For those who hate having blood gases done.

[susteart]

I have had lots of blood gases done which involves having blood taken from the wrist area from an artery, this can be very painful (depending on who does it) if they catch a nerve when doing it, in fact having a baby is preferable to having this done (just my opinion). I have asked over and over again if there is a better way of doing this and have always been told that this is the best way to get the best result, so ive made lots of enquiries and as my daughter works in A & E I asked her advice as what could be done.

My daughter knows I have a high pain threshold and can cope with a lot but having this done nearly sends me through the ceiling so her suggestion is (they do this in the a & e were she works) that if you have very sensitive wrists as I do then you can ask for anesthetic to be injected first, ok I know it means having two injections but when I asked for this a few months ago and they finally agreed it made so much difference that I will readily ask for it again, the first injection did not even make my eyes water, took seconds to do and only 5 mins to take effect ... the doctor could then poke around as much as needed and the test was done within minutes ... hardly any discomfort on my side and the doc not having to be worried about hurting me .... to me it was a win win situation ... so do you think you would ask for it now that you know it can be used. ???

Would love to know what you all think.

[newlands]

Hi worth remembering Have mine done from the ear !

[velvet55]

I will ask for it.

I spent a week in intensive care once, followed by six weeks on the ward, and although I was up to my eyeballs with pethadine painkiller I could have hit the roof every time they took arterial blood from my wrist.

Velvet

[joyce741 in reply to velvet55]

I've been like that but its because the path lab people are not used to taking blood from the wrist, since the doctor have been doing mine they don't hurt and the longer and harder you press after its been done you wont get a bruise

[grannyjan in reply to joyce741]

Well one of the top docs tried to do mine and even she couldn't get it 😐 same as putting in a cannula some can some bloody useless 😁

Jan x

[Sheilab123]

Hi Susteart, I know what you mean ouch! But at my hospital they take it from the ear, absolutely NO pain, I used to find the injection to numb the wrist more painful than procedure! Maybe worth an ask? xx

[DOR55]

Hi had so many of these I don't really mind them now, you can have an ABG taken from an ear probe that's how they do it when I attend the sleep clinic.

[snail]

I have always had it taken from the ear.

[2malinka]

I am with you on this one. However, unlike you, I have a low pain threshold. I find these blood gasses injections extremely painful. I am a borderline co2 retainer so had them done several times during a hospital stay because of a chest infection. One medic took three attempts and I was in agony and a nervous wreck by the time she was done. Another time I too was given the anaesthetic you speak about and it made such a difference.

Take care

Malinka

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Im lucky and find it less painful than the back of the hand. Some at my local hospital take it from the ear lobe.

[Hidden]

What a great idea! Next time I need this done I'll ask for the anaesthetic! I had it done in ICU & it was the most painful thing I've ever had. I've had 5 children so that will tell you how bad it was! 😖

[joyce741]

Royal Brompton prefer doing it from the ear but I prefer the wrist

[freefaller]

Yes I would ask. Would even offer to pay for the anaesthetic.

[Hidden]

My hospital has always offered that to me although ive never agreed to it so i assumed everyone knew about this

[sassy59]

When Pete went to the Brompton in the past, he always had blood taken from his ear. He hated that but the ear lobe has a very rich supply of blood that flows nicely. It was numbed first apparently, but Pete never liked it. Not had it done for a long time now but has an appointment on the 26th so will see then.

Thanks for the post susteart. Take care xxxx

[Hidden]

I've had blood gases done several times but didn't know about asking for the area to be numbed first...the very best time was when a student did it...very quick and totally painless!

[freefaller in reply to Hidden]

Yes I always find students are good for things like this too.

[grannyjan]

Oh gosh don't I know, was seriously ill with pancreatitis last year and that's all they seemed to do, blood gases. I too have a high pain threshold and was very proud of the fact I didn't cry 😓 especially when they tried on one wrist couldn't get it so tried the other!!!!!! So totally agree that an anaesthetic could be used.!

Jan x

[freefaller in reply to grannyjan]

Bless.

[joyce741]

I have been told that they can only try 3 times to take blood if you say no more and they try again without you permission they class that as an assault and you can report them

[mskpjb]

I agree susteart. Like you I`ve had loads through the years- Hate them ! Last December in hospital a young doctor tried 3 times ooooooh and finally said he was going to give a local anaesthetic. Brilliant ! Nobody`s getting near my wrist again without anaesthetic. But why did we have to suffer in the first place ? hospitals really don`t seem to think about pain relief. Before my son died he had two horrendous liver biopsies. A woman giving birth is given gas and air, the programme 24 hours in A&E shows patients using it but in nothing was given to him. We don`t demand enough that`s the problem. Keep well, Sheila x