Any nurses? need advice

[OliviaGrace1x]

Hey. Really down! I have a phobia (Venephobia) it's a fear of veins... i don't really have a fear of veins... just a major fear of the inside of my arm (where they draw blood from) I'm the thought of it repulses next, makes me feel sick and faint and anyone goes near that part of my arm or brushes past it I go insane it breaks me! I've never had my blood drawn... obviously I'm pregnancy or illness it's essential to have blood drawn... I'm not scared of the pain if really is just that part of my arm. If I explain to the nurse my problem, are they able to draw blood from any other vein? (Even if it's mega painful I'd honestly rather it!!!) I know I sound crazy please don't judge me!:(

They can take blood from your hand if that's easier for you

@twerkforyourteachers hey thanks for your reply! Honestly feel so relieved even reading your comment! Have you experienced this or?

Yes, I'm a nurse - another suitable vein can be used in a different part of your arm or back of your hand.

@madamy omg life saver I feel so much better now! Honestly sounds stupid but it's a real phobia that honestly keeps me up at night! Are you a nurse in the UK? Will they accept this straight away or only in worse case scenario situations?

Also a nurse, I’d take it out of the back of your hand as long as you had good veins there (most people do).
It can be a bit stingy from the back of your hand and can bruise a little more. It’s where I have my blood taken from as I have hard to find veins in my elbow.

I'm trained in bloods and cannulation.

They usually start at the crook of your elbow, but can use other places. The most common is then the back of your hand which some patients say does hurt more, or on some people it's possible to try kinda mid forearm.

@twerkforteachers yeah I'd rather more pain!! lol. So would they be ok with me requesting a different area? Or is it like a really last resort situation? Are you in the Uk? As obviously everywhere is different!

If a patient asked me to take it from their hand I would do. I’m a nurse in Yorkshire.
They can’t force you to have it taken from anywhere, so if you don’t consent to it being taken from your elbow they can’t take it from there.
Not all people who take blood are comfortable with taking it from the hand, so they may have to find a different member of staff.
But if a patient said it to me, and they have done lots of times, it’s a total non issue. Their body, their rules.
You can chill about it lovely.

@pawpatrolmakesmedrink ommmmmg. Thank you so much I feel great now 😂 I'm from Derbyshire so should be the same up here! Thank you so much!!! X

No worries love. I’m currently pregnant and have had lots of bloods recently, I just pop my hand out, tell them I’ve got crap veins and can they do it with a butterfly needle from my hand please. Never had an issue.

My veins are rubbish so I usually have blood taken from my hand or occasionally forearm. It's no big deal at all to the person taking it and is much easier for me!