Jump to content
IGNORED

Blood test help


nightmarish

Recommended Posts

nightmarish

Does anyone have any great tips for making blood extraction easier? I have had to delay a medical procedure because they couldn't get blood out of me. It's been rescheduled but now I am panicked that the same thing will happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fruitmincepies

Food, lots and lots of water, a heat pack (not tried that myself) and a really experienced phlebotomist. My aunt has only one that can get blood out of her.


I’m sure some others will have better/more advice in the morning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Drink plenty of liquids in the 24 hours beforehand. In the hour or so beforehand drink at least 500mL of water.

If it's not a fasting test then have a decent meal an hour or so beforehand.

Have a warm shower if possible. If not then sit in the sun for a few minutes to warm your whole body.

Dress warmly in layers so they can easily access your arm for the test.

Hot water bottle or hot pack on your arms to bring up the veins.

No air conditioning in the car on the drive there.

Do some exercise like climbing up some stairs or a quick brisk walk just before the blood test to get your blood moving.

Don't wait in the air conditioning once you've arrived. Tell them that you'll be outside in the warmth and give them your mobile number to call when it's your turn.

Don't be afraid to ask them to try the back of your hand for the blood test. The veins are pretty easy to find there.

Sometimes a butterfly needle will be more suitable. It's smaller than the standard needle. You might need to suggest this to them. They usually keep them for use on children.


I'm a shocker for blood tests. I have to do the above to get an okay amount of blood for a test. Even then it can be a bit tricky. They're now familiar with me turning up in summer with a coat on and cuddling a hot water bottle, and telling them to use the backs of my hands. I take off the coat once they're ready to actually collect the blood. I will very occasionally humour the collector and allow them to poke around in my arm for the fruitless mission of finding a stable vein. They'll then realise why I told them to use the backs of my hands. Once the test is done I'm then usually racing to the toilet to do a wee from all of the water I've had to drink.


They stay away from the veins on my wrists because they're the ones that hospital anaesthetists like to use, so they don't to damage or scar them.


I have to have a blood test tomorrow. I'll be doing my usual routine of the above.


Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try and remember where they got it this time for next. I have one vein that always behaves and can get blood from it. I keep threatening to have a dig here tatto put there. But I have to get really hydrated, really hydrated beforehand or its not happening. The fasting ones are a nightmare. I find I can tell if the nurse is going to get it within a few seconds by the way the inspect my arm. Much inspection and I'm in for a few digs!

Good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hydralite or somesuch in the hours beforehand might help.


ETA: Sorry, obviously that's only if it's non fasting. If fasting, agree with pps, getting anything in to your body which helps it to hold on to fluids is useful. What you're aiming for is fluid expansion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ClaudiaCosette

Breathe out as the needle goes in. It hurts less. Try it.

 

This is my suggestion too. It really does make a difference for me!


Also - don't look. Find something else to focus on, or close your eyes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LemonMyrtle

Lots of water. Like, so much you just want to vomit, but do it an hour before the test so it’s all absorbed and you’re not sitting there needing to pee.


And use your strongest arm, my left arm is weak and the vein is hard to get at, my right arm has a bit of muscle and an easier vein.


And some heat helps too. I once had my hands in a sink of warm water and they used a hand vein for the blood test. A bit ouch, but it worked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The best place for most blood collection is the cubital fossa and the reason is that the vessel there is supported on each side by tendons which help to stop it moving out of the way when inserting the needle. It is usually also a larger and stronger vein than those found on the lower arms. There is usually something there and sometimes it requires an ultrasound to find it. I am saying 'usually' that does not mean everybody is the same.

The amount of blood required for the tests is also a factor. Filling several tubes out of a small vein is difficult as is using a tiny needle.


Being well hydrated and warm as per PP is very helpful as is a skilled phlebotomist although the fact is that there are a few reasons why people may be hard to find a decent vein, one being that there is a vein but it is too deep to see. A collection centre with an ultrasound machine is beneficial.


Good luck OP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with all of [mention]Paddlepop[/mention]’s suggestions. I have difficult veins and with certain phlebotomists, I am left with bruises up and down my arms from all the attempts.


Sometimes laying down also helps. I often have the butterfly clip but for my last blood test, the lady used a fine needle syringe and drew out the blood, then filled the collection tube rather than connecting the collection tube to the bit in the arm. No bruising and barely a puncture mark.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Call the pathology company and ask them where their kid specialists are, or elderly people specialists- they’ll be better at getting blood from difficult veins. Also, like everyone else has said, lots of hydration and have a wheat bag on the site beforehand. For some reason some nurses I worked with used to think afternoon was better for tricky patients- doesn’t work if fasting though. Maybe just more time to hydrate?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

nightmarish

Thanks for the tips, all were taken on board and we managed to get enough.


I drunk so much water I needed 3 pit stops on the way to the appointment, used a heat pack and ended up with two people doing the blood taking. Huge relief for me!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Advertisement

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...