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Many people find it hard to check their blood sugar levels regularly. If you're having problems getting started, ask yourself these questions:
- How often am I checking now?
- What might be getting in my way of checking regularly?
- What are some things I can do to help myself get started?
Here are some common reasons people have trouble checking regularly, and some ideas that might help.
Things that are getting in my way:
- I don't know how to check my blood sugar.
- I can't get a big enough drop of blood.
- I don't think my meter is working right.
- I can't seem to remember to check at the right time.
- I can't seem to remember to check at all.
- My fingers are too sore to check as often as I'm supposed to.
- I don't know how to keep a record.
Ideas that can help:
- I'll read about checking and then set up an appointment with my doctor or diabetes provider to help me if I still have questions.
- I'll try holding my hands under warm water for about 30 seconds, and then rub the inside of my wrist and squeeze my finger gently. This will help with my blood flow.
- I’ll talk to my nurse or health care team if I have questions about how my meter works. I'll figure out when the information will be useful to me. Then I'll start checking at that time.
- I'll try leaving my blood sugar meter and record book in a handy place, like on the kitchen table or my nightstand near the clock. That way I'll see them easily and it will remind me to check.
- I'll start using hand creams to keep my fingertips soft and smooth so they won't hurt as much.
- I can read about how to keep track of my blood sugar levels. Or I can talk to a member of my health care team about the kinds of record books that are available.