help re vbood tests!

suzster

hi, i am having weekly mtx injections and so have to have fortnightly blood tests, i'm not scared of needles, i have up until recently had no problem with the blood tests but they are now becoming a very big pain, literally!
i only have 1 secent vein which the nurse uses every time, so now after approx 2 years of regular blood tests the vein is starting to give up.
i had a blood test about 3 weeks ago which to be blunt really hurt, but the one i had last week was far worse, it made me cry as it hurt so very much.
i'm due to have another test next week but i'm am so scared as i know it will hurt.
the thing is it's starting (i think) to affect the way i feel about injecting myself. i've only been doing the injections for a few months and have had no problems at all, but now i'm worrying. i am having small panic type attacks, and i keep imagining the pain and it makes me feel physically sick.
does anyone know if i could have the blood taken from another part of my body? or are arms the only place?
any help would be very much appreciated.
sue

breane

Hi, Over the past few months I have been having blood tests done due to a slightly abnormal liver function.When they try to take the blood,my vein 'rolls away' and the nurse finds it difficult to get the needle into the vein.This becomes very painful as she has to make several attempts to get the blood.She does try from both arms but the same thing happens.Now each time I go I find it quite painful to have it done because the nurse is going into the same place each time and I end up feeling like a pincushion I mentioned it to my GP and he said they could take the blood from my finger but surely they wouldn't be able to get enough from just the finger as the nurse needs to take two phials each time.Have you mentioned to your GP whether the blood could be taken from elsewhere?I guess it depends how much blood they need to take each time.I never used to have trouble with blood tests,perhaps the problem comes with age.I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you.Perhaps other members may have more advice.Take care,Breane.

colinone

Hi suzster

You need to talk to your rheumy nurse or the phleabontony department. but yes they will take blood from other places and between you you need to work out what is best. I found that after a change the vein that was giving me the problems seemed to right itself and i can now use it again for bloods. I would perhaps talk to the Rheumy nurse first and she will point you in the direction you need to take.
Take care and keep your chin up
Colin

suzster

thanks, it is horrible, i'm sure the vein they use is just fed up of being poked!!!
i asked the nurse at my surgery about it last time, but they always seem to be in a rush to get blood from me so next patient can get in, they don't seem to notice me shouting ouch and crying from the pain.

i don't want to develop a fear of needles because of this, if i can't do my injections of mtx i don't know what will happen.

debatat

Hi

I had bloods done yesterday and had the same problem. The nurse told me to drink plenty of water before I come next time as it helps? I have never heard this before, but am willing to give it a try!!!!!

Deb

eckstardeluxe

It's not nice getting injections or blood taken especially when your veins aren't great. I've always had this, once the Nurse put a needle in and the blood started squirting like she'd hit an artery on the roof and everything! She was mortified, but because I have kidney problems I just sat there and said, try this one and offered the best vein. I have one verin I know will work and have gotten into arguments with them when they wanted to take blood from elsewhere. I tell them I've been having this since the day I was born and even have marks on my slin I've had so many drips and needles, I think I'm more in touch with my body than they are. Nothing worse when a Nurse or Drdoesn't listen to you then stand like a total **** for ages making about 8 holes in your skin. Then end up going with your original suggestion while you wake up the next day with loads of bruises.

suzster

it's comforting to know i'm not the only one with omly 1 good vein!!

i just hate it when (even after 2 yrs!) i walk in and they look at my arms and grumble, then i show them my one good vein and they say (every time) make a tight fist then release and clench it, to which i reply (i'm thinking of getting this recorded on a tape!) my hands don't do fists i'm afraid, i have RA in them and they won't do fists ever.
this is followed by the nurse grumbling again and shoving a pillow under my arm (how does that help?!) and then she starts poking my vein, still trying to get me to make a fist, did i mention i can't? i whince she say's oh sorry, then continues to poke the vein before sticking the needle in, then you can peel me off the ceiling and wipe my tears as i'm crying, but no, the nurse just asks if i'm scared of needles!
no, it just really hurts. then out i go with abit of cotton wool taped onto my arm. next morning theres a big bruise, it's the same evry fortnight!

