Okay let's talk stabbing yourself. Over and over, day after day, and year after year. Let's talk about the trepidation of pain-- that time when you slowly creep up on hitting the button because you know it's going to hurt like hell no matter WHERE you put it (Alternate site or especially the fingertips (the sides even.) Even with 33 guage micro lancets, my nerves hate me. They absolutely HATE me when I lace anywhere on my body. When I go to the doctor for the A1C, my finger throbs for hours after (no joke.) I flinch when I lance my fingers. It hurts when I use my arm. The pad of the hand? Oh, lordy. Worst pain ever. I feel it for a while after.Enter the Genteel lancing device.I was skeptical.I tried it on my arm first and had to use the 2nd tip to even get blood. That was ok because it still worked. I've used a few meters. Some like the Easy Touch were completely unforgiving about blood drop size, and they didn't allow OOPS-add more. I've used the Contour Next (0.6 microliters) and the Freedom/Freestyle Freedom Lite (0.3 microliter drops) that lets you add more. This lancing unit will, more often than not, get the amount needed for the Easy Touch without a need for a little up and down milking motion before releasing the vacuum. It would always give me enough for the Freestyle Freedom Lite. (You know that feeling, folks-- you stare at the blood drop and you know you are in better control because the blood barely wants to come out that day, or you know your sugar is high because that drop is right there immediately-- either way, this thing gets the blood.)Pros: I know what you're thinking. Painless? Hah. What just about every place means is "pain lesser", usually. I can honestly say this is the FIRST lancing device (and I've used them all from the standard one that comes in the kit to the side-purchases in the effort to not hurt as much) that actually doesn't make me flinch when I lance my finger. I can push the trigger now (after about a week of being dubious and sneaking up to pulling the trigger) hold the vacuum, release the button, collect the drop-- all without wincing. I know some of you are truckers and it doesn't bother you. You're used it-- that's great, but I never did. Whether I test on my arm or on my finger, I don't even hesitate anymore pressing the trigger. I just put the tip up to my skin, create the vacuum, and press. Done.This alone makes it worth every penny. Was I skeptical? Oh yes.Does it really work? Yes, indeed.Do you feel it? Yes, but while you feel the stick (sometimes) it is not a PAINFUL sensation, and that is what counts. I don't feel the OW--pull away sensation that I do with others.it comes with an emergency contact card in the case. Damn, how useful. I never even realized how great that was until I saw it.Everything FITS in the case, which is an added bonus: tips, glucose log, extra lancets, alcohol wipes, and even a few pen needles if you so choose. While some people may want "small and discreet" I prefer "functional and useful" and this fits the bill. The case is just big enough to hold everything I'd need before and after I lance. I can't really ask for more than that. The bag is branded Gentell with a butterfly on it. It doesn't scream "Hi I'm a lancing device and holding a glucose meter inside." If someone recognizes it, the already know what a Genteel is, so that's a different story.The case comes with a place to be belt mounted and has a hand strap. Both work well, just don't get so exited that you swing it around and smack someone in the face with it, and you'll be fine.Cons: the bag that comes with it is "universal" and it doesn't fit my test strip container very well. I had to struggle getting it in there. It fits-- barely. It's elastic, so it did work, eventually.The velcro tabs have to be permanently installed on your meter to work. This doesn't quite work for my meter unless I put it over the battery cover. (Otherwise I can't open it). Now... every so often I pull it off the velcro and get my meter... and the cover... in 2 pieces in my hand.Sometimes pressing the trigger is awkward. I feel like I'm pressing it, but it's not triggering. I'm getting better at it, but it was something awkward when I first started over to my switch.Overall: Investment of funds aside, if you are going to pay for lancing device, this one makes up for the many I have purchased in the hopes they would do what this was actually does: take the ouch out of lancing yourself. It might take a few tries to find the right tip size for each area you test. (I use blue for my finger sticks, and yellow for alternate sites-- you may find it different). I can definitely see the use of this over a normal lancing for children if you want to not have them "fear" the stick and be willing to do it to themselves. (Hey this comes with cheerful stickers to apply... and I'm almost tempted to use them, and I'm an adult!)Last con: you shouldn't use it for more than one person, so I can't just let someone borrow it and go "LOOK HOW AWESOME THIS WORKS".You'll have to take my word that it worked for me very well. I'm a finger sticking hater, and I don't mind it anymore. To me, that makes this thing worth it. If you are reading this, searching for a less painful device, then I hope this helps you.
