GURRRRRRRRR! I hate blood work nurses!!!!!!!!!!

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

You poor thing! That's so harsh!

I have a friend who is a nurse and specializes in hard-to-find veins. She makes really good money and can pretty much choose her hours. I wish more people had her gift.

I hope you don't have a lot of bruises, and that you get the job after all that!

There is only one nurse in the past few years that has EVER been able to hit my veins the first time every time. She is the sweetest little lady. She works at my OBGYN's office- and she always calls me "honey child"

She is sooooooo gentle and always gets me the first time to the point that i can't even feel it. She was a pediactric nurse for years- before she went to that practice- so she's really gentle and doesn't hurt. Every other nurse though- i never have luck with. I always drink tons of water before i go in to try and help and warn them that my veins roll- never fails they always have a hard time finding one and always hurt me

Originally Posted by katachtig

Nikki, I feel your pain. I inherited those roll-away veins from my mother (who suffered terribly when they were doing chemo all of the time). If they don't know what they're doing, it is just a nightmare as they keep sticking and sticking and then I get light-headed though I haven't passed out yet. The worst was one who was supposed to fill a vial and all she got from each stick was a couple of drops. Took forever. I'm glad that my HMO has some decent ones as I have blood drawn every couple of months to monitor my thyroid and cholesterol. But even then, I don't give them my left arm because they never can find a vein.

I am sorry about your mom

My Nanny has veins like that soo bad that they have to stick her in her feet just to find one

I obviously inherited her veins

The worst i've EVER had was at my GI doctors office a few months back. The lady and a guy stuck me 8 different times and NEVER hit a vein!

I told them that they would NEVER touch my arms again and that blood test or not- i was leaving and would not let them touch me again because obviously they did not have experience with rolling veins and had butchered me enough! It was aweful

Today was the second worse experience i've had with blood tests. I hate them i really do- they're always just so darn painful

I'm sorry you have those rolling veins too

I definitely understand how it is and how painfull they can be.

 

[katachtig]

You have had some nasty experiences.

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by katachtig

You have had some nasty experiences.

No kidding!

Even though i hate going - i'm still good about it- i sit in the chair nice and quietly and try to breath and look away so that they can concentrate and try to get me the first time- but this lady today was just crazy and couldn't hit one at all- it really stressed me out and while i was sitting in the chair my heart (i have a rapid heart beat) was going 90 miles and hour then i felt my vertigo start to act up when i saw that needle and bam! i fainted. The nurse was like "wow i've never had that happen before" - and i was like "oh really, i'm suprised!"

/ My best friend renae is wonderful- she usually goes with me to every appointment i have to have blood drawn at because a lot of time i'll faint or get so dizzy i can't drive. But since this doctors office was literally a street over from our home today i thought i would be ok without her and told her not to worry about comming. She would have killed that lady if she saw what she did. We go to all of our doctor appointments together for the most part then we usually go get lunch afterwards or go shopping to cheer ourselves up

The one time she didn't come, i got stuck 6 times

 

[gayef]

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

There is only one nurse in the past few years that has EVER been able to hit my veins the first time every time. She is the sweetest little lady. She works at my OBGYN's office- and she always calls me "honey child"

She is sooooooo gentle and always gets me the first time to the point that i can't even feel it. She was a pediactric nurse for years- before she went to that practice- so she's really gentle and doesn't hurt. Every other nurse though- i never have luck with. I always drink tons of water before i go in to try and help and warn them that my veins roll- never fails they always have a hard time finding one and always hurt me

*smile* The phlebotamist at my GP's office is just like your sweet lady. I have low blood pressure and so it takes an eternity to fill a vial ... she is so patient with me. She makes me laugh by humming the theme to Jeopardy while we wait for the vials to fill. I have to go in and have blood drawn frequently as I am in the process of finding the "right" dose of thyroid meds, starting to go through "The Change" (and so they are monitoring my hormone levels) and will be soon participating in a clinical trial for some new treatment options.

The day I had those 11 vials drawn, "my" favorite lady wasn't there so another tech drew my blood instead. She was good, but not as good as "my" lady. What was cool was that she used a very sweet little blue butterfly thingie on a very short needle - it is supposed to help keep the vein in place during the draw. What was NOT cool was that I was ugly-stressed-out and hadn't had breaky that morning ... I think you know where this is going. When done, I stood up, the lights went out and if it hadn't of been for a very large, very observant Security Guard, I would have hit the floor. As it was, I got a muffin and some juice (I just kept hearing that Sally Field line from "Steel Magnolias" playing over and over in my head ... "Drink your juice, Shelby." *grin*) before they would let me go home.

