Finger prick private tests help no blood!

[OneFrenchEgg]

Ok just done the second attempt as the first clotted or something. I managed a few months ago but now my blood just wants to join itself up around the rim of the little pot.
I have sore fingers, this time one pad never bled at all, one bled only when I didn't want it too. Gave up and sent the useless vial off and expecting another message back to say I need to repeat.

What can I do?

I know about warm water, standing up to stab your finger and drinking beforehand. Can I try somewhere other than a finger? Use a teeny scalpel?

I can't do them at all, not even drinking loads and warming my fingers.

Gave up. If you really need the bloods rather than would like to have, you can have them via your GP.

Whirl your arm round and round before you prick it. It is a pain though.

As you said, lots of drinks, warm your hands for at least 10 minutes using a hot water bottle/ heat pack and blanket.
Hand lower than heart.
Use the other hand to massage from arm down to finger or thumb.
Grip the digit to be used firmly above the area you are going to put the lancet in.
The pot should be on a firm surface just below the finger.
The finger should never touch the edge of the pot.
The finger should be squeezed gently and intermittently so the blood drops gently into the pot.
Make sure there is no soap or alcohol residue on the skin.
This is the most extreme method for persistant failed attempts.

I find it easier slightly to the side of the tip pad rather than near the top. That's where they do it when I give blood.

Do you know anyone who does their own finger prick tests? They could show you. Or watch a video?

I can't do them at all, I've followed all the advice as well and had two or three goes. When I did finally manage to get enough blood out a couple of times they couldn't test the sample as I'd done something else wrong- squeezed too hard and broke something or other.

So I gave up and had full bloods done via the GP at the hospital and all was well- it always takes an experienced phlebotomist to get blood out of me- when I give blood they get the senior guy to find my veins. I'm just a bit stingy with it. Low blood pressure, low resting heart rate.

It's not a nice to have really, it's to monitor an ongoing condition and easier if I send the results than trekking over plus I can do some enhanced tests if I pay.

I'm doing it wrong then - I had to put my finger on the tube to get the blood in there!

They told me not to squeeze my finger because this caused some kind of issue. I think I'm so stressed it's making my blood reluctant to leave me.

At least I have some tips for next time thank you.

Imagine you've drawn a smiley face on your finger pad.. The prick should be where one of the eyes is, rather than the middle.. so I was told.

I found the times when it's been easier is when I've been well hydrated for a couple of days. Then my blood seems to flow more easily and be less 'sticky'. Try to up your water intake

Ok maybe I need to drink more than I think I am. It's so weirdly stressful!

I’ve never been able to do them either, I have to go and get blood taken

The side of the pad, level with the part of your nail that turns white, guarantees copious bleeding. Or at least it did me when I managed to poke myself with a loose thread on my straw bag yesterday.

I do these regularly and I can't get a single drop out unless I run up and down the stairs a few times. Get your blood pumping and it will be dead easy.

I put an elastic band round my finger or wrist and that helps (a tiny one for the finger). My blood samples always came back as an insufficient sample until I did this.

I had a failed attempt to give blood this evening (iron too low) so just showing you where the professionals pricked my finger for locational reference!

Ah thank you I've done it in the middle and further down. My finger tips don't love me.
I'm going to try running up and down, increasing drinking and standing up.