Hi - I found out something today that was new to me, and I thought it a worthwhile tip to hand on. I went for my usual monthly blood tests this morning, and the nurse had trouble finding my vein. When one did eventually pop up, she said that it was probably going to nip a bit (and it did)!! Especially when she changed the little container. It wasn't that bad, just not a breeze as it usually is.
She said next time, drink plenty of water before I go for the test - will plump up the vein and "rehydrate" it - I think that was the word she used. Then it made sense to me, I used to go and have my tests after I finished work at the end of the day, and of course had had plenty to drink during the day. Todays test was quite early in the morning and I had only had 1 drink at breakfast. I suppose that all the nurses on here probably would agree with her, but it was new to me, and thought maybe some others would benefit from it.
Have a great day!! And keep smiling I always make sure I have a couple of big drinks before I go for my blood work. My veins are iffy at best so drinking lots helps. Didn't help yesterday though. Mind you the vampire doing the job seemed a bit clueless so maybe that was part of the problem.I have a terrible time giving blood. My veins always "roll". I do the water thing too and that helps quite a lot actually.
It just seems the all the nurses in my Drs office are really bad at taking blood. One rheumy had a permanent lab tech do it and she always hit it first time-a real pleasure!
I had a nurse jab me in the nerve one time trying to get my vein. Now THAT was new to me!I have such crummy veins that I ended up getting a port..but the nurses did push the water thing. They actually suggested making sure you are hydrated for several days prior to the blood draw (or infusion) so that you don't pee out the extra waterAlso, tell them up front if you are a hard stick. My daughter is and this has saved lots of frustration and pain on both ends of the process.
kiwilass, thanks for the tip, I had not heard this. I'll chug a bunch of water next time.
Pammy, when I first read your "couple of big drinks" it first sounded like a couple of big happy drinks, though of course I knew that wasn't what you meant. A couple of big happy drinks and I might not care how much they poked and nipped.
Now thats an idea... you're right I might not care where or how many times they poked me if I had some happy drinks. I'll have to remember that one
lol