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[Margalot]

Help!

 

I have finally been referred to a rheumatologist to sort out my painful feet, knee, elbow and wrist. and they have narrowed it down to a form of arthritis, but need a few more tests x-rays etc. However they requested another blood test which had to be done today at mt G.P.'s as the nurse wasnt there to take blood at the hospital appt last Weds.

 

I have always had trouble giving my blood away, and either end up passing out or only giving half a test tube

 

Well today was no exception after six attempts in elbow flexes, wrists using a small needle, a butterfly needle and the syringe - nothing! So the phlebotomist said she had put me through enough today and has made an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow am. Apparently he can take it from my feet if necessary really do not like the sound of that

 

I am so scared now ,the lady was lovely today, but have had such bad experiences every time i need a blood test cannot help but get myself into a state. I lay down to have it done so that stops the fainting part, but really hate it. I made sure I drank loads of water today to help with hydration of the blood, but is there anything else I can do?

 

Trouble is the tablets they have given me for the arthritis (sulphasalazine) I need a blood test done every month to check liver function and blood count. When I came out of the docs I burst into tears, I know its only a blood test and I am not needle phobic. but hate it so much and am just a big baby.

 

Does anyone out there have the same experiences?

[Geoid]

When the blood is being taken, don't look at it. Look at a poster or think of lying on a nice beach or something.

Take some rescue remedy, it really helps to calm you down.

[Egluntyne]

I always feel faint too, even though I am trained nurse.

 

I did pass out once and cracked my head open on the corner of a cupboard, and ended up with a couple of stitches!

 

Ask if you can lie down whilst it is being done, I find that helps.

[WarrensWorld]

I have the same problem with the phlebotomist trying to find a vein, on occasion taking it from the back of my hand. Never heard of it being taken from your foot though. I have to have it done every year, my Doctor takes samples for 6 tests and the phlebotomist at the clinic takes some for another 2 tests. I don't like it , and think about what I'm going to have for lunch or a glass of Guinness to replace the loss. It's arthritis and type 2 diabetes in my case, but I'd rather have the blood tests than the retinopathy that goes with the clinic visit.

Hope it all goes well for you. It only takes a minute you'll be glad you've had it done, if only for your own peace of mind......

[ClaireG]

I have to have bloods taken fairly regularly and have found some of the nurses / phelbs are much better than others. What i've found helps me is to keep clenching my fist to pump the veins up. One of the nurses also told me it's a lot easier if your warm which shouldn't be a problem in this weather!

[Redwing]

I hate it too and please please dont think I am lecturing you but the way I get around it is to think of a family member who ensured a horrible illness and the treatment they went through - this trivialises the procedure for me to a point where I can easily deal with it, mind over matter and all that..

 

The other thing I found beneficial was to give blood regularly (alas I am not allowed to anymore) this also made things much more routine

 

Lying down to have it done also helps as already mentioned

[midori]

I was previously terrified of needles/injections/having blood taken. However, recently in a very complicated pregnancy, I ended up having to have 3 or more blood tests a week and now have to inject myself twice a day with blood thinners, so I guess I am over it...

 

I also have rubbish veins and during one hospital stay it took the consultant anaesthetist (eg. someone very good with inserting needles!) 5 attempts to get a line in. I also had to have arterial blood taken, (from the wrist, they have to feel for you rpulse then go in 'blind') but they just couldn't get that. Now that really did hurt like hell!

 

I have found that some people are just better at doing it than others, but in reality I know now that however much I hate the thought of it, it really doesn't hurt that much. At one point, my veins collapsed due to having so many tests and no-one could use the veins in my arms any more and then they started going into my hands. At first, I hated the idea of that, but then realised that one go into my hand was better than half a dozen attempts into my arm.

 

I think in your situation, I would ask for someone experienced/good at blood taking and then look away and take deep breaths, thinking more about the breathing than anything else. Knowing what I do now, I think I would also ask that they try your hand with a butterfly instead of going into your arm.

 

I hope that doesn't sound too patronising, it is just what helped me.

