Not too good

[CELAT06]

Hi all, I’m not too good at mo, trying to keep positive but finding it very difficult. Lots of hospital appointments and tests and more to come. I have a blood gas analysis tomorrow and not sure what to expect . From what I’ve heard it can be quite uncomfortable, even painful, has anyone had this done ? I’m usually quite upbeat and positive and have a ‘just get on with it’ attitude but this last couple of weeks I’ve felt quite down and overwhelmed by it all. Having to isolate and not going anywhere apart from hospital hasn’t helped, I’m sure. Sorry for moaning but I know I’ll always have a sympathetic ear on here. Hope all are as well as can be. Take care. X

[sassy59]

Bless you CELAT, what a lot to put up with. I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow and that you start to pick up again very soon. Things are gradually improving so hope you can get out a little.

Thinking of you dear lady. Xxxx

[CELAT06 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you. I don’t usually let things get me down. Maybe when I’ve had all tests and know what’s happening I’ll feel a bit better. I keep telling myself there’s so many worse of than me. Thanks for your kind thoughts. X

[sassy59 in reply to CELAT06]

Wishing you well xxxx

[Snackjack]

I think it is pretty much the same as any other blood test. However there may be others on here that know more about it than me. Good Luck and hope all goes well tomorrow. xx

[CELAT06 in reply to Snackjack]

Thanks, I’ve been told they take it from an artery rather than a vein. I’m ok with the usual blood tests but a bit nervous about this one. X

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear you’re having such as rough time of it. I had an arterial blood gas done when unwell in hospital a few years back - it was more painful than a standard blood test, although not actually the most painful blood test I’ve ever had. I have had a couple of normal draws from my arm that have hurt as much, if not slightly worse thanks to not being done very well. It’s because it’s from the artery rather than a vein that it hurts more. But pain is subjective, so some patients say it’s not bad, others say it’s horrendous, with my own personal experience being that whilst it was uncomfortable, it wasn’t unbearable. It’s also temporary: I have had an arterial line post surgically before, which is a cannula in the same place, and that was the same sort of painful, but prolonged because I had to have it in for more than a day. The ABG was at least a quick in and out. The way I look at any of these things is that it adds to the information we have: uncertainty is the worst thing for me, medically, so that helps me tolerate anything potentially unpleasant if I know it might reduce the uncertainty and help overall.

[CELAT06 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I feel the same about uncertainty, if I know what to expect I can deal with it better. I think one’s attitude is important in dealing with things and I’m usually pretty good but have had a lot to deal with recently. Thanks for your good wishes. I hope you and bod are doing as well as can be. X

[vittorio in reply to Hidden]

Hi Charly-G ... If I understand it right .with your letter, ... an injection in the artery - usually the WRIST ! ... yes I have this many times - having been in Hospital 42 TIMES IN NINE YEARS ! with my COPD , .... - yes ,! I'me no stranger to them ,! ... apparently it can be painful , because all the -" NERVE ENDINGS MEET UP THERE " , but the good news is , you can have a little pain killing injection FIRST to numb it ! , 1 actually know a Doctor who had heard the main injection can hurt a bit so =HE INJECTED HIMSELF ! = WOW ! .. NOW THATS WHAT I CALL -service to your Patients !! , so be of good cheer , you'll be ok ....

[angeline323 in reply to vittorio]

sorry it is painful but not for long and good time to have it tells the docters alot best wishes. 😐

[teenieleek]

I’ve never had this test but just wanted to wish you well. I find hospital appointments, even if they’re not my own, stressful and exhausting so you have my sympathy.

[CELAT06 in reply to teenieleek]

Thanks. X

[CDPO16]

Sorry that you are having such a rough time. Quite understandable to feel down. I had blood gases done while in hospital last year. Have to say it was pretty painful. I have heard it depends on how proficient the medic is at drawing the blood. I hope that you get someone who is expert at it and that you soon begin to improve xx

[CELAT06 in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks. X

[MELNEL]

Sorry to hear that you not feeling this well. But we all are with you at this moment, because we all been the same way like you, so we know he you feeling. It's not easy to stay positive, I know. Listen to some nice pick up songs, it always helps in some ways on me.

I hope you get an experienced doctor who takes the blood. I had it done every two days were I was in hospital, and for me it was the most painful part taking the blood this way. But don't be frightened, everyone deals different with pain, as well I am very thin and have thin skin and I am extremely sensitive and can be a cry baby. LOL 😅

But you might not.

