My partner has fairly severe diabetes, with pills and two kinds of insulin each day. The diabetic nurses want to change Kit's insulin levels, but they'll need several days' blood sugar readings. Kit is in so much pain day to day that this is very difficult. But the diabetic nurses and the district nurses tell *me* that it's my responsibility. The district nurse said I was failing as a carer if I couldn't persuade Kit to have the reading every day. I don't know what good she thought that would do, even if I was failing-- it's not like I could be fired and someone else could start instead! It's frustrating.
Hello Marn
I'm diabetic and test my sugars up to 7 times each day (on waking, before and after each meal and at bedtime) - if done properly it shouldn't hurt, no more than a mild pin-prick.
The trick is to use the lancet to puncture at the side of a finger (not the pad as that is more sensitive) and to use a different finger each time. Washing the hands in warm water beforehand will also make the blood flow more easily and be less painful.
Does Kit do his own readings or does he rely on you to do them ? It is important for his Diabetic Nurse to have the readings as she can't adjust his insulin doses correctly without them - it's not something that can be done by 'trial and error' !