[SarahJo]

I have major needle phobia - even the dentist says I go into "shock" at the mere hint of a filling

 

A friend of mine used to take my blood - used the butterflies - soooo much better than the venflon tubes - that they snap on and off

 

I am a bit better now - but prefer a nurse, or phlebotomist to take blood - NEVER a junior doc, they have not had as much practice (sorry Junior docs - practice on the less squeamish )

 

Try chewing a fresh peice of gum or sucking a nice cube of choccy, apparently sweet things release "good" endorphins and help to counteract pain

[Looney]

Oooh, poor you and good luck for tomorrow.

 

I'm afraid I have no useful advice to add, most people are over the moon when they see my veins as they are prominent and thoeretically hard to miss. Saying that I have had at least two people that have made a mess of inserting a needle, believe me, if they can't get blood from me they're in the wrong profession

[Mrs Webmuppet]

My top tips ( if it's any help) are make sure you eat before you go, drink plenty of water before hand, eat some chocolate just before they take the blood, take a magazine or book to look at as a distraction. When you lay down, do so with your knees bent and make sure you keep a cardi/ jacket on until the last minute ( keeps the veins near the surface of the skin).

 

I give blood and find all the above help the experience be a little less traumatic. I only have one vein they can use so I always ask for the top bod.

[Poached]

Hi

 

I Have regular blood tests at the hospital (I think i have had 17 in 9 months) and every time i go there they have laughing gas which enables them to have more time to take blood,Maybe ask tomorrow and see if they have it

 

 

Hope Its Helps

 

Josh

[quickcluck]

Oh you poor thing! I have been a phleby and am a nurse that takes blood in my present role., and fully sympathize with you!

 

You are doing all the right things, excellent advice on here by everyone! But it's true, some people just have "Ooops, word censored!" veins and some people are better at taking it than others. If you find that your Dr can do it, dont mess about in the future, go straight to him, and dont let anyone persuade you otherwise.

 

If you can find a phleby you can trust stick with her, go to one that great with taking blood from kids as she will be used to tiny, tricky veins, insist on starting with a butterfly and not to bother with the vacutainer/needle + syringe, as the more attempts it's takes sometimes, those little veins go even further into hiding!

 

Remember YOU know best and NOT the person taking the blood, she may just fancy a challenge, but that's not fair on you.

 

i think with the drug you are taking, the tests start at monthly, but I think that it time you will find that the period in the middle gets longer and in the end you'll be every 3 months! So something to look forward to.

 

You are doing everything right, you are eating, drinking, keeping warm and laying down, I'd say take someone with you who can stand up for you if you've got a wobble on!!!

 

Good luck!

 

K

[bluekarin]

My YD was having blood tests every month (she has arthritis and she needs to have a liver function and blood count due to the drugs she is on). She is now every three months *phew*. She was ok about it to begin with, but then a doctor on the children's unit tried to take some blood and really hurt her. She now has them done at the phlebotomy (I think that's the right place) where they tend to be quick and painless. She has the numbing cream, as the cold spray made her veins disappear. But she still hates it. I think the advice the others have given is excellent and worth a try. Hope it goes well.

[Snowy]

Poor you Great advice from everyone - I take blood and also have dodgy veins myself. I won't hesitate to ask for a different phlebotomist/nurse if they refuse to use the one good vein I know I have!

[Margalot]

Thank you all so much for the replies, just reading them all made me feel so much better I followed most of your tips, ate breakfast drank loads, kept warm, even had the car heating on full pointing at my arms on the way to the docs!.

 

Luckily no long wait in the surgery, could have only sat down for 3 mins and was called in. The doctor was lovely, he listened to all that happened yesterday, explained to me that some peoples veins are just like that. I laid down the tournequet was really tight and he used a syringe, (not that I saw until it was removed)

 

Hooray first time and a big syringe full filled 3 tubes full as required, feel so glad that it was quick and easy this time and makes me feel less worreid about future tests. He said to book in with hime for 4 weeks for the next one, so will do.

 

I really appreciate all the replies and I know that lots of people have to put up with so much more than just a blood test. Thank you all so much big hugs to all of you kind peeps

[patsylabrador]

Good news. Glad it went well.

[quickcluck]

Yay! Yay! Yay!!!!!

 

best you book him for next time!

[Beauty-Box]

I'm so glad it went ok today, and I hope it's made you feel a little more positive about having it done in the future.

[bluekarin]

Glad it went well! Hopefully that'll be what you needed; a good blood test to make you start to feel a little more relaxed about it.

[Lewis]

Good news