[Diabetes-talk] getting blood on to the strip

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Ronit,

I have been diabetic for twenty-five years, and up until eight years
ago, I was sighted.  I have always had to squeeze my finger to produce
blood to the surface, and when at the doctors office, they squeeze as
well when testing me.  So I think it is a natural thing to have to
squeeze your finger a bit.

I direct the strip to the place where I can feel the sensation of the
prick since this is where the blood will be.  Sometimes, I can feel the
blood, but not always, but I focus on where I can feel the pricked part
of my finger.

With the Prodigy, I have found that slowly sliding my finger from one
side to the other usually helps draw the blood into the tiny groove in
the strip.

It may take some practice, but you will get it.  I, and many others on
this list, have lived independently with diabetes as blind people.  It
takes patience and practice, but you will find the techniques that work
for you, and soon you will be doling out the advice too!  *smile*

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynn Baillif
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:50 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] getting blood on to the strip



Hello Everyone,
I wanted to introduce myself and add to the advice for Ronit.  My name
is Lynn Baillif.  I am a blind dietitian and certified diabetes educator
from Maryland.  I have been a memeber of the list in the past, and have
just rejoined.  

Ronit, you have received great advice already.  I'll just add my two
cents.  Be sure that your lancing device is set deep enough to get a
good blood drop.  Try setting it in the middle and the next time you
check your sugar set it lower.  Your goal is to set as low as possible
whild still getting a good blood drop.  Before you poke your finger, try
holding your arm down by your side with your fingers pointing towards
the floor.  Shake your hand for about 30 seconds to allow the blood to
pool in your finger tips.  After you have a blood drop, you may find it
useful to use your other hand to turn your meter on its side and hold it
steady on a table or other flat surface.  Turn your finger so the blood
sample faces the strip and then move your finger to the strip.  This
technique gives your more room to move your finger around the strip
without smearing it on the table.  
Wish you well,
Lynn  
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 20:06:22 -0800
> From: "Ronit Ovadia Mazzoni" <rovadia82 at gmail.com>
> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Hello and question about finger pricking
> Message-ID:
> <8FA0FD6A29A44EB891C7E6C6CB9C8663 at RONITLAP>
> Content-Type: text/plain;   
> charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hello all,
> My name is Ronit and I have just been diagnosed with gestational 
> diabetes. I am required to test my blood glucose four times a day. I
> have purchased the
> prodigy voice glucose meter and am having trouble with afew
> aspects of the
> pricking part. I Hope some of you can help me.
> 
> When I prick myself with the lancing device, I usually have to squeeze

> my finger to get blood. I usually don't know how much blood is
> on the tip of my
> finger so when I Try to touch my finger to the test strip,
> it doesn't always
> work. How can I be sure that when I prick myself, I am
> getting enough blood,
> but not too much blood? How do I Not smear the blood around
> on the strip?
> When this happens, I am finding I have to reprick myself in
> order to get
> enough blood again to try again. I have had sighted help
> for this first day
> of testing but in afew days I will no longer have sighted
> help. I am already
> very frustrated and woulod love some tips. I have the
> lancing device set on
> 4, which is almost the highest level for pricking.
> 
> Thank you so much.
> Ronit
> 
> 
> 



      

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