I am due to have mine checked at home on Wed. it truly isn't the pain from the needle that is sending me into constant anxiety but I have to be without oxygen for 30 mins before the blood is taken. I am 24/7 3 ltr and just cant cope with the thought of this I managed 10min before I was in pieces. My nurse is very reassuring but I am getting into such a state. I cant do this.
Anne
Tell yourself that you CAN do it and re affirm this between now and Wednesday. Xx
Hi Anne, think positive you can do it. Hope it goes well for you. Jan x
Oh my heart goes out to you! I know the pain of the needle,I had my blood gasses done when I was in ICU. Think positive thoughts. Don't worry about it, keep your mind occupied till you have the test. You CAN do it! My thoughts are with you 💜
You will be ok anne, your nurse will walk you through it. think positive, you only have to do it once, try and focus your mind on something that intrest you and can hold your attention. huggs Neo.
We all believe you can do this Anne. Imagine we are with you, helping you to stay calm. Sit in your most comfortable chair, rest your eyes and relax into it - as Neo says think about something that interests you. Would gentle music help you? Or someone just holding your hand and talking softly? If you are not expending any energy your body can manage without the oxygen for 30 minutes. Please try not to worry about it - I know, easy to say!
Let us know how you're getting on. And we'll all be there with you on Wednesday!
Jan 
Oh so sorry you going thro this. Blood gasses are awful things with out the added stress. But try and relax and take nice deep breaths. I'm sure your nurse will talk you thro it. Hope all goes well.
GJ x
I have only had blood gases done once. Prior to an operation. Have to say doctor that carried it out proved that if you know what you are doing there should be minimal or no pain! I found it fine having it done and wish you all the best.
With regards your anxiety remember that is what it is, and as others have suggested try to think about happy things or read a book/watch TV to distract you. Oxygen doesn't help breathlessness is to protect organs when got low oxygen levels so going 1/2 HR won't hurt you.
Hope all goes well.
Hello Anne, I have had four. All were easily bearable. Please just relax and have faith in the person carrying it out.
I am glad to have mine for the information they give. If it helps me to stay as well as I can and cope in a way I welcome it.
Good luck.
Bevy is correct oxygen is to protect your organs.
Keep as calm as possible it will help.
Suzyxxx
Saying a prayer for you. Just take deep breaths and try to relax...
Stop telling yourself you can't.
Tell yourself you can.
It really works, I promise.
Put post it notes up everywhere with big writing "I CAN DO IT" on them.
What an achievement it will be when you've done it. Like climbing a mountain.
Please give it a go xxx P
Breathe slowly and relax. As has been said the oxygen is to keep your organs healthy. You'll be ok. Sometimes I get a bit psychologicaly dependent on it and have to snap myself out of it and not use it when I don't have to.
Hi All, I`ve had many painful arterial blood gases done in hospital and I always ask why they can`t do the ear test like the oxygen nurse. To which they reply they`ve never heard of such a machine ! Anyway last December in hospital, after his third attempt, the doc took pity on me and used a local anaesthetic. No problem. I`ll insist on that first in future. Keep well, Sheila
My husband always had his blood gases done via his ear lobe that's where they took the blood from but the machine they used was the same one used as if you were having it taken from your wrist, I also agree that some people have the gift of getting the arterial blood from wrist some put you through dreadful pain so ask if they can take the blood from your ear. X
I have had mine done at home and at the hospital, at home they have always done it from my ear lobe pretty painless and in hospital from my wrist and I must say perhaps I am luck but apart from a funny sensation in my arm I didn't feel a thing.
I was told by a nurse when you are having any bloods done try and drink at least 2 pints of water before hand it stops the blood being sticky.
I do understand how you feel as I hate needles please explain to the nurse how you feel.
take care
polly xx
Thank you for all the replies. Its not having the needle that worries me not nice but I can cope with it. It is having to be without any o2 for the half an hour that is causing my anxiety I have been on 2ltrs 24/7 for16 months now and to have nothing even if it is only for 30 mins scares me so much.
Just keep remembering that oxygen doesn't help breathlessness helps internal organs function!
Any breathlessness is likely to be due to becoming anxious and panicking. Try reading or watching TV. If you become breathless whilst sitting quietly try pursed lips breathing or breathe into a paper bag a couple of times.
Hope all goes well.
Only had this once and because the person doing it was - I would say an expert it was fine. I have found this to be true with everything. You can do it so try and take easy breaths and think positive thoughts - use yoga breathing to relax yourself into it. I know you can do it.
Love and hugs
Sian
xoxoxox
Hallo Anne, I was wondering how your appointment went yesterday. I do hope coming off the oxygen wasn't as scary as you feared. Please let us know how you got on. We were all rooting for you. Jan
Oh what a nightmare. Managed to get the test done and it did show that I needed to go up from 2 to 3 Nurse turned the machine up and it was instant relief. unfortunatly the next test showed I am a retainer, having been told in the past I wasn't it was a nasty shock. Not only back to now 1 but I can't even get to the commode nevermind the door without my canister o2 then straight back to 1
I hope to get a portable machine that will at least allow me to continue to do somethings for myself.
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