Much appreciated. Just started using a meter today. There was definitely a lot of trial and errors for me. Never thought about using the side and yes sometimes the blood just doesn't want to come out. I'll start using the tip about warm the hands for better circulation.
Nothing like some good advice from an actual diabetic who lives with this ever day :) I will do what you suggest later when I next do my blood test :) Talking to a diabetic doctor used to make me feel so depressed when I came out of the surgery :( They just have no understanding of what being diabetic is really like and what we go through every day. II have been diabetic for the last 34 years so I have so much more understanding and knowledge ab out living with diabetes each day,
I was just diagnosed with type 2 on Monday, and just got my glucose meter. I work with my hands a lot and I do a lot of typing for work and my fingertips are pretty calloused and punctures can hurt for days. Your tip about using the side of the finger was so helpful! I’m going to try this out when I test my blood sugar in the morning.
wish some doctors and educators would watch this video. When I was diagnosed in 2012, i feel they gave me wrong info. Like making me poke the middle of my finger where it would really hurt and prevent me from getting readings, and also the alcohol swab giving inaccurate readings. I had no idea. Great info!
I've just started using the accu-chek. On my old ultra2 blood monitor, I used to be able to get blood drops easily. Mostly I used finger 4 (left hand) and pinky (also left hand). I just tried using my middle finger left hand, and got the required blood drop. But on my old two fingers (4 and pinky left hand) I was unable to draw blood. I am using blood depth 3. Could it be that the skin on finger 4 and the pinky has gotten hard and the needle will not penetrate?
It could be due to scar tissue, so it's a good idea to switch rotate where you draw blood. You could also use your old lancet device if you prefer that and it works better for you. Most use the same sharps
TY for video. Confused because booklet says not to squeeze blood out, that it may give you an inaccurate reading. But, how to get blood out without squeezing?
Getting my meter tonight finally as store was out. They had to order it cause of insurance paying for it . Anyway, my question, yes me again 😊 is how many times a day can i use the same finger? Also since new and want to see what foods do what to my levels I'll probably be doing it couple times a day at first then just mainly after i wake up in morning and before bed. Should i alternate fingers and hands? I also am scared of getting a infection if i do this to often! Any recommendations to help myself newly type 2. I am determined to put this in remission hopefully. Like i said I'm watching all your videos.
I hope your new meter is working well for you. I would rotate where you poke, for example, start with the right side of the righthand pinky, then the left side, then the ring finger right side, etc. Once done with one hand you move to the next. That way you should have less risk of developing calluses. As for infections, make sure to wash your hands and change the lancet frequently, that should reduce the risk. For testing out how foods impact you, it is generally recommended that you measure before your meal and 90 to 120 min after. If your blood sugar has not come down after 90 to 120 minutes, you probably need to make some changes either to what you are eating or how much. Thank you for watching, I am really glad you find it helpful
@DiabetesStrong ty well got it today instead. 1 hour before breakfast was 95 after breakfast at 2 hours was 119. Yes I forgot the 1 hour after. But lunch was , before 98 and 1 hour after was 130 . Think these are good numbers.Also breakfast was bowl oatmeal no sugar just some ground cinnamon and 1 egg. Lunch was wheat spaghetti with prego no sugar sauce and a small salad with just mozzarella cheese and couple small pieces of ham n balsamic vinaigrette. I think my A1c will be lower for sure. Also remember I lost 42 pounds already. I can do this.
I have read some articles that say after you prick your finger to wipe off the first drop of blood and test the second drop for better accuracy. What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you so much for the quick response. This has been very confusing to me as I have pricked my finger, check the first blood sample, it was 102, wipe that blood sample and retested two more times and it was 120 both times. On another occasion, I have also had it go the other way where I measured 122 on the first sample, wipe the sample and retested two more times, and it came up with 102 and 103. This is all very new to me as I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2 years ago. I told my doctor before going on any medications I wanted to try and correct this myself. He continues to monitor me closely with plenty of lab work for the past and next 6 months. I went on a very strict low carb no sugar diet and a very serious exercise program that I have maintained for 2 years and will continue to do so. I am happy to say that in 6 months my A1C went from 11 to 5.6 and my fasting blood sugar went from 286 to 101. I am happy to say that I never did have to take any medication, but I do have to watch everything that I eat and get in plenty of exercise. Thank you so much for all of your videos. You have such a great and warm personality, and really explain things very well.
