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Post by alyeska on Nov 20, 2017 21:58:24 GMT
Hey! I just wanted to thank everyone for the good advice for an easier blood draw! I was actually brave enough to do it again today, and the phlebotomist only had to stick me ONCE! That never happens! This is what I've found helpful before, but I still usually had to get stuck twice because the blood would clot in the tube. Still, getting stuck twice is better than 4 times which used to be the norm when they would insist on taking it from my arms first (which wouldn't work anymore after waaaay too many blood draws.) It drives me crazy when medical professionals won't listen to patients. We know our own bodies! If I tell you to take it from the back of my hand with a butterfly, just do it, for goodness sake! Ok, here's what works for me: -drinking tons of water beforehand -having the phlebotomist use butterfly needles -using veins in the back of my hand instead of arms **Today I added in the heat that Traveler suggested.** Instead of going in for the draw before my ozone sauna or on a different day like I regularly do, I went right after my ozone sauna when my whole body was heated up. Success! Only one jab, and the blood didn't clot in the tube! I asked my phlebotomist what she thought about this, and she said she actually uses heat for some of her most difficult patients. She'll schedule them for a blood draw and reserve the sauna for the half hour just before their scheduled draw. She has them sit in the sauna for 1/2 hour (without the the ozone, just for the heat and moisture) and then does their blood draws. She says it works like a charm! It really helped me today and will probably probably make me less skittish in the future since this one was so easy. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please add any more hints or suggestions if you have any.
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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Nov 21, 2017 3:01:15 GMT
Hi alyeska!-
YAY!!!!!!! What wonderful news that you were able to get your labs done with one try!!!
I am so happy that all these things worked for you!!
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Post by girlie on Nov 21, 2017 6:26:00 GMT
That's great!
I'm still a bit leery after the one fiasco - lab tech from he_ _
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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Nov 21, 2017 20:28:48 GMT
Hi Girlie!-
I was also traumatized by a couple of lab draws in the past.
Are you still dealing with symptoms from the nerve being hit?
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Post by alyeska on Nov 29, 2017 3:58:46 GMT
Hi Girlie!-
I was also traumatized by a couple of lab draws in the past.
Are you still dealing with symptoms from the nerve being hit? Aaaaah! That sounds HORRID! Very cringy.
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Post by girlie on Nov 29, 2017 7:33:46 GMT
Hi Girlie!-
I was also traumatized by a couple of lab draws in the past.
Are you still dealing with symptoms from the nerve being hit? I feel a little twinge sometimes at the wrist level. But, I can live with it...as long as it doesn't get worse when I get older. It was in April when it happened...It could still be healing some...maybe? I remember you mentioned your experiences as well.... Since that time, I look for that lab tech. One day she was there...but I got my favorite gal. If the other one was going to come into my station...I was going to say "Nope...I want someone else" I don't care how rude it is...I just can't have it happen again.
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Post by girlie on Nov 29, 2017 7:35:38 GMT
Hi Girlie!-
I was also traumatized by a couple of lab draws in the past.
Are you still dealing with symptoms from the nerve being hit? Aaaaah! That sounds HORRID! Very cringy. It was horrid.... I have very good veins...so there shouldn't have been an issue. She jabbed me very hard...and hit the nerve...when I let out a yelp...she just kept filling up the tube. The pain shot from the inside of my elbow, down my arm to my wrist and hand...sharp nerve pain. I learned afterwards...that she should have pulled it out...because the longer it stays in...the more damage it can do. She should have known that...
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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Nov 29, 2017 8:47:43 GMT
Hi Girlie!-
I was also traumatized by a couple of lab draws in the past.
Are you still dealing with symptoms from the nerve being hit? I feel a little twinge sometimes at the wrist level. But, I can live with it...as long as it doesn't get worse when I get older. It was in April when it happened...It could still be healing some...maybe? I remember you mentioned your experiences as well.... Since that time, I look for that lab tech. One day she was there...but I got my favorite gal. If the other one was going to come into my station...I was going to say "Nope...I want someone else" I don't care how rude it is...I just can't have it happen again. Hi Girlie!-
That is terrible that you still have symptoms from your nerve being hit. Have you kept in contact with any supervisor at the clinic? When my nerve got hit, the supervisor that I spoke to said that it would take about 1 month to heal.
