Having bloods taken

mig
mig Member Posts: 7,154
edited 5. Nov 2013, 06:24 in Living with Arthritis archive
So went for blood letting this morning no joy out of right arm,no joy out of left arm ,different nurse tries same thing happens so they end up using back of hand this is a first for me,just got to see what happens at rheumy clinic next week. Mig

Ps there's not a mark to be seen on arms or back of hand.

Comments

  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ouch-hope it doesn't bruise tomorrow :? They can never get it from my left arm, and sometimes my right arm is reluctant to play ball, though happily the practise nurse usually succeeds if the phlebotomist fails.

    Deb x
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hate it when that happens mig, when it has happened to me my bloods have come back I have been dehydrated, I now try and drink more water to pump up my veins beforehand, hope you don't acquire any bruises tomorrow............Marie xx
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Join the club, mig. After about 40 years' worth of regular blood tests I've been told my veins do a shimmy whenever a needle approaches. I always clench and unclench my fists beforehand, as far as fingers'll go, but the poor phlebos stil know they're in for a bad day when I show up. Last week she said "Thank God you've come early. I've a student coming in at 9am." Two arms three veins one enormous bruise but we made it.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • daffy2
    daffy2 Member Posts: 1,636
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My daughter always has a problem with blood tests as she's a chunky lass with very fair skin so the assumption is made that it'll be easy, and they don't listen when she says that they'll need to use a baby/neonatal needle. This was discovered years ago - possibly something to do with her low blood pressure - but it's the same each time. The classic was the phlebotomist saying one time 'well we don't have any other needles so'll you'll just have to cope', presumably thinking she was being a wuss. 10 minutes later and daughter leaves with 2 wrecked arms and no blood taken. It was particularly horrid for her as she needed to have her thyroid levels checked and was also running a very busy B&B. Finding time for the appointments was well nigh impossible anyway(mornings are when folks want their breakfast) , but to end up with arms too sore to be able to make beds or breakfasts just added insult to injury - literally!
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Make sure you're nice and warm as well as hydrated. I sit clenching my fists while I am waiting, anything to give the phlebos a better chance. I am lucky in that I have reasonable veins but whether they will stay that way for much longer, well, who knows? I am glad they got some in the end - and without a mark too. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My veins behaved today!! Young vampire sorry man! :oops: For the 1st time in my Dr's! Got a vein 1st time! Would rather have him instead of some evil vampire who faffs around and has to try several times and moves the needle in the arm to get the vein and leaves me with a huge bruise!! :(

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