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How do you make diabetes testing less painful?

(4 posts)

  1. Courage
    Member

    I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Though... the cut-offs annoy me because using one scale I wouldn't have been diagnosed with GD and the doctor didn't give me good instructions that would have increased the blood sugar level AND they tested on the fingertips instead of taking blood from the arm that would also have increased the number, I'm willing to do home testing and monitor to make sure that even if it is just pre-diabetes it doesn't become a problem.

    The thing is... after today and having 4 fingers pricked, my fingers HURT. I'll admit it, I'm scared to prick my fingers. Add into this the doctor saying he believes I'll need insulin shots and I don't think I can do it. Does anyone have any tricks to get through this?

    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. lulu
    Member

    Well, I know my situation is somewhat different from yours, but I might be able to help. I have been a diabetic for nearly ten years, and the finger pricking does hurt for a bit, but you might also use a pricker that has different dials of how deep the lancet will go into your finger. Seeing as you haven't been pricking your finger that long, use the lowest number on the pricker, and hold it softly to your fingers, and not particularly forcefully(this will force the lancet even deeper). This might help, but over time, your finger tips will callous and the pricking will be a lot less painful. As for the shots, some things like holding a frozen spoon to the skin to numb it a bit, or pinching the area before the shot, sometimes can help the pain. I hope this helped some!

    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. Miz Lamb
    Member

    31 gauge lancet tips help the most!! the higher the number the finer the needle or wire. 31s are almost invisible.

    prick on the sides of the pad, not in the middle or on the end of the finger. less nerves to hit that way.

    finger tip testing is a snapshot in time, it is right now accurate if a good meter is used.

    Meters are not guarenteed to be more than partially accurate. You are correct that blood draw would have been much better and much more accurate.

    Yes, you can do the insulin injections if you tell yourself it is for the health of your baby! If they are necessary that is. Insist before doing the insulin that the doctor does HbA1c blood draw testing.

    All this is really necessary for the health and happiness of your baby! Please get that in your mind.

    Also go get a copy of South Beach Living from the library and read the part on phase 2 of the food plan and eat accordingly. It is low carb, sufficient protein and fats. It will help you and the baby and maybe keep you from doing the insulin you are so afraid of. (you can always inject into the side of your thigh rather than like me and do belly stabs. but I am a grandma now)

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. dingding
    Member

    Make sure you're pricking the SIDE of the fingertip, not right on top - way too many nerve endings on the tip. Also, there should be a dial on your lancet device so you can adjust the penetration of the lancet. Take it down as far as possible while still giving you a decent sample of blood. "Milking" your finger before you stick it will often help the blood come out easier. BG testing is a hassle and occasionally mild discomfort just as you stick it, but it shouldn't hurt.

    As for insulin, your body needs what it needs. Don't think of this as a failure on your part...you just don't make enough insulin anymore and you need it to live. Insulin injections are usually pain-free, though a bit nervewracking to get used to. Have them give you some sample syringes so you can practice injecting into an orange. The orange peel is a similar consistency to subcutaneous fat tissue so it will be good practice for you. After a few months if it's going well, you may be able to switch to an insulin pump. They are wonderful, and you only have to stick yourself once every 3 days. You'll still have to test your BG several times a day, but you won't have to do the daily shots.

    Posted 2 years ago #

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