Please i’m so confused my autocheck glucose level was 54 3 hours after meals, but I didn’t feel any symtomp of hypoglicemia, but still I’m unsure is it the inaccurate result or it is just me which didn’t feel the symtomp? 😭
I would do a second test to confirm. Not all of us fell (all or any) of our lows. If you start to see consistent lows without symptoms that could mean that you’re hypo-unaware
I was searching for any other areas to test. I did a self-test for an ancestry and genetic test one time and it took me at least an hour to finally poke my fingertip and I screamed. It hurt even more than I thought it would. And then my fingertip was sore for a week. I have gestational diabetes now with my 3rd pregnancy. Was only borderline or fine with my other two. I’m towards the very end of my pregnancy so hopefully I don’t have to do this long. I HATE needles and have anxiety. I think I might do the forearm if I can figure it out.
@love2sing20101 I get needles from Walmart that are for Sensitive fingers (says that on box) and set the needle stick on 2 and it hardly hurts me. I also follow Glucose Revolution lady on YT and do leg lifts after eating any type of carbs. Notice it drops my sugar numbers quick but that's just me
Thank you so much! I've been suffering every time I get a blood sample to test my vitamin D level, and it looks like this will help.
Much appreciated. Just started using a meter today. There was definitely a lot of trial and errors for me. Never thought about using the side and yes sometimes the blood just doesn't want to come out. I'll start using the tip about warm the hands for better circulation.
Nothing like some good advice from an actual diabetic who lives with this ever day :) I will do what you suggest later when I next do my blood test :) Talking to a diabetic doctor used to make me feel so depressed when I came out of the surgery :( They just have no understanding of what being diabetic is really like and what we go through every day. II have been diabetic for the last 34 years so I have so much more understanding and knowledge ab out living with diabetes each day,
Thank you for watching, I'm glad you liked it and I hope my tips will help you
Important information, thanks!
another nice video THANKS
I was just diagnosed with type 2 on Monday, and just got my glucose meter. I work with my hands a lot and I do a lot of typing for work and my fingertips are pretty calloused and punctures can hurt for days. Your tip about using the side of the finger was so helpful! I’m going to try this out when I test my blood sugar in the morning.
So glad it was helpful
How is it going so far?
Love your tips. Thank you
wish some doctors and educators would watch this video. When I was diagnosed in 2012, i feel they gave me wrong info. Like making me poke the middle of my finger where it would really hurt and prevent me from getting readings, and also the alcohol swab giving inaccurate readings. I had no idea. Great info!
Ouch, really :-( I'm glad you found this helpful
Thank you so much good info
Thanks so much. This was very helpful
Thank you so much for your help!
i wish you would keep the sound level the same
I've just started using the accu-chek. On my old ultra2 blood monitor, I used to be able to get blood drops easily. Mostly I used finger 4 (left hand) and pinky (also left hand). I just tried using my middle finger left hand, and got the required blood drop. But on my old two fingers (4 and pinky left hand) I was unable to draw blood. I am using blood depth 3. Could it be that the skin on finger 4 and the pinky has gotten hard and the needle will not penetrate?
It could be due to scar tissue, so it's a good idea to switch rotate where you draw blood. You could also use your old lancet device if you prefer that and it works better for you. Most use the same sharps
TY for video. Confused because booklet says not to squeeze blood out, that it may give you an inaccurate reading. But, how to get blood out without squeezing?
That’s a great way of phrasing it. The wording is very confusing. I think a better way to say it is that you should apply gentle pressure.
Thank you! 1 question? Why is the fingers or hand the most accurate?
Most meters are only calibrated for finger blood samples. I'm not sure why that is
Getting my meter tonight finally as store was out. They had to order it cause of insurance paying for it . Anyway, my question, yes me again 😊 is how many times a day can i use the same finger? Also since new and want to see what foods do what to my levels I'll probably be doing it couple times a day at first then just mainly after i wake up in morning and before bed. Should i alternate fingers and hands? I also am scared of getting a infection if i do this to often! Any recommendations to help myself newly type 2. I am determined to put this in remission hopefully. Like i said I'm watching all your videos.
