Does everyone use there finger tips to test blood sugars? I like my arm but my Doctor said no use your finger tips.But it hurts…Any tips? Thanks! Also I keep my insulin in the fridge except for the bottle im using now is that ok?
First about the insulin-- yes that is fine! I do the same.
The finger tips are supposedly more accurate than other places that you could test. I have found that what makes the BIGGEST difference is which lancet you use. I have found one that hardly hurts me at all. It is called “Softclix”. There is a newer similar one called “Multiclix”. They cost 20-40 dollars, but if you can get a free Accu-chek meter, the meter usually comes with one of these. To check out a current offer that comes with a Multiclix lancet device, click here.
Also, if it hurts a lot, try lower the strenghth of the poke on your current lancet device. When I poke, I do it so that it doesn’t poke too deeply. At first I don’t get any blood, but then if i squeeze my finger a little, a drop comes out!
I have always used my finger tips because i got bruises when i tested on my arms.
I went to that site and ordered a free meter. Thank you so much!
Hi, I am with Kristen on this one. After awhile the pain doesn’t seem so bad on your fingers, and they are sure handy and according to research, pretty accurate! Keep up the good work ladies…
Cheers
Hey Diane:
Long time (ha!) no hear from! Hope you have been doing well since we last “talked.”
I AM WITH THE OTHERS, TOO!!! I have two different sources … me and my DR. I have personally found that the alternative site tests were almost 30-40 points higher than the fingers. The DR explained it had something to do with …er, I can’t remember the technical explanation!!! Old Timer’s Disease!
Also, I have 3 (count them … 1, 2, 3) multiclix pens and I LOVE and ADORE them. Just for the convenience of the lancets being in a drum and not having to fuss with replacing them every time. Get real … who really ever changes them each time? By the way, I don’t even feel testing anymore.
I also love the Accuchek Compact Plus meter. Although it doesn’t come with the multiclix. This meter is the cat’s pajamas because the test strips are in a drum, too.
Also, a note from the vampire tech at the ER … using alcohol wipes can cause a change in the BG result. They are now recommending just a good washing. Don’t use the bottled hand cleaners as they contain alcohol … which affects the BG reading.
Whew! That’s a lot for me to remember. If I can be of further assistance, madam, please contact me at customer service!!!
Lois La Rose
SAmeas others–keep the vial/pen I am using out and the rest in the fridge—my endo says if you are going to give insulin use the fniger–otherwise alternate sitre ok–like CGMS about 15 min behind
as afar as lancing the renew lancer --odd looking-is the one I have founnd to be the best-you can get a free one to try–my BCBS insurance even covers them (big surprise–they usually fight over everything)
Thank you so much! Take Care!
Thank you so much!
I didn’t learn as much as I should have, when I was diagnosed, but I was told by the nurse to use the sides of my fingers for blood sugar testing. She said there were fewer nerve endings there. Hope that helps.
i test on my finger tips but i have tried doing it on my arm and i totally agree that testing on my finger tips does hurt
I use my fingertips. I never tried using my arm though
Veronica is right!! I forgot about that. I use the sides as well and it is noticably less painful.
Insulin in the fridge is OK. Just don’t let it freeze.
Finger tips are by far the most reliable for your current bg. I have a system. First of all, I don’t use the pads, the part that is touching the keys as I type this. I use the sides, just to the left and right of the nail. Then I keep alternating fingers. I use my pinkies on Sunday and Thursday, my ring fingers on Monday and Friday, my long (middle) fingers on Tuesday and Saturday and my index fingers on Wednesday. Sometines, when I have to test more than four times, I just try to miss the earlier hole.
I’ve been testing for more than fifty years but only the last twenty or so with bg monitors. One of the side affects of diabetes, neuropathy, has nicely deadened the feeling in my hands. You can usually find a bright side to each trouble.
Sorry, Lois, but I use a new lancet for every test. But then Medicare is picking up the tab. 
YUP!
Renee:
Kids often teach us many things. Out of the mouths of babes … I also forgot about how hard it was for me to get blood from other sites. A couple of times, when I was in rehab (from double DVTs behind the knees), I was joking around with a nurse and told him to take it out of my toes because I wasn’t coming out from under the blankets in my cold room. You know, he said it was perfecly proper … and did it!
Lois La Rose
It also seems to me that it doesn’t hurt as bad on the pointer and middle finger as it does on others and using the sides is a great tip. The ends hurts like the devil. Hope you find what works best for you and is pain-free.
I only use my arms and will not go to the fingers, just my choice. But I didn’t test BGs for over 40 years due to that. The fingers are more painful and in the arms, near the elbows you feel almost nothing. Also, unless you type with your elbows that testing won’t interfere with work either.
I would second Kristin, the Softclix does seem to hurt less. The lancets are a proprietary design and will not interchange with standard lancets, They are priced about the same as standard lancets so the only downfall is the price of the device itself. I also believe they cause less build up of calluses on my fingers, I can get by with only using 2 fingers, even though I test 7 to 10 times a day.