Do You Keep Track Of Needlestick Locations Used? | DiabetesTeam

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Do You Keep Track Of Needlestick Locations Used?
A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭

My fingertips are getting sore so I thought of keeping track where I draw blood as to not over use the sites. Do you regularly use other sites? Thanks.

posted March 14, 2022
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A DiabetesTeam Member

No, I have been sticking my left index fingertip almost exclusively for most of the last year.

For the last 6 months I have been sticking 6-9 times daily, if not more.
I use the one touch delica lancing device and needles. I set the lancing device at 2.

It will not work at this setting if I am not properly hydrated. I need to drink 150-250 ounces (4.4-7.4 litres) of water daily, I weigh 178 pounds (80.739 kg).

Otherwise I have to occasionally use my left pointer fingertip.

I feel the stick, but there is little/none lasting soreness. These lancets are the finest I've found.

This is the best solution for me. I am right handed.

Good luck. I wish for you more good days than bad and have many exceptional days too.

I will never give up, never surrender, never ever.
You got this.
Have a blessed day.

posted March 14, 2022
A DiabetesTeam Member

Since I only do two sticks a day I simply alternate between my ring finger (FBS) and middle finger (after meals) always on my left hand.

I do stick them kinda on the (side) half way between the pad and the edge of the nail on that softer piece of skin - read that it doesn't get as irritated/tough as sticking the pad itself.

Seems to work for me.

But yes, dial back your lance to the lowest setting that you still get a good blood drop. For me that's a 3 and still a couple times a week that isn't quite (deep enough) and I have to do a second poke to get a drop.

I consider that "perfect" since about half the time I'm not even sure it fired properly until I see the blood drop.

I don't change my lance until it starts to hurt even though the (guidance) says use it once and throw it out. So if, like me, you don't swap it out often, as soon you start to "feel it" that's maybe a sign to swap it out and I do use the smallest diameter lance that fits my "poker" (0.4 mm).

posted March 14, 2022 (edited)
A DiabetesTeam Member

Use tips of fingers to procure blood ….but only once on any finger per “event.”

As for insulin injection-alternate between lower area of abdomen. If underbelly inflammation incurs on one side-I inject on the opposite side. And so forth….

posted March 14, 2022
A DiabetesTeam Member

I use my pinky fingers more then other. I have Raynaud's so sometimes I need to poke a few times before getting a big enough drop. I do feel the pokes in pniky for sure, I at times use the ring finger also or middle finger if need be. Because I also have Fibro I do feel needle stick even at setting # 1. When my Raynaud's is not acting up I tend to bleed longer also even at setting # 1. I mostly poke my right hand as I am ambidextrous and when eating snacks I use my left hand more often so left chances of cross contamination from my right hand, my right hand is for my computer hand, hence using left hand to eat lol. But at times I do get brusing on my fingers so using 1 finger too often does not help. Also changing sites will help with healing and prevent scaring if always using the same site, the skin may become thick also from frequent poking.

posted March 14, 2022
A DiabetesTeam Member

I will try turning down the dial to 2 from the three that I was using. Also, I will use the micro lancets only. I will also pay attention to my hydration level before meal when I take the blood. Thsnk you so mucj for your help.

posted March 14, 2022

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