[Diabetes-Talk] Blood on Test Strip

Thu Oct 4 22:36:54 UTC 2018

Mary, I have been testing for 30 years totally blind. I am not one of those who has had a wonderful easy time getting blood on the strip. I almost never got enough to satisfy the Prodigy and the Clever check needs the same amount. I definitely do the hot water bit and I find that I have to get all the way up to my wrists in the hot water to really help. I was taught to use the sides of my fingers because there's actually more blood there. As for the difference in your readings, meters can be off as much as 20 per cent and if you got more interstitial fluid in one reading, that would also make a difference. Back to the testing, as others have described, once I sit down to do the stick, I milk the finger I've just stuck, starting from way down, working up close to where the blood might be, hoping I don't run into the blood. I have done that though. <grin> And over time, as Jamie said, you will kind of know where the polk was and be able to aim the strip there. I also kind of do little circles. I use the FreeStyle, which is not an accessible meter to test because it takes half the amount of blood and it doesn't start the test until it has enough. My hubby made me a talking box so I am very spoiled. But my success did improve when I didn't rush. So after you do the stick, don't be in a big hurry to get your finger to the strip. Yes, once in awhile you may have a whopper of a bleeder right away but quite often, it can take awhile for the drop to develop. That was the thing that improved my odds the most. And I can't always tell when there's blood there. I've been fooled by sensations in both directions. So the most important thing to bring with you for now is to know that many of us sometimes can't get enough blood and have to get a second strip. No matter how smart we are, we really are kind of guessing as to when to let our finger greet the strip. So relax and be kind to yourself. That too will improve your odds. And for now, if something doesn't work, just say, hi Veronica. Me too. <grin> 
And of course, feel free to update us and we may have some more ideas based on our experiences.
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 gary-melconian via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2018 2:55 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: gary-melconian
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Blood on Test Strip

I have been doing   it only 13 years now.having taken all the advice from the list has helped me in getting better readings.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, October 4, 2018 2:31 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Blood on Test Strip

I agree. I have been testing my blood sugars as a blind individual four almost 35 years. It does just take practice. Pretty soon, your muscle memory will Guide your finger right to the strip.

    Jamie

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 4, 2018, at 4:16 PM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Mary,
> 
> I'm also totally blind. It can take some practice, but, you can get there. I tend to not do the sides of my finger as I don't have much meat there, sticking to just below my pad. I poke, squeeze, pushing up as I apply pressure then do circular motions on the tip of the strip. For me, I don't often have to poke again or retest, but, I've been testing my blood sugars for more than 30 years. 15 of those, I've been blind. So, in time, you will get the swing of it.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Mary Sanders via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, October 4, 2018 3:04 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Mary Sanders <sanders.mary1992 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Blood on Test Strip
> 
> Hello,
> I’m having a really hard time getting enough blood on to the test strip. I’ve tried both the sides of my fingers as well as the pads of my fingers and still struggling. I am totally blind so I don’t have any vision to tell how much is on my finger so if I can please get some tips from you guys that would be very much appreciated. I am using the clever choice voice meter. 
> Mary 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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