Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 It's easy to use the same lancet many times. However, I for one can tell that it's time to change it after a few uses. I get infection very easily. I don't know if it's because I have a zooful of animals and even though I use peroxide to wash it seems like I get infected bumps on my fingers. My endocrinologist said to use a new lancet each time. --moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 Dear Sam, I don't know why. I am on Wayfarin or Coumadin for my artificial heart so don't know if that's what infects me or what. Some times I cannot even get any blood at all for tests. I get so angry when I don't get enough blood and have to waste a strip. I try not to let my husband know. He gets very angry!! I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing blood to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. Anyone have ideas??? --moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 , I don't know whether it is the type of lancet or not. I use the B & D ultrafine 111, they hurt less, bleed better, heal faster. I try not to stick working surfaces of my fingers, using the sides. I hole a paper towel to wipe any excess, and stanch the flow of blood for the meter reading time. I clot well, clean my hands before metering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 , I know a fellow on coumadin, and his blood runs over his finger so it is hard to control. I grasp the stuck finger with the thumb of that hand, and between thumb and finger of the other hand, and squeeze it to express blood. If not enough, it let the finger fill with blood and do it again. Regards, sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 I keep a very small container filled with alcohol and keep the lancet in this between uses, even if I am going to use it just 2 hours later. Bacteria can start to multiply in that amount of time and when you use it, if it weren't stored in alcohol, the bacteria can be injected into your system. Be careful! Has anyone ever reused syringes? It sounds scary to me. I read that if you clean the needle, the alcohol will ruin the slick coating that makes it go in easier? Anyone tried it? Thanks, Dede Re: Changing lancets >From: petra@... > >It's easy to use the same lancet many times. However, I for one can >tell that it's time to change it after a few uses. I get infection very >easily. I don't know if it's because I have a zooful of animals and >even though I use peroxide to wash it seems like I get infected bumps on >my fingers. >My endocrinologist said to use a new lancet each time. > >--moderator > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 My monitor came with a lancet pen that had different 'caps'. The different ones let you puncture at different depths. Perhaps you need a deeper puncture. If you can't get this, try pushing a little harder on the pen before you release the lancet, this will give you the same effect (although it may hurt a little more). I do this with two of my fingers that seem a little resistant. Good luck!, Dede Re: Changing lancets >From: petra@... > >Dear Sam, > > I don't know why. I am on Wayfarin or Coumadin for my artificial heart >so don't know if that's what infects me or what. >Some times I cannot even get any blood at all for tests. I get so angry >when I don't get enough blood and have to waste a strip. I try not to >let my husband know. He gets very angry!! > I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing blood >to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. > Anyone have ideas??? >--moderator > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 >Message: 5 > Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 00:37:59 +0000 > From: petra@... >Subject: Re: Changing lancets > >Dear Sam, > > I don't know why. I am on Wayfarin or Coumadin for my artificial heart >so don't know if that's what infects me or what. >Some times I cannot even get any blood at all for tests. I get so angry >when I don't get enough blood and have to waste a strip. I try not to >let my husband know. He gets very angry!! > I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing blood >to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. > Anyone have ideas??? >--moderator Try putting your hand in some warm water (then completely drying the hand) first. Warmth tends to increase blood flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 At 12:37 AM 10/5/99 +0000,petra@... you wrote: > I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing > blood >to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. > Anyone have ideas??? How about try to massage the finger spot for few time before pricking, and it work for me every time. I hope this help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 At 08:55 AM 10/5/99 +0300,Mumina you wrote: >Has anyone ever reused syringes? It sounds scary to me. I read that if you >clean the needle, the alcohol will ruin the slick coating that makes it go >in easier? Anyone tried it? Nope.. I never try it yet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 Sure. My CDE told me it was OK. I use the plastic disposable syringes. She said I didn't need to use alcohol beforehand. I