I hope your new meter is working well for you. I would rotate where you poke, for example, start with the right side of the righthand pinky, then the left side, then the ring finger right side, etc. Once done with one hand you move to the next. That way you should have less risk of developing calluses. As for infections, make sure to wash your hands and change the lancet frequently, that should reduce the risk.
For testing out how foods impact you, it is generally recommended that you measure before your meal and 90 to 120 min after. If your blood sugar has not come down after 90 to 120 minutes, you probably need to make some changes either to what you are eating or how much.
Thank you for watching, I am really glad you find it helpful
@DiabetesStrong ty well got it today instead. 1 hour before breakfast was 95 after breakfast at 2 hours was 119. Yes I forgot the 1 hour after. But lunch was , before 98 and 1 hour after was 130 . Think these are good numbers.Also breakfast was bowl oatmeal no sugar just some ground cinnamon and 1 egg. Lunch was wheat spaghetti with prego no sugar sauce and a small salad with just mozzarella cheese and couple small pieces of ham n balsamic vinaigrette. I think my A1c will be lower for sure. Also remember I lost 42 pounds already. I can do this.
@@slugo915well done! And I agree, those are pretty good numbers
I have read some articles that say after you prick your finger to wipe off the first drop of blood and test the second drop for better accuracy. What are your thoughts on this?
I think that’s a great approach. I do it sometimes but must admit I’m not consistent about it
Thank you so much for the quick response. This has been very confusing to me as I have pricked my finger, check the first blood sample, it was 102, wipe that blood sample and retested two more times and it was 120 both times. On another occasion, I have also had it go the other way where I measured 122 on the first sample, wipe the sample and retested two more times, and it came up with 102 and 103.
This is all very new to me as I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2 years ago. I told my doctor before going on any medications I wanted to try and correct this myself. He continues to monitor me closely with plenty of lab work for the past and next 6 months. I went on a very strict low carb no sugar diet and a very serious exercise program that I have maintained for 2 years and will continue to do so. I am happy to say that in 6 months my A1C went from 11 to 5.6 and my fasting blood sugar went from 286 to 101. I am happy to say that I never did have to take any medication, but I do have to watch everything that I eat and get in plenty of exercise. Thank you so much for all of your videos. You have such a great and warm personality, and really explain things very well.
So happy to hear that you're doing so great! Keep up the good work
Haha, if I were to wipe off the first drop it would be over. No second drop, unless of course you count pricking a new spot.
Please i’m so confused my autocheck glucose level was 54 3 hours after meals, but I didn’t feel any symtomp of hypoglicemia, but still I’m unsure is it the inaccurate result or it is just me which didn’t feel the symtomp? 😭
I would do a second test to confirm. Not all of us fell (all or any) of our lows. If you start to see consistent lows without symptoms that could mean that you’re hypo-unaware
I hate using my fingers. I've been using my forearms for 20 years. No scars and it works quickly.
Can I use my upper arm?
I was searching for any other areas to test. I did a self-test for an ancestry and genetic test one time and it took me at least an hour to finally poke my fingertip and I screamed. It hurt even more than I thought it would. And then my fingertip was sore for a week.
I have gestational diabetes now with my 3rd pregnancy. Was only borderline or fine with my other two. I’m towards the very end of my pregnancy so hopefully I don’t have to do this long. I HATE needles and have anxiety. I think I might do the forearm if I can figure it out.
@love2sing20101 I set the poker up on 3 and it never hurts. Use the top facing you, not the bottom.
@love2sing20101 I get needles from Walmart that are for Sensitive fingers (says that on box) and set the needle stick on 2 and it hardly hurts me. I also follow Glucose Revolution lady on YT and do leg lifts after eating any type of carbs. Notice it drops my sugar numbers quick but that's just me
Do you have a video cause I play guitar and my fingers are raw
Pain almost every time
😢
I stick the top of my forearm much easier
You talk too much
Na side of the finger still hurts a lot.
Yup.. Sometimes alot