Hi all hope everyone is safe and doing well.
Can I ask the members who in the U.K. have monthly blood tests what there experiences are. Just had another one today and more problems drawing blood vain in arm is now sore plus buckled raised also one on back of hand.
I am seriously thinking of coming off methotrexate as I am worried these monthly buckling of veins isn’t good for me. Any one else have any monthly blood stories.
My veins apparently 'jump'. When the needle goes in, it skids to one side snd misses the vein altogether. There's a little knot in my vein that causes it.
What are your blood results like? I’ve (just) been put onto 3 monthly tests so if your results are good you could perhaps ask if you could go 3 monthly? Plus it’s fewer times to visit while shielding.
last month and this perfect bloods! but I am switching to needles for methotrexate as tablets make me feel sick 24/7
when rheumatologist is back up and running hopefully June so would imaging they will say more regular when switched. But yes can’t wait for less blood visits
Hi, I'm in the US but I think it's the same. Ask for a butterfly needed to be used(it's their smallest I believe), blood takes longer to come out but for a few vials they can just wait. lol It's also the needle that creates the least pain going in. Rolling veins when they insert the needle is about the phlebotomist not securing the vein when they insert. If they have newbies doing you it's ok to ask for another phlebotomist. They usually have two, one as backup for difficult draws. They mostly have thick skins and are not offended by this request. If not, that would be their issue. Pain we experience when they screw up lasts longer than their hurt feelings will. Keep very hydrated the day of blood draw. Good luck!
Hi yes butterfly used on back of hand usually this is ok. But today wasn’t big bruise coming out now. Arm is painful and buckled fully hydrated as always and it wasn’t cold. Maybe some people just have problems with veins.
I have small 'mobile veins' so drink a lot before you go in then keep arm warm. I have CKD so at one point had blood 4 x every day for 14 days then down 2x the 1 etc now its every 2 weeks. The outside of the arm is good and they have scanners for children so can see through skin and they use them on me.
But best tip avoid GP nurse and ask for hospital phlebotomists as they are used to getting blood from addicts so do it well. Never forget to push down hard on site of withdrawal and don't lift anything heavy with that arm. I've had huge clots in my veins and you must not touch or rub them they disperse over time and are superficial. Finally they are not allowed to try more than 2x in one place so don't be a pin cushion and anethatists are called for me too, a butterfly stops blow back which can stop flow and even let the phlebotomist take off gloves I do as know most of them now and it is easier for them.
You know ' you can ask for children's or fine needle I do its pink and in an emergency they can use neck which hurts too. So avoid ! but go at lunchtime if you can, not dehydrated and ask them to really tighten the anchor strap as it anchor veins. Sometimes they in my experience don't want to hurt you which prolongs it.
Hi yes butterfly usually used in back of hand but today no good with blood. It was in hospital?
Are you in UK if so ask for vein scanner, they use them for children as I said might have a wait but worth it. Sounds like the vampire wasn't much good. Just ask for someone more experienced.
First one tried butterfly back off hand as I said they have trouble with my arms and they buckle the veins. She couldn’t get much luck with that and called for someone else who I thought was more experienced but I am of the thought now they just butcher and send you off. Will speak to rheumatologist and ask at bloods next time for a scanner.
Good they might not like it but fail to understand why so cruel.Just really nasty and it does hurt too. I made paint of walking out with cotton wool on both arms in 2 places and both hands even had side of wrists done. Looked like I'd been mugged. lol
I have been on methotrexate now for nearly five years & have been having monthly blood tests since then, as well as various other blood tests for another on going condition.
It seems that wherever I attend to have my bloods done it is predominantly in my left arm. I have had no side effect whatsoever, but maybe I am just the lucky one.
Yes maybe so. I have always had problems and they say I have rhino thick skin so maybe that doesn’t help.
Hi
I have regular monthly blood tests, now reduced to 3 monthly due to the epidemic. My phlebotomist takes my blood from inside an arm near to the elbow crook, never has any problems. Why not ask to change the location where your blood is taken from ?
Hi Chris location has been changed many times. On a couple of occasions I have had to go and come back in the afternoon.
Nine times out of ten it’s down to the phlebo. If they’re good at it it shouldn’t cause problems I must say though if you leave too quickly and don’t apply pressure for long enough it can cause you to bruise loads more. Take your time before having the final plaster or cotton wool and tape put on. I have been known to open back up and bleed all the way down the corridor and have to rush back in. It doesn’t help when you use a walking stick and apply pressure on it to help you walk. I always try to remember to take my left handed stick when going for a blood test.
I have mine every 2weeks, last week I had 3 lots in a week as results weren't right or usual .being type 1 diabetic and multiple injections and blood tests daily differs t sort granted. I guess it's just fertiliser to them. I do hate the hand and wrist ones. Granted!
It's just using all veins ,both elbows of course, they recover well if you drink lots of wafer. I got told to hydrate well ,it helps so try it. We're all differs t,good luck xx
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