Struggling With Blood Tests

Hi! I just wondered if anyone had any helpful tips for blood tests? I have them all the time, and the phlebotomists constantly struggle to get blood from me… I do all the usual, making sure I drink loads beforehand, making sure I’m keeping my arms and hands nice and warm, doing exercises, and making sure I’ve either had a meal or snack beforehand too but I always end up resembling a pin cushion with no success and it is so frustrating! For example, today’s attempt, half an hour, at least six attempts (I lost count) in various places on my arms and hands with different sized needles and nothing. They can find veins and feel them but they bounce or just won’t give blood up (all superficial and bleed under the skin from what I’ve been told). When they do get it it’s very much pot luck and no reason or anything done differently! It doesn’t even help seeing the same person either, as they may get it one time and then the next nothing, or get nothing the first time and when I go back they do… so it isn’t down to technique or individual skill or experience either!

I just wondered if anyone else struggles, and anything they find helpful, I really need to get my bloods checked every few months and it’s horrible!

Thank you!

[bikebabe]

I had that problem when having chemo 2 yrs ago. What looked like fab thick juicy veins shrivelled to threads when needle went in. And that was I think due to my mind resisting having the chemo - ie self protectiio. Mum had same problem and for her it was one phlebotomist at her GP who could get it first time every time. Why/how is a mystery. Having had such a continued run of unsuccessful attempt means your mind will be expecting failure so part of solution might be to train brain to think of veins as thick and juicy via NLP /hypnotherapy session. There may be far more other practical solutions that phlebotomists can give but I don’t know what they are. No doubt they have a forum where they can share optimal solutions.

[Sat2]

unfortunately every time they stab you but fail they slightly scar the vein, making it harder and harder to gain access in the future. Not sure if you’re having these attempts done at your surgery or at your local hospital but the hospital will hopefully have an access specialist who would I’m sure succeed quicker with less scaring. I needed arterial blood gasses doing in A&E once which is a particularly very unpleasant experience, after three failed attempts they fetched the person who can and he did first attempt, but not understanding why the other doctor had attempted twice in one location which he said was a non starter. Consider subtly asking if a access specialist could have a look as you’re getting concerned about vein scarring and future access. Although phlebotomists are great at their job, doesn’t necessarily mean they are great at the difficult ones, whereas an access specialist or anaesthetist will be trained in all the specialist procedures to gain access. I used to work on A&E ambulances and saw a critical care Dr once cannulate someone in the big toe as other access was not readily available .

[Hidden in reply to Sat2]

Thank you! It’s both, GP surgery and hospital specialists that struggle… I also have to have regular mri scans with contrast dye via a cannula - it’s that bad it’s written on my notes that cannulation should only be done with ultrasound - so painful!

Thank you! And yes I think that could well be the problem, my veins are so scarred from years of needing blood tests!

[raglansleeve]

I could have written your post myself. Getting blood from my veins is a horrible, often quite painful, exercise in futility. Of course they eventually manage to get the needle in, but the time and struggle is my norm. I had to go for a CT scan for another medical issue recently, and not one of the three nurses in that section could get the job done. They then paged an ER nurse, who took a half hour to get to our part of the hospital (can't blame her if she was already busy in the ER!). And when I had to have surgery in my 20's, they stabbed me in 20 places (arms, hands, ankles, etc.), before the nurses had to call a doctor to put a main line in my neck, and then had to call a doctor later (after post-op recovery) to remove that line (above a nurse's paygrade apparently). I can't imagine how much worse my life would be if I had a condition that required frequent access to my veins. And yes, I also make sure that I chug a couple of liters of water just as I arrive and wrap my arms with warm long sleeves. I'm really sorry to hear that you have to suffer on this front like I do.

[Hidden in reply to raglansleeve]

Thank you for your reply, it’s horrible isn’t it! I’m with you on worrying about anything happening that needs urgent medical intervention - there’s no way they’d get anything it! And with the scans too - I have to have regular mris with contrast dye via a cannula - it’s that bad it’s on my notes that cannulation must only be attempted under ultrasound - so painful!!

Thank you, so sorry to hear you’re going through this too!

[Bina-Jane]

Same problem here. I was having fortnightly bloods when my graves was out of control and similar problems with needles and iodine uptake scans. I finally found someone who had worked in aged care , goes in first time. I also use a heated wheat bag on my arm before I go in. Even in summer and I am in Australia.

[Hidden in reply to Bina-Jane]

Thank you, sorry to hear you’re going through it too, so glad you’ve found someone who can help! I will definitely try the wheat bag next time

Thank you

[raglansleeve in reply to Bina-Jane]

I'm going to try the wheat bag too. When I had the CT experience recently (mentioned in post above), the nurses wrapped my arms in warm blankets while we waited for the specialist nurse from the ER to arrive.

[Muffy]

I put a heated wheat bag in my inner elbow and take it off just before blood is drawn! Xx

[Hidden in reply to Muffy]

Thank you! I need to try this I think!

[humanbean]

If I know (or suspect) that I need to provide blood for testing the following day I drink lots of water the day before (spread throughout the day and evening), and also drink some water before the test. It makes a huge difference to me in how well I produce blood for testing, whether by finger-prick or by venous phlebotomy.

[Hidden in reply to humanbean]

That’s so good it helps you! I drink so much beforehand it’s ridiculous!

[Stourie]

quite a few years ago one nurse filled a glove with hot water and put it on my arm. She got blood first time. Jo xx

[Hidden in reply to Stourie]

That is such a clever idea!