posted
Just wanted to know what to expect-I always go to the same labcorp for bloodwork.
Today the tech told me my left arm was no good for blood draws anymore-too much scar tissue from previous draws-so she took it from right arm.(which has also had many blood draws )
I asked her what happens when my right arm is kaput-she said then we'll try the feet!
Where are all the places on the body used for routine blood draws??
posted
Hubby usually has them use a butterfly needle and take blood from his hands. He has had IV drips infused in his feet before a couple of times in doctor's offices.
I think the thigh is another area I have heard mentioned before.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Thanks Bea- I think I would rather the thigh than the hand. Carol
IP: Logged |
posted
Carol, I have scar tissues built up in the veins in my arms. So the techs use the veins in my hands, it is a slightly more painful procedure - I try to get someone experienced to do it. No one has mentioned the feet yet. And the thigh us extremely painful, at that point I would refuse bloodwork.
I hate this disease. Sorry I just felt like venting. I had "great veins" for blood draws two years ago.
[ 05. December 2006, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: serendipity ]
Posts: 628 | From the south | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Serendipity-I think you posted on this topic before- but I was too lazy to search it back up.
HMmmmm-thighs? Hands? guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm thinking maybe I will be well enough, soon enough, to do without blood draws before it becomes an issue. How's that for wishful thinking!
I feel badly because last Monday my daughter had eight vials of blood drawn for her primary Duck-so I reassured her that yesterday they wouldn't be taking nearly so much blood-but what do I know- they took another eight vials yesterdy,too for the LLMD. Kind of undermines a mother's crediblility.
Anybody feel like a voodoo doll? Carol B
IP: Logged |
posted
I am also at the point of having butterfly needles in my hands. Helps to drink a lot of water beforehand and stay very warm, especially extremities. I bundle up, take a hot shower, wear gloves, look like a total goof.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have had SO much blood drawn it is a wonder I have any blood left!
It is funny b/c they always say "you can look away" but it does not bother me when they take blood.
They would have to go all over b/c I was being stuck so much and they could not take (or inject) in the same place they had recently done.
Between the blood draws, IV's, injections. I am ammune to it!
But I HATE having things put in my veins! (ABX, vitamins, minerals, vaccines, anesthesia, etc...)
One key to having the veins poked... BE SURE YOU ARE WELL HYDRATED! It helps puff up the veins!
Posts: 240 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Thanks all-maybe I should switch draw times from early AM-when it's cold and I haven't had much to drink yet, to afternoon-warmest part of the day with plenty of time to drink before hand.
If they go for the hands though I am going to have to remind myself to breathe, just breathe- and I never ever look.
IP: Logged |
posted
I actually have lots of problems with this. My veins are REALLY small and they can never find them, so I get poked 1-5 times per draw.
Feet - sounds awful, but since my arms don't work anymore, and "old faithful" in both hands are too scarred up, they've resorted to this.
The doctor has to order it specifically from the foot, but I find that the veins on my ankles are much less sensitive than my hands were.
eventually, there's always the juggular
-------------------- When given lyme make lymeade! A tick check a day keeps lyme away! [email protected] Raising awareness by creating as many lymebassadors as possible! Posts: 158 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Thanks Schnukums- I have actually refused to let them use my hands-it hurts so much-glad to hear the foot/ankle isn't as bad. Again- I haven't had to cross that bridge yet.
I think we should go for Wormsers jugular.
IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Carol, I like my hands; one that I don't write with. 1-2 months ago, I had problems and my hand swelled up; but generally no problems.
I'd hate to do feet; mine are so sensitive plus heel pain.
IP: Logged |
posted
Jordan had a hard time with blood draws. He now puts on a Thermacare wrap before we leave home. It keeps his arm really warm and the blood draws are much easier.
-------------------- Peggy
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can no longer have draws on the left ever since my MRI last year. After they injected contrast it infiltrated and I had a large lump in my antecub area for 6 months. They tried recently to draw from that side and guess what... too much scar tissue.
My daughter always passes out when they take her blood. Friday we went in for routine labs and a cot wasn't available so we had to draw in the chair. I recognized the spacy stare and told the technician she is going to pass out now. The tech without a brain immediately left to get some juice. Duh. As I quickly grabbed my daughter to support her body she went limp, did the shaking jerking thing all over. I was supporting her head and body but the chair was right next to the wall and when she jerked her head hit the wall. Not hard, but enough to make a good noise.
The lab tech finally comes back and says here's your juice and I glared at her and said, "Don't you know you should never leave a patient if they are going to pass out?" She opens the door to the lab and screams, "I NEED HELP!!" Everyone came running freaking out and I just chuckled and I said, "I told the tech she was going to pass out and she did. At that point getting juice is not going to help if she can't drink it. She did hit her head on the wall. Please make a note of this somewhere that we must have her lie down." My daughter just then came to and puked all over the floor. Hopefully that tech won't ever leave a patient again if they say they are going to faint!!
-------------------- **Eat Chocolate** Posts: 942 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[cussing]](graemlins/cussing.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic