Calling all medical people...any suggestions?

kittylover4ever · Jun 27, 2006

I seem to have a hard time when it comes to people drawing blood from my arm! Some people hit it first try and don't fuss, and some, like last week when I had some drawn, had a heck of a time. She finally got a vein, and then only was able to get half a tube. Is there anything I can do to help them or prepare my body, like drink lots of water to help my veins become more visable??? It's so frustrating, because I HATE needles in the first place!!!

butterflydream · Jun 27, 2006

No help here, I have only ever drawn arterial blood, never venous. And trust me that's alot harder to do cause you can't see arteries......wish I could be of more help.

ilovesiamese · Jun 27, 2006

Hey susie,

I have a really hard time when I go to get my blood work done too and I also hate needles. As far as I know, there isn't too much you can do to change that.

Perhaps the nurse could try taking the blood from another part of your arm. That's what they have to do for me. I have gotten blood taken from a vein under one of my knucles. Wouldn't recommend that place first.

My mom's a nurse, so I'll phone her tonight and ask to make sure.

mamacat · Jun 27, 2006

I'm not a medical person, but I have the same exact problem, so I feel your pain...literally.

I have been told that there is nothing that can be done, some people are just like that.

kittylover4ever · Jun 27, 2006

Oh no Kallie........by my knuckles?? I think I'd faint!

I've had some nurses look at my wrists and the back of my hands, but I always tell them to try the arm first!

I"m a wimp!

Originally Posted by IloveSiamese

Hey susie,

I have a really hard time when I go to get my blood work done too and I also hate needles. As far as I know, there isn't too much you can do to change that.

Perhaps the nurse could try taking the blood from another part of your arm. That's what they have to do for me. I have gotten blood taken from a vein under one of my knucles. Wouldn't recommend that place first.

My mom's a nurse, so I'll phone her tonight and ask to make sure.

gailc · Jun 27, 2006

Don't you have to hold your arm down towards the ground?? Pumping your fist??

shengmei · Jun 27, 2006

You can draw blood from leg veins instead of arm veins. It is suppose to be easier.

anakat · Jun 27, 2006

I always had the same problem, until one nurse was moaning the it was difficult because I have small veins, so I asked her to try using a Pediatric
needle, she looked at me as if I was daft but she did and it worked. So now I always ask them to use them.
Anne

commonoddity042 · Jun 27, 2006

I don't hate needles, but it always ends up with 3 or 4 people struggling to find a vein, 2 sore arms, and two big bandaids. lol

ilovesiamese · Jun 27, 2006

Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

Oh no Kallie........by my knuckles?? I think I'd faint!

I've had some nurses look at my wrists and the back of my hands, but I always tell them to try the arm first!

I"m a wimp!

Yea it hurts. I always cry like a baby when they take it from weird places like that and I am always light headed afterwards.

They rarely can get all they need from one poke though, because my veins collapse.

Do you have to go get more blood taken soon???

ilovesiamese · Jun 27, 2006

Originally Posted by Anakat

I always had the same problem, until one nurse was moaning the it was difficult because I have small veins, so I asked her to try using a Pediatric
needle, she looked at me as if I was daft but she did and it worked. So now I always ask them to use them.
Anne

Yea, some nurses do that for me too, but even sometimes that doesn't work.

kittylover4ever · Jun 27, 2006

Originally Posted by IloveSiamese

OLOR="DarkOrchid"]
Do you have to go get more blood taken soon???[/color]

Hopefully not for a while....I'm waiting to hear back from the results from my blood work last week......... I worry about everything.

annasmom · Jun 27, 2006

I have very small veins, and the ones in my arm are sclerosed from multiple IVs due to a childhood kidney disease. Now, they generally take blood from a prominient vein just below my thumb (on the pad of my thumb, I guess you could say) or use a very small butterfly in the back of my hand. The butterfly takes a lot longer , but because the needle is so small its much easier on everyone.

zissou'smom · Jun 27, 2006

When you donate blood they have you uncross your legs, let your arm be down low, and pump your arm muscle on a stress ball sort of thing. Your veins will stick out more if you are hot, but it's hard to be in a steamy shower and a doctor's office at the same time. Exercise will do it too. When you're cold, your veins withdraw into your body a little. I used to have very good veins to get blood from but they've been needled so much that now they're harder, because of scar tissue and whatnot. The back of the hand is the best place for me! It actually doesn't hurt at bad as the elbow. If anyone ever sticks you twice without doing it right, ask for someone else. They are not supposed to do it a third time themselves if they can't get it. Usually they get their boss who has been a nurse for decades and hardly has to look at you to do it.