don't share syringes. She said the reason you'd to throw out the disposable syringes is when they get too dull. No sense in hurting yourself. Just try it and see. Each evening I mix my two syringes of insulin with the right mix of R and N for each dose. The one for the evening goes in the pocket of my blue insulin portable bag, the other lies on top of the insulin bottles and the needle clipper. I inject with the loose one in the morning. If the needle was dull (it took time to go in), I clip the syringe needle when through, put am empty syringe in the bad and put the used syringe in my disposable box. A syringe usually lasts two or three days for me. Diabetes is easier to manage when you set up a routine. Syringe reusing is cheaper as well. <G> Pat Re: Changing lancets > > >At 08:55 AM 10/5/99 +0300,Mumina you wrote: >>Has anyone ever reused syringes? It sounds scary to me. I read that if you >>clean the needle, the alcohol will ruin the slick coating that makes it go >>in easier? Anyone tried it? > >Nope.. I never try it yet... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 One of the preliminary exercises in my t'ai chi class is to rub the palms of the hands together vigorously (fingers facing downward) - it stimulates the circulation. With our warmed hands we massage our knees, legs, lower back, kidneys, etc. The exercise should work for finger pricking as well. I don't seem to have the problem using my Accu-Check meter which requires very little blood. - Pat Re: Changing lancets > > >At 12:37 AM 10/5/99 +0000,petra@... you wrote: >> I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing >> blood >>to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. >> Anyone have ideas??? > >How about try to massage the finger spot for few time before pricking, and it >work for me every time. I hope this help... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 , try using a little Polysporin for the infection or some Dermal Therapy finger care so keep your finger tips in good condition. fp Re: Changing lancets >From: petra@... > >It's easy to use the same lancet many times. However, I for one can >tell that it's time to change it after a few uses. I get infection very >easily. I don't know if it's because I have a zooful of animals and >even though I use peroxide to wash it seems like I get infected bumps on >my fingers. >My endocrinologist said to use a new lancet each time. > >--moderator > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 , be sure to try the Glucometer Elite by Bayer, they require the smallest amount of blood for the test and is very accurate and can be computerized, fp Re: Changing lancets >From: petra@... > >Dear Sam, > > I don't know why. I am on Wayfarin or Coumadin for my artificial heart >so don't know if that's what infects me or what. >Some times I cannot even get any blood at all for tests. I get so angry >when I don't get enough blood and have to waste a strip. I try not to >let my husband know. He gets very angry!! > I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing blood >to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. > Anyone have ideas??? >--moderator > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 Yup Dede, I used to reuse 'em all the time till they started getting dull. Never had a problem. Fp Re: Changing lancets > > >>From: petra@... >> >>It's easy to use the same lancet many times. However, I for one can >>tell that it's time to change it after a few uses. I get infection very >>easily. I don't know if it's because I have a zooful of animals and >>even though I use peroxide to wash it seems like I get infected bumps on >>my fingers. >>My endocrinologist said to use a new lancet each time. >> >>--moderator >> >>> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 Diabetes often causes poor circulation in the extremeties (fingers, toes, etc.). I once saw a nurse spend half an hour trying to get blood out of the fingers of an 85 year old brittle diabetic. I got plenty in 5 seconds - from his earlobe. Try this if you're tired of pincushion fingers. :-)) Regards, Kramer > > >At 12:37 AM 10/5/99 +0000,petra@... you wrote: >> I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing >> blood >>to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. >> Anyone have ideas??? > >How about try to massage the finger spot for few time before pricking, and it >work for me every time. I hope this help... > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 Mumina wrote: > > > I keep a very small container filled with alcohol and keep the lancet in > this between uses, even if I am going to use it just 2 hours later. I use the lancets without disinfection until they are dull enough to cause discomfort. No problems yet. > Has anyone ever reused syringes? It sounds scary to me. I read that if you > clean the needle, the alcohol will ruin the slick coating that makes it go > in easier? Anyone tried it? Don't know about a slick coating. I keep the needle covered and use it until it becomes uncomfortable. Soaking in alcohol takes the numbers off the barrel of the syringe. I mix H and N in the same syringe and haven't had any problems that way either. -- Bob Litty rdlitty@... littyrd@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 Meenie - I think you hit the nail on the head, here. