Yes, it's possible to be conscious at 29, I've heard of people at 11 talking.

Most likely either the strip was out dated, your test site wasn't clea.n

pick up a TruTest meter, comes with 50 strips I think. Any chain drug store should have it, around $23. Get a poker too. I prefer to use the sides of my fingers, not the pad. Hurts way less. I bruise like I've been beaten using forearm.