Thanks for your reply Sue.  Yes we are supposed to do the x4 blood tests over a 24 hour period.  The first few tests are like warm ups to the profiles and are not so much for the results but more for us to develop "technique."

It IS daunting though as you suggested given that after reading your post I can say i did follow those tips and more besides.

We went each time into the side of the nail bed.  The Doctor said not to use the tip as it is more sensitive and more nerve endings.  After the first puncture, we could not get enough blood even holding the arm down and milking the arm towards the hand.  When I declared that we would have to make another puncture, Ashley jumped up and ran off into the bedroom...I felt awful I tell you.  Anyway, I said we would try just one more time, but well...the rest you know.  I think his blood seemed to be clotting too easily with such a small puncture.  Not good.

Even the lancet ones which are a little more viscious and make a nick were not for working.  As it was just a practice run and not worried about results this time, I did it even though he had missed a dose earlier.  Do you think that low cortisol level would affect amount of blood in the drop and also the clotting factor?  Just a thought now in hind sight.