I use the One Touch Delica lancing device, and I have only had diabetes for 2 months. The first month and a half, I found that I could poke any finger and blood would come out, and now, I literally have to poke every finger twice before any blood comes out! My fingers are not calloused or anything yet, and sometimes it hurts soo much, and still nothing comes out! I think the spring may be going in my device, but that doesnt seem right after only two months! I have it set at a depth of 3, and I tried going to 4 once and I almost died it hurt so much! I definantly think finger pricking hurts more than needles, and I HATE the needles. Does anyone else have this device, and are having the same issues? Also, what device do you think is the best, and hurts the least? Thanks!
How often are you changing the lancets? Unless you have heavily calloused hands you shouldn’t need to set the depth to 3 a couple of months in.
Maurie
I had a similar problem a few years ago, and when I checked with the person that set me up with the lancing device, they taught me how to squeeze the finger tip to bring out the blood. I would suggest you check with whoever provided you with it to check that it is working properly for they seem to be somewhat cheaply made, and ask them to go through the routine with you again. A good phlebotomist could also, be helpful here. A phlebotomist often uses a disposable pricking device instead of the lancing device.
You might need to rethink your methods. Wash your hands with warm water and soap. Dry them meticulously. Then start by massaging your palm towards your finger, with your hands down.
Put the lancet on 3 with a new lancet and then pump some more until your finger feels engorged with blood. I suspect you are not hitting the right part of your finger - believe me I have had nurses doing it on the very tips, on the pad, one even did in right by the nail bed. All of these hurt! The best part to do it is on the side of the pad, to either side of the thickest part of your finger. The nearer you get to the middle or tip, it hurts.
Take a deep breath and prick. If you do it in the right place it should not hurt. You may feel a “smack” but no more and blood should come out. When you have pricked and there is insufficient blood, just keep massaging your palm, again towards the finger and enough should come out.
There is a finger pricker that has little hard beads on the end. You need to press these hard into the side of your finger where you are going to prick. It provides just enough distraction to prevent any pain.
Usually, (I use one that came with my freestyle meter but I LOVED the one that came with my wavesense meter) I would say that 2 will suffice for a finger that isn’t calloused and 3 for one that is. 4 if it is VERY calloused. Are you pressing it to your finger or just holding it against it. You may need to actually press it to your finger. And hang your hand down and let blood rush to it for a couple seconds before you use the lancet. Also, I like to prick the side of my finger tip, not the actual middle inside because it hurts a lot less, you have less nerves there.
Hang in there; I’ve had t1 Diabetes for about 8-9 months now and the poking, pricking, and sticking literally does not bother me anymore. You will get used to it; promise. You’ll find a way that works perfect for you!
You shouldn’t have to change the lancet every time you test. It’s a waste. Some people say you should, like a needle, and some say you shouldn’t. But, in the health care field and along agreeing with my doctor, its not actually entering your subcutaneous tissue like a needle is. As long as your hands are clean you can use one lancet for up to a week before I say you should change it, and that is mainly due to dullness.
Good luck!
All of the One Touch lancing devices hurt me. I use the multi-clix by Accu-Check. 6 years in & I just dialed it up to 1 a few months ago, not because I needed to, but because on .5 I had to work a little to get the blood out, & on 1, I just have to press a little to get a nice drop. No pain. & yeah I change the lancet when it stars bouncing off lol
As others have suggested, try washing your hands with warm water & shaking them a little to get the blood into you fingertips. I find I have to stab a few times when my hands are cold. Go to the side of the pads of your fingers, not directly on the pads, & not up on the very tips. The more you have to squeeze to get a blood drop, the more interstitial fluid will be in it & the less accurate it’ll be.
Good luck!
Hooray for the Multi-Clix! Of all the ones I’ve used, or had used on me at the doctor’s office, this is by far the least painful & easy to use. I use it on a setting of 3, but I have pretty thick skin due to playing Bass for a number of years. I do change the lancet almost every time. It seems to be less painful that way. I once used the same one for about 8 sticks, and it was definitely more painful by the end. I think its because the lancets in this device are so small, they dull quickly. Also, make sure your hands are warm. That surely helps also.
I use the BD lancing device with their thinnest gauge lancets. It has a very gentle but effective action
I can’t use the Delica. It never gets any blood out for me. But my fingers are pretty calloused at this point. I use the regular pricker that comes with one touch meters. I do have a lot of trouble getting blood out if my hands are cold. Sometimes, I find running them in warm water before poking helps.
I use the One Touch thing that came with my Ultra Mini Meters, set to 8. I usually change the lancet each tube of strips as it seems to work better that way. I don’t wash my hands that much either, unless I’ve been eating with them and am concerned about food getting into the test results.
I use the Accu-Chec SoftClix. It uses a proprietary lancet and it seems to hurt less and cause less callous buildup. I test 5 to 7 times a day and use only 2 fingers. Use the sides of you fingertips as they have less nerve endings and the skin tends to be thinner there. I always wash and let my fingers sit under warm water for a little while. Holding your hand below you waist for a second or two helps prime the pump.