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I m 56 male. As long as I can remember some nurses have had to poke me several times to draw blood.
My record is 7 times when i had cataract surgery lol
Last week i went to a specialist and the nurse arrives to take blood. Me as usual being used to it announced very politely that i don't bleed very well and recommend using that far away vein in my left arm.
She was very kind but I got the usual "Oh don't worry i have done this for 10 years" And she poked my right arm, nothing, my center vein (Not the far away vein as I told her) in the left arm, nothing, my left hand, nothing and finally succeeded in my right hand. I was livid!
Some nurses get offended when i mention this problem and that the best chance is that far away vein in my left arm (And i always say this very politely). But even this one will fail but is still the best one.
I have been told to drink plenty of water and no coffee before having blood taken. It does not change anything.
And i have to say some nurses are very good and decide to poke me somewhere else than that left arm's vein and succeed right away. I never fail to compliment them for their skills.
I fear more my blood being taken than actual procedures ol
Not sure if it matters but i bleed normally if i hurt myself.
I have issues with this as well...there is a long discussion on this topic under the cancer subforum...."Help! Can't get a blood draw"....I don't know how to copy and paste the original....sorry!"
It sounds like they are missing the veins, not hat you don't bleed well.
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Due to my health conditions going back over 10 years, I get blood draws at least twice a year and for one year it seemed like once a month.
I usually have blood draws scheduled in the morning, before I've had anything to eat. I find that it's beneficial to drink at least 16 ounces of water an hour or two before the phlebotomist does his/her thing.
Since you are consistently a difficult draw to most people then I would try to keep the area very warm and use a small weight to exercise the arm to plump the vein up. Drink plenty of liquids a couple of days before and leading up to the day. Take all blood pressure medication and have BP optimal if allowed to. Some procedures will limit medications on that day.
In extreme cases micro-containers from a finger stick can be collected although most places do not have those and it also takes some experience using those in obtaining proper anticoagulated specimens.
The other option is is try and remember the names of the good phlebotomist of nurses that collected your blood and ask for them next time.
It is unfortunate but typical for some people to be over confident in their abilities or simply stubborn in obtaining blood. There are no long term solutions.
I have issues with this as well...there is a long discussion on this topic under the cancer subforum...."Help! Can't get a blood draw"....I don't know how to copy and paste the original....sorry!"
Since you are consistently a difficult draw to most people then I would try to keep the area very warm and use a small weight to exercise the arm to plump the vein up. Drink plenty of liquids a couple of days before and leading up to the day. Take all blood pressure medication and have BP optimal if allowed to. Some procedures will limit medications on that day.
In extreme cases micro-containers from a finger stick can be collected although most places do not have those and it also takes some experience using those in obtaining proper anticoagulated specimens.
The other option is is try and remember the names of the good phlebotomist of nurses that collected your blood and ask for them next time.
It is unfortunate but typical for some people to be over confident in their abilities or simply stubborn in obtaining blood. There are no long term solutions.
Great post! I m sure the solution is in this post.
Hey, one more thing, as others have mentioned - be sure you drink a lot of water before you get blood drawn.
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Thxs to all!
