🤞for my routine blood test early this morning…

I got into trouble for having coffee before a blood test. My veins are elusive too. The nurse told me that coffee is dehydrating and I should have had just water instead. Good luck.

I can sympathise - I'm the same. My veins are so hard to find, and I invariably end up like a pincushion. I had to get blood taken just the other week and I've still got a massive bruise on my arm. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

Good luck!
I have excellent veins ... but being on an anticoagulant is interesting .... the other week I was on my way out when I started to pour blood all over my lovely white top and the surgery floor!

I’m the same. I book a double appointment and have to lie down for the blood test. I was told to drink plenty of water beforehand and to keep warm (especially your arms/hands. All the best!

Mind you, when a doctor decided I needed a blood test on the spot he just went for it and hit a vein straightaway. I complimented him but he just said that years an A&E led to his instant success at venepuncture

I went to an evening blood clinic a few months ago.
The nurse said she didnt mind working evenings, as it was easier to get the blood out, as people had been drinking during the day.

It didn’t work - again! I now resemble a pincushion - plaster on 3 sites where she tried.

However she told me that I need to drink a lot just half an hour before the appt. Why didn’t anyone tell me that before?
Because they don’t know, it’s a trick she learnt.

So 🤞again! - for tomorrow, 9.55.

Oh no.
Good luck for tomorrow.

I had a blood test on Monday afternoon, results came back on my app the next day and I noticed a rise in one of my results. Before my test I had got up early to drive home after staying with my daughter for a few day, went straight to my exercise class (which is pretty intense) had a quick lunch and then went for my test. When I checked what might cause a rise both intense exercise and dehydration came up. Next time I'll book my test on a "quiet" day and in the morning.

How did you get on today Witzend ?
I have the same problem, I'm just back from the doctors, blood successfully taken but it hurt! I can still feel it now!
I hope you faired better.

My veins are one of my best features! Nurses are always so pleased to see them when I have my regular blood tests, and not once have they had to have a second go to draw off my ruby nectar.

Well, it did work, just, but she still had trouble. Tried different places (not the inside of the elbow) - just halfway down my forearm. Had to do both sides to get enough!

Phew, though - I really didn’t want the faff of going to the hospital to have it done.

Next time, ask to soak your hand in very hot water first. It expands your blood vessels.

I have a similar problem but now drink enough water half an hour before to cause me bladder problems and constantly make fists with both hands with the arms kept by my sides.
Can still be a faff though.

I also have tiny veins. Ask the phlebotomist to use a paediatric needle.
The advice to drink plenty of water is good. It really helps.

Milliedog

Actually, a heated blanket is better. Heat is absolutely a good thing, you're right, but the problem with hot water or a hot, moist towel is that the water cools - and that constricts the veins. Dry heat doesn't cause that. I'm a nursing instructor, and we commonly wrap people's arms in warm blankets if we're having trouble finding a vein.

i have problems with my veins and i need a monthly blood test, doctor calls it an across the board so they take 2 vials of blood, i found than clenching and unclenching my hand helps, i have a needle phobia so find it difficult when they are fiddling about trying to find a vein.

Some years ago I had a procedure -the nurse came in to give me my pre-med and laughed as she couldn't find my pulse.
You're one of the walking dead ,she said and marked my wrists with a small cross where she'd located a pulse .
But since then I've had many blood tests and only once had that problem.

Nexus63 next time ask for the spray they use on children. I too had a needle phobia plus non existent veins!
It took a spell in hospital where I endured blood tests and injections every single day and that cured my phobia.
Having to take blood from my hand one day the nurse said she would use the spray and it worked really well!

Do you want to elaborate harrydave?