Problems getting blood draws after cancer treatment

[Rita-D]

Does anyone have any advice on getting blood draws after cancer treatment please? I have to have regular blood tests for an under active thyroid and everytime igo to have a blood test I make a late morning king appointment so that I can drink a couple of litres of water before i go and even warm my hand/arm with a hot water bottle to plump up the veins without much success. It often takes 5 very painful attempts with a paediatric needle to eventually get some blood. I have had doctors/nurses and even an ex anaesthetist try to get blood. My veins are just shot from the chemo treatment.

Any advice would be really welcome as this just seems to be getting worse and I’m becoming needle phobic. I was hospitalised 4 times during chemo treatment and the blood tests were traumatic.

Thanks for any help.

[Vern3]

Do you increase your water intake the day before a blood draw? When I was having difficulty with blood draws, I was told it was important for me to drink plenty of water the day before and the morning of a blood draw. Plus it was suggested that I limit my consumption of anything that could act as a diuretic, like coffee. That, combined with warming my arm just before, helped me.

I am currently in treatment for a second breast cancer. I had breast cancer 7 years ago. Both were caught early and, fortunately, are completely unrelated. This time around, I opted to have a port put in place. I'm still deciding whether I will have it removed once I've completed treatment. I've been told I can keep it indefinitely. It has really made blood draws a not a problem. Have you been offered the option of a port? I hardly notice mine, but I can easily understand why you might not want one.

[Rita-D in reply to Vern3]

Thank you for your advice. I do drink a lot of water. I don’t drink coffee as I struggle sleeping if I do. I drink mainly water and fruit teas. I have completed all my treatment now but have bloods taken for other issues. I had to go in the tablet form of Zometa as the nurses just couldn’t cannulate for the infusions. It’s becoming a much bigger issue the longer it goes on.

I’m so sorry to hear about your new cancer and I really hope you are coping with the treatment. That’s such bad luck. Good luck with everything and fingers crossed for a good recovery for you. All the very best. xxx

[Rubyln15 in reply to Rita-D]

Hello Rita, I have been on IV chemo on and off for 5 years . My breast cancer came back in my liver and bones. I first had a pic line placed in my right upper arm , this worked great. My breast cancer was in lymph nodes so no draw from the left arm. So when I went for labs, only one arm choice it was horrible like you’re saying. Pic lines can be safe for about a year then the docs want it out to prevent infection. Three years later after being stuck so much, I chose to have a small port placed in right upper chest area. I believe one of the best decisions I’ve made. You will love the convenience this does for you. Best of luck , prayers for you 😊. Jen

[Rita-D in reply to Rubyln15]

Thank you so much Jen for this information. It's certainly something to think of, but I'm not sure how I would go about it since I've completed all the cancer treatment and these blood draws and cannulas are for other things. I don't think this would be a possibility for me at the moment.

I'm so sorry that you've had 5 years of IV chemo, that must be so difficult to cope with. You sound like you are coping well though. I wish you continued success with your treatment and I'm really glad that the port is working for you. All the very best. xxx

[Karina66]

Hi Rita,You should ask the place that draws your blood if they have a "Vein Finder" it's a medical device used to help locate veins. Vein finders use various technologies such as ultrasound, infrared light, and radiofrequency to detect the position of veins. I actually both a small hand held version which uses infrared light( found it on Amazon) a bit pricey($300) but well worth the cost.(see below photo) Most nurses are surprised I have it and actually think they should buy one for their own labs.

Vein Finder