So I hope you will get better soon again and I believe you will. Best wishes 🌺🌺🌺 x

[CELAT06 in reply to MELNEL]

Thanks. X

[MELNEL in reply to CELAT06]

🤩🌹😘

[Katinka46]

So sorry to hear that you feeling down. But it is not surprising. Things have been so difficult for the last year. You are allowed to have a moan, we need to. Being positive all the time is unrealistic and exhausting. And puts pressure on us. I think once you have the tests done you will feel a little easier. Be kind to yourself

Kate xx

[garshe]

I have had this test. Taken from a vein in my wrist . Didnt bother me although some say its painfull. It gives a true reading of oxygen level. Had it many times and going again to hospital appointment on 10th June. Good luck. XxSheila 👍💕

PS ....can also be taken from ear lobe.

[shouty]

Completely understand where you are coming from. Have had a few weeks of feeling incredibly low & tired of everything. Starting to bounce back a bit now so you hang on in there & be kind to yourself Hattie

[Lynnetp]

I think you’d be superhuman to be upbeat and positive all of the time 💕 I’ve had many of those blood tests. They’ll generally take the sample from your wrist and it takes a couple of seconds. The best way I can describe the sensation is like a “sharp ache” It’s not the most pleasant thing in the world but if I needed one today it really wouldn’t bother me.

Hope that helps 🙂

Good luck

Lynne xx

[madonbrew]

Dear Celat, Sometimes everything feels a bit overwhelming doesn’t it when you have lots of appointments and health stuff to contend with. I think sometimes we just keep plodding on without realising how much we actually deal with day in and day out. So please be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up for feeling a bit down about things!

I really hope your test goes well today and doesn’t hurt too much. I have had lots of these bloods drawn over the. They can be slightly more uncomfortable but I’ve never been too bothered by them, and like Charlie, have had canulas there too for a longer period.

Sending love 💕 and a hug 🤗

Dee x

[Patk1]

Hang on in thereThinking of u xx

[MoyB]

I hope your test goes well today. I've had it done a few times in A&E where they are not always known for their gentle touch, but it's been ok. Yes, I have felt it, but never painful. Once I had someone who was doing it unsupervised for the first time (she told me after!). She did it better than the others, so it's the luck of the draw. At least you should have accurate results.xx Moy

[Croydonia]

I hope you’ll be happier soon celat, I think we’re all a bit down at the mo, with the Indian variant making things a bit uncertain. Just keep plodding on, things will get better....

[Aingeful]

Know exactly how you feel. This last year has been the pits! I am someone who tends to go with my emotions. A year or two ago I needed counselling and I remember her telling me to do this. I spent all last Thursday night crying! I live alone so wasn't upsetting anyone else. I felt better once I'd got it all out!

[watergazer]

Hi Celat06. Hope all goes well at the hospital. Take care and off load whenever you need. Wishing you well. C🤗

[Beachballs]

Hi Celat06 , sorry to hear you are not having the best of days at the moment, and hope things improve for you. I have had a blood gas test done at the hospital as an outpatient and have another one coming up in the next 4 weeks. This will be taken from my ear lobe and just feels like you are having your ears pierced. Have to keep the plaster on for a couple of days. The Nurse explained that if I was in hospital, it would be taken from my wrist. Hope all goes well. Best wishes x🌸🌷

[Will57]

Hi. I have had the blood test many many times and really does rely on the person doing it and sometimes it went very smooth but last time in hospital (October 2020) I regret to say it was, un be known by me,carried out by an inexperienced doctor so needless to say it didn't go well.I had it done once in Papworh Hospital and they took the blood from my ear lobe and when I've informed other doctors they find it hard to believe me. Hopefully all goes well for you

[Ergendl]

Big ((((hugs)))). Keep putting one foot in front of the other. We're walking beside you all the way - you just can't see us.

[Straddie]

I have had two such tests. They hurt but not so much that I dread another. It’s just one more thing to go through and you, like all of us, go through such a lot just to keep breathing. It isn’t weak to have a moan occasionally. We all need it. As someone else said, we wouldn’t be human if we were positive all the time. Hope all goes well.

[cofdrop-UK]

💕💕

[Delamere]

Chin up celat06. You are not alone we all have times like this when we seem to be going nowhere but round in ever decreasing circles. It will pass although it may not seem so at the moment. Thinking of you x

[peege]

Glad you can come here Celat to get it off your chest a bit to people who understand. It sounds tough, no wonder you're down. I'm really hoping it will all ease up soon and you'll be back to a bit of normality xxxxxxxx Peege

PS hope that arterial test is over quickly, deep breathing though it may help a little bit and perhaps they can use a topical analgesic 🤞🤞

[Izb1]

Hope all went well for you today and it didnt hurt too much. Keep your chin up and rest for a while x

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Please don't ever apologize for having a moan, we all have a moan sometime or other over the way we are feeling. I'm sure everything will go well with your blood gases. Please let us know how you got on. Have a good night and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Dedalus]

I have had three of these tests, always in ear lobe, and they were a bit uncomfortable but not painful (never had any done in wrist). Good luck for yours tomorrow x