advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
PsychNitrous
Poohbah
 
PsychNitrous's Avatar
PsychNitrous has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2016
Location: At Home
Posts: 1,398
8 yr Member
106 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 06, 2019 at 08:02 PM
  #1
I have a few different medical conditions, which means I have to have blood tests done nearly every time I visit the doctor. It's always an ordeal, my veins don't like to be poked and I have a pretty serious needle phobia. For example, today I went to the lab. It took 3 techs and 4 pokes to get the blood they needed. I used to think my problem was not being hydrated enough, since I usually have to be fasting so I go early. But today was still terrible, and I drank 50+ ounces of water in the hour before I got there. Does anyone know anything I can do that will make blood draws easier? Are there any tips or tricks to it?
PsychNitrous is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Skeezyks

advertisement
Aviza
Magnate
 
Aviza's Avatar
Aviza Calm
 
Member Since: Jan 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,456
10 yr Member
86 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 08, 2019 at 07:20 AM
  #2
I have tough draws too. Eat high protein the day before and plenty of water 2 days before. I also ask for the most experienced lab tech. I say I'm a tough draw. They get someone who can handle it. And now I get stuck once or twice instead of 3 or more times.

__________________
Son: 14, 12/15/2009 R.I.P.
Daughter: 20
Diagnosis: Bipolar with Psychosis. Latuda 100 mgs.
Aviza is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
PsychNitrous
PsychNitrous
Poohbah
 
PsychNitrous's Avatar
PsychNitrous has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2016
Location: At Home
Posts: 1,398
8 yr Member
106 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 08, 2019 at 03:20 PM
  #3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aviza View Post
I have tough draws too. Eat high protein the day before and plenty of water 2 days before. I also ask for the most experienced lab tech. I say I'm a tough draw. They get someone who can handle it. And now I get stuck once or twice instead of 3 or more times.
Eating high protein is something I haven't heard before, thanks!!
PsychNitrous is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Calypso2632
Member
 
Calypso2632's Avatar
Calypso2632 Working on it
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Location: Maine
Posts: 281
8 yr Member
99 hugs
given
Default Mar 09, 2019 at 01:00 AM
  #4
Do they use a butterfly needle? It's smaller and takes longer but hurts less and can be more effective. They used to have a hard time on me always going at my left arm. Come to find out I have a pipeline in my right. Now they take from the right side or not at all...

__________________
Im not crazy, my reality is just different than yours.
Calypso2632 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
PsychNitrous
Anonymous45521
Guest
Anonymous45521 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mar 09, 2019 at 10:54 AM
  #5
I have been told that it isn't enough to just drink water to get yourself hydrated.. you have to change the electrolyte make up. Which means salt and sugar.

Important Functions of Sugar in the Body

"1. Absorption of water and other nutrients – Glucose, also known as dextrose, is the most common form of sugar and what is used in the body for energy. Glucose enhances sodium and water transport across the upper intestinal wall and into the bloodstream (a process more commonly known as osmosis). In other words, a solution of water + glucose + salt hydrates better than water alone."
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
PsychNitrous
PsychNitrous
Poohbah
 
PsychNitrous's Avatar
PsychNitrous has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2016
Location: At Home
Posts: 1,398
8 yr Member
106 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 09, 2019 at 11:09 AM
  #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calypso2632 View Post
Do they use a butterfly needle? It's smaller and takes longer but hurts less and can be more effective. They used to have a hard time on me always going at my left arm. Come to find out I have a pipeline in my right. Now they take from the right side or not at all...
I think they use a butterfly needle. Part of my phobia is that I can't have blood drawn from my arms, so they usually go through my hands.
PsychNitrous is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
PsychNitrous
Poohbah
 
PsychNitrous's Avatar
PsychNitrous has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2016
Location: At Home
Posts: 1,398
8 yr Member
106 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 09, 2019 at 11:09 AM
  #7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton View Post
I have been told that it isn't enough to just drink water to get yourself hydrated.. you have to change the electrolyte make up. Which means salt and sugar.


Important Functions of Sugar in the Body


"1. Absorption of water and other nutrients – Glucose, also known as dextrose, is the most common form of sugar and what is used in the body for energy. Glucose enhances sodium and water transport across the upper intestinal wall and into the bloodstream (a process more commonly known as osmosis). In other words, a solution of water + glucose + salt hydrates better than water alone."
That should be really helpful, thanks!
PsychNitrous is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous45521
LucyD
Grand Poohbah
 
LucyD's Avatar
LucyD :)
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 1,818
8 yr Member
1,667 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 19, 2019 at 02:47 PM
  #8
Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychNitrous View Post
I have a few different medical conditions, which means I have to have blood tests done nearly every time I visit the doctor. It's always an ordeal, my veins don't like to be poked and I have a pretty serious needle phobia. For example, today I went to the lab. It took 3 techs and 4 pokes to get the blood they needed. I used to think my problem was not being hydrated enough, since I usually have to be fasting so I go early. But today was still terrible, and I drank 50+ ounces of water in the hour before I got there. Does anyone know anything I can do that will make blood draws easier? Are there any tips or tricks to it?
They can't get blood out of my arms any longer after 35+ years of having blood tests and very often for most of that time. So now I tell them right away to use my hands. They get it right away with using my hands. I used to hate getting labs because they had a hard time finding my veins and it hurt!

__________________
One way to get the best out of life is to think of it as an adventure.
William Feather


Medications: Risperidone-1 mg.daily, Propranolol-20 mg. daily, Gabapentin-600 mg daily, Melatonin-3 mg. at bedtime, Nicotine Lozenges-2 mg., Vape Liquid-3 mg., One A Day Vitamins,
LucyD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:42 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.