Anybody do forearm testing?

Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
know why that bothers me so much.
Kris

"Cougar" <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:132621lmj2alkab@corp.supernews.com...
> Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
> weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
> my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
> out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
> low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
> site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
> myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
> know why that bothers me so much.
> Kris
>

I use the Freestyle Flash, and test on my forearm, most of the time.
If I have reason to believe my bg is low (or dropping), I ALWAYS test on my
fingertip, it is more accurate than the forearm in situations where your bg may be
changing quickly.
Get the smallest gauge lancets that you can find, and use the opaque tip for
fingertip testing. Unfortunately there's not really a way to make it less scary,
but if you just bite the bullet and do it a few times, it will get less intimidating.
Maybe have someone else do it once, so you'll know how it feels, so it won't
be as scary the next time?

Good luck!

Amy

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:23:19 -0500, "Cougar"
<cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
>weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
>my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
>out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
>low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
>site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
>myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
>know why that bothers me so much.
>Kris

I'm using a One-Touch Ultra meter and use the forearms for testing.
It's a lot easier less painful than the fingers. But as others have
said, IF it is important to get up-to-the-minute information the
fingers give faster results.

I generally only do fasting and the occasional 1 or 2 hour
post-prandial tests. I don't worry about quick responses, a couple of
minutes either way makes no appreciable difference FOR ME. But I only
have IGT, not full diabetes. People with full diabetes (especially
those who are susceptable to hypos) often need faster results if they
have been taking action to normalize their blood sugars.

try several sites and find what works best for you. While some people
test on the pads of the fingers or towards the side, others test on
the back of the fingers near the fingernail. Perhaps one site will
not bother you as much as others.

"Cougar" <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:132621lmj2alkab@corp.supernews.com...
> Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
> weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
> my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
> out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I
> had
> low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
> site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody
> but
> myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I
> don't
> know why that bothers me so much.

Oddly, finger testing doesn't bother me but the mere thought of forearm
testing does. I couldn't bring myself to do that.

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:23:19 -0500, "Cougar"
<cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
>weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
>my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
>out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
>low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
>site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
>myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
>know why that bothers me so much.
>Kris
>
Have you read this yet?

Painless Pricks
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/20...ss-pricks.html

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Athens and The Adriatic

On Apr 16, 1:23 am, "Cougar" <cougar_rocklighten...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
> weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
> my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
> out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
> low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
> site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
> myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
> know why that bothers me so much.

I've done forearm testing, it works, but is surprisingly inconvenient.

The numbers do seem to lag behind numbers from fingertip testing.

By my estimate, I've done fingertip testing about 45000 times. Only
tried forearm testing a couple times, like I said, it's really
inconvenient, and squeezing out a drop there isn't something I've
mastered like squeezing a drop out of a fingertip.

Other testing places that I've found more moderately convenient than
the forearm are toes and my earlobe, but those I do not classify as
convenient either! These places are likely to get used when my hands
are incredibly dirty and I need to test, or I know that I will be
getting my hands incredibly dirty or unhygenic shortly after a test.
Imagine tasks like snaking a sewer line.

Tim.

It caused nasty looking bruises on my forearm, probably due to older
skin, so I don't test there at all anymore. Also, I never have any
pain from testing the sides of my fingers.

Cheri


Julie Bove wrote in message ...

>Oddly, finger testing doesn't bother me but the mere thought of
forearm
>testing does. I couldn't bring myself to do that.

Kris, I just do my thumb. I dont use anything but the pin to puncture.

It works for me

Loretta

quester@infionline.net (Harold Groot) wrote:

>I'm using a One-Touch Ultra meter and use the forearms for testing.
>It's a lot easier less painful than the fingers. But as others have
>said, IF it is important to get up-to-the-minute information the
>fingers give faster results.
>


I too use the One-Touch and test in the forearm. I'm a T2 on insulin
and Symlin. Since starting the Symlin about a year ago I've had
numerous hypos and controlled them all by testing the forearm. When in
a hypo I test every ten minutes until it's gone. Can't say as I need a
response faster than that.

