Blood test lancet advice

[Sleepman]

Endured finger prick blood sampling today, not sure if I got enough from the both lancets.

I am wondering if there are better stabbers ? ... ( I do all the :get lots of water, get heart pumping, warm water. stroking finger, hand lower than heart etc. )

I have been doing monitor my health and they supply BD BD Contact-activated blue lancets (blue and white) You press really hard and eventually is fires. 17G x 2.0mm (wide) - I think I pull away.

Post from 2020 on here says Unistik 3 Extra orange type are 21 G 2.0 mm these are not as wide but it sounds like you can fire them from the side rather than push hard and wait for firing

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need to prick finger on the side (not on the tip)

About 1/3rd the way down from top of nail

Windmill arm just before stabbing and stand up to do test

[Sleepman in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SD, does this look OK?

Is this OK?

[Anthea55 in reply to Sleepman]

The thing I've found most helpful is to do a very slight twist as you prick. This was in a list which SeasideSusie posted a while back. It just opens the hole a little bit extra.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sleepman]

I have found it's better if you prick closer to the side of your nail, you are nearer the middle of your finger, try about half way between the side of your nail and where you've pricked.

Also, not warm water, you need it as hot as you can stand it, swish hand around in it until hand goes red.

[Charlie-Farley]

I go in a bit more on the side so you hit fewer nerve endings and get bolder and braver with every test 😂. The blue and white do very occasionally fail, but I do a fairly vigorous’ press and usually get a sample easily in one hit. I count to three, hesitate, press firmly. It’s overcoming the natural instinct to not pierce your finger. It does become more routine over time. 😊👍

Where I take my finger prick sample.

[Sleepman]

Thankyou everyone.I will try:

A) a bit nearer nail on side of finger tip

B) the twist as it goes in.

C)windmill arms

I have some different lancets coming that have trigger and not pushing so hard as the blue ones.

Already using a bucket of very hot water.