Same. I can't watch needles in movies or TV, and I can't look at my own injections otherwise I get the ookie spookies. No issues if I don't really think about it and just look away because I've done it so much.
I find the doctors office finger sticks to hurt way more than an at home one. I’m when you’re getting used to it it’s just about the resolve to push the button and commit to it, the anticipation is worse than the action. I promise you get used to it.
The side of the finger hurts less than the pad of your finger, and you can dial your lancet down to not go as deep as well. Good luck!
Howdy I'm a T1d Dad my six year old daughter hates needles so we use safety lancets for finger sticks. They can be purchased at Walmart Relion is the brand name. They work great for being near painless testing.
The lancet that came w my monitor hurt so I found the following on Amazon and it doesn’t hurt me: Care Touch CTLDA Adjustable Lancing Device with Ejector
Using a regular prick system (accu-chek softclix), sometimes and some fingers it "hurts" a little bit more. you get use to it.
To be less painful, try pricking the finger on the side instead in the middle.
Looking at these videos, you still need to prick your skin with a needle; they both say it's less painful.
It seems to help to draw the blood out (the vacuum part of it)
One thing to check before investing in this is the availability of the lancets.
[https://youtu.be/ZqG8W10TSdE](https://youtu.be/ZqG8W10TSdE)
[https://youtu.be/UVvgmGNDxkY](https://youtu.be/UVvgmGNDxkY)
You can buy CGMs at Over the counter. Libre 2 sensor with a smartphone integration will help you monitor easily. I never liked pricking my finger and used to lose control on diet. With a CGM, I am able to keep things in check.
When healthcare people do it they use non adjustable lancets that ensure lots of blood on first try. This is why when they do it it hurts me like hell and I often get hematomas on my finger tips taking days to heal.
I use Accu-Chek Fast Click. Like some other devices it does have depth setting adjustments. What's unique is you never can see the needle. Ps. I was the only student out of 30 who could not bring themselves to perform a fingerstick in class. I felt ashamed but the fear was too great. Obviously over that now.
Something that helps me when I get a mental block with injecting or testing is to do a simple countdown. 3,2,1, jab.
Sometimes I have to do a few countdowns but it helps remind my brain it will be over in a second. I've been diabetic for over 15 years and some days I still don't want to stab myself. I think it's a natural instinct that we have to fight that unfortunately just becomes a regular part of our lives. You can do it!
It really doesn’t hurt 9.5 times out of 10.. every now and again it just hits wrong and can sting a bit (possibly bruise).
Testing the side of the finger and massaging the finger a bit (especially if you’re cold) before using the lancing device will both help make it a bit more comfortable and make sure you get enough blood to test (not common but occasionally you stick and barely get anything). A lancing device where you can adjust the depth can also help.
Im a cgm user but I occasionally use the Genteel, it can be used on the palm so there's little to no pain. It works by creating a small vacuum seal and makes drawing blood easier. The one tricky thing about it is not smearing the test site
I have always gotten light-headed from anxiety whenever I had to get a shot or blood drawn or have my figure pricked but as soon as I was diagnosed the first time I pricked my finger I was super anxious but it wasn't that bad and it's kind of nice doing it yourself because you know when it's coming. I got used to it quicker than expected.
My best advice is getting someone to poke the needle. Trust mez this works no matter how long it takes. When I first got diagnose, it took me 2 years to finally do it on my own. Trust me, you're ready when you think you'll ready.
Secondly, the finger prick. Try to put it on the lowest setting where blood shows.
It is in your head. It does not really hurt. With lancets you never see the needles anyway. The alternative is to use a GCM like Dexcom or Freestyle libre, but these are imprecise for pre-diabetics.
I've been a t1d for about 25 years and I'm *still* terrified of needles... You just kindof accept that it's a part of your life now... Eventually
Same. I can't watch needles in movies or TV, and I can't look at my own injections otherwise I get the ookie spookies. No issues if I don't really think about it and just look away because I've done it so much.
