Problems getting blood taken

tinydancer

Everytime I go now to get my bloods done there is always an issue getting it! The nurse that normally does it is off this week so doc was doin it instead, I thought brill hopefully doc will get it no problem....how wrong was I? :x
Abandoned ship as she wanted to get it through my hand but told her no chance!
Burst out crying in the docs room

HATE this disease, condition, disorder or whatever the heck it
comes under!
Rant over...sorry

fowls48

Hi Tiny dancer


Yes it is pants , i call it Arty Farty .Cheers me up no end .


karen fowls

MrDJ

have they tried putting your hand in a bucket of hot water for a while before they try and take blood.
this is what my rhumy nurses do when taking blood and putting in a canula and it seems to work on the majority of patients.

loovechocolate

OMG I thought it was just me they usually take it from my wrist and boy does that hurt and bruise.
I so wish I'd found this forum years ago,

Good luck

stickywicket

Docs are the worst at taking bloods, phlebotonists are the best and nurses come in between. If they know you are tricky (Tell them, if they don't) they'll often use a butterfly clip which is thinner and easier. While waiting for your blood test keep making as tight a fist as you can, holding it for a few seconds then relaxing. It all helps to get the blood circulating. It's best if they use different veins as much as possible as overuse of them makes them collapse and be useless for bloods. As with everything else, the more you can relax, the less it hurts.

DebraKelly

Fortunately for me, my nurses at my surgery are both very good at getting blood from me, even though I have no vains at all.

When I first started getting blood taken I used to have to lay down in the room and not look at anything because I was so terrified, now I happily go in and park myself on the chair and hold out my arm (I still can't look though).

Your fear will get better the more times you go, can you ask to see a different nurse to see if that makes a difference.

((((hugs))))

tinydancer

The nurse at the surgery is a phlebotomist and she is garbage! She did use a butterfly clip before and it was slightly easier. I'm supposed to be goin back Monday morning but the way I'm feeling right now i can't see me goin which is wrong I know but can't bear to go back.

stickywicket

Please do go back, tinydancer. They don't do blood tests for fun. It's in your own best interests. Just tell her you're nervous and try to have a laugh about it because she's probably quite nervous too if your veins are difficult. I think mine all know they're in for a bad day when they see me rolling up first thing in the morning but I do my clenching exercises beforehand and they slap me about a bit :roll: to bring up the veins, we have a smile about it and they usually manage something in the end - though my GP once did threaten he'd come at me with an axe next time

jillyb1

I never ever have blood taken at the docs any more and insist on going to the hospital . Lovely practise nurses but the hospital phlebotonists do bloods day in day out and know what they're doing ! Jillyb

dreamdaisy

It's not a pleasant procedure by any means and like all fields of work some are good, some not so good and some are dreadful. I always go to the hospital simply because the phlebos there tend to be better than the nurses at the GPs surgery - plus it's closer to home. I know, I'm lucky on that front (if nothing else!)

Having your bloods done is essential - I was in trouble once with a med I was taking and had absolutely no idea as I felt fine - it was the bloods that showed it. Having difficult veins must make things tougher but steel yourself, return and remember we will be there in cyber support. DD

mig

I have always been told to drink plenty of water before any blood tests as it is surposed to plump up the veins,dont know if its true or not but it seems to help me.Mig

elainebadknee

Hi

Oh heck i sympathise with you im like that and they have taken it out of the bit in between your hand and arm near wrist bone....Last time i went it took two nurses and three goes all the time with me sweating like buggery and feeling faint...
In hospital having operations the nurses, doctors have been confident that could get it off me and failed miserably...On many occasions i have gone down to theatre and they have taken my blood there once im under anaesthesia....My doctor does it for me now, failing her its a phlebotomist whom i must say are brilliant at their jobs...

Hope monday goes better...

Elainex

tinydancer wrote:

Everytime I go now to get my bloods done there is always an issue getting it! The nurse that normally does it is off this week so doc was doin it instead, I thought brill hopefully doc will get it no problem....how wrong was I? :x
Abandoned ship as she wanted to get it through my hand but told her no chance!
Burst out crying in the docs room

HATE this disease, condition, disorder or whatever the heck it
comes under!
Rant over...sorry

7worlds

Hi Tinydancer. I have a brill nurse and a not so good one at my surgery. I dont usually mind needles(thankfully!) The not so good one did my bloods yesterday and it was a bit of an ordeal. I always come home and moan that im not going back again, but i always do.lol.

7worlds

Starburst

I agree with Mig, make sure you're well hydrated. Also, at my surgery, some days they have the nurses draw blood and as nice as our nurse is, she's not great at doing bloods. So, if you find out the days when the phleb (can't spell that word!) comes from the hospital, try to get them done them. They are far superior at doing bloods. Another top tip is to ask for the butterfly needle. However, one nurse told me they cost £1000 which is why they don't use them frequently!

All the best of luck. It's not nice but one of those things that you have to add to your 'will help me in the long run' list. xx

stickywicket

This probably won't be of much use but, if any of your phlebos/nurses are used to dealing with paediatrics, they're better with awkward veins as they're used to tiny ones. I know because my phlebo once had to call in one of our docs who'd worked previously with children.

barbara12

Oh tinydancer I do feel for you, I have never had trouble up to the last couple of test...its was awful ..all she kept saying was my veins are very thin... :shock: hopefully they will come up with something for you...if they do please let me know.
You take care xxx

tinydancer

Well tomorrow is the first time I'll be back to attempt to get blood taken from the butcher so wish me luck! :roll:

Avrielle

Wishing you luck here.

My partner has a phobia of needles, so I sort of understand how traumatic it can be, especially when you have to get tests frequently! Do you have an MP3 player or something that you can distract yourself while it is being done? I know it's not *very* distracting, but it does keep your brain engaged and not having full focus on what is going on at the same time.

It's a reason why a lot of piercing and tattoo parlours have loud, heavy music playing so that the customers thoughts are distracted a little bit and it has shown that they can tolerate the pain and fear a lot better than with silence or just someone trying to engage a conversation with you. It means you can immerse yourself in the music and have less attention to what is going on.

Anyway. Sending ((hugs)) your way. Hope it wont be so difficult this time. xx

PS - do you use a numbing cream or spray of sorts before your blood is taken? I ask, because my partner used to use a numbing cream on his arm, but it reduces the veins and makes it a lot more difficult to reach. I have managed to persuade him to stop using the cream and now there are a lot less difficulties when he goes for blood tests. He has also realised that the cream didn't actually do very much to numb it either and has eased his mind a little bit that having it done isn't nearly as painful as he first thought.