it never used to bother me, i just don't get why after all the blood they've taken from that vein with no trouble why is it now so painful? and why can't the nurse be a little bit sympathetic?

woodbon

Hi,
I spent a month in hospital having daily blood tests and I found it depended on who did the test. The hospital sent Med. students to do it :x Some were OK some, well........ I found it depended on how tight the torniquet was, too loose and it was difficult to get the blood and so they dug around. Anyway, in the end, a doctor did it and I had no problems. Can they try a different vain? Sounds like yours is protesting Sorry I'm not more help. Love Sue

skezier

[quote="suzster"
Hi Suzster,
I like so many of us have useless veins. they don't get it out easily nor do they get my drips in easily but I find it's easier to go to the practice nurses than have blood taken at OPD. They are more brutal, go in deep but do it quickly. As to your vein, it's probably just had enough. When I have my drips, they are daily for 5 days, they have problems with all my veins, before the 6 hours is up they have collapsed. By the end of the week they are using my ankles. They always say we'll mid line you this time.... and never do. Anyway one helpful way is to get your arms really warm. they use a big trough kinda thing and stand me with arms or feet in it before they try. My veins always recover in between, especially once the drug does it's job but it isn't nice is it? Ask if they could try a different vein for a bit. take care

pussycat

My local health centre nurse had problems taking blood from my arms , but suggested alternating between each foot and hand to access a vein.

My hands and feet get a turn to heal, and to be honest I have never had a bruise or problems during a blood test since she has used my hands and feet.

lindalegs

Hi Suzster,

My Phlib takes blood from my wrists at the back of my hands, if you see what I mean. It feels a bit sharp when the needle goes in but it's usually absolutely fine once they're in.

I can't straighten my arms and my veins are very good but also very mobile (more mobile than I am ) and also needle shy - once that there needle pierces my skin my veins dodge to one side :shock: :shock: they could also try the back of your hand itself to give your elbow vein a rest.

Luv Legs

jaspercat

Hi Suzster, I only have 1 good vein too, I have had blood taken from the top of my arm and also my feet, which is quite painful for just a little while but eases once the needle comes out, you have just reminded me that my blood test is due soon love Jaspercatxx

Wonkylegs

you really should talk to your rheumy nurse - they may have suggestions for you about how/when/where blood is taken.

Don't panic about the MTX injections ......... although I am smiling as I type because after two years of doing my injections myself that is exactly what I began to do!!!! So .... it is more doas I say rather than as I do :roll: :roll:

When I finally admitted my problems to my rheumy nurse she was wonderful (I hadn't said anything for ages because I felt so silly having already managed for so long) but now I go each week to my GP surgery and the practice nurse does my injection. I am so much more relaxed about it, and we have a little chat each week, so that is something to look forward to rather than dread.

As to blood tests - tell them how you feel ..... and just how you dread it - they should take notice! I woudl definitely suggest giving your arm a rest - I had one vein used for years, and then it gets really tough and harder to get the needle into, so maybe that is why it hurts so much more? I find that if we alternate arms each month it is ok ..... but I must admit my nurse is fab, so I am a lucky one there.

best of luck!

livinglegend

breane wrote:

he said they could take the blood from my finger but surely they wouldn't be able to get enough from just the finger as the nurse needs to take two phials each time.

Being an exblood donor over many years, this takes the biscuit and the cup of tea. :roll:

Joseph 8)

suzster

lol joseph!! i to used to give blood so that proves it's a recent problem!
i will try again to talkto the practice nurse, the one who used to do my tests was very good but now it's hard enough just getting an appointment with a nurse so it's even harder getting 5 mins to talk to them, but i promise i will try.

it's sounds awful but sometimes it's just nice knowing i'm not alone with these little problems, although i think my slight fear of veins is starting to rear it's head, i've always managed to keep it hidden but with these problems i think it's abit more obvious!!

as for drips, they are one of the 2 things that scare me most, drains are the other thing!! i think thats what makes all this worse, i don't like veins, when it was a quick job there was no problem, but now i can feel it, it's another story.
oh well, i'll ring the dr's in abit and see if i can maybe talk to a nurse about it all.
thank you everyone x