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

The worst i've EVER had was at my GI doctors office a few months back. The lady and a guy stuck me 8 different times and NEVER hit a vein!

I told them that they would NEVER touch my arms again and that blood test or not- i was leaving and would not let them touch me again ...

My worst was about the same ... only after the 5th or 6th attempt, I grabbed the needle out of this poor woman's hand and said, "Oh for God's sake, gimme that!" and did it myself. She ran out of the room screaming for the doctor. *ROFL* He came in, lowered his eyebrows in some lame attempt to display disappointment or something equally as ineffective at making me feel badly about it and popped the suction vial onto the end of the needle to collect the sample himself.

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by gayef

*smile* The phlebotamist at my GP's office is just like your sweet lady. I have low blood pressure and so it takes an eternity to fill a vial ... she is so patient with me. She makes me laugh by humming the theme to Jeopardy while we wait for the vials to fill. I have to go in and have blood drawn frequently as I am in the process of finding the "right" dose of thyroid meds, starting to go through "The Change" (and so they are monitoring my hormone levels) and will be soon participating in a clinical trial for some new treatment options.

The day I had those 11 vials drawn, "my" favorite lady wasn't there so another tech drew my blood instead. She was good, but not as good as "my" lady. What was cool was that she used a very sweet little blue butterfly thingie on a very short needle - it is supposed to help keep the vein in place during the draw. What was NOT cool was that I was ugly-stressed-out and hadn't had breaky that morning ... I think you know where this is going. When done, I stood up, the lights went out and if it hadn't of been for a very large, very observant Security Guard, I would have hit the floor. As it was, I got a muffin and some juice (I just kept hearing that Sally Field line from "Steel Magnolias" playing over and over in my head ... "Drink your juice, Shelby." *grin*) before they would let me go home.



My worst was about the same ... only after the 5th or 6th attempt, I grabbed the needle out of this poor woman's hand and said, "Oh for God's sake, gimme that!" and did it myself. She ran out of the room screaming for the doctor. *ROFL* He came in, lowered his eyebrows in some lame attempt to display disappointment or something equally as ineffective at making me feel badly about it and popped the suction vial onto the end of the needle to collect the sample himself.

Aww sweetie- thanks for cheering me up!

lol i'm glad to know i'm not the only one with rotten veins and low blood pressure. I have alabaster skin too so it's even harder for them to find a vein on top of that because i'm a bit pale.

I feel your pain! Your favorite nurse sounds soo much like mine

It's sooo much better when you are comfortable with a nurse and you know you can trust them - but it's a nightmare when you get a heifer like i did today. Man i tell you what, i'm not a violent person at all but i had a great urge to take a needle and stab her arms with it a few times

She couldn't even hit a vein with a butterfly needle

/ My best friend's mom has thyroid/anemia problems. Be sure they monitor you for your blood count when they take your blood (i'm assuming they're checking your levels right?) -sometimes when a lady goes through menopause....changes in thyroid levels can cause anemia and other problems- if they're giving you trial meds. make sure if they have estrogen that they don't make you too sick. Make sure they take good care of you

/ omg- and you drew your blood yourself?

lol that's just wrong! i woulda ripped her hand off of it too- only i'd rip her hand off , the needle out, and run out the door

Bless your heart!

/And you soooo just quoted one of my favorite movies -"Steel Magnolias" is by far one of my favorites

 

[katl8e]

As a former phlebotomist (and a GOOD one), the rule of thumb is "if you don't get it, on the second stick, hand it off to someone else." Working in a plasma center, I dealt with a lot of scarred and rolling veins and rarely had to do a restick.

As for that nurse "never having someone faint" - that's a crock. EVERY phlebo has had fainters, no matter HOW good they are. There's reason, that we kept ammonia inhalers, next to the chair.

Apply warm, moist packs to your bruises. That will help speed healing and alleviate the pain, somewhat.

 

[yosemite]

You poor little pin-cushion.

Seriously, that nurse needs to take some lessons on giving needles.

The last time I had to have blood taken, I also had to give a urine sample. They did the blood first, then let me go to the washroom. As I was taking off my sweater, the sleeve pulled the cotton wool off my inner elbow and blood started spurting out very quickly. I came out of the washroom and called to the technician telling her we had a problem. I bled all over the carpet on the way to the technician's area where they seated me and got more cotton and had me press on it for a longer time. If I were the sort to faint at the sight of blood I think I would have been in serious trouble because I wonder how long it would take them before they checked the washroom to see why I was taking so long.

 

[snuzy]

Originally Posted by katl8e

As a former phlebotomist (and a GOOD one), the rule of thumb is "if you don't get it, on the second stick, hand it off to someone else." Working in a plasma center, I dealt with a lot of scarred and rolling veins and rarely had to do a restick.

