new here/to Sandy

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy --

I have a few tips for you.

The kits that you're given have the standard lancets, and if your doc

wrote a prescription for lancets they are most likely the one you are

given. Part of the fear of sticking your finger for the blood sample

is the fear of pain. The pain is decreased noticeably -- but not

completely -- by using a thinner lancet. The standard ones made me

jump every time, but the super thin (30 gauge) lancets hardly hurt at

all.

Another tip: your lancet device has several settings on it for depth

of penetration of the lancet. 1, or the number on the left, is the

shallowest. I find 3 to be the best for me; just the right amount of

blood for the sample. You'll find which one works best for you.

To get a good sample, let your arm hang down for a minute so the

blood flows to your fingers. Don't use an alcohol swab, just wash

with plain soap and warm water before testing. And you can 'milk'

your hand from the elbow down for good blood flow. Make sure,

whether you do use alcohol or soap that your hands/fingers are dry

before testing.

And re-using lancets isn't a bright idea. cleaning them with alcohol

can deteriorate the coating on the lancet and cause pain or

infection. Besides that, they're really not that expensive; why take

the chance?

Oh, and if you're out and about and need to test, by all means NEVER

test in a public bathroom. Unsanitary as all get out!!

Please do start testing. I know it's a little frightening, but

believe it or not it will become second nature in no time.

Let us know how you do, and please keep asking; we're happy to help.

Hugs,

Type 2 Oct. 2003

diet and exercise

(got my bp taken today: 100/66!!)

[Guest guest]

> And re-using lancets isn't a bright idea. cleaning them with

alcohol

> can deteriorate the coating on the lancet and cause pain or

> infection. Besides that, they're really not that expensive; why

take

>>>>>>>>>>.

I reuse my lancet all the time. I don't clean it, it just stays in

the lancet device and goes back inot the pouch I use to hold

everything. Since I " m the only person that uses it, it's my germs on

it.

It isn't the money that keeps me from changing itmore often, it's the

hassle of changing it. Add a bunch of time to the test to unscrew

the device, properly dispose of the lancet, but another in, etc.

I use one for a while, hard to say how long, and then change it.

Maybe a week or so.

I've never heard of anyone getting an infection from reusing their

own lancets. Of course if someone else wants me to test their blood,

I put in a new lancet for them and then again form me.

Delia