Does anyone have trouble having blood tests

[Coopergirl52]

Don't know if it's me or the person drawing blood I'm always well hydrated but since my HA last year its very difficult for them to find a vein to draw blood from for a blood test.

[brads27]

My wife come out after a blood test like a pain cushion, they tried both arms and even her feet. And she's not had a heart attack, they always seem to get mine first time and I have had a HA.

[Turnipgirl in reply to brads27]

Back last year I had a bad experience at a blood test at oc health at a previous job when they dug for gold to get blood out but didn't succeed and both my arms were bandaged up and I was absolutely furious and left the consulting room and slammed the door hard in temper!

Usually they have no problems taking blood from me.

The health care worker who did that to me had come in the pharmacy where I worked to the reception and had laid into a colleague!

The trained pharmacists were disgusted when they saw the state of my arms and advised me to put in a formal complaint which I did and I did receive an apology.

Since then I have blood tests taken without any problems although there was the one in March that needed repeating but that was fine once it had been done.

[Yumz199725]

Yeah I can drink so much and yet still can't find a vein to take blood, the last one I had they had to pump my arm to get the blood out 😢x

[Survivor1952]

when in hospital they failed to get blood out of me once. Since my OHS I end up with some spectacular bruises now when they take a sample.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I have Raynauds Phenomenon along with vasospastic angina.

My blood vessels go into vasospasms.

The staff always have problems taking my blood or putting cannulas in.

It took 4 attempts to get a cannula in during my last admission.

Are you on beta blockers?

They can lead to Raynauds Phenomenon like symptoms.

[Coopergirl52 in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes I'm on Bisoprolol.

When I was in hospital last year every other day the phlebotomy nurse came round take blood she had trouble getting blood out of me.

Had to have a cannula fitted a doctor tried with the aid of an ultrasound proble couldn't get it in a nurse tried no good third time lucky a HCA got it in first time.

[Silvertail]

Happens to me all the time. I just put it down to overuse of my veins. 🤗

[Jackabee]

They never find a vein first time with me either.

[Coffeelover2]

all the time - I’m on blood thinners so I thought it would gush out. They had to go from the back of my hand the other day.

[Hylda2 in reply to Coffeelover2]

Snap!

[HenryTudor]

My older sister and my great niece both always have problems when having blood tests. I’m sure it’s quite common.

[benjijen]

I always have problems except with one phlebotomy. All females in my family have the same problem!

[AuntyEdna in reply to benjijen]

Me too always a palava I was told once I have sticky veins and the ‘fat ones ‘ were bouncy! When I had my mini HA it took four nurses and a senior Dr to get blood I looked like a pin cushion, blood tests recently it took four attempts they even tried the back of my hand 🥴. I’m on all sort of meds for Micro Vascular Angina so I assumed that it was going to be easy. I always have issues with customs giving my finger prints too which I assume is because there’s not much blood in the area - ( have cold hands always. Sadly you’re not alone take care keep smiling 😊

[Bingofox007]

I have one vein that gives the blood all others look great, feel bouncy but no! Try telling a phlebotomist their job tho! Oh dear, usually on third attempt they’ll go to the one I’ve pointed out. And it’s sluggish. Always thought it would be a nightmare if I developed diabetes or other conditions needing regular BT…..got both! Take care 🦊x

[GFFF]

all the time! You can see the look on the nurses face when she sees me coming. I needed a cannula this week and despite drinking lots of water beforehand it took many attempts and 5 locations. Try to remember the places they are lucky and point them out to the clinician if they get stuck next time x

[Noodle5]

Always have trouuble finding a vein yesturday was 2nd appointment to try. Couldn't left arm, right arm was still sore from the day before, so tryed the back of my hands, still no. I have to go back in 3 days time, someone else will try.

[TMeditation]

and I thought it was just me 🤣 I dread going for blood tests and I have to go along regularly but sometimes I think it depends upon who you get to do it. Some nurses go straight in no problem. One of them said to me they need to go into the area in the middle of your arm rather than the vein - less painful, less bruising and everybody’s happy. Sue

[Leonardo1]

hi I’m a phlebotomist and can get blood from most patients , all I can suggest is drink loads of water not just being hydrated but loads that helps dramatically . And of course try to relax its like my Bp as soon as the cuff comes out up it shoots . As soon as the needle comes towards you the veins head for the hills . Close your eyes go to your happy place and trust the phlebotomist they are the experts and have probably taken 50 patents blood already that day !

[Coopergirl52 in reply to Leonardo1]

How much do you suggest if I drink alot in one go I'm wanting to go desperately within 30 minutes.

[Leonardo1 in reply to Coopergirl52]

It’s a bit like when you have an ultra sound as much as you can ! And hope there isn’t a que !! Ch

[BicuspidBloke]

Yep, I have very thin veins. I tried donating plasma during the pandemic but was told by a health professional that they couldn't accept me as the veins need to be wider than in normal blood donations (as the blood goes back in once the plasma is extracted) and that I "have the veins of a lady".

I wouldn't have said it quite like that!

[Qualipop]

Oh goodness yes, they always have problems with both me and my son. He has to have regular blood tests and his veins are so deep they can never find them. This last time they had to use his hand which was really painful. Mine jump. The second the needle touches the vein it jumps away . Some nurses have no trouble while others find it impossible. One good nurse told me I should advise anyone doing bloods that they should go in at the side of the vein and not from above. I have a slight phobia so I have been known to just walk out after they've tried 2 or 3 times or I insist on someone else doing it. Some are good; others are useless. It's usually those who do a lot who are best but oddly the one I didn't even feel was by my G P who rarely does blood draws. If they are messing about just ask if someone else can do it.

[Vindicatrix]

I had a blood test two weeks ago, third attempt, the nurse found a vein, after large bruises.

Went and had another on Friday, I drank three large mugs of water beforehand, and she found a vein first attempt.

She tells me that this is often the case.

Hope this helps.

Regards Ron

[XmasEve24]

Yes that’s me I’ve a,ways been the same though even in my 20’s when pregnant. Of course now I’m older and have them regularly. My veins just collapse in my arms. So I ask them to go into the back of my hand and I have to be really insistent sometimes - as some of them like a challenge and I don’t want to be a pin cushion. I would rather be a little bit more uncomfortable for a few seconds than have multiple unsuccessful site that are some and bruised. 😊

[pasigal]

It depends. Some days it goes in easy, others...not so much. I had a non-heart related blood test on Saturday morning; the phlebotamist couldn't hit the left arm so she went straight to a child's needle on the right! That meant she had to pump my biceps to get the blood to flow. Ouch.

I think it partly depends on hydration.

[Dollcollector]

That's me too. I have small ,deep veins. It took over 2hours ,, 6 attempts by 4 nurses to just get a cannula in my hand or arm , before an operation. They tried heating by putting hot water in a rubber glove and laying it on my arm and holding my hand in a bucket of hot water. I have the same when trying to take blood. I don't mind needles and watch the procedure if done by an expert. But when there is many attempts and especially when they wiggle the needle about , trying to get the right place, it does make me feel faint and l am covered in bruises.

[Coopergirl52]

Had the blood test yesterday absolutely no problem getting blood out this was done at the hospital she used a syringe instead of the vacuum needles usually used.