Microlet; exercise and reading

Good morning.  I feel like I have some new friends on here!  I am so green at this, not yet being exactly sure what is going on (appt. next week) and trying to read and absorb a lot of stuff. 

I am having a problem consistently getting a large enough drop of blood to test with my Ascensia Contour.  The generic lancets they gave me at first were a real problem; when I tried the Bayer ones, it seemed to work better for me last Sunday.  But, this morning I had to try about four times to get it right.  I washed my hands in warm water, hung my arm for a bit, and "milked" the finger first.  Right now, I only test two days a week while my doctor tries to figure out what is what, so my bruised fingers recover and it is tolerable.  But I am wondering if I am doing something wrong myself, or if maybe another type of glucometer might work better for me.

Also, for those well-versed on diabetes.......what effect could exercising before breakfast have on the fasting blood sugar levels?  (As I track my fasting numbers here at home, that 163 I got at the doctor's office -- stress and readings post -- seems like a fluke). The difference between that time and others is that I exercised, took a shower and went to my appointment, and I wondered if that could have had an effect. 

Thanks everyone!

Hi Babsie,

I use the One touch Ultra fine lancets and also the B&D 31g lancets.  The one touch ultrafine lancets would probably be better for you.  make sure when loading your pen that you put the bevel of the lancet "with" the grain of your skin.  That way it hurts less.  Secondly, when you first get up in the morning...do your blood test then.  I find that there is much more blood easlily available in my fingers right after I get up vs. even a half an hour later.  This should allow you to still use a tiny finger stick and get enough blood to test with. 

Last but not least make sure you take your meter to the docters office and test from the same site where they draw blood to compare you meter readings with their lab/meter readings! 

Also, Jeannie is right.  While exercise is ultimately one of the keys to lowering your blood sugar, immediately following an exercise session your BS could be elevated as your body tries to keep enough sugar available for the brain.  so don't stress over post exercise readings...in fact don't even bother taking them

 Warren

I too am relatively new to this disease and have gained a lot from the advice I found here. And I was having trouble for a couple of days "squeezing" enough blood for a test. I called my diabetic counselor. She asked if I was drinking enough water. She said even a slight lack of hydration could make it difficult to get enough blood and might also concentrate the sugar in the drop you get. Then the sugar reading would be higher. She also told me never to continue to squeeze the same finger for very long because that would concentrte the sugar and give a higher reading. I have since made sure I drink enough water (not counting tea, colas, coffee, etc.) and about two cups before I am going to take a reading. Since I am new to this, I don't know if it will help you or not, but I have had no trouble since I became aware of the hydration problem.