[Diabetes-talk] getting blood on to the strip

[tom]

Not an easy trip testing for blood.  Life is worth it to share it with others.  Thank you





-----Original Message-----
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sun, Jan 16, 2011 7:44 pm
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] getting blood on to the strip


Ronit,
I have been diabetic for twenty-five years, and up until eight years
go, I was sighted.  I have always had to squeeze my finger to produce
lood to the surface, and when at the doctors office, they squeeze as
ell when testing me.  So I think it is a natural thing to have to
queeze your finger a bit.
I direct the strip to the place where I can feel the sensation of the
rick since this is where the blood will be.  Sometimes, I can feel the
lood, but not always, but I focus on where I can feel the pricked part
f my finger.
With the Prodigy, I have found that slowly sliding my finger from one
ide to the other usually helps draw the blood into the tiny groove in
he strip.
It may take some practice, but you will get it.  I, and many others on
his list, have lived independently with diabetes as blind people.  It
akes patience and practice, but you will find the techniques that work
or you, and soon you will be doling out the advice too!  *smile*
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
rom: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynn Baillif
ent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:50 PM
o: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
ubject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] getting blood on to the strip

Hello Everyone,
 wanted to introduce myself and add to the advice for Ronit.  My name
s Lynn Baillif.  I am a blind dietitian and certified diabetes educator
rom Maryland.  I have been a memeber of the list in the past, and have
ust rejoined.  
Ronit, you have received great advice already.  I'll just add my two
ents.  Be sure that your lancing device is set deep enough to get a
ood blood drop.  Try setting it in the middle and the next time you
heck your sugar set it lower.  Your goal is to set as low as possible
hild still getting a good blood drop.  Before you poke your finger, try
olding your arm down by your side with your fingers pointing towards
he floor.  Shake your hand for about 30 seconds to allow the blood to
ool in your finger tips.  After you have a blood drop, you may find it
seful to use your other hand to turn your meter on its side and hold it
teady on a table or other flat surface.  Turn your finger so the blood
ample faces the strip and then move your finger to the strip.  This
echnique gives your more room to move your finger around the strip
ithout smearing it on the table.  
ish you well,
ynn  
 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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