Testing at home

[Bobbie And Bubba]

This is all new to me......this morning, I couldn't get blood and had to stick Bubba multiple times. What is the best method for warming the ear? I have tried rubbing the ear for a few seconds. The poor guy was getting frustrated with me as he was so hungry and he tried to bite me! His blood sugar was the highest it had ever been, 455! Could the stress of me doing multiple pricks have cause his sugar to be so high? The highest he was ever before was the high 300. Thanks BJM for telling me how to use the message board, so much for this gal to learn.......

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Could the stress of me doing multiple pricks have cause his sugar to be so high?

Probably not...remember, the FDA allows a 20% variance on meters, so that 455 could be any number between 364 and 546. At those higher numbers, that variance produces quite a large spread!

Have you tried using a small sock with a few teaspoons of rice in it? Warm in microwave and hold against ear to warm. Also, a small pill bottle filled with warm water works well for some people. Just make sure you test the temperature by holding against your wrist like you would a baby bottle. You don't want it too hot!

As you continue to poke, the ears will grow new capillaries and will "learn to bleed" so it does get a lot easier.

Check the size of your lancets. Most that come as a package (along with a lancet device) are 33 gauge which are very tiny. Look for alternate site testing lancets which will be 26-28....the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the "hole" it makes.....again, once the ears learn to bleed, you'll probably be able to use the tinier 31-33 gauge lancets

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Probably not...remember, the FDA allows a 20% variance on meters, so that 455 could be any number between 364 and 546. At those higher numbers, that variance produces quite a large spread!

Have you tried using a small sock with a few teaspoons of rice in it? Warm in microwave and hold against ear to warm. Also, a small pill bottle filled with warm water works well for some people. Just make sure you test the temperature by holding against your wrist like you would a baby bottle. You don't want it too hot!

As you continue to poke, the ears will grow new capillaries and will "learn to bleed" so it does get a lot easier.

Check the size of your lancets. Most that come as a package (along with a lancet device) are 33 gauge which are very tiny. Look for alternate site testing lancets which will be 26-28....the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the "hole" it makes.....again, once the ears learn to bleed, you'll probably be able to use the tinier 31-33 gauge lancets

Probably not...remember, the FDA allows a 20% variance on meters, so that 455 could be any number between 364 and 546. At those higher numbers, that variance produces quite a large spread!

Have you tried using a small sock with a few teaspoons of rice in it? Warm in microwave and hold against ear to warm. Also, a small pill bottle filled with warm water works well for some people. Just make sure you test the temperature by holding against your wrist like you would a baby bottle. You don't want it too hot!

As you continue to poke, the ears will grow new capillaries and will "learn to bleed" so it does get a lot easier.

Check the size of your lancets. Most that come as a package (along with a lancet device) are 33 gauge which are very tiny. Look for alternate site testing lancets which will be 26-28....the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the "hole" it makes.....again, once the ears learn to bleed, you'll probably be able to use the tinier 31-33 gauge lancets

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Thanks so much Chris and China for the feedback. I will try the warm pill bottle or sock. And it is good to know that the ear will grow new capillaries; I did not know that. The testing is the worse part, the insulin giving is easy.

 

[jane and stewey]

you betcha, stress can cause the sugars to soar. What I have found helpful is to take a sock (baby size) fill it with rice and tie it off. I warm this in the microwave and then apply it to the inner surface of the outer ear. Be careful no to burn him. This dilates the capillaries and provides better blood flow. After sticking apply pressure to the puncture site and then apply a small amount of Vaseline to the ear. It keeps it supple and less irritated by the pricking. Good luck from jane and stewey

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Thanks so much Jane and Stewey. Tonight was much better getting the blood sample with the rice filled warm sock. We were doing so good then my dog started barking and Bubba shook his head and I lost the beautiful specimen. Had to stick him again. Thanks for the Vaseline tip.