Jean in Newcastle Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 I've been testing my bloodsugar now about 4x a day for the last couple of weeks. The biggest pain is not the needle poke but that half the time the place on my fingers or thumb will not bleed! I end up squeezng my fingers trying to get something to come out, and often have to abandon that finger to try again somewhere else. And just because I got blood in one place previously doesn't mean that I'll get any a subsequent time. Any advice or tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Have you tried warming up the hand/finger before trying to take the blood sample? I remember them doing that when dd was newborn and being teseted for jaundice(only in her case it was the foot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Hot water/hot compress. Sometimes the skin is just to thick too. Anyway, warm the area really good before pricking. If that doesn't work try the toe and forearm. :) Always clean and use hot water/compress to bring the blood to the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 that stinks! I went through that with my mom all the time. It's really awful! :grouphug: I'd try the hot compresses but I'd also just let your arm hang down low for as long as you can, straight down, and then try again. Do you need to test it four times per day? That's a lot. Also, did you know they have meters that can read your blood sugar and you don't need to use needles? They're kind of like wearing a wrist watch. I don't know if they're accurate but it would be worth looking into...:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnlvr Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 You can also buy different lancets, too. They come in different depths. Bcn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 I would get deeper lancets and warm up first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 My daughter uses the Mulitclix on the highest setting and pokes between 10-15 times a day. She is able to get blood. Make sure you are poking at the sides of the fingers and not directly on the tips and that your setting is high enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 I have better luck testing on my forearm, have you tried different locations? As long as you are consistent about the location, you can test anywhere you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Are you dehydrated? If you drink coffee or soda pop that can affect you as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 DH says many of the above: warm or hot water, deeper lancet, etc. He adds dangling your hands and shaking them, and relaxing (because stressing can close the capillaries). He's been dibetic about twelve years, and used to have more "didn't bleeds." Now they are getting rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 My mom pokes on the top of her fore-arm. She gets tired of poor fingers as she has extremely sensitive finger tips and she never seems to fail to get enough blood and that is with the lancet on it's shallowest setting. I think the blood vessels are fairly close to the top of the skin in that area of the body. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 23, 2011 Author Share Posted July 23, 2011 Thank you for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 DH says many of the above: warm or hot water, deeper lancet, etc. He adds dangling your hands and shaking them, and relaxing (because stressing can close the capillaries). :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 My lancing device is adjustable. If I'm not getting blood, I turn it to the next "larger" setting and that typically solves the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.