I can't believe that they still have that lab tech working there. I remember you mentioning that she was going to do some retraining. Hopefully no one else will be hurt by her.
Good for you Girlie! Don't worry about being rude. It is your body, and your right as the patient to get good care.
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Post by alyeska on Nov 29, 2017 22:54:48 GMT
Aaaaah! That sounds HORRID! Very cringy. It was horrid.... I have very good veins...so there shouldn't have been an issue. She jabbed me very hard...and hit the nerve...when I let out a yelp...she just kept filling up the tube. The pain shot from the inside of my elbow, down my arm to my wrist and hand...sharp nerve pain. I learned afterwards...that she should have pulled it out...because the longer it stays in...the more damage it can do. She should have known that... I had no idea that could even happen! That it's happened to two of you is even more cringe-inducing!
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Nov 30, 2017 0:40:25 GMT
That's why I've learned to 'control the narrative' when I have a blood draw. I've been hurt waaaaaaaaaaay too many times to allow it to continue. It's only being proactive to help preserve our own health - not being rude!!! We are the ones that have to go home with that injury, whatever it may be, not them!!!
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Post by girlie on Dec 2, 2017 9:04:57 GMT
That's why I've learned to 'control the narrative' when I have a blood draw. I've been hurt waaaaaaaaaaay too many times to allow it to continue. It's only being proactive to help preserve our own health - not being rude!!! We are the ones that have to go home with that injury, whatever it may be, not them!!! I've got to be more assertive and not give a rat's arse about what they think. I am getting better. I stuck to my guns the last time...I was not letting that lab tech near me.
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Dec 2, 2017 20:11:51 GMT
Good for you, Girly!!! That is part of being your own advocate!!!
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Post by DJ on Dec 18, 2017 19:18:18 GMT
I use to be a Phlebotomist when I worked, So I really give them a hard time when they go to take my blood! I know that u can tell them 1 drawl only! If they hurt u with the needle, u have the right to refuse that person to drawl blood again! I have rolling veins, u have to hold them in order for them not to bust! They can't take blood out of my arms, due to that and a few other reasons, My arm bruises very easily with the wrong person doing it! I tell them if they want blood they have to listen to what I am saying, b/c of my veins being goofy! I am what they call a hard stick in Phlebotomy. I had my hole arm turn black n blue from an idiot that wouldn't listen. I was not a happy person, I had the head of that department in there over it! In your pts. right thing u sign at a doctors... make sure u read them! IT'S YOUR BODY! U don't let them hurt u! I have a great phlebotomist doing mine! She uses the butter fly needle on me, which is for kids and they drawl the blood out of your hand. Which works for me. I can't have them use a big needle on me. So sorry to hear others having a nasty time with having their blood drawl, just stand up and refuse any one that hurt u the first time! U have that right to have someone else that knows what they are doing. Glad to hear some said that's enough! As we all know, we have to stand up to these idiots in the medical field or they use us as experiments!
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Post by alyeska on Dec 23, 2017 7:51:34 GMT
I use to be a Phlebotomist when I worked, So I really give them a hard time when they go to take my blood! I know that u can tell them 1 drawl only! If they hurt u with the needle, u have the right to refuse that person to drawl blood again! I have rolling veins, u have to hold them in order for them not to bust! They can't take blood out of my arms, due to that and a few other reasons, My arm bruises very easily with the wrong person doing it! I tell them if they want blood they have to listen to what I am saying, b/c of my veins being goofy! I am what they call a hard stick in Phlebotomy. I had my hole arm turn black n blue from an idiot that wouldn't listen. I was not a happy person, I had the head of that department in there over it! In your pts. right thing u sign at a doctors... make sure u read them! IT'S YOUR BODY! U don't let them hurt u! I have a great phlebotomist doing mine! She uses the butter fly needle on me, which is for kids and they drawl the blood out of your hand. Which works for me. I can't have them use a big needle on me. So sorry to hear others having a nasty time with having their blood drawl, just stand up and refuse any one that hurt u the first time! U have that right to have someone else that knows what they are doing. Glad to hear some said that's enough! As we all know, we have to stand up to these idiots in the medical field or they use us as experiments! Yep, I have the same problems! I am definitely a hard stick now too. I have people use the butterfly on my hand now. I have a great phlebotomist now too, but I'm still ultra-freaked over needles. Thanks so much for the encouragement. It really means a lot coming from someone who has so much experience on both sides of this!
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