Anxiety post: Would a used strip get a reading?

[SRB]

Hello kind people,

Please help my mental health situation. I am new to home testing and just did my second successful one. If, in theory, I had put an old used strip back in the container by accident, and used it to do a new test on the Alpha Trak, would it have messed up the reading?

I was surprised to get the same number just now at 3pm (nadir) as I did a week ago at 9pm (pre-feeding). I realized that as I was cleaning up recently, I may have seen a used strip and thought it was unused and put it back in the container. (That seems like a dumb thing to do, but with the stress of everything on top of regular ADHD, I wouldn't put it past myself to leave a used strip laying out and not remember.) If I did that and the strip is still in the container, how will I know which one it is?

The home testing thing has been very stressful for me and the cat, so I am unlikely to repeat this again today...maybe tomorrow.

 

[Teetee (UK)]

Hi @SRB Strips cannot be used twice, once used they are dead so if you do happen to put it back into the Alphatrak it will bleep with an error showing on the screen.

 

[SRB]

Thank you @teetee (UK), I just wanted to hear you say it!

 

[Teetee (UK)]

No problem @SRB

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Hello kind people,

Please help my mental health situation. I am new to home testing and just did my second successful one. If, in theory, I had put an old used strip back in the container by accident, and used it to do a new test on the Alpha Trak, would it have messed up the reading?

I was surprised to get the same number just now at 3pm (nadir) as I did a week ago at 9pm (pre-feeding). I realized that as I was cleaning up recently, I may have seen a used strip and thought it was unused and put it back in the container. (That seems like a dumb thing to do, but with the stress of everything on top of regular ADHD, I wouldn't put it past myself to leave a used strip laying out and not remember.) If I did that and the strip is still in the container, how will I know which one it is?

The home testing thing has been very stressful for me and the cat, so I am unlikely to repeat this again today...maybe tomorrow.

Hi SRB

Yes, this feline diabetes thing can be overwhelming - there is lots of information as well as having to poke our little fur critters. Rest assured, things do get easier as you go along AND the ear tests and insulin injections are not injurious to your cat. Home testing is so extremely important that it can ultimately come down to life and death for the cat. I’m still shocked when I hear some vets do not promote home testing.

I just recently retold the story of my cat Freckles getting tested at the vets. 3 technicians and a vet and they still couldn’t get a blood droplet - they had to sedate her! By trying to manhandle her, she went into fight mode and she won! I could hear her and it was devastating! After the first day that my husband tried to hold her down for me to get a test, I got a bit wiser and used treats before, during and after a glucose test. Shortly after trying this method, she was coming when called and jumping up in the bathroom counter voluntarily. No grouchiness and it certainly did not take 4 big adults!! Testing and shot time became a non issue in a very short time period.

Think about the process as rungs in a ladder. You may need to put a few more steps/rungs into where you going to make it easier and less stressful.

Ask any questions you like, we are here to help. When/if you would like help setting up your spreadsheet, just ask.

 

[SRB]

Hi SRB

Yes, this feline diabetes thing can be overwhelming - there is lots of information as well as having to poke our little fur critters. Rest assured, things do get easier as you go along AND the ear tests and insulin injections are not injurious to your cat. Home testing is so extremely important that it can ultimately come down to life and death for the cat. I’m still shocked when I hear some vets do not promote home testing.

I just recently retold the story of my cat Freckles getting tested at the vets. 3 technicians and a vet and they still couldn’t get a blood droplet - they had to sedate her! By trying to manhandle her, she went into fight mode and she won! I could hear her and it was devastating! After the first day that my husband tried to hold her down for me to get a test, I got a bit wiser and used treats before, during and after a glucose test. Shortly after trying this method, she was coming when called and jumping up in the bathroom counter voluntarily. No grouchiness and it certainly did not take 4 big adults!! Testing and shot time became a non issue in a very short time period.

Think about the process as rungs in a ladder. You may need to put a few more steps/rungs into where you going to make it easier and less stressful.

Ask any questions you like, we are here to help. When/if you would like help setting up your spreadsheet, just ask.

Thanks for the anecdote, that sounds like a lot to deal with but I'm encouraged that things got better

 

[SashaV]

It will get easier, I promise.
I have ADD so I know all about being stressed and not remembering where things go. Not too long ago I lost a needle cap during her night test... I found it a few days later IN THE SHOWER!
But strips is about the one thing you can't mess up. I'd watch out for the needles if I were you, make sure your head is in the game when drawing up the insulin.. make routines, by not filling the unit column in your spreadsheet before you've given the injection for example.
I've poked myself more than once, luckily without insulin in the syringe

 

[SRB]

It will get easier, I promise.
I have ADD so I know all about being stressed and not remembering where things go. Not too long ago I lost a needle cap during her night test... I found it a few days later IN THE SHOWER!
But strips is about the one thing you can't mess up. I'd watch out for the needles if I were you, make sure your head is in the game when drawing up the insulin.. make routines, by not filling the unit column in your spreadsheet before you've given the injection for example.
I've poked myself more than once, luckily without insulin in the syringe

Thanks, @SashaV , sounds like you understand! That's all good advice. Mornings are harder, but having a routine helps, and it's beneficial to have to do this the same time every day.