12/2 - Isabelle - Struggling with testing

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dj4Isabelle

Member Since 2014
(I'm doing "relaxed" lantus because I don't be home every day to do tight regulation, and I'm struggling with the testing, and can't imagine doing it 4 or 5 times a day. I'm posting this in both the 'relaxed' and the 'tight' forums, hoping for some advice on how to get better at testing)

I have been doing this for about 10 days, and I'm just having a hard time testing with the Relion Micro lancer. When I put the lancets in, and I press the button to pop them out, I don't even see a hint of a needle. Is it coming out just a little bit and I'm not seeing it?

Sometimes, I don't push the lancet all the way in, so that I know some needle with come out, and I use that in Isabelle, but it still doesn't draw blood.

I've tried doing it by hand, but I can't find the right pressure, I'm either too timid and not getting anything, or I push too hard and Isabelle flinches. Sometimes it's taking me 4-5 pokes to get blood, and it's stressful for me. Luckily Isabelle seems to take it in stride, but I'm just worried that I'm hurting her ears, when I should be able to get it done in one poke.

Can anyone offer me advice on getting better at testing with the Relion lancer or free hand with the lancet in the lancer. I'm trying not to get discouraged, and Isabelle's high numbers are bothering me too. Maybe I'm getting a bounce from too much insulin?
 
What sized lancets are you using? To start out, you want to use 26 or 28 gauge until the ears "learn to bleed." Also, are you warming the ear sufficiently? That makes a huuge difference. Sorry you're having a rough time. Hang in there - you will get it!
 
Warming the ear is key and are you using 29 G lancets? I freehand and aim for just the outside of the outer edge of her ear-I poke twice. Are you using Neosporin with pain relief? Also to start with, I admit, I let Tiger eat while I was testing and giving her shot. Later, she learned to like the Pure Bite treats instead.

One other thing about testing- you really need to relax- if you are tense, Isabelle can feel it - it's hard but take a deep breath and another! Ever hear of the Hokey Pokey song? Someone on the Health Forum suggested singing that song, you will feel silly, but laughter really can help you to relax.
 
you might be doing everything right, and still not getting blood. It takes about 2 weeks of poking for the capillaries to grow in the ears to the point where you'll get blood every time. Everyone has trouble at the beginning. I remember having to poke 4 or 5 times too at the beginning.

Your poking is still doing some good because it's stimulating the capillaries to grow. hang in there!

Here is a post with some Testing & Shooting tips that are the best tips from a lot of people.

By the way, sometimes new people don't realize that the purpose of tight regulation is to get a cat's blood sugar "tightly" controlled, in between 50-120, to allow their pancreas to heal and to protect their organs from the damages of high blood sugar. The suggestion is to test 3-5 times a day. Some people test more than that, but most days, that's sufficient.

Hang in there and keep asking questions. Whatever you're struggling with, someone else has struggled with too, and perhaps we can offer some help to make things easier for you.
 
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