Lack of blood

[Steff]

Had my hbA1c yesterday,so nursey asks me are you difficult to get blood from I reply yes,so off we got looking for veins in my arm,I tell her where my doc usually gets blood, so she sticks the needle in and we have lift off, well we thought we did only enough came out to fill half a vile which is not enough, so she goes to other arm to try and not one drop,so after 5 attempts 😱 she said sorry its unfair to put you through this you will have to come back and see the Phlebotomist in 3 weeks,I said the longer the better my poor arms are covered in bruises, I hate needles but never kick up a fuss but come on after 5 attempts I was squirming grrr.Apparently im getting my annual check up when I go back for results of hbA which I only had in April im not knocking it like i'll take all the care I can get.

 

[Caroline]

Just a suggestion, next time you need a blood test, can you get a card to take to the hospital? When I need blood tests I find it is quicker to go to hospital and tell them I am a fasting diabetic.

 

[AlisonM]

I know how you feel Steff, I was so glad when we found a good vein a few thousand blood tests ago (about three months) and heartbroken last week when it wouldn't cooperate. I have bruises all over my arms from our attempts to find another one that would give up the goods.

 

[Steff]

Just a suggestion, next time you need a blood test, can you get a card to take to the hospital? When I need blood tests I find it is quicker to go to hospital and tell them I am a fasting diabetic.

Too time consuming for me im afraid.

 

[Caroline]

Too time consuming for me im afraid.

That's a shame. Thee seems to be a different system in every area and I suppose also it depends how easy it is to get to the hospital too.

 

[Mark T]

That's a shame. Thee seems to be a different system in every area and I suppose also it depends how easy it is to get to the hospital too.

And how expensive too, the car parking at the hospital serving my area is ridiculously expensive!

What I've taken to doing is booking an appointment with the Phlebotomist who visits my surgery for each blood test I have. Have to book it 2 to 3 weeks in advance (she's in the surgery 2 mornings a week) but I find that to be a lot less painful.

 

[Caroline]

And how expensive too, the car parking at the hospital serving my area is ridiculously expensive!

What I've taken to doing is booking an appointment with the Phlebotomist who visits my surgery for each blood test I have. Have to book it 2 to 3 weeks in advance (she's in the surgery 2 mornings a week) but I find that to be a lot less painful.

I go by bus as we don't have a car. I either have to take two buses or have a walk and a bus. The Phlebotomist is out my doctors surgery once a week and it takes up to six weekes to get an appointment with her.

 

[Mark T]

I go by bus as we don't have a car. I either have to take two buses or have a walk and a bus. The Phlebotomist is out my doctors surgery once a week and it takes up to six weekes to get an appointment with her.

Taking the bus to my local hospital would be even more of a nightmare. It’s located a number of miles out of the town centre – so that would be a bus into the town centre and a second bus out. It’s probably easier to cycle to it on the cycle paths then it is to drive, and easier to drive then to take the bus. By car I tend to leave about 30 minutes to make the journey and find a parking space.

Although the bigger issue is that the system they use is a take-a-ticket first come first served. Because they don’t open up till 9am it’s often the case that there is a big queue there. People with fasting tests get priority (I recall there was a dedicated person doing fasting only).

 

[Andy HB]

You probably do this already, but it is a good idea to make sure that you are well hydrated before having the blood taken.

Andy 🙂

 

[Caroline]

You probably do this already, but it is a good idea to make sure that you are well hydrated before having the blood taken.

Andy 🙂

It is OK to drink black tea or water, but I was told anything else would mess the results up.

 

[trophywench]

Yes - hydration - if you go to give blood they like you consume at least a pint of water while you are waiting! - and it does make it easier, I've found.

 

[Steff]

I was not aware as I only found out she would be doing my hbA while I was waiting to see her,she popped over and had a word in my ear before my appt,I always have 2 glasses of water with my brekkie.

 

[KateR]

I have similar trouble and keep jokingly threatening to have a dot tattooed in the appropriate place.

 

[Monica]

I have similar trouble and keep jokingly threatening to have a dot tattooed in the appropriate place.

SNAP
I have to have blood tests for my underactive thyroid. At our docs they have two nurses. One of them is pretty good at finding my veins, the other not. Last time it took 3 attempts. Funnily enough, after one attempt not working, that puncture then suddenly decided to bleed after all 😱 Well, too late!!

 

[teapot8910]

I've had trouble with that too! Always collapsing as soon as they stick the needle in and having to go back more than once.

Nurses were really good though despite bruising both arms badly. very time I walk in now I just say "Right arm mid-line please!!" 😛