Problems lancing fingers

[lgvincent]

For the last few days I've been having a very hard time getting blood from my fingers, even using the suggestions made here. The only thing that I can do is use the deepest settings of the lancet device. I'm thinking that maybe I should use someone else's fingers.

[KLD]

Hi Lowell,

You've probably tried it already but when I have that problem, I find that what works best is to put my hands under really hot water for a few minutes. Otherwise, someone else's fingers sounds like a good idea - just make sure it's a non-diabetic and maybe you can convince yourself that you've been cured!!!

Karen

[Belinda]

Ig. Sometimes when my bs is low I have a hard time getting blood or I have to sometimes rub my hands together to warm them up, the hot water sounds good but my hands dry out too quickly and this would not help....Good Luck. Have you tried your forearm? Maybe your blood is replenishing itself and you will no longer have diabetes!!!! It is a thought.

[Jenny]

Lg,
I also have probs getting blood out sometimes. I also run my hands under very warm water and that seems to help. ;) Have your levels been lower lately?

[lgvincent]

I appreciate the suggestions and will give them a try. I'm also thinking of buying a table saw to use as a backup.

I used to only have trouble getting blood when my blood sugar was low but now it doesn't matter what it is I have a hard time getting blood. The way I bled when I broke my nose a few weeks ago would seem to indicate no problem but I'm beginning to think maybe I need to increase my vitamin E and take a blood thinner. I was taking 1,500 I. U. of vitamin E but I've been thinking of stopping it because I've bled so easily in the past. I can just look at a razor blade and my face will start bleeding.

[SunniD]

I found a graph somewhere of all the body areas you could poke
Lowell and can just imagine you dropping your pants to do the
legs ones.<smile>

Try different areas like the base of the thumb or beneath the nail beds before the first knuckle. Ear lobes bleed for 3 mins. roughly so don't suggest them but can try the the appropriate areas on arms and legs and upper hip also I believe. They have a new machine with a suction device if you got the bucks. I believe it
cost close to $200 Canadian dollars. Looked neat but think it
would still have trouble getting blood out of my arms.

Now homemade suction devices come to mind as you like to
sit around in your halo of smoke from that medicinal marijuana.*g* Another day perhaps.lol
Perhaps a rubber hammer would do just as good.<smile>
At least it would take out some of the frustrations.

SunniD

[rzrbks]

OI!

lg,

how often are you changing your lancets? When I start having a great deal of trouble getting blood and it isn't

1. Caluses
2. too cold
3. setting's wrong


then I know it's time to change lancets, generally once a month or so

[lgvincent]

I usually change lancets once a week but I'm having the same problem with new lancets too. Right now, the lancet that works the best is the SoftClix when I set it at 5 or deeper. That setting stings a bit.

[rzrbks]

That setting stings a bit.

No Kidding.

About the only other thing I can suggest might be some sort of movements/exercises that cause you swing and briskly move your arms.

I know that when I'm playing golf, tennis, or throwing shot or discus I have much more blood flowing trough my arms and especially my hands which makes getting blood easier{except for the calluses}.

Prolly, something as simple as squeezing a ball or or anything else that works your hands forcing blood through might help nearly as much.

[Harold]

Had to set my lancet device to a deeper setting. However the spring seems to be weaker so it maybe time to get a new device out and see if that makes a difference.

[archimeech]

Don't know if it was mentioned, but for you city boys it may help if you've ever milked a cow. Try milking your finger before starting. It helps draw more blood to the tip. I also use the sides of my fingers now and not the tips, less nerves.

[rzrbks]

archimeech

Don't know if it was mentioned, but for you city boys it may help if you've ever milked a cow. Try milking your finger before starting.

I can just see it now.

Scene::: Our hero is sitting in a restaraunt. Trys his lancet, little or no blood. Starts milking his finger--squeeze, pull, squeeze, pull

Maitre de walks up:

"Ahem, Monsieur is having fun with himself, no?"

Our Hero:

"No, Monsieur is not having fun with himself."

Maitre de:

"Perhaps Monsieur will explain?"

Our Hero:

"Nope now leave me alone."

Maitre de:

"Cease, or I will call the gendarmes."

. Stopover In a Quiet Town
"Our Hero, an average young man who intended to eat in a nice restaraunt and on the way home took a detour. Most of us on waking in the morning know exactly where we are; the rooster or the alarm clock brings us out of sleep into the familiar sights, sounds, aromas of home and the comfort of a routine day ahead. Not so with our Hero. This will be a day like none he's ever spent --- and he'll spend it, in the Twilight Zone."

About this time, Oberfuehrer Ashcroft walks in, Whips out the Patriot Act and Our Hero is never seen again

[jennazon]

Originally posted by archimeech
Don't know if it was mentioned, but for you city boys it may help if you've ever milked a cow. Try milking your finger before starting. It helps draw more blood to the tip. I also use the sides of my fingers now and not the tips, less nerves.

The phlebotomist in me demands that I step in here with a reminder.
When milking the fingers, be sure not to just squeeze the daylights out of the fingertips. Begin the milking at the finger base and work your way down the finger to the tip.
This assures that you are actually testing blood and not just tissue fluid.
And, one other thing: When doing blood draws on the hands of a pt with cold hands, a phleb will often have the pt hold their hands under warm water to increase blood flow. It works well.

[sicdb]

I take an 81mg aspirin each day as part of my vitamin regimen. I find that the small amount of blood thinning provided by the asprin makes it easier to draw blood. Check out these web sites regarding asprin and diabetes.
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/aspirin.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2001-08-30-aspirin.htmregarding asprin

[sparkle9]

I've had the same experience taking the 81 mg. aspirin tablet. It's been amazing to me how that little tablet can make such a difference!

[sparkle9]

After reading the "diabetes monitor"article posted above I thought I would mention that I have had mild background retinopathy for years, although it has never affected my vision. After taking aspirin for 9 months (on the recommendation of my cardiologist), I went to the ophthalmologist for my checkup and he couldn't find any evidence of the retinopathy! He did say that this didn't mean the disease process was no longer there, but that it was not presently active. He said it was fine to take the aspirin. At any rate, I was encouraged, especially since this seems to contradict other things I have read about aspirin and diabetic eye disease. Of course, if you have eye disease, I would check with your doctor before taking aspirin. I know there are different types of retinopathy and some are more serious than the kind I have.

[KLD]

If you're still having trouble getting enough blood for your tests, Lowell, I've discovered in the last few days that if I poke my finger with the lancet first, and then give my hand a good shake before squeezing, it works better. Try that before you buy a table saw!

Karen