How do I stop getting horrendous bruises from blood tests.

[Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum]

Hello

Does anyone have advice about getting blood tests. Apparently I have difficult veins. When pregnant the midwives would send me off to the blood people rather than try themselves because of this. Even then it can take several attempts.

My problem at the moment is I have a medical issue that means I have been in A&E twice in a month. Plus on a surgical ward for a couple of days. Each time I am at the hospital they try to put a cannula into my arm. This can take 4-8 attempts. Let alone any other needles they decide to jab at me. Leaving me with bruises like the photo.

Summer is coming and I want to wear short sleeves without people thinking I am a drug addict or my husband is beating me. Does anyone have any advice how I can avoid these bruises? Should I ask for a expert to do it each time? That seems a bit rude or something.

Thanks in advance

Forgot to add photo 🤦‍♀️

Do you bend your arm after? If so, don't. It makes bruising worse. Pressure on it firmly for several minutes. Otherwise, not much you can do, some people do just have weaker veins and the blood leaks out and causes bruising. I never bruise, DH does usually but a good phlebotomist/nurse makes it minimal.

The only thing that helps is keeping pressure on the site for ages. But always tell them you are difficult to get blood from, and a bleeder/bruiser. The phlebotomists like a challenge and if told you are difficult will take pride in getting it done first time.
I am a really bad bruiser with only one place they can take blood without moving to my feet so I sympathise. Make sure you are really well hydrated and warm before they try and take blood as well

Thank you both for your replies.

I do try to put pressure on them but as it normally takes a few goes to do a cannula on me it is impossible to hold everywhere. Which is why I end up with several of them on my arm, wrist, elbow, whatever each time ☹

Think I am really asking if it is dreadful of me to tell them I want a phelotmonist to do it if I am in A&E or on a ward. It makes me that patient doesn't it? Eek

Definitely will try to drink more water if I know it is happening. Heard before that may help.

It doesn't make you one of those patients, you are merely taking charge of an aspect of your healthcare where it is known to have a negative impact on your health. Just like saying 'don't put micropore on me, my skin will fall off' or 'I faint when someone sticks a needle in me, I need to lie down'. After all, every time someone fails to get blood out of an access point, they scar that vein a little bit, undoubtedly making things harder next time

I haven't thought of it like that. Thanks

I bruise terribly. But I do think some of it is down to the skill of the bloodletter. One of the HPCs at my local surgery is brilliant and I never bruise with them. Anyone else and I can end up looking like you! I try and be as hydrated as possible and don't bend my arm, just press with cotton swab thing and no taping either.

I was once in hospital and my arm/ hand was black and blue from countless failed canula attempts. They said I could go home for the weekend but they'd have to take the canula out and then put it back in on the Monday. I opted to stay in ...