water balance?

[WildIris]

I have what the phlebotomists call "little rolly veins" which translates into multiple sticks at blood draws and having to wait for the "vein whisperer" guy to be available, also very slow and insufficient draws when the vein they finally managed to tap collapses, that kind of thing. So I drink a lot of water before blood tests, which makes it easer for them to draw blood but might be throwing all my results off a little. Not only might it make my creatine lower and eGFR higher, but the sodium and chloride and various blood cell counts as well as "osmality" also read as abnormally low. I looked it up, and too much water in the blood can cause stuff like headaches, nausea, like that, though its recommended, of course, for kidney disease. Any thoughts, similar experiences?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Some, not tons, water is always good before draws. I too have difficult veins that dance. But some nurses get the first time and others cannot for the life of them. I think it is not my fault, but skill level. And now that I am learning to cannulate (stick) myself, I know it is skill.

[Badger2024]

best not to overdo the water. Assuming that you usually get your blood drawn in the morning you only need around three glasses of water beforehand. Possibly four if it’s late morning. No point in sculling water right up until your blood is drawn as it takes about 45 minutes to increase your blood volume. Take note of which vein they finally are able to draw your blood from and ask them to try that one first next time. If someone is obviously inexperienced just tell them that you usually get seen by the senior phlebotomist to avoid damaging your veins

[WildIris in reply to Badger2024]

Thank-you, Badger2024.

[Researcheverything]

I too have tiny veins. I always request butterfly needles the kind they use for kids. My tech told me to ask for 22 gauge if butterfly (23) is not available. Very rare any bruising as well.

[WildIris in reply to Researcheverything]

That sounds like good advice.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I try to stay hydrated everyday, and don't drink the morning of my labs. I am 24 years post-transplant and my veins have gone on vacation a long time ago ( but never had good veins even before). My veins are tiny and easily blow. The lab I go to have figured out where they should try. I try to go to the same person. The veins in the crook of my elbow are all scarred up. Thank God I have a vein that pops up, sort or, on my forearm. I call it "old faithful!"

Hydration is so important because it can effect your BUN, creatinine and eGFR

[barbara55109]

Demanding butterfly needles helps. I say demand, because I've had some nasty staff believe they are good enough to get me on the first try with a regular needle. Then they jab me over and over and prod me like a James Bond villain trying to prove they can get me in one stick. If I get a nasty one I point out they have to use pediatric needles for IVs in the hospital and call the specialists with ultrasounds to find a big enough vein. I also point out that when I was hospitalized for six months in Fargo they called the flight nurses who were usually tasked to find veins in people who lost limbs and were bleeding out in a farm field or highway crash. At 61, after a lifetime of illness, I just won't put up with the jerks who jab and jab and won't listen. So I demand a butterfly.

[WildIris in reply to barbara55109]

Thanks- I was really wondering more whether too much water is throwing my lab values off. I've been experimenting with drinking less water, to see if I can feel any difference. (I can't, so far.)

[Researcheverything in reply to WildIris]

You have to drink more than less to get the vein to rise to the occasion. When I didn’t drink enough water the result was literally a dot of blood. I would leave and come back after drinking water and blood would flow better.

[snoochy]

I also have small, rolling veins. At the cancer lab they use a butterfly needle for blood draws. If they are looking to put in an IV they bring an ultrasound machine and a tech an he finds a deep vein quickly. You might ask about that.

[Phillip46 in reply to snoochy]

Good to know about the butterfly needles. Last time I was in the hospital for a minor procedure, they tried the ultra sound after two failed try’s. It still took awhile for them to find a vein, and maybe because it’s a teaching hospital. And yes, the skill of the nurse is vitally important.