Kids dealing with finger sticks

[Cassy]

How do the kids deal with getting the finger sticks for testing? I know there are some really young kids with Diabetes, and my heart goes out to them.

[Britjojo]

It has got to be hard, but no harder than the insulin shots, or the million vaccinations that are put into kids these days. They get used to it, they have no choice. You can help distract them, but you shouldn't sneak up on them or they may end up fearing any physical contact with you.

[ozonew4m]

Depending on the age of the child it can be very difficult.. It does get easier if the child is old enough to explain things to and it can become a way of life.. sometimes its harder for the parents having to give the injection or use the pads than for the actual child who is recieving it..

[Cassy]

I suppose that even at a young age, you can get used to it. Then of course, kids are resilient. They can learn to get used to a lot.

[jimmys devoted]

How about using a numbing agent. Liek solarcaine or mediquick prior to poking.
It numbs the area, they dont feel it and doesnt interefre with glucose reading.
I knwqo when we went to DE classes they even suggested using it on all people to prevent problems.
julie

[Simplyme]

Would you not be able to numb the finger with some ice or something prior to testing? I am not really familiar with what is ok or not but it sounds like one would be able to do that for a child??

[skatss]

The new glucometer I got says that you can use the middle of the arm where there are less nerve endings, to prick the skin and get your blood sample.

I'm not giving the name of the machine because the battery use is obscenely low and it needs a new battery after only 20 tests so I won't recommend it. But it proves that there are machines around where you can use places that won't hurt so much to get the blood sample.

Look at the new meters out now and get the one that lets you use other places to get the blood.

I don't know how the parents of kids with diabetes manage to cope. My heart goes out to the kids and to their parents.

[Simplyme]

Would you not be able to numb the finger with some ice or something prior to testing? I am not really familiar with what is ok or not but it sounds like one would be able to do that for a child??

I imagine the ice would actually inhibit you since it slows the blood flow wouldn't it?

The new glucometer I got says that you can use the middle of the arm where there are less nerve endings, to prick the skin and get your blood sample.

I'm not giving the name of the machine because the battery use is obscenely low and it needs a new battery after only 20 tests so I won't recommend it. But it proves that there are machines around where you can use places that won't hurt so much to get the blood sample.

Look at the new meters out now and get the one that lets you use other places to get the blood.

I don't know how the parents of kids with diabetes manage to cope. My heart goes out to the kids and to their parents.


If this is the same one my aunt had she said the same thing that the battery life was ridiculously low.

[faithib]

Since some of the newer meters need a much smaller drop of blood than years ago I think it may be possible to distract a very young child so they don't even notice it.
Nobody likes needles but it can be a big fear in a young child.
How the parent approaches dealing with the child's diabetes can make a big difference in their fears and how they react to things they have no choice about like finger sticks and shots.

[Simplyme]

You are very right. Helping a child to cope with it at a young age and helping to eliminate those fears can be the difference in how they eventually look at and accept it later on as well.

[manojjonam10]

It has to be really very hard for them.It turns my stomach upside down about thinking how much hardships they are facing and i admire about their courage to live.