[TeachinNV]

Hi all...

Well, I got a meter from my doctor today (Freestyle Freedom Lite), and a prescription for strips and lancets. I was all set to do my first test this evening, and the strips weren't the right kind. I only have one that came with the monitor, so I'm going to save it for tomorrow morning.

I don't know if the pharmacy messed up, or if the prescription was wrong. Either way, it was kind of anti-climactic.

I was having trouble making myself hit the button on the lancet, so maybe the delay is for the best. I was holding it against my finger, but then I got all shaky and clammy. I know it's only a little poke, but I was scared. Babyish and wimpy, I know. I'll definitely have to get over that, or this is going to be harder than I thought.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day as Scarlett O'Hara said. It's the first day of my new lifestyle. Kind of ironic that it's Halloween. Luckily, there's no school tomorrow, so I won't have to deal with that, too. Halloween also happens to be Nevada Day...so, 3-day weekend.

Lori

[ErikaA]

Took me over an hour to do my first test!!!!!

I have a very high pain threshhold.... but I hate it when i don't know how much it's gonna hurt!! And I'm a needle wuss! I know it doesn't hurt...but it weirds me out anyway.

[jillrapp]

Hey Lori,

I was afraid to poke myself too, and after 7+ years I'd still be afraid if not for my lancet device. I use the Accu-Chek Aviva Multiclix Lancet Device. I love it because there is less recoil when I hit the plunger and it rarely bruises my fingers. It also seems to give blood on the first try about 95% of the time, which is a much higher percentage for me then with any other lancet. You can buy these at Target for around $18 and the drums to refil it (102 ct) for about $13. This is worth the money, trust me!

Also, take the strips tomorrow and see if you can exchange them for the correct kind, maybe even take your monitor with you to make sure you get the right ones right away!

****One more thing, if you decide to keep this meter, the following link is a must read. FreeStyle Promise™ - Diabetes Resources For Your Lifestyle
It's about how Freestyle helps you with your co-pay for testing strips!

Good Luck, Lori!

[TeachinNV]

Glad to know I'm not the only wimpy one, here.

Luckily, my insurance is really good (at least for most prescriptions), so the strips and lancets didn't cost me anything. That saved me almost $125! Whew!

I already called the pharmacy and told them, and was told to bring them in tomorrow. They said they'd replace them if they had the right kind. Otherwise, I'm going to have to drive around to find them. So much for my day off.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. I really do lurk here in the evenings, just to see if someone answers my posts.

Lori

[mzteacher]

hi lori,
you would be hard pressed to find a bigger coward than me when it comes to needles....honest you will do fine...just use the side of your finger and not the pad....
good luck in getting the right strips and your first test tomorrow!!
welcome!
susan

[Kanga]

I agree, do as mzteacher said and do not prick directly into the pad of your finger I learnt that one the hard way....

[Caravaggio]

I just started self-testing and had exactly the same experience as yours. My meter and strips came from the U.S. (the Lifescan Ultra Mini is not yet available in Japan), but strips were the wrong size. The strips are available only in a few pharmacies in Tokyo and at such an expensive price (Buying them from the U.S., even if you add the delivery costs, is a lot cheaper). Anyway it took me more than 1 week to finally do my first test.

I stared at my lancing device for a really looooong time before I had the nerve to push it the first time. Then I had it wrong, so I had to repeat everything - twice before I got it right.

I recommend taking a couple of deep breaths to relax and puncturing your needle on a long exhale. Washing my hands with warm water and massaging my hand beforehand (no pun intended) make it easier to draw blood.

Good luck!

[Tattoo azz]

hehe the first time i poked my finger was in Oct 1982, i was 7 and the pricker was an old autolet about the size of an adult's palm and the lance was on the outside, so you saw it drop down and pierce your finger. That was a bit unnerving, but today's stuff is a **** of alot better and cooler.

[neo]

Originally Posted by TeachinNV

Hi all...

Well, I got a meter from my doctor today (Freestyle Freedom Lite), and a prescription for strips and lancets. I was all set to do my first test this evening, and the strips weren't the right kind. I only have one that came with the monitor, so I'm going to save it for tomorrow morning.

I don't know if the pharmacy messed up, or if the prescription was wrong. Either way, it was kind of anti-climactic.

I was having trouble making myself hit the button on the lancet, so maybe the delay is for the best. I was holding it against my finger, but then I got all shaky and clammy. I know it's only a little poke, but I was scared. Babyish and wimpy, I know. I'll definitely have to get over that, or this is going to be harder than I thought.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day as Scarlett O'Hara said. It's the first day of my new lifestyle. Kind of ironic that it's Halloween. Luckily, there's no school tomorrow, so I won't have to deal with that, too. Halloween also happens to be Nevada Day...so, 3-day weekend.

Lori

you must got strips fo the free style freedom strips,the free style lite
use's completely different strips neo

[morrisma]

The Freestyle Lite will work on your forearm as well. No pain at all.
Mike

[lorilei]

Lori, give yourself a week and you will be able to do the fingersticks without batting an eye. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds now and i can multitask (ie talk on the phone, drive!! etc) while doing it.

[davef]

Lori,

I reckon you would be unusual if you weren't reluctant to press the trigger that first few times, it goes against our nature to intentionally inflict any pain (no matter how little) on ourselves.

I found the best thing (in the early days) was to leave the lancet ready to go, try not think about it just pick it up and hit the button - like pulling off a band aid. Perhaps talk to somebody while you are doing it (multi-task) to keep you mind of it.

Once you get over the first few tests it becomes automatic and you don't really think about it.

[palefacegirl03]

I had a hard time with that first finger stick too and it was with one of those autolet mentioned above, then I had to give myself a shot. This was on Halloween too.
It took me at least 30 minutes before I could get the needle in me.