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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if anyone else gets really drained by blood tests?

40 replies

user1477282676 · 28/12/2016 10:08

I had one this morning at 11.00am (I'm in Oz) and since then, I've been totally wiped out....I do get very squeamish and used to always faint during blood tests but now I'm a bit tougher I know how to concentrate so I just feel a bit ill but tend not to pass out any longer.

However...since I had it done, I've felt "delicate' all day. Had a few light headed moments, am knackered and a pin prick rash has appeared all over my inner forearm. Nurse only used ordinary cotton wadding and a bit of that dressing tape....nowhere near where the rash is.

The nurse was very good at taking blood...she was fast and it hardly hurt...I just wondered if feeling so tired and unwell was normal?

I've had to come to bed and it's only half eight!

OP posts:

BlossomCat · 28/12/2016 10:13

It's probably a reaction to the emotional output and amount of adrenaline you have released during the day, in the lead up, during and afterwards.
The amount of blood taken is minimal, less than a teaspoon full, and you can lose that easily without your body bring effected.
Well done for getting through it, needle phobia is not pleasant.

Original poster

user1477282676 · 28/12/2016 10:23

Thanks Blossom. I thought it might be that...it's so annoying! Makes me feel like a wimp!

OP posts:

saoirse31 · 28/12/2016 10:26

I'm sorry but drained by blood test s? I thought u were going to s vampiric surgery! Hope u feel better, think it tends to affect some more than others, also sometimes they may take more for more tests.

Original poster

user1477282676 · 28/12/2016 10:33

No excuses Saoirse...she told me "I'm only taking a teaspoon full"

So I'm just a wimp!

OP posts:

MouseLove · 28/12/2016 10:50

Have yourself something sugary, it will help you replenish the teaspoon 😉 and don't worry too much. You'll be fine! 🙂

FurryLittleTwerp · 28/12/2016 10:52

how much are they draining??

Crunchymum · 28/12/2016 11:06

I had 14 vials in one sitting once. I am OK with blood tests but I am glad I didn't know beforehand how much blood they were going to take..

Had to go to the nearest junk food place after and have a burger and a milkshake

BravoPanda · 28/12/2016 11:07

A couple of vials of blood being taken would not have any physical effect of you. Your own mind, however, would be the culprit.

It's a simple blood test. Give over. Why get so worked up about it?

Manumission · 28/12/2016 11:12

If it was a physical effect, blood donors would all need a day in the ICU

RegTheMonkey1 · 28/12/2016 11:30

Blimey, they take a pint when you donate blood - and you've only given a teaspoonful! I had three phials taken this week for testing and the nurse used a butterfly needle, so I felt nothing. Apart from the theory mentioned above re adrenaline, I think it might just be you projecting fears and stuff.

Pineapplemilkshake · 28/12/2016 11:40

It looks more than it actually is! Standard size blood bottles are usually 3.5mls.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 28/12/2016 11:43

I do. I faint while having blood drawn out of me usually - it's not the needle I don't think, although I hate them, I feel lightheaded and dizzy as the blood comes out and then it's like a rush to the head and I conk out.

OhTheRoses · 28/12/2016 11:49

I think you need to fit it into a busy routine - load washer, drop dd to station, have blood test, collect prescription, drive 30 mins to work by 9.15, first meeting at 9.45 on a different bit of site, leave work at 6.30 after a full on day.

DD had a short synthactin test last year. Blood test, injection into muscle, 30 minute (or thereabouts) wait then another blood test. After that she went to a warm up for some national finals later that day.

I think you need to tell yourself you can jut get on with stuff.

amispartacus · 28/12/2016 11:59

A pint...that's very nearly an armful.

MollyHuaCha · 28/12/2016 12:00

Good advice from Ohtheroses. It needs to be a little thing in your life, not a big deal.

I would add: don't look at the nurse or the needle, instead ask the nurse if she minds if you distract yourself by looking at your phone, or put in headphones and listen to an uplifting song. You won't have time for a whole track!

Original poster

user1477282676 · 28/12/2016 12:21

Panda there's no need to eye roll. I can't help the way I react! I'm horribly squeamish and I now realise that as Blossom said, it's due to the adrenaline I released both before and during.

OP posts:

OhTheRoses · 28/12/2016 13:04

Yes you are horribly squeamish. Can you not grasp the nettle and just be dignified and busy yourself rather than bothering yourself. I'm sure if you didn't have time available for this squeamishness you would soon get over it.

Blood tests aren't great but they are generally far less troublesome than a mosquito bite and often prickle no differently as the needle/proboscis inserts. Just breathe deeply, look away and get on with what needs doing. At least it won't itch for three days.

StarryIllusion · 28/12/2016 13:14

It's the adrenaline crash. I get it after dentist visits.

NicknameUsed · 28/12/2016 13:24

You have my sympathy. OH faints at the sight of blood. He can't help it. It is just a physical reaction. He isn't squeamish or scared, but he just faints.

DD is needle phobic. Again, she can't help it. She has quite a lot of health issues and has had so many blood tests, and cannulas in her hand since a very young age that she has developed an aversion to needles.

So, I'm not going to tell you to get a grip as I have seen this first hand.

WeAllHaveWings · 28/12/2016 14:23

I used to build myself up so much prior to an injection/blood test that the come down afterwards was very draining and fainting/dizziness was common.

The only thing that fixed it was more exposure to needles. It happed when I was pregnant with ds and needed lots of blood tests, then I was induced through an IV, then 6 attempts at epidural, an EMCS and lots of pain relief jabs for the 5 days after when I was in hospital.

After all of that, needles didn't scare me anymore and I purposely kept up exposure to them by starting to regularly donate blood when ds was one. First time was a bit scary but after that its been fine and does help.

Caterina99 · 28/12/2016 14:56

I went through a period recently where I had to have lots of blood tests, like one every day for a week. The only one that affected me was the one where she couldn't get the blood out for ages and was wiggling the needle round and then had to start again. I felt sick and shaky all day just thinking about it and my arm was really sore. Normally they don't bother me. I'm sure it's more in your head than physical. Still not a fun experience

scaryteacher · 28/12/2016 16:46

I have to have regular blood tests, and have done for the past 21 years. I haven't found that it gets any better. Today was a,CT scan with a needle in my arm to put dye into my veins. Didn't like that much either. You have my sympathy OP. I do faint when a cannula is put in the back of my hand, as is common at A&E where I live (not UK).

Socksey · 28/12/2016 17:58

It can affect some people.... I don't feel the needle going in.... I can be chatting to the nurse .... it doesn't bother me at all.... same with injections.... but I pass out regularly from it....
I gave blood once.... it was 4 hours before I could leave as I kept passing out after ( never felt a thing as it happened) and was about 3 weeks before I had fully regained myself... I am not otherwise susceptible to silliness etc

Crumbs1 · 28/12/2016 18:59

You might feel a bit squeamish when it's being done but that should wear off quickly and 'drained' all day is just plain ridiculously indulgent. Adrenaline effect at time but that passes quickly too.

Cherrysoup · 28/12/2016 19:13

Drained all day? Pp talking about the adrenaline rush? Adrenaline, whilst quite overwhelming, dissipates very quickly. I wonder if you're allergic to something the phlebotomist is using-gloves, bandage?

I'm a regular blood donor, never once felt odd.

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