I got my blood drawn and I asked the lady not to poke my wrist (on the top side). She did it anyway right at a place I have chronic pain. She completely ignored me saying she's not going to get the bone.
It's now puffed up and hurts. Are there any ways to relieve vein pain????
I'm typing with my other hand which is my worse wrist.
I'm icing it, not sure what else to do.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
ice packs for me. I've had horrible bruises and swelling. some would last for weeks.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks! This sucks, this was my better wrist (both are bad though).
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Oh no Judie! Ouch!
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
I suggest hot compresses, which will improve blood circuation to the area and speed healing of the cells.
If you have a machine to do LED light therapy, use the 880 wavelength. Or a PEMF machine would work even faster to calm the pain.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks so much. No light machine, but I having both heating a cooling pads.
If I have the energy, I think I think I'm going to complain. It still hurts. Must stop typing...
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Judie-I was just thinking it might be good to avoid NSAIDS or Aspirins etc for the time being because they thin the blood and it might make the bruising worse.
Is it possible the needle may have been burred? I have had that once and it felt like the lab tech was trying to put a straw in my arm haha.
It is also possible that the vacuum in the tubes may have been too much for the vein and it collapsed?
I had that once also and it took about 10 days for the swelling and pain to go down.
It may be worth reporting just so next time, maybe a smaller guaged needle can be used or one of higher quality. Most labs have three or more qualities and sizes.
In the meantime, gentle heat alternating with gentle cold sounds like the best idea, in the absence of a pemf machine (sp?)
Please don't reply-just rest your wrist veins. Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks. Typing with one hand.
I'm not taking any painkillers, can't handle them, but a good reminder. I put some ibuprofen cream on it and it helped temporarily.
I'm going to report what happened.
I think the BIG issue is that Nurse Ratched IGNORED that I told her not to stick the needle in my wrist. No one should be in this much preventable pain. I'm pissed.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
oh oh I jus remembered. this stuff is great. it's vitamin K cream. , not e but K.
doctor told me about it.
its at wallie world I think or walgrens. I love it.
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Sorry Judie, this world is full of ugly people. I wish they were not in the medical profession though. We really need good-doers there.
Hang in there-
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks everyone!
Yes, too many ugly people in this world.
I'll try the vitamin K cream.
I filled out a complaint form on the lab's website. I wonder if I'll get a response from them.
Wrist is still stiff and sore. Praying this will go down soon. /the pain is right wear it bends.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Have hot compresses helped at all?
You could also do a "warm soak" by filling a 4-6 quart pot with warm water. Put the pot of warm water on a second chair next to you, sit down and hold your hand/wrist/forearm in the water.
If you do this at the table, you can read while your wrist soaks. Also, have a towel right there, for when you're done.
Using a large quantity of water means that it cools off more slowly.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Hi Carol,
Thanks for checking it. I'm going back and forth between hot and cold. Both make it feel better.
I just ordered some vit K cream. It looks and feels way worse today than yesterday.
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Judie - why blood draw from wrist area?
My last blood draw (elbow) was painful.
A straight needle was used.
Butterfly needles hurt so much less.
I asked for a BF needle and the guy said no.
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Judie - why blood draw from wrist area?
My last blood draw (elbow) was painful.
A straight needle was used.
Butterfly needles hurt so much less.
I asked for a BF needle and the guy said no.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
They can never find the vein in my elbow, so I have them draw in the area between my wrist and elbow. I've been doing this for years.
This is after having horrible bruising from a nurse who couldn't find the vein. It's easier for everyone in this other area.
My wrist is killing me.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I look like a long time junkie when they finish my blood draw.
I have complained many times because they feel they must slap my hand. It hurts! They slap my wrists and my inner part of elbow. I ask nicely once. Tersely twice and for the supervisor on three.
I do ask for. BF, most comply. If they think they are the worlds best I give them one chance.
I am so sorry Judie, it just ain't right.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Slapping! Yuck. I haven't had that one. That would definitely NOT be okay.
If I'm still hurting tomorrow, I'm going to call to find out who to complain to. I don't think and online feedback form is enough.
This is my "good" wrist too. Hard to type, but need emotional support. Things are so tough as is.
I haven't been able to do much because I hurt two fingers on the other hand along with wrist problems.
Nasty dishes are piling up.
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Dang Judie - so sorry.
I notice that in the summer my veins stand out almost embarassingly.
That is what got me to thinking - hey - for sure I can do self IV Abx with a BF needle.
No tourniquet needed.
I also read that tourniquets are damaging to veins?!
Prowling unusual druggie related websites - I read where one can stuff a t-shirt or small pillow under the armpit - clamp down - wait - and - viola - bulging veins!
Anyway last blood draw - I asked for a BF - no-go.
I held out my arm to display my lovely easy-stick veins.
But where did they go?
It was freezing in there - duh - so my veins went into hiding - much like...........
Learn something new every day.
Posted by ladycakes (Member # 12619) on :
This won't really help now, but for in the future, if you run into a difficult nurse again.
My last home health care nurse was AMAZING at blood draws. Usually doing them anywhere on the hand or wrist hurts, but he's the only nurse I've ever had do one that didn't bother me.
One thing he does differently (and recommended that I do with other nurses) is put a LOT of pressure where he did the stick. Generally they'll pop a cotton ball on it for a bit, but he spent a solid minute putting good pressure on it. Didn't hurt and - miraculous - it didn't bruise.
After the fact, I haven't found much that helped, aside from maybe having a heating pad on it and waiting it out. Sorry they banged you up :\
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
This was a fill-in tech because the regular person is on vacation. I had no idea what I was in for.
My wrist STILL hurts and I'm typing with one hand.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
I got a call from the lab this morning. They didn't leave a message. I guess someone did read my online complaint. I wonder if I should call back.
Ladycakes- I was trying to type yesterday but too difficult. Yes, I'm want to start working with a better lab/person.
I thought about it and I'm going to change labs. There's a really nice lady who's at a lab closer to me anyway that my husband saw a couple weeks ago. I'll give them a try.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
warm compressors will help thin theblood in that area and cold will reduce the swelling.
a nurse tried twice on me in the hospital. I was crying and she told me to stop being such ababy and left. I put my hand down off the gurney. little did I know the blood soaked the sheet and was running down my arm onto the floor. another guy came in and said OMG. believe me I was so sick I didn't even care. she tried on top of my hand. it took weeks for it to heal. it was black for a lon time.
I told everybody about that hospital. and I never went back.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Randibear - Oh good lord, that's awful. I did allergy testing with pinpricks once and it was so painful I started crying. The doc said not to be a baby. What is it with these people in the "caring" profession???
Yes, spread the word. People need to know to avoid these places.
I actually came here to thank you for the Vit K recommendation. The wrist still isn't great, but I DEFINITELY feel an improvement. Thank you TONS!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
actually it was my sister who's a radiologist that recommended it.
I'm glad it helped. first sign of a bruise or bump and I use it twice a day.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)