Disappearing veins? And MTX allergic reaction question.

[Dogrose]

I've been having blood tests for a few years now, always from inside my left elbow and they just go in, get it and I'm away. The last time the phlebotomist couldn't get anything at all from my left arm, she fished about a bit but nothing came out so went in to my right arm elbow and got some. Today was even worse, the phlebotomist couldn't even find anywhere to try on my left arm and had to use a vein on the side of my right arm which had bruised. When I had my canula in for the Infliximab infusion the nurse had to use a vein part way up my forearm and said she was having trouble locating a vein.

Has anyone else noticed a sudden difference in how easy it is to have blood taken? I know it seems like a minor thing but it is a sudden major change in something minor. The only thing that changed is I started MTX again but never had this problem when on it before. Not sure if I'm worrying for nothing!

The MTX thing, yesterday evening I took my 5mg MTX tablets and an hour or so later went all allergic like I'd dipped my head in a bucket of pollen, really itchy eyes, streaming nose and sneezing, anyone had that with it? It eased off after a couple of hours.

Cheers XXX

[Tillytop]

Hello Dogrose

I wonder if your "usual" vein has "scarred" from constantly having blood taken from the same place? I have the same problem and, over the past few years, sometimes even other veins won't "play ball" and just disappear the minute anyone goes near them with a needle. I remember one time when I went for my Infliximab, they tried so many different places to get the cannula in that they were talking of trying the inside of my ankle. Luckily it didn't come to that though.

As for the allergic type symptoms, never had that with mtx but it doesn't sound nice at all. If it happens again I would be inclined to have some anti-histamine pills at the ready "just in case" and to talk to the rheum nurse if it persists or keeps happening (which I hope it doesn't).

Tillyx

[Dogrose in reply to Tillytop]

I thought that at first but it went from perfect to nope in an instant plus the veins the other side have disappeared too! hopefully it is a blip and my veins will be back and plump and juicy in no time xxx

I'll mention the allergic symptoms, I'm supposed to be looking out for them anyway as I have just started Infliximab, but it was right after the MTX. XXX

[swapshop]

Sorry to hear about the blood tests - I really feel for you as I know it can be really stressful to think about having to go - but hopefully it will be a short term thing? Lately I have had the other way round. Previously it was Horrendous! Both arms – no veins - and then eventually had to have it drawn from the back of my hand. Always bruised. However, I now have discovered a regime that works for me, (writing very quietly just in case). I start drinking at midday the day before. Naturally as I am drinking so much I am up in the night to visit the loo – and so I drink some more. I Drink all day before I go for the test and then an hour or so before going for the test I start wearing layers, cardy and a scarf. Yes, I may look slightly odd and the phlebotomist did warn me not to get too warm so that I dehydrate - but apparently hydration and warmth are the key for me. Good Luck and hope it’s just a blip

[Dogrose in reply to swapshop]

I do make sure I drink a lot before I go, as I heard that makes it easier. Never used to be a problem though and nothing much has changed apart from the meds, and it didn't happen last time I was on them. I'm probably worrying about nothing anyway. XXX

[Sailaway]

I also have disappearing veins, since just before diagnosis. I don't know if it's the inflammation but the veins in the back of my hands have tucked themselves away for most of the time and my elbows only offer up superficial veins; the cannula for my infusion was officially 'precarious'! One of my GPs, who had come from a job in A&E, caused horror when he went into my wrist to fish some blood out.

The best advice I've had is to have a hot shower just before I need to have blood taken and to have a glass of water before leaving home - both do help to some extent. The HCA who takes my blood at the surgery has worked in cancer services and is brilliant at finding a vein, so I think experience has a bearing too.

[earthwitch]

I have really erratic veins. Used to be easy - straight in every time and really obvious and easy to find. Now its either obvious and straight in, or its trying both arms and sometimes ending up in back of hand with a butterfly. Then the next time it will be back to absolutely fine. No rhyme or reason, and doesn't depend on the skill or experience of the person taking it.

The advice about having an extra glass of water a bit before you have blood taken is good - it will definitely be much harder if you are even slightly dehydrated.