ButterflyDreame- I've had blood taken from an artery for a blood gas test and it HURTS. I actually yelped in pain when they stuck that thing in my wrist. Yikes!

gailuvscats · Jun 27, 2006

I am a big baby, and one of the nurses told me to ask for the butterfly needle, which may be the pediatric. That works the best, it is the smallest needle. If they can't get the vein, then they are probably inexperienced. When I go, I tell them I am a major baby and need to have the most experienced and best at the task, and I must have a butterfly needle, and I recline while they do it. I'm 58, it is very embarassing, but that's the way it is. The last few times, with all these requests, have been fine. I've been pleasantly surprised by how fast and painless it was. If you tell the nurse, and they are experienced, they know how to distract you and talk you through it. Just tell them your problem, most people want to help.

pat · Jun 27, 2006

Drawing labs on my patients and initiating iv's was part of my job, and one I am proud to say I became very good at (blood drawing, not as good as I wished re initiating iv's).

I happen to hate needles though when they come towards me! I have exactly ONE vein for blood draws, and I simply tell them, I have one vein, it's right here, not too deep, and not very wide. I let them know I am not letting them fish for a vein anywhere else, and if they have trouble drawing it the usual way with a vacutainer and needle, I request they use a butterfly needle instead (a nice tiny needle that looks like it has wings, easier to insert into tiny sections of vein, and more comfortable for the patient).

Being hydrated - is a good thing, if needed, they can also warm pack/wrap your arm with a warm towel to see if they can get the veins to distend a bit.

There are alternative areas to draw besides the inner arm, but they may be more uncomfortable - I've drawn off the sides of knuckles, top of hand, top of arm.

Let them know ahead of time that they usually have trouble - learn where your best vein is (by your experience of where it hurts the least when they draw from there, and where most often it only takes one draw attempt) and request they use it.

beckiboo · Jun 27, 2006

Originally Posted by gailuvscats

I am a big baby, and one of the nurses told me to ask for the butterfly needle, which may be the pediatric. That works the best, it is the smallest needle. If they can't get the vein, then they are probably inexperienced. When I go, I tell them I am a major baby and need to have the most experienced and best at the task, and I must have a butterfly needle, and I recline while they do it. I'm 58, it is very embarassing, but that's the way it is. The last few times, with all these requests, have been fine. I've been pleasantly surprised by how fast and painless it was. If you tell the nurse, and they are experienced, they know how to distract you and talk you through it. Just tell them your problem, most people want to help.

I totally agree with this! I am a nurse, and let me tell you some nurses are good at drawing blood, and some are not very good. If you are nervous, your veins constrict some, and it makes it harder to draw the blood. So a good nurse will talk to you about whatever to distract you. She might also lay a warm washcloth on the area to make it easier. After she ties the tube around your arm, clench and release your fist, and let your hand dangle.

If you have the option, try calling ahead and telling the lab that you have small veins, and need someone very experienced. Ask when the really good person is working, and then go when they are there, and ask for that person.

The butterfly is a smaller needle, and that helps for some people. But honestly, I've started IV's on people who insisted that they have small veins and they don't. They just had a bad experience in the past. Generally starting an IV or drawing blood is pretty painless, and the person should get it done in two tries.

I used to be so good at that, but haven't drawn blood for about 7-8 years now, so I'm sure I've lost that skill. Sounds silly, but I really used to pride myself on being able to draw blood on anyone.

pat · Jun 27, 2006

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Sounds silly, but I really used to pride myself on being able to draw blood on anyone.

Doesn't sound silly to me at all. I felt the same way when I was practising as a nurse. One of my best draws was when I went up to the antepartum floor to draw a drug addict - she told me she had nothing left, and was rather amazed when I found a portion of vein she'd missed, to draw from.

sherral46 · Jun 27, 2006

ButterflyDreame- I've had blood taken from an artery for a blood gas test and it HURTS. I actually yelped in pain when they stuck that thing in my wrist. Yikes![/quote]
I had it drawn this way 1 time,I cried it hurt so much,and I was 30! It felt like they were going for oil,1000 feet into the ground!!

halfpint · Jun 27, 2006

Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

I seem to have a hard time when it comes to people drawing blood from my arm! Some people hit it first try and don't fuss, and some, like last week when I had some drawn, had a heck of a time. She finally got a vein, and then only was able to get half a tube. Is there anything I can do to help them or prepare my body, like drink lots of water to help my veins become more visable??? It's so frustrating, because I HATE needles in the first place!!!

I can't make any suggestion, I look like a road map with tissue paper skin, I have yet to ever have to complain, I would rather have it out of my arm then my finger

Those people who draw blood love my arm

Calling all medical people...any suggestions?

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