My New Toy and other tales of joy...

[Lulika]

Hi everone :)
I went to my doctor today for a quick look at how things are going for me.Its now 2 weeks since my diagnosis and I am going to her once week for this first month, just so she can help me manage and ask questions etc.
First of all, she seems really pleased with me.I have dropped another 2lbs! I didn't expect that but it must be down to the exercising I managed to do this week.
She also did a random meter test; I was only an hour after breakfast and it read 7.2 mmol/l which is an improvement on the last time she did it which was 8.4.
And best of all, I got my own meter at last...what joy!! :)

Now I really am going to sound like a wimp but...up to now, my doctor has done the meter thing for me and now I just realised I have to do it to myself...gulp. I am such a baby. I know it doesn't realy hurt but I am not looking forward to having to do it! I know that's silly as there are people here who inject insulin ( I really respect you guys!!) and here I am fretting over a pin prick! I know its a good idea to do it at the side of the finger, right? Please hold my hand!

Thanks for listening...but I do feel that now Metformin and I are friends, and the weight is steadily dropping, I am beginning to realise how horrible I have been feeling for all this time and how getting diabetes was almost a positive heads up for me.
I wish us all good health and a great weekend! :)

[Lulika]

One more thing...the meter I have is called Acu-Check Active and made by a company called Roche. Anyone have this one and if so, is it any good? Thanks :)

[ant hill]

Now I really am going to sound like a wimp but...up to now, my doctor has done the meter thing for me and now I just realised I have to do it to myself...gulp. I am such a baby.
Aww Lulika, It's a cinch!! :D There are some tough Chinese and that's you. :)
I know it doesn't realy hurt but I am not looking forward to having to do it! I know that's silly as there are people here who inject insulin ( I really respect you guys!!) and here I am fretting over a pin prick! I know its a good idea to do it at the side of the finger, right? Please hold my hand!
I would find the middle of the finger pad is the null spot as I did the end of the finger and it hurts. ;)

Thanks for listening...but I do feel that now Metformin and I are friends, and the weight is steadily dropping, I am beginning to realise how horrible I have been feeling for all this time and how getting diabetes was almost a positive heads up for me.
I wish us all good health and a great weekend! :)

Hey you too have a good weekend. Can you do me a hit on a gong for me in one of those temples. :D

[UpNorth]

Don't be afraid of fingerpricks :) Yes, it might hurt sometimes, but then it's usually because you use the wrong spot, the same spot too many times or have the pricker at the wrong setting or the lancet has gone bad. But usually it doesn't hurt, i barely feel it at all when i test my bloodsugar :) I test 6-12 times per day usually...

Great to hear things is going better :)
And should you need insulin at one point, don't be afraid of it, the injections hurt even less than testing bloodsugar :)

[UpNorth]

One more thing...the meter I have is called Acu-Check Active and made by a company called Roche. Anyone have this one and if so, is it any good? Thanks :)

I don't know that meter, but i'm using Accu-Chek Aviva and Accu-Chek Compact plus :) Very good meters and easy to use, and the Accu-Chek softclix that comes with many Accu-Chek meters is really good- though i like the Accu-Chek Multiclix that comes with Aviva better :T

[Lulika]

Anthill and UpNorth thanks for your positive input!

I dont know if you know but I am not actually Chinese, I just live here, originally I am from the UK, in the Midlands area.
I am married an Israeli..so we are a pretty international family!

I am going to do my first finger test tomorrow..I wil let you know how I get on!
Anthill, I will certainly hit a gong for you next time I am in a temple :)
UpNorth..I have that softclix lancer thing and its the one my doctor used and it wasnt too painful. Thanks again for your help ;)

[wiseguy]

Try alternate site testing. Forearm testing is totally painless every time.

