Holy Low Blood Sugar, Batman!

[figmo]

After responding to JohnO's entry about his physical I realized I might be depressed because my own blood sugar might be low. I tested it; it came up at 11. ("Normal" is around 75.) I did a second test; it came up at 19.

I ran out and got some tofu and black bean sauce. I adore black bean sauce, and it was on sale. This was, as Martha Stewart would put it, "A Good Thing." I am feeling much better. My blood sugar still hasn't risen significantly, though. I think I need to get more test strips.

What I don't understand is why companies give such cutesy names for lancets. A lancet is this nasty thing you use to jab your fingertip to draw blood for the blood sugar test. Companies sell "lancet pens" that consist of a lancet and a spring-loaded pen that supposedly jabs your finger "just the right amount" to draw the right amount of blood.

Typical names for lancet pens include "Soft Touch" and "Gentle Whisper." I wish they'd be honest and name them things like "Jabs You and Hurts Like Hell" or "Draws Blood Real Good" (if it does) or "GOTCHA!" I feel for Type I diabetics who have to stick themselves with needles to inject insulin in addition to the repeated blood tests. Yeeouch.

Comments

needles

[cellio]

Yeah, I really feel for diabetics, too. Ouch. Though it sounds like technology is getting better; I have a friend who's got some sort of continuous-feed thing going, or maybe continuous-attachment and regulated feed. Anyway, he sticks himself with a needle every few days, and has this small box he carries around (clips it on his belt or puts it in his pocket), and no other needles are involved.

On a completely different subject, you mentioned recently that you're looking for a bichon. Are you specifically looking for a show dog, or do you just want a pet? A friend happened to mention his family's involvement in a bichon rescue organization, which I didn't know existed before now. Would details on that help?

Greg agrees with you

[jhitchin.livejournal.com]

I just went into the other room where Greg is sitting on the futon/couch and watching television with a friend and told him about what you said on the subject of lancet naming. He laughed and said, "Amen!"

re: Lancets

[johno.livejournal.com]

Exactly the train of thought I had reading all the information and manuals.

"Soft Touch"??? If it's supposed to puncture the skin, it *can't* be soft.

Also, all the size settings hurt, but only the biggest 2 draw enough blood to test with.

I was a good boy at Disney, I dropped my mid-day test strip and lancet at the 1st Aid stations. No fuss at all. I walked in, said I had a sharp and blood sample to dispose of and the nurse on duty would lead me to a unoccupied treatment room, pointing out the sharp bin.

JohnO