of in between the pad and side so i'll move it down a little bit.


WIll it be a silly idea to practice putting my injection in and out a few times with out actually injecting? It really hurts when i do it vertically?! it hurts how ever i seem to do it. I might try and get some smaller needles to see if that helps, im currently using 8mm ones maybe 6mmm would be better...

[DeusXM]

in the uk, similar age, single?

Lol well when I'm home from uni I do live in Gloucester!

I wouldn't really recommend sticking needles into yourself repeatedly since you've just end up with a load of holes in your body but I guess it might be a sort of confidence booster - still wouldn't recommend it though.

You can get smaller needles (5mm is the next size down I think) and since

i dont have much fat on my legs as i'm quite tiny

it might be worth looking into. Have a word with your care team.

[WiseWords]

Syringes & Shots

I wouldn't say that bruising is normal, although
it does happen on occasion.
If it is happening frequently, or it hurts every time you
inject, then you are injecting too frequently in the same
general area. Sometimes, people find a good spot, and
then overuse it until it is no longer good.

You shouldn't inject closer than ½inch from the previous
spot, but I never go that close. Why would you?
If you use the left thigh, then next time, use the right thigh.
Divide your leg into sections, so that you have a pattern
which is not repeated frequently. Same for other areas.

If you are not using your arms, you can do that.
If you want to pinch the skin, lean against a doorway,
although pinching the skin is not absolutely necessary.
Some people do better by not pinching it, or spreading it
apart with the fingers. Different techniques to accomplish
the same objective. Some people will find that one way
hurts less, and others prefer the other way.

If you can reach behind, you also have part of that area.
Between your thighs, arms, stomach, & posterior,
with proper rotation on each area, there is no reason to
be experiencing pain or bruises on a frequent basis.

Some people prefer not to rotate site location because
the insulin is absorbed more efficiently from the stomach
than from the extremities. Location usage varies with the
individual, and can be compensated for, with a slight change
in dosage or diet, if need be. I try to use my arms or thighs on
days when I anticipate getting more exercise.

You can also reach the back of you arms or back of other parts,
if you teach your fiancé to give you an injection.
If he hasn't learned how, he might as well, since
he will be around for a long period of time.
It will also help if he ever needs to give you a shot of
Glucagon, if you are passed out from a low BG.

Let him practice on an orange or lemon with a
syringe or pen filled with water, before he practices on
you with the real thing.

As you are using the pre-mixed insulin, which I detest,
are you using the pens only, or do you have syringes
and a vial of insulin? With syringes, you have more
choices of needle length and gage. I suspect that you need
one of the lengths that is slightly shorter than the
standard ½inch size, along with a 31 gage needle.
Pens are also available in those sizes.
As your's are measured in mm, try a shorter length.
You may find that you have a little more control over the
injection with a syringe.
I would not advise any extra practicing. It is really unnecessary.

You will probably also need one of the fast-acting insulins,
by itself, either in a pen or a vial & syringe, to cover
individual meals or unexpected high blood sugars.

Also, read up on and be prepared for low blood sugars.
Always have some form of carbohydrate, such as candy or juice,
readily available. Know how you feel when you have a low BG.
When in doubt, test.

[oktokie]

I am not sure if changing the lancets would help her.
Here is my father's case. He used to have this lancet supplied with LIFESCAN glucose tester. He did not like it because it's needle was huge. So, he changed his lancet to something else. I don't remember which had much smaller needle. When I say small needle, I am not refering to the length of the meter. I am refering to a diameter of the needle.
I hope that your lancet isn't like what my father had. Monster needle!

oktokie

[LauRa Lu]

Originally posted by DeusXM
Lol well when I'm home from uni I do live in Gloucester!

Cool where abouts in gloucester..? my entire family (not me tho) lives there, i'm there loads. :p I live between hereford and abergaveny(ignore spelling:p )



I've only ever had the one bruise and it was only about 2cm across. I just wasnt sure if it was ok, could have been a blood clot for all i knew...but then i always think the worst!
:p

[DeusXM]

Well, without wanting to publicise my address all over the internet....when I'm back in Gloucester I live in Abbeymead.

And I feel sorry for your family, having to live in Gloucester. It's a hole and I'm glad I'm at uni somewhere else

As for bruising, WiseWords is right, it's not 'normal' but it does happen, for the reasons they suggested. The worst is when you forget where you've got a bruise and you're injecting through your clothes and you manage to hit the bruise with the needle. That f***ing hurts...