This forum really really affirms my thankfulness for the advances since my diagnosis. Little improvements add up to a better quality of life.
I know that the future will continue to snowball with more good stuff for us!
I had the first one in 1983! It was SO much fun! The second one scares me more than the first. At least I knew what was coming. You see the piece of plastic that you put your finger under, they wanted you to change that each time. Funny, I don’t even change the lancet but once per month.
Did anyone use the auto syringe plunger thingy in the early 80s? It was by BD and you would put your syringe into it, ■■■■ it and the it would plunge the syringe into you.
I remember that a doctor told me in the 80s that they were doing tests on a blood sugar meter that worked with infrared. He said they used similair devices to test the ripeness of fruit. He told me that at the same time he said they would have a cure in ten years. I want to know with ALL the huge advancements in medicine why we are still slamming razors into our fingers. You can get oxygen reading with with infrared, why not blood sugars.
And you’re right about the platform - I don’t think we EVER changed mine…
Supposedly, a South Korean company has developed an infrared BG tester that is both reliable and suitable to be manufactured. I’m not holding out too much hope, but I am keeping my fingers crossed…
The auto injectors are still big business–there’s at least seven companies manufacturing them. They make injections pain-free and enable you to inject in places that you could not reach with a pen. I’ve been using the Monoject “Injectomatic” (LOL) for decades. I tried Humalog pen and switched right back to my trusty Injectomatic.
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Ok, this entire thread made my stomach turn, and I have a cold sweat just thinking about it. I thank God or whatever higher being there is that I was diagnosed 2 years ago. If not, I would be dead I for sure. My cousin was diagnosed in the early 90s and HAD to test my blood. Hurt like hell! I couldn’t have handled doing that all the time, and that was much better then everything posted here.
I remember having to use those–and how you had to wait forever for the results. How you had to jam your chubby little finger meat up into the lancet and I’d get all nervous just before it came down on my finger.
Times have changed a bit, but it’s still the same concept!
I will never get that image of the Autolet out of my head. This one was my first, the “Monojector.” I really dont see much difference in modern devices except that the lancet is hidden from view. I suppose it’s less creepy!
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The first time my blood sugar was tested was in 1985 when I was in the delivery suite waiting to have my second baby. I’d been diagnosed with GD but no one had ever suggested I test, and the only testing I got was urine testing at my scheduled OB appointments. I had raging yeast infections the whole time so I must have been spilling sugar–which I do in the mid 200s.
Anyway, the nurse didn’t bother with any device. She just jabbed a plain old lancet into the pad of my finger. OUCH!!!
Oh gosh! I had the first one and it traumatized me badly enough (circa 1982) that I just started jabbing myself with the lancet and forgot the device until around 2002 when I got an soft clix device… lol They were just evil! and as far as jabbing your finger twice I used to hear the click and pull my finger away before the lancet hit the platform, just enough to have it hurt and not get any blood. so yeah, good job on designing that product.
You are so correct!!! When I was first diagnosed the Autoclix was what was available.It bruised my fingers.It was very painful.Now I don’t even feel the pick.The needle goes in as it picks your finger so it is barely touching your finger.
About 1981, the first doctor to tell me about blood testing gave me some long lancet thing to poke my finger tips with. It was just me doing the poking, no spring -loaded device. I hated that and consequently stopped blood testing.
Yes, I would and I have. I first had the Autolet back in the early '80’s, I believe.
It was better than the alternative…those Blades… : (…that they used at the
Hospital. OMG, I hated those things. I thought the Autolet did a pretty Good
job. I didn’t think to look for a different type at that time. Actually, I liked it so
much, I think I still have the Autolet in a box in the basement somewhere. 
Terrie
Oh. My. Gosh. I am so sorry that you had to deal with that. But you’re so brave! And you manually do it… I can see why, but you’re definitely brave. 
Yay new technology!
Yikes! I remember the first one, the guillotine one, from when i was growing up. My mom used that one back in the 80’s. Thank god by the time i got diagnosed they had better options. If i had to use that… ughhh just the thought makes me woozy.
Just looking at those pictures scared me more than watching Saw! I admire you so much for ever being able to use those weapons, agggghhhh!!!
My first meter was made by Ames. It was a Glucometer (I think my mom still has it). I had the first lancing device pictured at top. Ouch !! Glad things have changed. Ketone testing wasn’t much fun either. It felt like a chemistry project. You had a small test tube, certain number of urine drops, certain amt of water, tablets fizzed up, compare color to chart.
I was diagnosed in 87 so I was beyond those mid-evil torture devices. Thank god for technology.
The meter you are talking about is the Glucometer…I remember getting it and that brownish leather case. Wow…how much cheaper they are now…free! But you sure pay for the sticks. But, what would we do without the meters…I would hate to still be testing my urine.
Had the first one when I started with my brick sized Glucometer in 1984. Hurt like hell, took forever to get a reading (and it seemed like a ton of blood) - amazing thing is the test strips were about $1 each - the same cost they are today - 24 years later!!!