I bought a blood glucose monitor

As some of you know I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in Septebmer 2011.  I am taking Metformin twice a day. I told my doctor at that time I don't want to have to check my blood sugars (because I'm too chicken to stab my finger), and he said I didn't need to.

However, while I've noticed a vast improvement in my "random episodes of light headedness where I feel like I'm going to faint", I still get them periodically and now that I know it's to do with my blood sugar, I need to know if it's when my sugars are low, or high.  So my last doctor appointment I asked for a prescription for diabetic supplies.

Today I went to select a meter. I told the girl that I wanted to look at one where I could test on my arm because I heard that it hurts less. Plus I am in the healthcare field and constantly exposed to all kinds of germs and having to wash my hands frequently or using hand sanitizer. I didn't want a bunch of puncture marks on my fingers to put me at risk for picking up some kind of infection.

I picked this one:  http://affordablediabeticsupplies.com/diabetes-monitors-kits/accu-chek-compact-plus-meter-kit/     The machine is free and the strips cost about $81.00 which is about $5.00 more than some of the others.  But the machine allows me to test either on my fingers or the heel of my palm or my arm. Unfortunately they didn't have a meter there for me to actually buy today, so I'm going back on Tuesday to pick everything up.

I'm completely freaked out about poking myself, but I think it's necessary for me to do at this point until I can at least figure out what my body is telling me when I start to feel "wonky" at certain times of the day.

Natalie_ca said:

As some of you know I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in Septebmer 2011.  I am taking Metformin twice a day. I told my doctor at that time I don't want to have to check my blood sugars (because I'm too chicken to stab my finger), and he said I didn't need to.

However, while I've noticed a vast improvement in my "random episodes of light headedness where I feel like I'm going to faint", I still get them periodically and now that I know it's to do with my blood sugar, I need to know if it's when my sugars are low, or high.  So my last doctor appointment I asked for a prescription for diabetic supplies.

Today I went to select a meter. I told the girl that I wanted to look at one where I could test on my arm because I heard that it hurts less. Plus I am in the healthcare field and constantly exposed to all kinds of germs and having to wash my hands frequently or using hand sanitizer. I didn't want a bunch of puncture marks on my fingers to put me at risk for picking up some kind of infection.

I picked this one:  http://affordablediabeticsupplies.com/diabetes-monitors-kits/accu-chek-compact-plus-meter-kit/     The machine is free and the strips cost about $81.00 which is about $5.00 more than some of the others.  But the machine allows me to test either on my fingers or the heel of my palm or my arm. Unfortunately they didn't have a meter there for me to actually buy today, so I'm going back on Tuesday to pick everything up.

I'm completely freaked out about poking myself, but I think it's necessary for me to do at this point until I can at least figure out what my body is telling me when I start to feel "wonky" at certain times of the day.

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I'm confused here. I have gotten the impression from your posts that you are a nurse or work in the medical field?

Some advice about testing...prick the side of your finger next to the nail, where the skin is a bit tougher. Pricking the pad is a LITTLE bit painful but in no way so painful that it should be avoided. Maybe have a nurse show you how to do it...mine was awesome. She was very patient and showed me the best spots to test.  Good luck, it will become easier with practice...though still a pain in the :censor:!

As a fellow diabetic, I can completely sympathize where fear is concerned. No matter how adept one is at using medical equipment; no matter how comfortable one is with medicine and illness in general -- when it's you that is the patient, it's difficult. And, even downright scary. All I can tell you is that it does get easier and less uncomfortable with time. Expect to be overwhelmed, but don't let that stop you from doing what you need to in order to take care of yourself.

I have and use the meter that you just purchased. I've been through quite a few since my diagnosis earlier last year. But, of all of them, the Accuchek Compact is my favorite. Hands down. Not only does it provide multiple testing sites, it is also self-contained. The meter, testing strips, and lancing device are all together in one piece of equipment. It makes testing easier since I don't need to fumble around trying to get the strips from their container to the device without dropping or contaminating them. And, the lancet is attached so I do not need to worry about it falling from my hands or accidentally being forgotten or lost. And, as far as accuracy is concerned, I've never had a problem. 

I will say that if you're potentially dealing with a high high or a low low to test on a fingertip versus another site. Fingertip testing (the edge of the fingertip near the nail, as suggested above) is the most accurate way to test. However, if you are just testing without the fear of an abnormal reading, using another site should not be an issue. And, while some minor discomfort is to be expected, you do build up tolerance and even slight callouses where you test so that it becomes less painful over time.

I have to run as I am heading to work in just a couple of minutes here, but if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post them here or contact me directly -- I'd be more than happy to share my experience with you. Being diabetic is life altering, but it doesn't have to be a negative. Good luck and, remember, I'm here if you need anything. 

I am pre-diabetic, and hanging on to that by my finger-tips.  I wanted to know if I tipped into Type 2, so have been testing myself.  I chose to buy the OneTouch Ultra, because it would allow me to test on my forearm (does not hurt, though I have a tendancy to bruise, so end up with these tiny red or blue dots on my forearm...).  You've chosen your meter so I won't go into why I love mine,just wanted to share what I use.  I used to be able to painlessly test my patients fingers, but it's not the same when it's yourself   I just didn't want to test my fingers.

The knee issues I have, waylaid the exercise I was doing, but without a doubt two things I quickly learned..regular exercise changed the blood sugar results nicely, as did figuring out exactly what kinds of complex carbs I could handle.  I can NOT eat white flour or wheat products without a blip up..I can tolerate rice and rice flour much better.  I "tested" foods by doing a before my dinner and 2 hours after dinner blood sugars to track the different responses (I eat a higher protein, higher fat, lower carb diet - not atkins, carbaddicts lifespan by the dr's heller is what I have followed for years now, so my complex or simple if i choose a dessert, carbs are always at my dinner)  I highly, highly, highly recommend you get this from your library - Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution.

Best wishes to you as you figure out what works best for you re what you eat, and exercise etc.

spudsmom said:

I'm confused here. I have gotten the impression from your posts that you are a nurse or work in the medical field?

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I am a nurse, what does that have to do with what I posted?

I am also diabetic, but I've never thought sticking my finger hurt.  I dial the needle thingy down to a very  low setting and I don't really even feel it.  I have a One Touch meter and it seems to me like it came with an attachment for the needle thingy where you could use it on your arm. Seems to me like that would hurt worse.  I don't test very often these days, but I did when I was on the other med and having a lot of lows.  I might check more often if the strips were more affordable.

I see that you got the meter free.  I was going to say, you don't ever have to buy a meter, they're more than happy to give you one, because they make their money on those over priced strips.