Anyone using a bloodless glucose meter?

kwlusa · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 12:24 PM

Getting tired of sticking my finger. It didn't bother me at all 6 months ago but now my brain finds it hard hard to allow my right hand to prick a finger on my left hand..lol sometimes half a minute goes by before I pull the trigger.

Is this a big deal? of course not considering how serious diabetes is. But since I know they exist I can't help wanting one..(well I haven't seen the price yet). Anyway..anyone here have one?

Thanks,

Keith

Ohana · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 12:59 PM

Ha! that is soo funny as I too find myself standing there waiting to pull the trigger. Occasionally I must hit a nerve or something that hurts awfully bad... that kinda makes me trigger shy.. but other times I psych myself up for a prick I barely feel.

I see you are a junior member... When were you diagnosed? I have only been checking mine regularly since the summer..

Maybe it is a temporary road block that will eventually disappear? Any seasoned diabetics out there that have had this issue early on or still?

kwlusa · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 01:11 PM

I also was diagnosed this summer. I don't mind staying with the standard procedure ..but if there's a practical bloodless I think I'd go for it..seeing that this is forever. I saw BB King (I know you don't like the blues, but)advertising one on TV a few years back. Just currious if there's a reasonably priced accurate model out there.

Happy New Year!

Keith

notme · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 01:14 PM

I don't believe there is any non invasive blood glucose meters available yet. They have been doing research on infrared meters, but none have been approved for use yet, as far as I know.

We keep hoping!

cheric · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 01:30 PM

I know the finger pricking can get annoying at times, but I have just gotten used to it over time. There really is nothing else we can do unless you test on your forearm or use a CGMS (continuous glucose monitoring system). Just know that you are not alone. It still hurts me every now and again...I have learned which fingers hurt more than others and I try to avoid those

Gordonm · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 01:36 PM

I have been at this for 34 years now. Blood glucose testing since late 80s or so. I tested about 10 times a day up until about 2 months ago. It never bothered me and it does not do anything to your fingers. Maybe a little tougher Skin on your fingers but no big deal. I am now on CGMS but you still have to test a minumum of 4 times a day, plus I do not have it on all the time. I go back to my 10 to 12 times a day. No problem. Set your poker to a minumum depth that will still get you enough blood for a sample and it won't hurt as much. I do not even feel it now.

Barberian · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:04 PM

I too have a hard time intentionaly causing myself pain = finger stick. My way of getting past it is to lightly tap the trigger several times quickly, each time harder than the last. I don't know which tap will set off the trigger, so the pain is a "suprise" instead of a "known". I don't know of any bloodless meters, sry.

kwlusa · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:05 PM

I may have some bad info..I research BB Kings meter and it's a One Touch Ultra....which still requires a blood drop.

Keith

CountYourselfIn · #9 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:08 PM

I've only been testing for a year, but.. the rookie mistake I made, was never changing the lancets...

After 3-4 uses, they get dull, and painful, and omg.. I don't want to use it.

A fresh lancet is a breath of fresh air, as you don't even feel it.

Also, some spots hurt more than others.

And one more thing, make sure you're mixing it up and not favouring one finger over the rest, or one hand over the other... if you overwork it (which is likely if you're testing a whoppin 10x a day), it'll get extremely sore.

duck · #10 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 06:09 PM

Why not use a meter that allows forearm testing?

Barberian · #11 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 07:06 PM

I can't get a good sample from my forearms to save my life unless I use a harpoon.

dlife · #12 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 08:20 PM

I have been meaning to post this from long time. Check this out, Proteomic Identification of Salivary Biomarkers of Type-2 Diabetes - Journal of Proteome Research (ACS Publications) Apparently, they have succesfully found that tests using saliva or urine samples are far more accurate in detecting BG levels than using blood sample. They also claim to release those testers by the end of this year. Dunno how true it is but let's keep hoping. Btw, I too don't like pricking my fingers..it hurts.

gigiwong · #13 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 10:17 AM

I got the same problem for picking the least favourite finger for testing. I'm also looking forward to the infrared or anyother bloodless glucose meter. I don't mind if its error is a bit more than that of the classic one, since I just want to estimate the BG level anytime I feel I need to (and if the size of that is small and easily portable).

I remembered I've asked my nurse about alternative sites for blood sampling, she answered me very seriously, "other than fingers, you may try toes"...

I thought she's kidding but actually it's what she really suggested......did anyone try their toes? (

to me it's even worse than picking fingers ...)

cheric · #14 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 10:55 AM

WOW! I've never heard of using your toes! Have you tried it??? I would think it would hurt more, but now you have me curious :/

kwlusa · #15 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 11:27 AM

Some good thoughts here. Thank You!

When I hit my forearm I get zilch and I'm a skinny guy. If bloodless doesn't exist yet, I'm sure someone is working on it. Working in our favor is the numbers of diabetics...There's a payday for the inventor..

Keith