Whine of the day: New Nurse, Blood Draws and Pain

I read an article recently that reported how much dentists fear red-headed patients. They experience more pain than the average patient. Turns out there's a gene for that! In fact 1/4 of the US population has that gene.

That Explains A Lot!

From the time I had my toenail removed.... and the Dr. said, "You'll just feel a little tugging" as I screamed at the top of my lungs... He finally had to numb my whole toe and commented that I must have more nerve endings than most people. To the time I had a BMB. People say "nothing to it, a little uncomfortable, but not a big deal." I think everyone in the room lost some of their hearing due to my cries. What to speak the needle broke and they had to do it twice! Dental cleanings, childbirth, stylists who are over enthusiastic to wash my hair. And of course blood draws. I have come to realize I must have that pain gene.

So I felt myself pretty darn lucky the last few times I went in to have a CBC. The nurse who took my blood was really really good! She was quick and it was literally only a pinch and done. Last week I smiled to myself as I saw the other patient get the new LPN just being trained up. Glad I didn't get her!

But this week! You guessed it! It was my turn. OK she's been doing this for a week, she must have learned something I thought trying to be hopeful.

I stuck my arm out. "Oh, I don't like this arm." she said. "Let me see the other one." I stuck my other arm out. "Oh this one is better," (That was the one I used last week, but didn't say anything.) Well, I guess the arm she liked had a clear indication of where the vein was.

She put the rubber thingy around my upper arm really tight, did I mention they always put it on too tight? I asked her to move it so it was over my sleeve and thus hurt a little less.

"I'm going to jab you on the count of 3" (I don't really want to know when you are going to jab me... that's why I look away!)

I screamed under my breathe trying not to disturb her. When she had left, the other patient in the room and I had a nice discussion about how much better her nurse was at draws, (the nurse I had had the last few times.)

My nurse comes back with my results. She says my numbers look great, all of them normal. Then I told her I was an ITP patient and the only one that mattered was the platelets at the bottom, which weren't great. (26k). She said "Oh, should I call someone?"

I think I deserve to be on the payroll! I'm training up a nurse! :laugh:

Have you ever had a butterfly needle? If not, ask for one. They are much smaller and rarely hurt, even with a wicked nurse.

Butterfly needle, never heard of that. Thanks for the info Sandi.
Besides pain, I do get bruised after blood pricks.

They try to use that on me, and I say no way! I do find they hurt more. I was told once, it's used on Oncology patients. Well, I don't want it nor need it. My husband, on the other hand, gets it used all the time.

I have them use butterfly needles. It helps!
Erica

I am, what my doctor calls, a hard stick. Small veins and they often collapse. They always use a butterfly needle and it really helps.

www.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com/product/ppf/id/14695/new_prod_full.asp

Lindy that should have a photo of a butterfly needle. I don't have to ask for one, that's what they always use. 99% of the time I never feel it go in.

One time when I went to the endo's office for thyroid blood work they were training someone - I said it would be fine if she stuck me. Well the poor thing was nervous and tried a number of times before the "old" nurse took over. Didn't bother me at all, she had to get 1st hand experience and I was happy to be a guinea pig.

Well you're a brave one! 14 years of blood work and I still never get used to it. I break out in a sweat and HATE when they poke at the veins. I'm calm but can't look at it.

The butterfly needles take longer, but hurt less. I barely ever feel them.

Sandi needles don't bother me - I figure 20+ years of ITP blood work has made it that way, I go in offer both arms and say use the one you want. They do like my veins and most do like to stick it just below the scar tissue bump on my left arm - that lady last week was so sweet, that's where she was going to go and then said no she'd use the other arm. I've never blown a vein though, maybe if that happens I won't like needles.

it seems they can only find a vein in my left arm. Once in awhile the right. I don't feel much pain and once it's in I can look! I got the port for just that reason....because it's so hard to find a vein and for the treatments, but it HURTS when they access it. Don't like it at all. They even gave me some numbing cream....doesn't do much though.

I only have one good arm too. I had to have an IV a few months ago and it took five different tries to get a needle in. I was so frustrated and they ended up calling someone else in to do it (not because I suggested it). I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Now that I'm on Methotrexate, I have to have blood work more often. I'll deal with it though.

I am the same as Melinda needles don't bother me at all, my right arm is the one they usually go for. The last couple of blood draws I have had the needle hurt coming out, don't know why though.

It doesn't bother me either, I've got used to it. They always use a butterfly at the day unit I get my blood taken. Tomorrow they are going to take 50mls for ITP research but I have just read that taking so much with butterfly apparatus often doesn't work as it clots in the long tube. Sounds like fun.. we shall see.

All of my draws have been on my left arm, some hurt, some don't. One time may hurt and the other will not even with the same Tech. Some draws leave a bruise others do not even with the counts in the same range. Luckily I have good veins so the Techs like that. I have seen draws on Patients where the Tech has to "Dig" for a vein. That just makes me cringe.

I have a scar on each arm which make for nice aiming points for the person drawing blood.

.

Melinda wrote: www.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com/product/ppf/id/14695/new_prod_full.asp

Lindy that should have a photo of a butterfly needle. I don't have to ask for one, that's what they always use. 99% of the time I never feel it go in.

One time when I went to the endo's office for thyroid blood work they were training someone - I said it would be fine if she stuck me. Well the poor thing was nervous and tried a number of times before the "old" nurse took over. Didn't bother me at all, she had to get 1st hand experience and I was happy to be a guinea pig.

Thanks Melinda!
Maybe will ask for it in my next bloodwork.

I got told to tell the cbt people to use butterfly needles especially when platelets are definately low. Someone should have told the new nurse too but may be things are different in USA. Sensible nurses etc don't need telling as they can see the bruises from before when it obvious they go their own sweet way until they see the damage they do:-) Some don't like the patient telling them what to do though I try to be conversational with it so as not exactly telling them. Oh they hear it okay as they try to say full one is better - until mid week and they see the damage but don't outwardly admit it was all their fault! If they listend to me in the first place.
Butterfly needles do not bruise even when platelets are 4 or under. They protect the veins too allowing access to get further blood.
They don't hurt at all but I have learned not to trust anyone especially doctors and male doctors at that who confidently tell you it wont hurt..... And never trust a male doc to take a fbc if you can help it because they just jab.... no understanding that you are a platelet 'victim' Not bothered about the jabbin technique. but one gets a big bruise afterward.... though people do talk to you about it and declare theirs aint going to be like that:sick: :evil:

yep never trust a male doc who claims in wont hurt much..... be gently sarcastic back with the words of "not you anyways".... and brace yourself for the worst.

Is it a nurse who is taking the blood or a phlebotomist?

And yes - I have had a butterfly needle bruise my arm where it was inserted, with a count in the low 100,000s.

Either. Outpatients check up then its phelbotomists (spelling:blush: ) but on the ward it can be the nurse too depending how quick they want it. routine morning ones on the ward are phelbotmists. but when I first arrive onto the ward (I have open ward access) then it a nurse or even one the registra docs who is 'seeing to' me depending etc...

Since my platelets have been up (188,000), I have bled alot more after blood draws than when they were low...even really low. Why is that? It makes me panic that my platelets have crashed, but then I find out they haven't.

It just depends on the draw. A good draw can look fine even if counts are low and a bad draw can look horrible even if counts are high. I never went by that.

whike admitted I ask my hema to write orders for butterfly needles only. I have small veins and the bigger needles go through them.