Noob question about testing sites

twisted_angel · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 09:43 PM

Hello, nice to meet everyone.

I am 18 and considered borderline-diabetic. It runs prominently in both sides of my family, which is a severe problem for me. I am a SEVERE needle/injection phobic. I am about to give some examples not to flaunt my stupidity but to stress the level of my phobia.

I have given myself stitches twice to avoid going to the doctor and have even been bitten by a poisonous snake without formal treatment. I am working to get my phobia under control but it is difficult because it is not pain but the actual needles I am phobic of.

I am making progress, I have gotten to where I can use the little lancet heads to prick myself so long as I don't actually put them in the lancet-thing. The problem is when I prick my fingers, I never get enough blood. Ever. I have taken to pricking the base of my thumb or my wrist over a vein to insure that I get enough blood to test. Other than bruising, are there potential problems with this? Are the measurements accurate since I don't get the blood from my fingers?

Thanks,
Twisted_Angel

ant hill · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisted_angel

I have given myself stitches twice to avoid going to the doctor and have even been bitten by a poisonous snake without formal treatment. I am working to get my phobia under control but it is difficult because it is not pain but the actual needles I am phobic of.

WOHA!! that's a bad experience Angel. I am sorry that you have had that. As for the needles as they are so sharp they are painless. The lances are worse than the needles and I find that the lancets machines are better to use as you can adjust them to your need. What lancet machine do you have?

Quote:

I am making progress, I have gotten to where I can use the little lancet heads to prick myself so long as I don't actually put them in the lancet-thing. The problem is when I prick my fingers, I never get enough blood. Ever.

You can adjust the lancet machine to get a selectable depth.

Quote:

I have taken to pricking the base of my thumb or my wrist over a vein to insure that I get enough blood to test. Other than bruising, are there potential problems with this? Are the measurements accurate since I don't get the blood from my fingers?

I take the blood from the pad of my finger, Not at the end of your finger as that will hurt. Don't get blood from your vein as that you will get too much blood or worse a tap that wont turn off.

mortis505 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 11:41 AM

Welcome to the forum.

There are several people on this forum that are reformed "needle Phobes" myself included. But once I realized that the injections were better than the alternative, I quickly got used to the idea of injecting. And honestly the needles on the syringes hurt less than the lancets. They are really tiny and so thin that I hardly felt them at all.

Now as far as your testing goes, are you testing on the tip, pad, or side of the finger. Do you make sure that your hands are warm before testing? Do you shake your hands a bit to get the blood flowing to the fingertips? I would be extremely careful about testing over a vein in your wrist without the lancing device. You may end up with an unwanted bleeder(unlikely, but possible.)

Real4 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 11:43 AM

Have you "milked" your finger, after lancing it?

morrisma · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 01:14 PM

My meter allows (encourages) me to test on my forearm which I find far less painful (no pain mostly) than my fingers.
Mike

ant hill · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real4

Have you "milked" your finger, after lancing it?

Yeah squeeze your finger after the lance.

twisted_angel · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:12 PM

Ant Hill: Thank you. I have an accu-check soft touch lancet that I haven't been able to bring myself to use just yet. I have only recently progressed to being able to use the lancet heads and before I was using small medical razors I got from a doctor.

Mortis: Thank you very much. I very seriously doubt I will every be fully over my phobia, but I am trying very hard. I tested on the sides but I will try at the pad, and thanks for the tip about warming my hands. Testing at a vein means that I never have to stick myself more than once but I would very much like to stop because it hurts quite a bit and my arm is seriously bruised.

Real4: I have tried squeezing my finger, I guess I am just not using the lancet deep enough.

morrisma: I have an accu-check advance meter, can I test on my forearm with it? What area of the forearm is the best to test at?

Thanks for the support everyone.
Twisted_Angel

twisted_angel · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:31 PM

I just tested on the side of the pad of my middle finger and it worked. I know that probably doesn't seem like a big deal but it is for me. I still can't use the lancet machine but progress is progress.

Quick note: I know my phobia is irrational and some if not most of it is stupid, but I honestly can't help it. I really am trying. My family doesn't understand and I can't blame them, so if nobody on here gets it I won't blame them either.

DCaplinger · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 05:11 PM

twisted_angel:

When I first was told that I was diabetic, I thought I'd die, and that was when I was diagnosed as a Type 2. All I had to do then was prick my fingers 3 - 4 times a day. Now, I'm a Type 1, and have to do it 8 times a day, and shoot up at least 4 times a day (I know, I shouldn't say shoot up, but hey, it's the only drug I take).

I love my lancet device. I have it set at 2.5 most of the time. I usually don't feel it lance my fingers, because it's such a light depth.

As I am fond of telling people.. if you want it bad enough, you'll do it. I wanted to be healthy bad enough, that I quit smoking, and started pricking my fingers (and shooting up.

).

Regards,

Petruchio · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 05:47 PM

I picked up a MultiClix lancet device. The BEST thing I did to help me testing. I honestly don't feel the thing. If I had to poke myself with just a bare lancet I would freak out. The lancet device limits how deep you stick, and it goes so fast it is done before you feel a thing.

Try it once . . . it might surprise you.

Handybear · #11 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 07:58 PM

Try running your fingers under warm water. It will help increase the blood flow. Then milk your finger to get the drop out.

twisted_angel · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 10:13 PM

Thanks everyone.

I still haven't been able to use the lancet machine, but now I am checking my blood 4 times a day like I am supposed to be. The doc says I can probably control it with a proper diet, at least for a little while, so thats a relief. Injections have been postponed (hopefully permanently).

morrisma · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisted_angel

I have an accu-check advance meter, can I test on my forearm with it? What area of the forearm is the best to test at?
Twisted_Angel

The accu-check active meter allows forearm testing. Their website lists the conditions for which this is acceptable:

It's important to know that while blood from your fingertip can be tested at any time, there are times when testing from alternate sites is not ideal, because you may not get the most accurate result.

Therefore, alternate site testing is recommended when blood sugar is stable, often:
•immediately before a meal
•when fasting
•near bedtime

Times when alternate site testing is not recommended:
•following a meal, when blood sugar values are rising quickly
•after exercise
•whenever you think your blood sugar is low or falling quickly

Hope this helps,
Mike