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    • 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
      Amy Schneider likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 3 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I want a thumbs down icon!
    • 3 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I seldom have any questions other than RX refill request which I submit through the patient portal. If I do have treatment questions, I typically do my own research, and if not satisfied with what I find out, I submit a question in the portal.
    • 3 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      When I come up with a question between visits, I usually just do some research.
    • 5 hours, 13 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 5 hours, 14 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Sorry. Of course I store unopened in frig. Opened in my room as I use it up in 30 days
    • 5 hours, 14 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      No, I keep it in the oven! ;) Same answer as the last time they asked this ridiculous question!
    • 5 hours, 56 minutes ago
      Becky Hertz likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Unopened yes, and now even opened just in case. I am getting a new health [lan (thank goodness a much better one - with better doctors and hospitals in network!) so it's worth it. But I can't get any appt - even for a PCP until September. I've been occasionally buying out of pocket insulin, pump and CGM supplies (in my mind, hoarding is a character asset for T1D people). I need to have my enough stuff to see me through, Of course, I am hoping there''s an appt cancellation.
    • 7 hours, 19 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Unopened yes, and now even opened just in case. I am getting a new health [lan (thank goodness a much better one - with better doctors and hospitals in network!) so it's worth it. But I can't get any appt - even for a PCP until September. I've been occasionally buying out of pocket insulin, pump and CGM supplies (in my mind, hoarding is a character asset for T1D people). I need to have my enough stuff to see me through, Of course, I am hoping there''s an appt cancellation.
    • 9 hours, 17 minutes ago
      alex likes your comment at
      Here’s What You Need to Know About the Dexcom G7
      This article explains the Dexcom G7 features in a clear and easy way, especially for people new to continuous glucose monitoring. Very informative and helpful. Sportzfy TV Download
    • 1 day ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Have you ever been told you couldn’t physically do something because you live with diabetes?
      Long time ago - told there were certain occupations I would not be allowed to do because if T1D. Pilot, air traffic controller, military, etc.
    • 1 day ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I have been told many times "YOU CAN'T EAT THAT!" ONLY to frustrate them and eat it anyway and then bolus accordingly.
    • 1 day ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
    • 1 day ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      Lol hell when haven't they. Lol
    • 1 day ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was only 2 when Diagnosed 70 years ago. My small town doctor admitted he didn't know much about T1D, and fortune for my parents and I he called what is now Joslin Clinic, and they told him how much insulin to give me. He taught my parents, who then traveled over 350 miles to Boston, to learn about how to manage T1D. My doctor learned more about T1D, and was able to help 2 other young men, that were later DX with T1D in our small town. I went to Joslin until I turned 18 and returned to become a Joslin Medalist and participated in the research study, 20 years ago. Still go there for some care.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was 7 when things changed in my home. My older brother was hospitalized for 2 weeks. When he came home, we no longer ate the way we had before. This was 1956. Dessert alternated between sugarless pudding or sugarless Jello. I learned that bread and potatoes had carbohydrates and that turned to sugar. There was a jar in the bathroom. It seemed my brother was testing his urine every time he went in there. There was a burner and pot on the stove designated for boiling syringes. I watched my brother give himself shots and I remember how hard it was to find someone to manage his care if my parents had to travel. Diabetic Forecast magazine came in the mail each month and there were meetings of the local diabetes association that my mother attended religiously. My brother got a kidney and pancreas transplant at age 60 and before he died lived for 5 years as a non-diabetic. A few years later I was diagnosed. Sorry he was not able to make use of today’s technology. I often wonder what he and my late parents would think about me, at age 66, being the only one in the family with type 1.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 6 hours ago
      kilupx likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      My brother was type 1 since an early age. I was only diagnosed in my late 40s
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Phyllis Biederman likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was diagnosed in 1976 at the age of 18 while in college. One weekend, I was drinking a lot of water and peeing frequently. I remembered having read a Reader's Digest article on diabetes, and I told my friends I thought I might have it. Two days later, the diagnosis was confirmed.
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I knew I couldn’t or shouldn’t have my two fav things in the world: Pepsi cola and chocolate. I was 42, and suspected very strongly that I had it, and ate a large piece of chocolate cake before my doctor’s appointment (sounds more like I was 12). Fast forward 25 years later: I never had a real cola again, but do occasionally have chocolate. I’m way healthier than I was back then in terms of diet. I no longer have irritable bowel, and I’m lucky to be able to afford what I need to combat the ill effects of this chronic disease. I’m blessed, and grateful for insulin.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      It was 35 years ago for me. I had no experience with T1d. I was starting to show symptoms and my sister-in-law quickly researched T1d and told me what she found. I went to my GP a week or two later. My BG was over 600. He sent me to the hospital right away. Blood test confirmed it.
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    Which of these best describes how often you typically change your lancet?

