Well that was no fun.

IKE

IKE

Well-known Member
Location
Oklahoma....U.S.A.
Went for my 90 day blood and urine work early this morning and they had to stick me four times before they could hit a vein......Four Times !

I was told quite a while ago that I have 'deep rolling veins' (whatever that means) and they've for many years had trouble finding a good well pronounced vein for taking blood or starting a IV......have I mentioned yet that they stuck me four damn times ?

Anyway.

#1 First the gal ties the big rubber band around my right arm, even after me telling her that the right arm never gets a good vein and for her to try the left, I was right and she went to the left and after 'X' period she says that she's found a vein and sticks in the needle and gets nothing and pulls the needle out. She says Ike, "I can't find a good vein in your right arm and I don't want to hurt you by using the same place again in your left arm so I'm going to call the doctor". I tell her that he's just going to use it so go for it.......#2 she did and nothing again so she called doc.

Did I tell you they stuck four times yet ?

So anyway.

Here comes my long time 76 year old doctor and he ties the rubber band back around my right arm (yes I told him) and after a bit he finally spots a vein 'under' my forearm and goes for it......#3 nothing again.

# 4 He then goes back to left and arm cinches up the rubber band so tight that my eyes are bulging like a toad frog and sticks it in just behind and on the side of my wrist and finally the tube starts filling up.......YES !!

The place she stuck me twice in the crook of my left arm has a pretty big bruise already, the place under my right forearm is bruised twice as bad for some reason and the place on my wrist is lightly bruised......all spots are a little tender.

Oh by the way in case you haven't kept up, they had to stick me "Four Times".......Jeez, I feel like a frigg'in dart board. :)
 

Well, reading that was no fun.

Honestly I don't know why anyone thinks some of these threads are appropriate reading for anyone other than one's primary care physician ...
 
I don't mind reading about this. I've had similar experiences.
The experiences that others go through medically is interesting to me, as I have had my own trials and tribulations. I've been on the forum only about a month, and I'm trying to learn all I can about the personalities and mindsets of members so I can communicate more effectively, as I get to know them better.
I've always been interested in people and what makes them tick. (I spent 41 years in teaching, and I've seen all kinds, and they still interest me!)
 

I'm sorry Ike <<<hugs>>> I'm a terrible patient, always busy taking everyone else. Unless something is falling off I try to avoid them...hard to do as you get older I know. Some health people are so bad at drawing blood you wonder how they got that job. I remember one nurse who tried multi times then walked out muttering " I always suck at this, let me find somebody."...or when I was donating blood and they jabbed the wrong place. There was a blue purple bruise there for weeks.
 
Ike, glad they finally got ya tapped. My wife has similar problems with blood draws, ends up with horrendous bruising.

Shalimar said:
Ummm. What should one expect to read in a health thread, I wonder? This was mild. Just wait until we get to the colonoscopies, pap tests/fibroids, and, the all time favourite, enemas!
Click to expand...


LOL, I was just gonna say. ;)
 
Sorry you had a bad time of it. When I was in nursing many years ago nurses drew blood and started IV's . No departments for this or that. Nurses did it all. I do believe there is a knack to drawing blood. On many occasions they would call for a nurse from a different floor in the hospital because she was so good at it.I do wish doctors would listen more to what the patients are telling them though. You know your own body better than anyone so at least here the person out.
 
Shalimar said:
Ummm. What should one expect to read in a health thread, I wonder? This was mild. Just wait until we get to the colonoscopies, pap tests/fibroids, and, the all time favourite, enemas!
Click to expand...

Hey girl, speaking of colonoscopies and enemas, did I ever tell you in graphic detail about the time I......oh never mind.

Disregard this post.
 
Aw, Ike, I feel bad for you and can relate. My expieriences have been very similar. Now after two missed attempts they go for the doctor.

Last month was much better. I had a new tech draw my blood and needed 4 tubes. I'm inwardly groaning, knowing how unlikely he is to get this on the first try. Instead of the typical syringe he starts with a very tiny, thin butterfly needle. Got it on the first try. I was elated and very grateful. In the past they've only used the butterfly needle after multiple missed attempts.

You might try asking for this next time:
butterfly.jpg
 
I peek in the window of the draw station before I go in and commit myself. There are three phlebotomists that rotate in our little station. Only one is really skilled at her profession and try to go when she is there.
 
I used to go to a clinic where this one lady used to make a pin cushion out of me. I got so fed up I changed clinics!
 

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