[Lulika]

Thanks Wiseguy I didnt know you could use your forearm. Where do you do it..in the middle of the arm, near the wrist? I would love to find a pain free place! ;)

[ant hill]

I dont know if you know but I am not actually Chinese, I just live here, originally I am from the UK, in the Midlands area.
I am married an Israeli..so we are a pretty international family!
Gulp!!! One has foot in mouth. :eek: Sorry. :confused:

I am going to do my first finger test tomorrow..I wil let you know how I get on!
Hey it will be painless. ;)
Anthill, I will certainly hit a gong for you next time I am in a temple :)
Thanks. :) At least that I pay homage to another faith. :D
UpNorth..I have that softclix lancer thing and its the one my doctor used and it wasnt too painful. Thanks again for your help ;)
Ahh see, Now that didn't hurt did it. ;)

[morrisma]

Lulika,
I test on my forearm closer to the elbow than the wrist - on the 'meat' of the arm. Almost always painless. The only drawback is if your bg is changing rapidly, this result will lag the finger tip result.

I looked up your meter and found one rather scathing review which complained about accuracy and repeatability of readings. Also, you need 1 microliter of blood where many meters use half that or less. (My freestyle uses 0.3 microliters.)

Try the one you have and get comfortable with the idea of testing and then ask about other meters either at the docs office or online (of course! :D ). There are lots of opinions here for sure....
Mike

[fgummett]

Are all meters certified for alternate site testing?

---

Also, don't forget to take your meter along when you get a blood test:

How do I make sure my meter is accurate?
* Compare your meter to a laboratory blood glucose test at least once a year.
* Take your meter to the lab. After the lab has taken your blood, do a finger prick test with your meter within 5 to 10 minutes.
* Compare the two results (call your doctor and ask for the lab results). The meter results should be within 15% (above or below) of the lab results.
* If you think there is a problem, call the manufacturer's 1-800 telephone number.

[Lulika]

Wow so much information guys...thanks! :)
Morrisma, I also saw that review..I will keep an open mind and see how I get on. I hope it will work well, if not I will shop around :)

[morrisma]

Are all meters certified for alternate site testing?


Frank,
You are right to mention that. I have been using my forearm so long, I forgot some meters are not recommended for that. Thanks,
Mike

[davef]

Lulika,

I use my fingers (and thumbs), haven't tried my arm. Relax, the hardest part when you start is your mind knows that pressing the release button on the lancing device will result in you being pricked and so it resists. But you overcome this really quickly and it becomes second nature. Personally I use the pads of my thumbs and the just to the side of the pads on my fingers (there is a thread going about this) I find it helps to rotate the finger(s) being used rather than using the same one all the time.

My lancing device (and I guess most) have an adjustment to vary the depth of the pin prick depending on how thick your skin is.

I think it's great that you have gotten the meter, now you can really get testing to see which foods work best for you.

Congratulations on the weight loss!

I'm really glad to see you have a positive attitude, I too, now feel that getting Diabetes was a blessing in diguise, I shifting the weight (3 stone off as of yesterday) and feel great. If I had not been diagnosed I would still be gaining weight.

Have a great weekend, I hear there is a St.Patrick's day parade in Beijing this weekend so join us Irish in celebrating (any excuse for a party).

[Lulika]

Hi there Dave...happy St Patricks Day to you too! I will definately go to see the parade this weekend its always very entertaining.
Ok guess what? I did my first test this evening after my dinner and I am rather pleased to say it was 5.2....thats good right? I did it 2 hours after dinner exactly. I am stupidly proud that I did it even though it didnt hurt, youre right, it was my fear of pressing that little button that made me think it was going to be painful. But it really wasn't.
You would have laughed your head off if you could have seen me; I sat with the meter and the lancer thingy and the alcohol pads and the little strips all spread out on the table along with the instruction books for each device...it took me an hour to figure it all out! But now I understand it so hopefuly it will become second nature.
Phew...one small step for diabetes...one giant leap for me! :)

[wiseguy]

Are all meters certified for alternate site testing?