<shoppa@trailing-edge.com> wrote in message
news:1176731536.075706.275130@q75g2000hsh.googlegr oups.com...
> On Apr 16, 1:23 am, "Cougar" <cougar_rocklighten...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about
>> 2
>> weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test
>> on
>> my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak
>> me
>> out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I
>> had
>> low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for
>> other
>> site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody
>> but
>> myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I
>> don't
>> know why that bothers me so much.
>
> I've done forearm testing, it works, but is surprisingly inconvenient.
>
> The numbers do seem to lag behind numbers from fingertip testing.
>
> By my estimate, I've done fingertip testing about 45000 times. Only
> tried forearm testing a couple times, like I said, it's really
> inconvenient, and squeezing out a drop there isn't something I've
> mastered like squeezing a drop out of a fingertip.
>
> Other testing places that I've found more moderately convenient than
> the forearm are toes and my earlobe, but those I do not classify as
> convenient either! These places are likely to get used when my hands
> are incredibly dirty and I need to test, or I know that I will be
> getting my hands incredibly dirty or unhygenic shortly after a test.
> Imagine tasks like snaking a sewer line.
>
> Tim.
>

LOL oh come on Tim.. don't be such a woose, times that you have to snake
a sewer line, just lick your fingers before you test... just think of the
protein!
<VBG>
I agree about the forearm testing.. It was 10x the hassle then just a
simple
little prick to the finger.. the pain doesn't last more then a few
seconds.. it's
a lifelong thing now, way I figure it.. best to suck it up and get over it
and just
do it! as Nike says. <g>

RK, t1

In alt.support.diabetes on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:23:19 -0500 in Msg.#
<132621lmj2alkab@corp.supernews.com>, "Cougar"
<cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
> weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
> my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
> out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
> low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
> site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
> myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
> know why that bothers me so much.

Hey, Kris, I use the Freestyle Flash & I test exclusively on my thighs. I've
talked - or tried to talk - about alternate site testing here numerous
times. The only potential downside I can find, which is in a warning in the
Freestyle manual, has to do with hypos or going too low or being hypo
unaware. The rationale for this is that it takes longer for the thighs or
arms or whatever to find out that the blood is on the low side. I don't
avoid my fingers because it bothers me but because it is both painful, which
I can endure, and sore & causes the skin to thicken there, where some skin
thickening is already a problem around unruly cuticles. I tested in my
fingers for awhile.

--
DonnaB
06-07-06 Diagnosis T2 hbA1C 8.1, D&E & Metformin 500mg.
...................09-11-06 hbA1C 5.0
...................12-20-06 hbA1C 5.2

"You can't reason with someone whose first line of argument is that reason
doesn't count." - Isaac Asimov

In alt.support.diabetes on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:35:45 GMT in Msg.#
<BzGUh.14372$807.1882@trndny09>, "Julie Bove" <juliebove@verizon.net>
wrote:

> Oddly, finger testing doesn't bother me but the mere thought of forearm
> testing does. I couldn't bring myself to do that.

I laughed out loud the first time you said this, some time back. I don't
know why, it just seems funny to me. But, what about the outside of the
thighs? <G> That's where I test. I know how it is to test there & my fingers
& my upper arms & my forearms. The outer thigh is so easy.

--
DonnaB
06-07-06 Diagnosis T2 hbA1C 8.1, D&E & Metformin 500mg.
...................09-11-06 hbA1C 5.0
...................12-20-06 hbA1C 5.2

"You can't reason with someone whose first line of argument is that reason
doesn't count." - Isaac Asimov

Hello, Julie!

Yeh I thought too!!




