Veins said no!

[night owl]

I had my usual appointment with the Rheumatologist and then my veins said I am not giving you any blood.

 

Somebody tried to do the usual blood tests after a consultation. The carer had drawn blood successfully on more than one occasion. The tourniquet was applied, on both attempts, prodding for the vein happened, oh yes you have something there but oh no. It did not go well; no blood was to be seen until the needle had been withdrawn. No bruise. I like to think my veins saw the needle that was heeded their way and then they said no! They must have been punctured. There was no third attempt.

 

There is no phlebotomist as part of the clinic and on experience they are more successful in getting veins to oblige. In the past the Medical Staff have been asked to take blood when my veins have said no but it was from the back of my hand - ouch!

 

I am going to the general practitioner’s for my bloods this time so I hope my veins say yes.

 

How many attempts do you have to have for routine blood tests?

[Sooty30]

This has happened to my husband before he was diagnosed. Only known of it once so far, but also when he was admitted to hospital he said the cannula was really, really painful. Having had these many times I wondered what all the fuss was about. Now I know what he has, I realise why it was so, so sore.

[Joelf]

Hi Night Owl,

 

When I was having IV Cyclophosphamide most of the time the nurses were able to insert the cannula without too much trouble. However, on one occasion one poor nurse had a real problem; I felt a bit sorry for her as the more she tried to insert it, the more she lost her confidence when it wouldn't work and the more flustered she became and after three unsuccessful attempts she had to fetch a colleague to do it.

 

I did point out tactfully that I wasn't a pin cushion and that perhaps her technique needed a little fine tuning! ;)

[Amanda Thorpe]

Hello Night Owl

 

Well after the skin softened in the middle of my arm where they usually draw blood I thought it would no longer be a problem...wrong! The veins just disappear. Last blood test the phlebotomist stuck the needle in, poked it around and nothing. She took it out and using another needle inserted it lower down and again poked it around and wait it that blood I see? Yes but coming from the first stick made by the first needle that had not bled at all prior to that! Eventually she got as tap out of the second needle but it was just amusing that the first stick began to bleed before the second one produced anything.

 

This difficult blood draw thing is a well known scleroderma issue and was something I heard of was before I had the problem myself!

 

Take care.

[Buttons]

I have problems when they draw blood, it is very much a hit & miss affair!

 

When they tried to put a cannula in for an Iloprost treatment my veins just kept collapsing & each day had to have a new one put in. Initially the nurse tried & then another, then they asked a doctor and not one of them managed until the sister asked the consultant to do it and that was only after having my arms wrapped up in electric heat pads for about an hour! Another time while having blood taken just before an operation it took 2 1/2 hours and many attempts until they got a doctor to do it with an ordinary syringe. I was told by the phlebotomist that they are only allowed to try twice before getting someone else to try.

 

Buttons

[Joelf]

.........I was told by the phlebotomist that they are only allowed to try twice before getting someone else to try.

 

Buttons

 

Ooh Buttons, I wish that my unsuccessful nurse had known that! I was afraid I might resemble a sieve by the time she'd finished and she'd obviously been practicing on some of the other nurses as they were walking around with little plasters all over their arms!! ;) :rolleyes:

[night owl]

Hi everyone,

 

It's the prodded around with the needle which is always a bad sign. Going to see the phlebotomist tomorrow and my list of blood tests has grown as it’s the Rheumatologist ones plus the General Practitioner ones; I reckon that must be five vials. I hope my veins will oblige - such a simple thing for most people becomes such just a major thing!

 

In trepidation for tomorrow; not a big fan of needles.

 

Night Owl

[night owl]

I got to the last vial and then things began to stop. I don't think I need to say anymore.

 

My general practitioner has asked to see me (unusual) following the tests, again more In trepidation.

 

Night Owl

[Joelf]

Hi Night Owl,

 

I hope everything is alright with your tests when you see your general practitioner.

 

Do post again and let us know the results.

 

Kind regards,

[Amanda Thorpe]

Hello NightOwl

 

Yes, please let us know what happens, we are here for you.

 

Take care.

[Sandy B]

Hi Night Owl,

 

Had a similar problem last year when I was in hospital. At first I was having blood taken on a daily basis, which then went to every other day, this went on for nearly sixteen weeks, so my poor veins rebelled and took cover every time a needle wielding doctor or nurse came my way!!! So sympathies to your husband, I absolutely dread needles now after last years experience.

 

All the best

 

Sandy B