[srobinson]

Hi All

I am a relatively new type II sufferer. I started on Metformin but it made me feel like I had the FLU constantly so my doctor changed my to Junuvia. He says that he is satisfied with my AC1 on it.

I am struggling with the monitoring, I have developed a real phobia and mental block about sticking my fingers to get a blood sample.

Now My wife has to do it for me, but she cannot follow me around. I can't seem to will myself to do it. I can stand in the bathroom trying for more than an hour? I really hate this diabetes.

Steve

 

[diabetes86]

Stick the side of the finger tip, the pad of the finger has the most nerve ending (so the most pain).

 

[breezeonby]

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time with testing. Is it just pricking your finger that bothers you or just pricking in general? I would sit down somewhere that you are comfortable and sit there until you are able to get up the nerve to prick. There are other places that you can prick other than your fingers. Most glucose meter kits come with a cap-usually clear, that you attach to your lancing device. You can then use your forearm or thigh. I didn't have any problems using lancets or syringes. Do you know what gauge lancet that you are using? And what depth is your lancing device set on? Try and use a high gauge lancet (BD makes a 33 gauge) and set your depth to low on your lancing device. Maybe getting a more gentle prick will help you. Keep trying and I think that you will eventually get the nerve to prick on your own. Until then, get your wife to help, you need to be able to test. I hope that we can help you get through this fear. We will help any way possible.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome, Steve . . . I can't say anything that Breeze hasn't already covered, so I'll just assure you that you aren't the first person to have such a block about finger pokes.

Thank you for joining us and if you visit often, we'll be here every day to help you overcome the anxiety.

 

[srobinson]

I have a long standing fear of needles and the pricking is a form of needle. It is irrational as when my wife does it there really is not to much pain. Yet I cannot seem to will myself to press the trigger button. I know that it does not make sense. Ironically I work for the Canadian Standards Association and I certify medical equipment safety. I trigger it sometimes and then I think that I am ok, but then the next time I cannot. I hope that I never need Insulin because I am pretty sure that injecting myself is going to be a big problem.

 

[Shanny]

Because this is something that directly affects your ability to independently care for yourself and manage your diabetes, I think it would be good if you sought help in managing the phobia. It's no small insignificant thing - it's one of the major phobias around - affecting possibly 10% of the population, and it prevents thousands of people from getting the medical/dental care they need. I have no idea what therapy would entail, but if I were you, I'd be making every effort to unravel the roots of this, so I could move past it & get on with my life. You may always dislike needles, but you could at least test yourself.

Take care & good luck, Steve!

 

[breezeonby]

Steve-when I was in first grade, I remember getting a TB test and I was so scared that I threw-up. I then dreaded the thought of tests with needles. I didn't need to get very many shots until I was in my early
20's and came down with pneumonia and was put in the hospital. I then needed to get my arterial blood gases checked and the first time they did this test, I freaked out...it was really painful. By the time I left the hospital, I had needed so many IV's and tests that I was able to eat while getting an IV inserted. Now, I don't blink an eye when it comes to needles. I hope you can get over this. There is a lancet out called "Tiniboy" and it is made for children. The lancets are real small and I ordered a box from the Tiniboy website and was fascinated. Unfortunately, I am not able to get a good size of blood from my finger with this lancet, but it might be something you might want to consider. Just a thought.

 

[srobinson]

Thank you all for your Ideas! I am doing my best to get over this, unfortunately my doctor and the staff don't seem to take it very seriously. My blood sugar seems to go from about 7.2 to 11 or so. My doctor says that he is satisfied with that. Have any of you tried the AC1 home test kit that is advertized on dLife?

 

[breezeonby]

Bought a kit with 10 tests. In my opinion, the test results are not accurate. The Bayer A1C tests were almost 25% lower that the tests run at the lab. Probably not a good idea to think that your A1C is lower than it really is. Best bet, stick with the local lab.

 

[srobinson]

Victoza Injection

I have been struggling with Junuvia it just does not seen to being my BG levels under control. I tried Metformin and I cannot tolerate that drug very well. It makes me feel like I have the flu constantly.