You wrote to Julie Bove on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:35:45 GMT:


JB> "Cougar" <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote in message
JB> news:132621lmj2alkab@corp.supernews.com...
??>> Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing
??>> about 2 weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I
??>> can test on my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT
??>> hurt or freak me out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was
??>> told is that if I had low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but
??>> this meter is made for other site testing other than the finger/hand.
??>> Just have never heard anybody but myself talk about other site
??>> testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't know why that bothers
??>> me so much.

JB> Oddly, finger testing doesn't bother me but the mere thought of forearm
JB> testing does. I couldn't bring myself to do that.


With best regards, *©*´¯`·.¸¸.·´·DõKtör åvãíäñçhë·`·.¸¸.·´¯`·-·|. E-mail:
h@cker.co.uk

DonnaB shallotpeel <shallotpeel@comcast.net> wrote:

>I laughed out loud the first time you said this, some time back. I don't
>know why, it just seems funny to me. But, what about the outside of the
>thighs? <G> That's where I test.

Don't you get funny looks from fellow diners in the restaurant?

On Apr 16, 7:57 am, DonnaB shallotpeel <shallotp...@comcast.net>
wrote:
I don't
> avoid my fingers because it bothers me but because it is both painful, which
> I can endure, and sore & causes the skin to thicken there, where some skin
> thickening is already a problem around unruly cuticles. I tested in my
> fingers for awhile.

Yeah, I have that problem too. My fingers are really sensitive and
the cuticles often irritated and sore just from normal wear and tear.
I arm test usually, sometimes I use the outer thigh. It works for me
because I've never seen a hypo and usually just test fasting and the
occasional post prandial out of curiosity.

> Have you read this yet?
>
> Painless Pricks
> http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/20...ss-pricks.html


Just did...thanks
Kris

Cougar <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:
: Can't bring myself to test in the fingers/hand yet. Been testing about 2
: weeks now. The diabetic educator helped me get a meter that I can test on
: my forearm. I have no problem with that, and it does NOT hurt or freak me
: out. It's a Freestyle freedom. The only thing I was told is that if I had
: low BS, the hand would be more accurate, but this meter is made for other
: site testing other than the finger/hand. Just have never heard anybody but
: myself talk about other site testing. Maybe with time I can do it. I don't
: know why that bothers me so much.
: Kris

I only test fingers because my endo said not to test in other locations as
it was less reliable. I follow my doctor's advice, since I respect him
and was lucky to find him after others that were not so good.

Wendy

In alt.support.diabetes on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:14:58 -0400 in Msg.#
<anb7231shvq7qu3u6eea0ql1552eehstu0@4ax.com>, Richard Evans
<infodex@mindspring.com> wrote:

> DonnaB shallotpeel <shallotpeel@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> >I laughed out loud the first time you said this, some time back. I don't
> >know why, it just seems funny to me. But, what about the outside of the
> >thighs? <G> That's where I test.
>
> Don't you get funny looks from fellow diners in the restaurant?

Ya know, I have probably gotten funny looks from people here & there my
whole life, but, I don't think many of them have been since I was diagnosed
T2 & if they had anything to do with being diabetic, it came from talking
about it. Some people are just icky about anything disease that they don't
understand. It's not a big deal.

I find everything about testing easier in the summer than the winter. For
one thing, I am very often in shorts, not short shorts, of course, but short
enough to easily give access to exposed outer thighs or top of the thigh,
down near the knee. And, in the winter my skin is dryer & it almost seems
thicker, harder to puncture correctly. Twice this winter I bruised myself
just from hitting some spot from which much blood flowed. In the summer,
never happens. And, I bruise easily.

--
DonnaB http://sonystrikesagain.wordpress.com/
06-07-06 Diagnosis T2 hbA1C 8.1, D&E & Metformin 500mg.
...................09-11-06 hbA1C 5.0
...................12-20-06 hbA1C 5.2

"My God -- Life! Who can understand even one little minute of it." - Kurt
Vonnegut, Jr. [Nov 11, 1922-Apr 11, 2007], Jonah, CAT'S CRADLE