Blood glucose monitors measure the BG in the blood sample. It makes no difference where the blood sample comes from. They make a big deal of this in commercials that "this or that certain meter" can be used for alternate site testing. In reality, it's the lancet device not the meter. Almost all newer lancing devices come with the clear cap that is designed for alternate site testing.

Thanks Wiseguy I didnt know you could use your forearm. Where do you do it..in the middle of the arm, near the wrist? I would love to find a pain free place! ;)
I usually test on the under side of my forearm about half way between the wrist and elbow. You just have to experiment to find the place(s) that work best for you.

[Jan B]

I wish you had recorded your FIRST experience so you could post it and give us testing pros a good laugh!! You are so cute! I do not use the side of my fingers as recommended -- that hurts! I use the middle of the fingertip pad. I have never used alcohol either . . . but I do usually wash my hands or have a good idea they are fairly clean! Once you are used to the process, it won't take even a minute! I get a reading in 5 seconds -- my total time is probably 10-15 seconds. I'm not familiar w/your meter.

[Lulika]

Yes Jan you would all have had a good laugh; I had my reading glasses on and all the manuals out.It was a bit like "click point A into point B.."..the funniest thing was when I had the lancer primed and ready and the test strip in the meter and the meter was blinking and I dare not do the test! I held my breath and just did it and was amazed that I had been fearful, it really wasnt too bad at all. My reading of 5.2 was ok wasn't it?
The clean up was hilarious too! Disposing of the alcohol pad and the lancet and putting it all away...I have now read that you dont have to use a new lancet each time so I will bear that in mind and as for the alcohol, I doubt I will do that either so long as I wash my hands.
By the way Jan I made those yummy muffins...they're great thanks! :)

[davef]

Well done Lulika, 5.2 is good, I'd certainly be happy with it! I would have loved to see your first test, sounds like it was fun to watch.

I remember mine, being a man and a bit of a gadget geek, I reckoned I didn't need to read the instructions, I used up 3 strips trying to RUB the blood on to them before I read the instructions and then kicked myself as it was so easy when you do it right!

I don't normally use the wipes either, I have on occassion if I forget to test before I start cooking and know I have garlic, spices etc. on my fingers.

Washing your hands in warm water also makes getting a drop of blood easier. You will get over the reluctance to press the trigger. I'm at the stage where I curse the meter for taking 15 seconds to give me the reading! But it works and I can't justify getting one that is faster.

I sometimes re-use the lance but generally just use a new one, they have a very fine point and this can be dulled by re-use which leads to it being a little painful. If you have plenty of lances (especially if you don't pay for them) just use a new one each time.

Now that you have started, don't stop keep testing.

[Lulika]

Yes Dave, it must have been a sorry sight to see me do my first test! You made me laugh with your "I dont need to read the instruction manual" attitude, my hubb is exactly the same which is why a cabinet bought in a flat pack from IKEA looked mighty odd when he first assembled it :D

I guess I am getting the hang of this slowly but surely...and I intend to test alot so that I can keep track of things. I dont pay for the strips or the lances so I will just use and abuse them!
Have a great weekend...:)

[ant hill]

Have a great weekend, I hear there is a St.Patrick's day parade in Beijing this weekend so join us Irish in celebrating (any excuse for a party).

Hey what a great excuse to a great beer, Time to get some Guinness.

[Kim_in_TN]

I used up 3 strips trying to RUB the blood on to them before I read the instructions

This gave me a big smile! :D

Lulika .... you did great! You are well on your way to having your diabetes under control. YAY for the weight loss too!!!

[Lulika]

Thanks Kim..I will keep my fingers crossed for you when you go toyour appointment too!:)

[EasyType2]

Lulika, I use the Accuchek Aviva now but over the years I've tried several brands. Never noted any significant differences.

ON finger sticking, I do have firm opinions. Most medical types here go for the sides of my fingers and that make a sore spot. I've come near having a fight with some nurses over the location.

I find the center of the ball is the best spot. Try what works best for you, and stick to it.

Good luck.