As for that nurse "never having someone faint" - that's a crock. EVERY phlebo has had fainters, no matter HOW good they are. There's reason, that we kept ammonia inhalers, next to the chair.

Where I used to work, they had that rule too and the ammonia. (Usually it was the big muscular guys who passed out) Can't believe they let the same person do it 6 times!!! very unprofessional. Unfortunately, there are good and bad people in every profession. Hopefully, you'll get a good one next time. Take care.

 

[crazyforinfo]

How does your arm/hand look today? DH tried to give blood two weeks ago. When the lady walked away he felt this burning and called her over. She moved the needle and then he was yelling in pain. He still has yellow marking on his sink. His rule is you have two shots and your done after that. This job better appreciate what you went through. LoL.

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by katl8e

As a former phlebotomist (and a GOOD one), the rule of thumb is "if you don't get it, on the second stick, hand it off to someone else." Working in a plasma center, I dealt with a lot of scarred and rolling veins and rarely had to do a restick.

As for that nurse "never having someone faint" - that's a crock. EVERY phlebo has had fainters, no matter HOW good they are. There's reason, that we kept ammonia inhalers, next to the chair.

Apply warm, moist packs to your bruises. That will help speed healing and alleviate the pain, somewhat.

It's too bad i didn't have you. I'm sure you would have done a much better job!

It's always a total nightmare for me anytime i go anywhere other than my OBGYN's office for a blood test.

I even told the lady i'd prefer someone else and she said "i'm the only one here who can do this!" She was really snippy. I wanted to sock her one! I will never go back to that practice again. I didn't have a say as to which doctor i went to since the city paid for it and they send all of their employees for drug testing at the same place. Never, never, never again will i do that for another job- it's not worth it. Also are ammonia inhalers common? She didn't give me anything

Other than pain. / Thankyou for the moist heat suggestion- i will be trying that tonight. My arms/hands are really swollen and sore.

Originally Posted by Yosemite

You poor little pin-cushion.

Seriously, that nurse needs to take some lessons on giving needles.

The last time I had to have blood taken, I also had to give a urine sample. They did the blood first, then let me go to the washroom. As I was taking off my sweater, the sleeve pulled the cotton wool off my inner elbow and blood started spurting out very quickly. I came out of the washroom and called to the technician telling her we had a problem. I bled all over the carpet on the way to the technician's area where they seated me and got more cotton and had me press on it for a longer time. If I were the sort to faint at the sight of blood I think I would have been in serious trouble because I wonder how long it would take them before they checked the washroom to see why I was taking so long.

I think pin-coushin is an accurate term for me

Oh my, i can't believe what happened to you- that's aweful! Do you have problems with your blood not clotting? I definitely would have passed out

Originally Posted by Snuzy

Where I used to work, they had that rule too and the ammonia. (Usually it was the big muscular guys who passed out) Can't believe they let the same person do it 6 times!!! very unprofessional. Unfortunately, there are good and bad people in every profession. Hopefully, you'll get a good one next time. Take care.

Thanks Snuzy

/ It was definitely unprofessional. There will not be a next time, because i will NOT go back to that practice ever again after that incedent. I'm going to get some recommendations from the doctors i trust that i know are good- for when i change my primary care specialist. I was looking into going to this practice i went to yesterday since it's right by the house so i thought i'd look and see while i was in there for my physical- and man, i will never go back! I wasn't impressed with anything there- it felt dirty, there were sick people everywhere, they took forever, the doctor saw me for a whole 3 seconds and rushed me, and then that nurse....that made up my mind- i will keep looking for a good doctor to switch to for a primary care one (i have gone to the same doctor since i was born- he's treated me for 21 years, but i'm a bit old for a pediatrician

so i'm looking for a new one- and well, none of them seem to be as good as my old doctor. If i ever have kids they will go to him

All the people in my family go to him until they're in their 20's lol.) It's hard to find good doctors around here sometimes.

Originally Posted by crazyforinfo

How does your arm/hand look today? DH tried to give blood two weeks ago. When the lady walked away he felt this burning and called her over. She moved the needle and then he was yelling in pain. He still has yellow marking on his sink. His rule is you have two shots and your done after that. This job better appreciate what you went through. LoL.

They're really swollen and sore. She did the same thing to me as the nurse did to your husband- moving the needle around...man she did that several times- made me cry. She was aweful. I look like i did drugs in my arms/hands

(and i have never done anything like that.) I've been taking tylenol today and soaking them in warm water when i can- they are soooo brusied.

