More blood from a stone: testing woes

[teleman]

Any advice here would be appreciated.
I am a musician and prefer not testing too much with my fingers.
Unfortunately I have little success in getting enough blood out of my forearms to get a reading that doesn't say error. I have a bunch of puncture holes that got a little damp but no drop of blood.
I've just switched from Novolin 30/70 to Lantus and Novorapid and need to test more frequently.

[princesslinda]

Welcome teleman! Have you tried testing on the sides of your fingers as opposed to the fleshy pads? It hurts much less there. I didn't have a lot of success with forearm testing myself, as it bruised my arms and was very noticeable.

[rmichaud]

Ditto, I only use the side of my fingers. Much better and not as sensitive.

Good luck!

[teleman]

My fingers on my left hand are useless for getting blood. I have monster callouses from guitar(I need a drill to get any blood so I usually just test on the right hand). My diabetes support people have always said to use the side of the fingers since I first started testing back in the 80s. I saw an advert with BB King extolling the virtues of forearm blood testing and was really hopeful. So far not so good.

[princesslinda]

I was watching Dlife recently and one of the guests was testing from his thigh. I've never done this (and to me it looked like it would hurt) but it was interesting to watch.

Found this Abbott link that showed some alternate testing areas you might want to try. I would think this would work with any meter.

Alternate Site Testing (http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/adc_dotcom/url/content/en_US/20.10.10:10/general_content/General_Content_0000002.htm)

[Scrabblechick]

Looked like the base of the thumbs might be a good place to try. I'm going to try that myself, since I type for a living and need my finger sensitivity, too. I'll let you know how it works for me. Thanks for the link, Linda!

BTW, teleman, you're a musician and play the guitar. Would "tele" refer to a Telecaster? Just curious.

[Gordonm]

A little more trouble to get to but I have used the sides of my toes with very good success. Some here don't like the thought of this but I have done it many times with no pain and good success.

[pokie]

I've used the palm of my hand (not the cupped part but more of the heel) with good results.

[xMenace]

FreeStyle supplies a lancing device with a clear cap for using on the forearms with their meters. It has a wider opening I assume for pinching and creating a little mound. I've used it on my fingers by mistake, and it does strike deeper.

[Stuboy]

try the base of your thumb. You will need to use the AST adaptor, but dont just stab and lift, you need to stab and "pump" the blood up.
It works, it's how i was taught my by D specialist to test there.

[shiftzor]

FreeStyle supplies a lancing device with a clear cap for using on the forearms with their meters. It has a wider opening I assume for pinching and creating a little mound. I've used it on my fingers by mistake, and it does strike deeper.

Ahh so that’s what the clear cap is for, I have one with my Autolet Impression and OneTouch UltraSmart meter/tester. I assumed it was just something to protect the device :o, might have to try some alternative site testing.

[milfordj]

Check out this site [] (http://www.pelikantechnologies.com/products) Their "Lancer" uses a laser that is supposed to go to just the depth needed to draw blood and be the least painful of ANY lancing device. I'm very interested in it myself. My only concern is the fact that I personally reuse my lancets until they become painful or no longer are able to get blood (in other words, forever), and I'm not certain I could do that with this lancet.

[bryan42]

Just today, I wasted 2 strips because I cannot get enough blood :mad: It got so aggravating, I ended up not testing and throwing the whole test meter,case,strips..etc in the trash (temper,temper :o )

[shiftzor]

I just tried alternative site testing on my forearm and I cannot get blood either, with the maximum setting on my Autolet Impression. :( Have to stick to sides of my fingers.

[Stuboy]

try the base of your thumb shifty!!!

[Funnygrl]

Just use your fingers. I've played viola, guitar, and piano. You prick the side of your finger and use the tip of your fingers for playing. Once you get calluses on your fingers you barely notice it.

Alternative sites, with the exception of the base of the thumb, lag too much to be of much use to a type 1, except for maybe a fasting reading.

[teleman]

I've been having a bit more success on the inner forearm just below my elbow. I have relatively skinny arms and find it easier on fleshier parts of my arm.

Thanks to all who offered advice.

BTW Scrabblechick the Tele refers to a lovely old Telecaster I've owned for a long time.

[Stuboy]

Check out this site [] (http://www.pelikantechnologies.com/products) Their "Lancer" uses a laser that is supposed to go to just the depth needed to draw blood and be the least painful of ANY lancing device. I'm very interested in it myself. My only concern is the fact that I personally reuse my lancets until they become painful or no longer are able to get blood (in other words, forever), and I'm not certain I could do that with this lancet.

This doesn't use a laser at all :( you got my hopes up then for non-invasive treats!

[pumpman]

I test on the sides and top of the fingers (just behind the nail). I have it on the lowest setting and hold the lancet on an angle for less penetration. I get heaps of blood from there.

Here is a pic:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4287/fingerstestkh9.gif

P.S. I never test on my thumb, i find it hurts too much.

[Scrabblechick]

Now those are interesting sites, pumpman. Never thought about that, before! Might have to try it.

Oddly, testing on my thumb probably hurts the least.

[pumpman]

Now those are interesting sites, pumpman. Never thought about that, before! Might have to try it.

I actually got that idea from someone else on this forum, i thought it was a bit weird at first, but i find it works very well.

[Tattoo azz]

pumpman those sights are freaky!! lol i've never heard of testing there before. I once was told by a nurse to try testing from my earlobe but found that i got slapped by my mum when i swore from the pain. I have tried my forearms but even with the clear AST adapter i got no blood and a big bruise, not that i mind bruises.