Blood gases: I am due to have mine... - Lung Conditions C...

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Blood gases

rainbows-end profile image
20 Replies

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

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rainbows-end profile image
rainbows-end
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20 Replies
AmethystAngel profile image
AmethystAngel

Tell yourself that you CAN do it and re affirm this between now and Wednesday. Xx

Jan_m profile image
Jan_m

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 💜

Neo7 profile image
Neo7

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.

jabber profile image
jabber

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 :-)

grannyjan profile image
grannyjan

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

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

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.

Suzy6 profile image
Suzy6

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

punkyb profile image
punkyb

Saying a prayer for you. Just take deep breaths and try to relax...

peege profile image
peege

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.

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb

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

meglou profile image
meglou in reply to mskpjb

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

pollyjj profile image
pollyjj

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

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb in reply to pollyjj

Hi pollyjj, that`s a good tip about the water. I remember once at my surgery they couldn`t get any blood so after three tries they sat me in the waiting room with a cup of tea. Still had a problem but managed it eventually. I have thick blood seemingly. Cheers, Sheila x

rainbows-end profile image
rainbows-end

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.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy in reply to rainbows-end

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.

freefaller profile image
freefaller

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

jabber profile image
jabber

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 :-)

rainbows-end profile image
rainbows-end

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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