 

[theimp98]

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

They're really swollen and sore. She did the same thing to me as the nurse did to your husband- moving the needle around...man she did that several times- made me cry. She was aweful. I look like i did drugs in my arms/hands

(and i have never done anything like that.) I've been taking tylenol today and soaking them in warm water when i can- they are soooo brusied.

sorry

they should fade in a couple of days. Remember its all for a good reason.

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by theimp98

sorry

they should fade in a couple of days. Remember its all for a good reason.

Hopefully when i call tomorrow i will know for sure about the job. It's definitely worth it- being able to help the animals and the shelter that i love soooooo much and put soo much time and energy into. But i will NEVER do this again for any other job- it's too hard on my body with all the blood test issues- that coupled with my vertigo - i faint and then i'm just completly drained for a long time afterwards and get migraines.

Doctors

/ I'm calling tomorrow about the job/test results- so i hope i'll know then!

I'll post as soon as i know

I think i have it- surely they wouldn't have spent almost $100 to have tests done on me if they weren't planning to hire me right?

 

[white cat lover]

Next time Nikki...sock the nurse good! Seriously, I understand they're embarassed about not hitting the vein, but crikes! It hurts when they just keep sticking you over & over!!!

Get well soon!!

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by white cat lover

Next time Nikki...sock the nurse good! Seriously, I understand they're embarassed about not hitting the vein, but crikes! It hurts when they just keep sticking you over & over!!!

Get well soon!!

Well there comes a point when any professional in the medical field just needs to put aside their embaressment and admit that it is time to "call in the reinforcements" if they are hurting a patient- she definitely should have stopped when i asked her to.

/ Thanks Natalie

 

[arlyn]

Because of this thread, I thanked Jeanie, the lab tech today and told her your woes.
She said she'd have been livid, and probably would have kicked some butts.
Jeanie is 5 foot nothing and might weigh 95 pounds soaking wet

She says there's just no excuse for what you went through and that she's sorry on behalf of the medical community (she's such a sweet girl).


I hope your arm is feeling better.

 

[kluchetta]

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

Hopefully when i call tomorrow i will know for sure about the job. It's definitely worth it- being able to help the animals and the shelter that i love soooooo much and put soo much time and energy into. But i will NEVER do this again for any other job- it's too hard on my body with all the blood test issues- that coupled with my vertigo - i faint and then i'm just completly drained for a long time afterwards and get migraines.

Doctors

/ I'm calling tomorrow about the job/test results- so i hope i'll know then!

I'll post as soon as i know

I think i have it- surely they wouldn't have spent almost $100 to have tests done on me if they weren't planning to hire me right?

You're exactly right! Like I said before, I work for a City, and the blood test is merely a "formality" although we can't really tell people that.

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Because of this thread, I thanked Jeanie, the lab tech today and told her your woes.
She said she'd have been livid, and probably would have kicked some butts.
Jeanie is 5 foot nothing and might weigh 95 pounds soaking wet

She says there's just no excuse for what you went through and that she's sorry on behalf of the medical community (she's such a sweet girl).


I hope your arm is feeling better.

Aww thanks

I am glad you have a good tech. It always makes having medical tests/work sooooo much easier when they are gentle and good at their jobs. There are lots of good ones out there- i just have a hard time finding them lately when i need blood tests

I ALWAYS tell my OBGYN nurse how much i love her though- she's soooooooo gentle and ALWAYS hits a vein the first try to the point that you can bairly even feel it. (she was a pediactric nurse for years so i think that's why she's so gentle) I wish i could have her around everytime i need work done. I really wanted to smack that lady yesterday- on top of her hurting me, she was just simply rude.

 

[theimp98]

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

I think i have it- surely they wouldn't have spent almost $100 to have tests done on me if they weren't planning to hire me right?

it means for sure they are look at you.

last time we had a opening here,. 15 people they wanted to hire in a row all failed there drug tests. i have my fringers crossed for you.

So when you get the job, you will be working normal hours?

 

[starryeyedtiger]

Originally Posted by theimp98

it means for sure they are look at you.

last time we had a opening here,. 15 people they wanted to hire in a row all failed there drug tests. i have my fringers crossed for you.

So when you get the job, you will be working normal hours?

Yes! I'm soooo excited! I haven't had "normal" hours in forever! I'll be working 7-4 Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (i don't mind the weekends because colin works 6 days on 3 days off so his days are different every week- so alot of times we hang out on weeknights. Plus with the new schedule i can go to school/dr. appointments during the week and also try to work a little bit at my job now when i need the extra hours.) It will be part time for about a year (only down side) but after a year they will make it a full time position with a promotion and full benifits

Not to mention- i'm up there several times a week anyways, so i already know all the animals/people. I love it there

(wow i can't believe 15 ppl failed a drug test!that's crazy!!!!

)