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies don't want to advocate re-using lancets or needles because of exposure. Sure, most of us do re-use with no complication. Unfortunately, we live in such a litigious society, some people are just laying in wait, trying to find someone to sue so they can live a life of leisure. in Cincinnati << I think the doctors have to say that cause they don't want to be responsible if you were to get an infection. I don't change my lancet til I can feel a difference ... I don't use peroxide or anything on it either altho I do wash my skin well before using it. I've never had a problem with infection - maybe Im just lucky Meenie >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 The new device is called Vaculance. Here's the website, for anyone interested. <A HREF= " http://kwd.org/d_06_2aa.htm " >children with DIABETES - Microlet Vaculance</A> (or for the hyperlink impaired: http://kwd.org/d_06_2aa.htm in Cincinnati << That's right, Sam. I just couldn't seem to think of vacuum. Maybe it reminded me of vacuum cleaner and WORK, LOL. At 06:24 PM 10/5/99 -0700, you wrote: > > >, I think the device uses a vacuum to draw a portion of the body up into a bulge, lances it, >and draws the blood up, then it may be applied to the test tape. if I'm wrong I'm sorry, sam >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 Dear Meenie, Sam, and others who've written about my not being able to get blood. Thank You all for your concern and ideas. You should see the nurses when they try to get blood in the hospital. Everybody runs from the room when they see me coming. I don't understand why I am so difficult! I know what Wayfarin is, and I don't like having it in my body. But, that is what they say I have to take for my heart. Truth is, I don't bleed much even when I do get hurt. Just get sores that mostly get infected. Why????????????????????? I appreciate all your kind Emails. -moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 I find that if I squeeze the finger for 10 seconds before sticking it, I get better blood flow - also don't feel any pain from the prick. Meenie Re: Changing lancets > > >, I know a fellow on coumadin, and his blood runs over his finger so it is hard to control. I >grasp the stuck finger with the thumb of that hand, and between thumb and finger of the other hand, >and squeeze it to express blood. If not enough, it let the finger fill with blood and do it again. >Regards, sam > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 Wow, , If you are on Warfarin you should get more blood, not less. (btw, did you know that warfarin is the main ingredient for most rat poisons? It doesn't actually " poison " the rat, the high dose of warfarin makes the blood so thin the critter actually bleeds to death) Meenie Re: Changing lancets >From: petra@... > >Dear Sam, > > I don't know why. I am on Wayfarin or Coumadin for my artificial heart >so don't know if that's what infects me or what. >Some times I cannot even get any blood at all for tests. I get so angry >when I don't get enough blood and have to waste a strip. I try not to >let my husband know. He gets very angry!! > I try to prep my fingers with letting them hang down or pressing blood >to the surface before pricking. But still get little blood. > Anyone have ideas??? >--moderator > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 I think the doctors have to say that cause they don't want to be responsible if you were to get an infection. I don't change my lancet til I can feel a difference ... I don't use peroxide or anything on it either altho I do wash my skin well before using it. I've never had a problem with infection - maybe Im just lucky Meenie Re: Changing lancets >From: petra@... > >It's easy to use the same lancet many times. However, I for one can >tell that it's time to change it after a few uses. I get infection very >easily. I don't know if it's because I have a zooful of animals and >even though I use peroxide to wash it seems like I get infected bumps on >my fingers. >My endocrinologist said to use a new lancet each time. > >--moderator > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 I always change it on my birthday, LOL. otherwise, never unless it starts feeling dull. Meenie Changing lancets > > >I dun't know how long, I go through at least 25 tapes before changing them. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 At 06:57 AM 10/5/99 -0400, Vorenberg you wrote: >time to go in), I clip the syringe needle when through, put am empty syringe >in the bad and put the used syringe in my disposable box. A syringe usually >lasts two or three days for me. Diabetes is easier to manage when you set >up a routine. Syringe reusing is cheaper as well. <G> Pat I might give it a try... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 1999 Report Share Posted October 6, 1999 , I think the device uses a vacuum to draw a portion of the body up into a bulge, lances it, and draws the blood up, then it may be applied to the test tape. if I'm wrong I'm sorry, sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.