Now my Dr. is trying me on Victoza, he has a great hope for it. It is a once a day inject-able medication. I am having an appointment with a nurse specialist to learn how to give myself the injection. I am not looking forward to that very much, however the makers are working on a pill formulation so that I may not have to take the injections for ever!

I will let you know how it goes. I have been type II for about three four years now without very good control of My BG and I am scared of the complications that it may lead too.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome back, Steve . . . do keep us posted - there are plenty of us going through the same struggles & we're pulling for you all the way.

 

[onaughmae]

I have been struggling with Junuvia it just does not seen to being my BG levels under control. I tried Metformin and I cannot tolerate that drug very well. It makes me feel like I have the flu constantly.

Now my Dr. is trying me on Victoza, he has a great hope for it. It is a once a day inject-able medication. I am having an appointment with a nurse specialist to learn how to give myself the injection. I am not looking forward to that very much, however the makers are working on a pill formulation so that I may not have to take the injections for ever!

I will let you know how it goes. I have been type II for about three four years now without very good control of My BG and I am scared of the complications that it may lead too.

Good luck with the Victoza, let us know how it is working for you

 

[Dr. Steve]

Hi Steve,

It sounds like you've been getting some good advice and support. I just wanted to write and encourage you. As it has already been highlighted, many people struggle with needle phobias or a strong dislike of sharps. It sounds like you have been working through it over the past months and liasing with your Dr. about med changes and so forth. Keep up the good work. I hope the Victoza works out for you.

Steve

 

[srobinson]

Injection Breakthrough

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I have been struggling with my treatment for a couple of months now. I have now got to the point where I am able to do my finger prick successfully! As well my doctor has put me on a new medication called victoza. I have to inject this into my stomach. I have been doing it for a month now. For most of that month I had my wife inject me. Today I was able to inject myself for the first time! That is quiet a breakthrough. The victoza is doing the job. My fasting blood glucose level was down to 5.6 for the first time in along time.

Steve

 

[onaughmae]

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I have been struggling with my treatment for a couple of months now. I have now got to the point where I am able to do my finger prick successfully! As well my doctor has put me on a new medication called victoza. I have to inject this into my stomach. I have been doing it for a month now. For most of that month I had my wife inject me. Today I was able to inject myself for the first time! That is quiet a breakthrough. The victoza is doing the job. My fasting blood glucose level was down to 5.6 for the first time in along time.

Steve

That is awesome! Thanks for the update! I know I have a friend that just started taking Victoza and it has been working well for her also. Good job on injecting yourself!

 

[Shanny]

Way to go, Steve! Keep on keepin' on!!

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I have been struggling with my treatment for a couple of months now. I have now got to the point where I am able to do my finger prick successfully! As well my doctor has put me on a new medication called victoza. I have to inject this into my stomach. I have been doing it for a month now. For most of that month I had my wife inject me. Today I was able to inject myself for the first time! That is quiet a breakthrough. The victoza is doing the job. My fasting blood glucose level was down to 5.6 for the first time in along time.

Steve

 

[Joshua Shorter]

Congratulations! Take pleasure and joy in the small victories and in the large ones!

 

[breezeonby]

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I have been struggling with my treatment for a couple of months now. I have now got to the point where I am able to do my finger prick successfully! As well my doctor has put me on a new medication called victoza. I have to inject this into my stomach. I have been doing it for a month now. For most of that month I had my wife inject me. Today I was able to inject myself for the first time! That is quiet a breakthrough. The victoza is doing the job. My fasting blood glucose level was down to 5.6 for the first time in along time.

Steve

It does take some time for your body to adjust to new foods and medication. That is a great fasting reading, way to go!

 

[onlymep]

well done Steve - one small step at a time.
I was Ok with finger pricking myself, but I still don't like it when others do it for me (eg. nurses)... I think it hurts more. I did struggle to do the first couple of insulin injections in my stomach... but it was really a mind over matter thing for me. I just thought to myself "I have to do this, so do it" and I haven't had a problem since. Although I do get annoyed when I get a bleeder either on my finger or stomach... usually happens when I'm in a hurry. I was on Junuvia at one point myself too... like you it didn't work on me.