Fitting blood tests into your schedule

[SlothSandpit]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site but I am finding it SO valuable so far. I wish I had found it a few years back.

I wondered if anyone had any tips on fitting fortnightly blood tests into your schedule. I might be switching from sulfasalazine to methotrexate so I will need to increase the frequency of my blood checks from monthly to fortnightly. I currently go to the local hospital for my checks because I have issues with fainting and they know how to handle it much better than my GP. But each time I go, it takes around 2 hours out of my day. I run my own business so time is very precious to me!

I'm probably wishing for something that doesn't exist, but does anyone know of other blood draw services that might be more convenient? How do you fit these into your time?

Would love to hear about your routines

[Boxerlady]

Welcome!

Why does it take so long - is it the travel time?Things have improved for me since Covid as the clinics which used to be "drop in" (often meaning a long wait) are now appointment-only which really speeds up the process.

[SlothSandpit in reply to Boxerlady]

Yeah it takes me half an hour to walk each way, then it's a drop in so the wait time can vary hugely! Last time I went, they told me they were switching to appointments at some point, which will help maybe...

[Boxerlady in reply to SlothSandpit]

At my first appointment the nurse told me that changing to appointments had always been the plan but that Covid bought it forward - one good thing to have come out of this awful pandemic at least!

[AgedCrone in reply to SlothSandpit]

Look on Swiftqueue....& see if your area has online booking...I’m in & out in ten minutes at the local hospital...but there are choices of where you go.

[SlothSandpit in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you! I'll have a look.

[LoneEra]

I know one of our members pays to have her bloods taken at home. But that’s a local service. Maybe ask around if something exists in your area.

Other than that, my best advice is to make time for yourself. I 100% know how crazy it can be running your own business. I’m sometimes up at 4am working. But often the stress makes you feel like you can’t take time away - when really you can - and you need to.

Of course a booking system would be really helpful. But if you can block two hours out of your calendar every fortnight, to do a really important thing for yourself, then you might find that work is put into perspective somewhat.

Failing that, get a taxi each way so that the journey only takes 5 mins!! 🙂

[Kags1068 in reply to LoneEra]

Hi there!

Yes, Sylvi and I live in the same town and we have 2 separate ladies who each run a blood taking at home business. They both charge £10 per visit and they are both excellent.

It could be worth checking if anyone does this sort of thing in your locality if this appeals to you.

Good luck! 😊

[SlothSandpit in reply to Kags1068]

That sounds amazing! 😍

[Kags1068 in reply to SlothSandpit]

Yes, it's very convenient!😊

[SlothSandpit in reply to LoneEra]

That's brilliant advice and one I still struggle with even years after diagnosis! But you're right of course

[helixhelix]

Is there a reason you have been having monthly blood tests on Sulpha?

I was on MTX, hydroxy and Sulpha and after the first few months the time was extended to 3 month bloods. Now just on MTX and Enbrel and also blood tests every three months unless I feel that something is awry.

[SlothSandpit in reply to helixhelix]

It's just what my rheumatologist requested. 🤷‍♀️ I've been reading on here though that people are having them less regularly... so maybe I will question them next time we speak.

[Katie-Mag in reply to SlothSandpit]

My experience has been that when you start taking methotrexate you have fortnightly tests. Fortunately this changes to monthly tests once you’re up and running. Hope methotrexate works for you.

[Gottaloveastaffy]

My go does

Mine Reception want me to call to book even though I stand in front of them every two weeks but the lovely nurse who does my bloods books for me Can you get done at gp? That’s a lot of time out I agree

[SlothSandpit in reply to Gottaloveastaffy]

I used to have them done at the GP but every time I would black out. Then when I did they said it was really weird? So I like to go to the hospital because they just tip the chair back and I haven't had a problem since And they also don't act like I'm a freak haha.

[Gottaloveastaffy in reply to SlothSandpit]

Oohhh that’s a bit scary 😳 I gave blood twice and fainted but after like a couple of hours later so they won’t let me give blood now 😂 shame it’s so much out of your day tho

[SlothSandpit in reply to Gottaloveastaffy]

It is frustrating but maybe I've just got to suck it up and make that time for myself!

[Esmereld]

I use a local chemist which is on the Swiftqueue system. In and out in 10 minutes. Do it!. You’ll never look back. 😁

[Whezziewhoozie]

I just make sure I amFirst in the queue so often get there half an hour before they open .... then I am in and out

[StormySeas]

A two-weekly regime does seem frequent, but maybe it will drop off once you’re stable.

Re fainting: I used to have this problem too. Many years down the line and I’m sorted! I don’t enjoy them, but I’m able sit up, in a chair, and not faint.

I think I eventually became embarrassed about the fuss I was causing. Looking back, I can see there were specific problems. I still get flustered with a nervous phlebotomist, but I take control now and things are MUCH better.

First of all I ask them to use a small needle. They don’t always do this unless you ask for it. I tell the nurse I’m nervous and don’t want to hear anything at all about the procedure, (particularly if they’re having problems!) They generally get this and talk about other things. If they’re having problems and do start telling me why, I simply say ‘I don’t want to know...’, nicely, of course.

The small needle is much less painful. The not-talking-about-blood etc really helps and now the whole procedure is much more manageable.

Hope this is of help and you manage to find a nearer phlebotomist. It’s much easier when you don’t faint every time!

[Angjoplin in reply to StormySeas]

I'm the same. I always have to tell them don't talk about it. Even more so with steriod injections. I very very nearly threw up on a doctor once. 😊

[StormySeas in reply to Angjoplin]

🤣

[Doobie-Doo]

Hi, when I was put on MTX my blood tests were fortnightly for 2 months and now they are monthly, eventually they said it should be every 3 months. They do fortnightly to start to make sure the MTX isn’t having an adverse affect on your liver or blood cell production. I guess the amount of time in each phase will vary but I found the scheduling and time out easier knowing the fortnightly was short term.

[rounder]

I'm lucky in having a sister in law who is a midwife, during the last year my GP has agreed that she can do my bloods at home and they send them off , it's been a godsend. It's about to change, but mine are done at GP normally, their appointment system is excellent. I know locally there are drop in phlebotomy services available at local clinics or health centres too.