[Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips

Thu Jul 14 17:10:16 UTC 2016

Jay, the other thing besides each meter using its own kind of strips, test
strips do expire. So even if you have hundreds left for your Advocate, I'd
check the expiration dates on them because if you ask me, there's no point
in beating up on my fingers if I can't get the most accurate number possible
out of it. <grin> 
Also, different meters are different sizes and shapes. So you may find one
brand easier for you to hold, position, etc. Just some thoughts.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mark Tardif via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 9:20 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Mark Tardif
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips

I think test strips are different, and I know the Prodigy ones are, because 
there is a tactile line at the end that you insert into the meter.  I got 
this Prodigy Voice meter from the Independence Market of the National 
Federation of the Blind, (410-659-9314) Extension 4.  I seem to remember it 
costing about $50 and then they put in some strips and a few lancets for a 
slightly higher price.  I also believe it's available through Benson's 
Medical Supplies, (888-246-7667.  That's where I get my testing supplies 
from and Benson's does work with insurance, including Medicare.  -

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: J Steele-Louchart via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 5:44 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: J Steele-Louchart
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips

Veronica,

*Laugh* Thank you.

Does anyone know how I'd go about getting a prodigy meter, and whether
there's a difference between test strips? I have hundreds of unused
strips for the advocate. I was assuming that test strips were test
strips were test strips...

J

On 7/13/16, Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> 
wrote:
> Mark, you beat me to it. I was going to suggest the same thing. Don't go
> too
> long without a meter, Jay. We want to keep you around for a long long 
> time.
> <grin>
> Veronica
>
>
> "Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available
> on
> iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
> To learn more, visit:
> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>                 Veronica Elsea, Owner
> Laurel Creek Music Designs
> Santa Cruz, California
> Phone: 831-429-6407
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Mark Tardif via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 2:06 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Cc: Mark Tardif
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips
>
> If I may say so, consider getting the Prodigy Voice meter with the Prodigy
> test strips.  Quite accessible.
>
>
>
> Mark Tardif
> Nuclear arms will not hold you.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: J Steele-Louchart via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 4:52 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Cc: J Steele-Louchart
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips
>
> Veronica,
>
> Thank you for the suggestions. My meter was lost in my most recent
> move, but I'll be trying them as soon as possible.
>
> Warmth,
> J
>
>
> On 7/13/16, Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> Jay, obviously I can't speak to what you are or are not doing. I too am
>> one
>> of those who has trouble bleeding enough. Lately I've gotten braver about
>> how I milk my finger. I start way high and work my way milking the finger
>> down very close to where I've pricked my finger. The closer I get, the
>> harder I milk or squeeze, although that's probably not exactly the right
>> word. I found that my success rate has gone up a lot. The risk is that I
>> totally mess up because my milking hand runs right over the drop. Oops!
>> But
>> doing the hot water and everything else, once I added this, it really did
>> help. But you can lightly touch those strips to your finger. I guarantee
>> you
>> sighted people do. <grin>
>> But ultimately I just make sure my prescription is for slightly more
>> strips
>> than I really need each month because I do go through them with goof ups.
>> Hope this helps.
>> Veronica
>>
>>
>> "Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available
>> on
>> iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
>> To learn more, visit:
>> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>>                 Veronica Elsea, Owner
>> Laurel Creek Music Designs
>> Santa Cruz, California
>> Phone: 831-429-6407
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>> Of
>> Tom Ley via Diabetes-Talk
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 12:05 PM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org; underdogmj at comcast.net
>> Cc: TALey at ups.com
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips
>>
>> J,
>>
>> Personally, I flip the meter upside-down when I'm moving the strip to my
>> finger. The tiny slot on the end of the strip where the blood enters is
>> actually notched out of the top layer of the strip. So, when I flip the
>> meter over, the top of the strip where the notch is cut out touches where
>> the blood is.
>>
>> Keep trying.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>> Of
>> J
>> Steele-Louchart via Diabetes-Talk
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 2:48 PM
>> To: Lester Cameron <underdogmj at comcast.net>; Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>> <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: J Steele-Louchart <jsteelelouchart at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> I've read the articles, thank you. I've read everything I could find on
>> the
>> subject. There wasn't much. Smearing the blood rather than letting it
>> bead
>> is one of my main problems. I also have a hard time bleeding, no matter
>> how
>> well hydrated I am. I never know if there's enough blood already formed
>> to
>> be able to test.
>>
>> I've had sighted people watch me, medical staff and non-medical staff.
>> Nobody can see what the problem is. The test strips simply don't accept
>> as
>> much blood if they touch the finger being tested.
>>
>> I don't know the name of the test strips, but the meter Is from Advocate.
>>
>> I really appreciate you folks brainstorming this with me. I apologize for
>> being inexperienced.
>>
>> J
>>
>> On 7/13/16, Lester Cameron via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>> yes I agrede that I have never herd of that this is what I do I hold
>>> my left hand on a 45 and I put the meter in my rite hand and put the
>>>
>>> strip  between my fingers the two next to your tthomb that helps keeps
>>> the strip from bending I put the strip about a quarter  lower and sly
>>> it up slow afther you pick your finger do you  squeze your finger that
>>> helps me to get
>>>
>>> the blood out
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Mark Tardif via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 10:34 AM
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>> Cc: Mark Tardif
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing
>>> Strips
>>>
>>> What kind of meter and strips do you use?  I've never heard of a strip
>>> closing when you touch it to your finger.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Mark Tardif
>>> Nuclear arms will not hold you.
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: J Steele-Louchart via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 12:32 AM
>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: J Steele-Louchart
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Getting Enough Blood in the Testing Strips
>>>
>>> Good morning, all,
>>>
>>> What techniques do you use to get enough blood into a test strip? I
>>> can't touch the strip to my finger because the strip will close, not
>>> allowing enough blood in, but if I don't touch the strip to my finger,
>>> I can't seem to get it close enough to absorb the blood. That, and
>>> maybe my aim is off in the first place. Thoughts?
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>> J
>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> J Steele-Louchart
>>
>> I Will Find A Way or I Will Make One
>>
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>
>
> --
> J Steele-Louchart
>
> I Will Find A Way or I Will Make One
>
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-- 
J Steele-Louchart

I Will Find A Way or I Will Make One

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