Julie-

 

Hello! You are not alone. There are a lot of people we hate testing their bg's because of the same phobia you have.  I would recommend placing your lancet device on the lowest setting. AS my mom would say "lol, it won't hurt". I use to actually take the needle it self and poke my finger. I didn't like using the lancet device because of the fear of the unknown.  I use the lancet device now, after 4 years...Good luck

 

Cherise

Community Moderator

JUST THINK IF YOU DON'T. IT COULD BE THE INSLIN NEEDLE. THAT'S BIGGER

Julie

 

First of all I understand where you are coming from I has a similar experience albeit briefly.  I am a type 2 diabetic but when I went in th hospitakl at my initial diagnosis ,y blood glucose level was 1398.  Just a little high!  When I was leaving the hospital 4 days later the doctore told my wife that was the highest level she had seen on admittance who lived.  That really got to me and I have tried to keep it under control and the only way to do that is to know what your blood sugar levels are.  Your life ultimately depends on it!  That being said  is it the pain of the prick or the sight of blood?  I did not and don't like needles but a person has to do what they have to do.  If its the pin prick make sure the lancet is new and find a lancing device that is most comfotable for you.  I use the softclix lancing device thats detachable from my meter the new compact plus by accu-chek.  I have tried other meters  and the compact plus I have used longer than any other.  I test on my fingers but all meters these days come with a different end piece that allows testing on the forearm and other areas of the body that have fewer nerve endings.

 

The bottom line is you have got to do it whether you want to or not The consequences of not being in control of your diabetes is that diabetes will control you and your life and make your life worse.  You just have to get in the habit of doing it until it becomes a habit.  Your just have to do it. 

 

Jeff

Yes, I have an answer.  If you press your finger onto a table so you are almost on the side of your fingernail and then press the lancer hard against the other side of your finger, you will hardly feel the lance at all.  When you squeeze your finger you will be amazed at the blood that will mound up right away.

I find that placing my finger on a table or desk, positioning the lancing device (don't press down hard), taking 3 deep breaths, then push the button helps me. The deep breathing calms me down, the table stabilizes my finger so it won't pull away. I hate needles and sticks but this works for me.

It's really not that bad - I've stuck myself much worse with a needle while sewing on a button!   If you can inject yourself, just grin and bear it.   Liz

I did the same thing for the first couple of tries.

 

Try testing on your forearm, it doesn't hurt nearly as much. I hope you have a meter that allows forearm testing, because it really helps. I have arthritis and testing on my fingers is just too painful.

 

I did some comparison testing when I first got diagnosed, and my forearm numbers always seem to run about 1.5 mmol/L units higher than my finger test shows, anytime that my blood sugar is falling. That means that if my blood sugar is getting low, and I do a test on my forearm, the reading I get is about 1.5 points lower than the reading I would get if I had done the test on my fingers. I got these results consistently over many trials, so I know I can rely on these numbers. It may take about 10 to 15 minutes for the blood in your forearm to have the same reading as the blood in your fingers. The hands have a fresher blood supply. That's why your supposed to test on your fingers. You can also test on the side of the hand that runs between the base of the pinky finger and the wrist, and also the base of the thumb.

 

One important step to forearm testing, is to rub your arm a minute before you take the test, so that there is fresh blood in the area before you use the lancet.

 

I use a Freestyle meter and also a One Touch meter, both of which allow forearm testing. I prefer the Freestyle, because it uses a much smaller sample.

 

You can see a diagram with the testing sites for the Freestyle meter marked on it in blue. Freestyle can be used in several places, not just the hands and forearms.

http://abbottdiabetescare.com/adc_dotcom/url/content/en_US/20.10.7:7/general_content/General_Content_0000002.htm

Many lancing device have a adjusting dial on it for comfort. I would start with the lowest dial and push the device. It probably won't give you any or enough blood but at least it helps with the testing technique. As you get used to the lowest dial increase in increments of one until enough blood is obtained to test. Be sure to switch fingers to avoid any sensitivity.

Another posssibility is to test on your arm, stomach, leg etc. You may not feel any pain at all or the pain will be minor. You the same process as identified above until you are comfortable with it.

Your last resort is to have someone else such as a family member or friend push the button for you.

Julie,  I`m here to tell you that you need to look into some other devices.  I have

Have you got a booklet with your meter or was it given to you?  The Accu-Chek Aviva meter was free to me and the lancet device, Accu-Chek Multiclix is the best one I`ve ever used.  It`s virtully pain free, but it does make a "clik" when you do it.  The error messages you can look up in the back of your pamplet or just call the number on the back of your meter and a customer service person will help you.  They are very good at what they do and real nice to talk to.  AS far as getting the drop, try rubbing your hands very fast together untill thier very warm and make sure you wash in warm soapy water, not just because of germs but because food particals or debrie on your hands.  I hope this helps.  Maybe you could send for different meters to try out.

How about having someone push the button for you. I did that for a short while but finally realized it was my responsibility to do it. Thats when I just started doing it myself. Now it is as easy as can be.

Good luck to you.

Try taking the lancet out of the device and poking your finger yourself. Its much easier and it doesn't hurt..I promise. I've been doing this for 34yrs. Although I do use a device now with no problem.

Take a couple of slow, relaxing breaths. Start with the shallowest poke. If that doesn't get anything, move it one notch. I hate doing it but we all have to. My sister in law just had a heart attack. She's a non-smoker, non-drinker, not overweight, and gets plenty of rest. She's only 64. She hasn't been monitoring her blood sugar. The docs said the attack was strictly from the diabetes. I am finding it easier to poke myself and eat better since she almost died. Consider the consequences of not keeping track and you might lose that fobia.

 

Relax and good luck.

Get a meter that has a Lancing device that lets you test on your arm.  There's little to no pain and the readings are the same.  Saves your fingers and your sanity.

I understand COMPLETELY!! I had the same problem when I first started having to check my blood. This may sound crazy, least it did to my friends, but it was easier for me to take the cover off the lancet and just stick myself with the needle. I had a terrible fear of using the device and pushing that button. No Way!!  Eventually, I started leaving the cover on the lancet device and setting it to where it just barely broke the skin and then taking it a notch up to where it would draw blood but not hurt. Even now tho, pushing that button, is a close my eyes and hold my breath experience. Good Luck!

I still flinch and close my eyes everytime I do it.  Turn your head the other way too, helps.

I too had this phoebe, I use to pass right out if I even got my blood taken. I had someone else give me my shots for a while. But the finger poke I just turned my head away and did it. Once I did it I could put the blood on the stripe and I was fine. If you look on the back of your meter it should have a (1800) number to call they can upgrade you for free. Another good meter is the Freestyle lite meter it uses the smallest blood sample.

Julie: Instead of using the device, try just using the lancet. They are sharp enough that barely touching your finger should get enough blood for your meter to read.