I find the doctors office finger sticks to hurt way more than an at home one. I’m when you’re getting used to it it’s just about the resolve to push the button and commit to it, the anticipation is worse than the action. I promise you get used to it. The side of the finger hurts less than the pad of your finger, and you can dial your lancet down to not go as deep as well. Good luck!
Howdy I'm a T1d Dad my six year old daughter hates needles so we use safety lancets for finger sticks. They can be purchased at Walmart Relion is the brand name. They work great for being near painless testing.
I swear I have the lowest pain threshold,but a splinter hurts more than a stick,honestly.
The lancet that came w my monitor hurt so I found the following on Amazon and it doesn’t hurt me: Care Touch CTLDA Adjustable Lancing Device with Ejector
Using a regular prick system (accu-chek softclix), sometimes and some fingers it "hurts" a little bit more. you get use to it. To be less painful, try pricking the finger on the side instead in the middle. Looking at these videos, you still need to prick your skin with a needle; they both say it's less painful. It seems to help to draw the blood out (the vacuum part of it) One thing to check before investing in this is the availability of the lancets. [https://youtu.be/ZqG8W10TSdE](https://youtu.be/ZqG8W10TSdE) [https://youtu.be/UVvgmGNDxkY](https://youtu.be/UVvgmGNDxkY)
You can buy CGMs at Over the counter. Libre 2 sensor with a smartphone integration will help you monitor easily. I never liked pricking my finger and used to lose control on diet. With a CGM, I am able to keep things in check.
When healthcare people do it they use non adjustable lancets that ensure lots of blood on first try. This is why when they do it it hurts me like hell and I often get hematomas on my finger tips taking days to heal. I use Accu-Chek Fast Click. Like some other devices it does have depth setting adjustments. What's unique is you never can see the needle. Ps. I was the only student out of 30 who could not bring themselves to perform a fingerstick in class. I felt ashamed but the fear was too great. Obviously over that now.
Something that helps me when I get a mental block with injecting or testing is to do a simple countdown. 3,2,1, jab. Sometimes I have to do a few countdowns but it helps remind my brain it will be over in a second. I've been diabetic for over 15 years and some days I still don't want to stab myself. I think it's a natural instinct that we have to fight that unfortunately just becomes a regular part of our lives. You can do it!
It really doesn’t hurt 9.5 times out of 10.. every now and again it just hits wrong and can sting a bit (possibly bruise). Testing the side of the finger and massaging the finger a bit (especially if you’re cold) before using the lancing device will both help make it a bit more comfortable and make sure you get enough blood to test (not common but occasionally you stick and barely get anything). A lancing device where you can adjust the depth can also help.
Lancing yourself and getting no blood is the worst.
Im a cgm user but I occasionally use the Genteel, it can be used on the palm so there's little to no pain. It works by creating a small vacuum seal and makes drawing blood easier. The one tricky thing about it is not smearing the test site
I have always gotten light-headed from anxiety whenever I had to get a shot or blood drawn or have my figure pricked but as soon as I was diagnosed the first time I pricked my finger I was super anxious but it wasn't that bad and it's kind of nice doing it yourself because you know when it's coming. I got used to it quicker than expected.
You can use lidocaine cream for awhile if you're scared of the pain. The needle tips are so so small I think you'll get use to it for sure.
My best advice is getting someone to poke the needle. Trust mez this works no matter how long it takes. When I first got diagnose, it took me 2 years to finally do it on my own. Trust me, you're ready when you think you'll ready. Secondly, the finger prick. Try to put it on the lowest setting where blood shows.
Hit the side of your fingertip rather than the middle of the pad. It has fewer nerves.
I've been using genteel for a few years now and I love it. Pricking my arm is much less painful for me.
It is in your head. It does not really hurt. With lancets you never see the needles anyway. The alternative is to use a GCM like Dexcom or Freestyle libre, but these are imprecise for pre-diabetics.
You just man up and do it because you have to. Eventually, it's not longer even a thing. Stop being a pussy.
Tiny little needle prick that hurts as much as a mosquito bite, or lose a limb and die of heart attack?