Pain from blood test

[GillyA]

Hi, I’m what’s known as a hard stick - not much help when you have a blood disorder!

About two weeks ago when they were doing a draw, they had to go to the back of my hand as they often do. This particular draw really hurt, but the phlebotomist persisted and got what she needed, although she commented it was really thick.

Two weeks later I still have pain across the back of my hand and my knuckles. No bruising, but the vein is more lumpy than it was before. It’s not terrible, but it’s not gone away, really don’t know whether to be worried or not. Anyone got any advice?

[Lure2]

Hi GillyA,

You got some suggestions to selftest not long ago. I do not know if you have had the time to think it over as I think that would be a great idea to miss the bloodtests in the vein.

I suggest you try selftesting for a lot of different positive reasons.

Best wishes

[GillyA in reply to Lure2]

Yes that’s the plan, doing cross checking at the moment.

[GinaD]

I too am a hard stick. Im not sure if the reasons for our vein draw issues are similar, but here is my story.

Waaay before I had APS ( 1977) I had pneumonia and my then wonderful GP was scrutinizing my blood work with daily draws. A wonderful nurse told me, "When you are approached by a new technician to stick you, always say that I told you to say 'They roll.'" That technician was locally famous, and when I quoted her before getting stuck my tests always went smoothly.

[GillyA in reply to GinaD]

I’m told my veins are very small and deep and there is only one they can get on each arm, which often don’t work - I think they hide! As I’ve had a lot of blood tests and IVs in the last few months it’s getting harder.

Crossed fingers I’ve been signed off to self test for a period.

I think the soreness is a little better today so crossed fingers for that too.

[Tofino5]

I’m a very hard stick, and there is nothing in my arms so they always use the hand. The last time I let someone try the arm I really regretted it because he hit a nerve instead of a vein, and it took 6 months for that to heal and get all feeling back in that hand. I’m triple positive and self test did not work for me, but some people are very lucky and can do it.

I would ask your doc to take a look at your hand next time you’re in for a check.

[Wittycjt]

Apply some warm moist compresses to you hand periodically throughout the day it will help to disperse the lumps