    Home > LC Polls > Which of these best describes how often you typically change your lancet?
    Previous

    Have you recently experienced delays in receiving your T1D prescriptions or device supplies due to product shortages?

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    Before you or your loved one were diagnosed with T1D, how much did you know about T1D?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    32 Comments

    1. Ahh Life

      I think I’ve said this before (or something similar), i I change lancets as often as Haley’s comet comes around. ¯\_( ͡눈 ͜ʖ ͡눈)_/¯

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. ConnieT1D62

      Other. I rarely use lancets any more since I started using Dexcom as CGM. However, on the rare occasions that I do prick a finger to obtain a BG level, I change the lancet after each fingers stick. In the old days before CGM, I would change it once or twice a week.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. William Bennett

      Wait–you can change those things?
      /s
      🙂

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Nevin Bowman

      Do people really change those? How do you even do that? 😀

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Sherolyn Newell

      I picked other because I only do finger sticks about 3 days per month. I skip a day between Dexcom sensors, so if my prescription takes longer to fill than usual, I don’t have as many finger-stick days in a row. I change the lancet when it gets dull and starts to hurt.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Miriam Gordon

      Don’t remember the last time I changed it. Used to change twice a year when the clock changed. Now (using Dexcom) I change when it starts to hurt too much.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Rebecca Lambert

      Rarely have to use it due to CGM

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Joseph Emmons

      Sounds like some are unsure of what a lancet is. One finger poke one lancet. Mine has a cartridge with six lancets and you rotate to an unused one after each use. Infections are a real thing.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Lawrence Stearns

      I’ve always used a new, clean lancet each time I do a blood test. I believe reusing lancets is unsanitary.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. connie ker

      CGMs have changed the lancet finger sticks with meters, so I used to change lancets twice a week. Now with the Freestyle Libre, it is once a month. Forward we go, one day at a time with this T1D. Happy Birthday Insulin turning 100 years since discovery!!!!!

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Ernie Richmann

      I checked once per week but that is because I only use it once a week on the average- just to confirm my cgm reading or during the 2 hour warm up period.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Dave Barden

      Thanks for the reminder. Maybe I’ll remember to do it now

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. CindyGoddard

      Never

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. George Lovelace

      You mean you aren’t supposed to Re-Sharpen them like I used to do with Syringes?

      4
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. cynthia jaworski

      I change it when it hurts (more). To be fair, I rarely use it now that I have my libre.

      Same changing frequency for pen needles.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Amanda Barras

      Used to change every few weeks when checking daily, now it’s more 1x per month after switching to Dexcom and only check bs a few times during a month.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Steve Rumble

      Not currently using lancets as I’m trying out a CGM, but when I was using lancets I changed them every time I opened a bottle of test strips, or about weekly.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Natalie Daley

      After using a CGM for six months, I use my rotating drum lancets rarely, so I change it each time.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Pauline M Reynolds

      My real answer is “when it hurts”.

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. gary rind

      when I was using strips, I would change my lancet daily. now that I use the Libre2, I test once or twice per day so I only change lancets once or twice a week. change pen needles daily too.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Sahran Holiday

      Test a lot so sharper lancet is best for me.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. persevereT1D52

      LOL

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Mary Harrison

      It depends on how quickly it starts to feel dull… sometimes a few days, many times I can’t remember when last I changed it. 😂

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Sondra Mangan

      I change my lancet every three days when I change my Omnipod. My fingers are happier this way.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Becky Hertz

      When it hurts or I can’t draw blood.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. AnitaS

      I typically change it every time I test with a test strip now that I have a cgm. Before getting a cgm, I used to change the lancet when I emptied the container of test strips which contain 50 strips.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. LizB

      When I realize that I’ve pushed the plunger on my MultiClix device 3-4 times and still can’t get more than a microscopic speck of blood, I finally turn to a new lancet in the drum. Usually every few months or so.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Molly Jones

      When I remember to. It varies incredibly. I do not use my glucose meter often compared to before Dexcom G6.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Melinda Lipe

        As others are
        saying, I have a Dexcom, but unlike others, I trust every reading and rarely do a fingerstick to check behind it, so I don’t know how often I change it.

        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. PamK

      I don’t use my blood glucose meter every day, but I do change the lancet every few weeks.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Bea Anderson

      I rarely check especially with Dexcom accuracy.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Cheryl Seibert

      I don’t test with my meter much anymore since I’ve started using the Dexcom G6. Every few months if it seems dull

      4 years ago Log in to Reply

    Which of these best describes how often you typically change your lancet? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.




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