Blood glucose monitoring should never hurt.
It should not be painful.
It should never be the reason for not testing your blood sugar.
I tell my patients that when they gently (that's a hint) place the lancing device next to their finger and press the trigger, they should hear the click of the device firing and the thought should go through their mind, "Hmm, I didn't really feel that, I wonder if I missed?" I mean that.
You should never feel the need to flinch, wince or even whine.
But everyday I see people with marks and small bruises all over the tips of their fingers.
There is absolutely no need for that.
Unfortunately, healthcare professionals are often times some of the worst at poking fingers.
They poke way too deep and I don't think they realize how much that one little stab in the finger can hurt.
Anyway, this is what you do.
Try to always poke your 4th or 5th finger on either hand (that would be the ring finger and the little one next to it).
Make sure your hands are clean and warm.
Warm hands are essential to avoid discomfort.
Cold hands do not bleed well at all so you have to poke deeper which usually hurts.
If your hands are already warm then you can clean them with an alcohol swab.
If your hands are not warm then wash your hands with warm, but not hot, water.
Warming your hands will increase the amount of blood near the skin in your fingers.
Next, drop your hand between your knees and shake it vigorously for about five to ten seconds (No token shakes here, make it a good shake).
This will ensure that the alcohol evaporates and draw blood down to your fingertips.
While your hand is still below your waist, squeeze the base of the finger you plan to poke and gradually, making circular motions, work the blood towards the tip of your finger.
Only do this once but do it well.
Then adjust your lancing device halfway between the lowest and highest (deepest) setting.
Now you are ready to actually poke your finger.
Gently, very gently, touch the lancing device against your finger, slightly to the side of center (but not way over on the side of your finger).
Press the release button on the lancing device and then take the device away from your finger.
If you have done a good job no blood will be visible, yet.
But, give the base of your finger a little squeeze and viola! Here comes the blood.
If you have done a good job you may say to yourself, "Wo, I just poked myself and I didn't even feel it, it didn't even hurt," or something like that.
That would be really great.