Beginning to feel needled now.

...its my body way of saying f..k off!...

Made me chuckle nexus63

i have a fear of needles and use a cream to numb the area, over the last year i have spent so much time in hospital, this involves having cannulas in my arm, i have psoriasis on my hands so it can be difficult to insert the needle, i have found that squeezing my hand open and shut helps most of the time, a young year 2 doctor asked me why my veins do not come out when they need blood, i made a joke by saying, this is my bodies way of saying f... off.

I was about to post asking whether by ‘nurse’ you meant district/practice nurse or a phlebotomist, but I see a few other posts have mentioned it. I can only echo what they say - phlebotomists are the stars. My partner has to have a blood test every couple of weeks to monitor Warfarin and up to 12 months ago the practice nurse at his GP surgery took the bloods. He used to come out of the surgery black and blue because she had to poke around to find a vein. Once blood services were centralised in our area, the phlebotomy clinic took over and there has never been a problem since. They’re the experts.

I have a friend who suffers with this .She showed me these tips ,

Good luck tomorrow!

www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/safer-injecting/raise-vein-inject-drugs/

I also sometimes have a problem when I have to have a blood test. However trained phlebotomists have never had a problem. About 25 years ago I had to have a blood test and the GP surgery we were with had funding if it was done there so I booked in with them. The nurse who tried to take my blood had difficulty and, got frustrated and said rudely that I was a problem patient and should go to the hospital to have it done. I tried not to be rude but pointed out that I had come to the surgery so they could get funding and would be happy to go to the hospital as it was literally over the road from where we lived at the time. When I got to the hospital and went in for my turn I said to the nurse that I was apparently a problem patient and she smiled and took the blood straight away, no problems.

It literally is such a pain, isn’t it?
My practice nurse/ phlebotomists also use a small butterfly needle on me when taking blood. I drink extra fluids beforehand and wear extra layers on my arms. This usually helps. One nurse told me that the vessels are very small and they tend to kink which makes it harder.
My friend has similar problems and is having chemo. A nurse told her to try handwarmers and I’ve made her some fingerless gloves to wear.
I hope that all goes well for you.

From my chemo days, very warm water, arms plunged in for at least half an hour. Child's butterfly needle in the middle inside of the forearm. Takes a long time to draw the blood because the needle is so fine but it managed to get into a vein in my shredded arms.

No matter how much water I got my mom to drink before blood test it didn't swell her veins. They always used a children's needle and hit the vein first time.

Maywalk ask them to use a child's needle and keep your arm to yourself until they do. That's not just my advice but a wonderful nurse my mom always saw at the hospital . He did body building as a hobby. He was 6'5" and very muscled. He was so gentle with my little 4' 11' 6 st mom. Mom always gave him a kiss as she never felt a thing. And she was scared stiff of needles. They always used a child's BP chuff on her as well. She lived until she was 90.

Hope you get your test soon pain free. ?

I have to ask anyone who takes blood from me to use "baby needle" as they can not get a normal needle into my veins,by using a baby needle it is easy to get blood from my veins, i am very surprised this has not been suggested for you

SueDonim

You poor thing! My medic dd says they’re only allowed three ‘shots’ and they then have to ask someone else to take over. She is actually good at getting bloods but even so it can be challenging in some patients. Have they tried a vein in an ankle?

I second this. We had 3 attempt then passed it on. Phlebotomist was the star blood getter! Drink lots of water and put your hands in warm water for 15 minutes first if you can.

Last time I went to have a blood test, I had drunk so much water that, despite it being a regular issue for me, the nurse did manage to get the blood out. However, it turned out my sodium was low, which I have put down to the amount of water I had drunk. You can’t win.

Just had a phone call to say that no one will be coming tomorrow to try and take blood because its been referred to the GP and I may have to go to the hospital.
Got to wait now for another phone call.
Could be to do with my age of 92 and my other ailments including Epilepsy.
Thanks again everyone and I will keep the tips you have told me in mind.

silverlining48

Maywalk You coukd also try putting your hands and wrists in warm water or one of those heated bean things, though if you are not at home it might be awkward.
It’s a so and so to be sure, but you are not alone. Good luck.

This is probably the best tip.

Years ago when I did chemo, the nurses used to get me a trug of fairly hot water and I would soak my hand and wrist for about 10 minutes... they always found a vein (and my veins are tiny). I did the whole 10 months treatment like this. It really does work, but you have to soak for a good 10 minutes.

Yes it was Silverlining 48 and ruddy sore.
Never mind I am still here to moan about it.

Goodness May, that looks dreadful.

That’s interesting Namsnsnny. Children’s needles. Why not?
I also have tiny ear pipes and they have to use children’s equipment when examining me. I will ask next time.

Is there such a thing as a small childs needle?
I was told by a nurse (a long time ago) to ask for one, as it was difficult to take blood from me.
I always assumed there was no such thing and that it was a joke.

Had the needles in all the places mentioned while in hospital at various times and they even brought in a special machine to find a vein but still not successful. I do drink well but it looks as though I will have to have an extra bottle of water
This was my hand after trying to find a vein to put a canula in a couple of years ago.
Many thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Maywalk You coukd also try putting your hands and wrists in warm water or one of those heated bean things, though if you are not at home it might be awkward.
It’s a so and so to be sure, but you are not alone. Good luck.

Good luck Maywalk
I'd definitely try drinking plenty of water beforehand.

ExDancer - yes between the fingers or the toes and like the ankle it’s painful.

Ouch!
Have the same problem. I’ve been told not to drink tea or coffee beforehand but to sip at least a litre of water half an hour before my appointment. It does appear to have worked the last couple of times.
Good luck.

Drinking water does help to make the veins more accessible. Mine used to be hopeless.

Oh yes, they've experimented everywhere on DH
(well, not quite everywhere)
He looked as if he'd been in the boxing ring after a stay in hospital.

I understood there were other sites blood could be taken from, the ankle being one.
There surely must be others??????