Failed blood tests

[Greensheep242]

Hi I went for bloodtests and while they could find a vein after three attempts they gave up as werent getting blood.I have been told to come back next week for another try. Has anyone had this and did the next time work? I have been a blood donor and so have been able to get blood in the past.

I'm a bit concerned that last I am getting stomach aches and wake throgh the night to go to the toilet. I think this is leaving me dehydrated. Am also getting shaky when stressed byut the GP has said we will lookat whats happening with the pain first so wanting rwesults to priogrwess things.

I'm really difficult to get blood out of. If you're dehydrated that can make it hard. You need to drink as much liquid as you can for the next week. It takes days to rehydrate veins. Also, keep your arm really warm before going, use a hot water bottle if possible.

My last tip is to tap/slap your vein area just before going in. Obviously don't bruise yourself, but it can help. Most nurses tell me not to, but when I did IVF and daily blood tests, it was something that helped.

I have had so many infusions my veins are rubbish. Also doesn't help that I am fatter than I used to be due to being on drugs that cause weight gain.
As pp said, drinking lots in the days before the test really helps and at least 3 big glasses of juice or water on the morning of the test.
The vaccutainer system used nowadays can be too strong for those of us with difficult veins. My veins always collapse if they use the standard kit.
The phlebotomist always uses a butterfly needle on me, tapes it into position. That seems to be much better for getting a lot of tubes filled.

Thanks didnt used to have difficult veins always get it first time when i give blood. Think thee problem is dehydration have been to the toilet about 6 times since my op.

Will continue to try to drink as much as I can. Its trickie as think imodium would help keep the fluid in but not sure i should take before blood test.

I was reasonsably wam but will try a hot water bottle.

When hospitilised once with queeried appendicitis they used the back of my hand and forarm but they said at GP's can onoly use elbow.

Honestly, a decent phlebotomist should be able to get a vein somewhere. I have taken blood from a patient's foot in the past.

Thanks should i try and see someone different to the person who failed. She said they are only able to do 3 attempts and she would have asked for someone else to have a go but there was nobody else else on site.

When people say weight as a reason, is it that your arm is very chubby that is the problem or is it being overweight even if your arms are relatively slim?
How big does your arm have to be for it to be a problem? Is it like 300lb type of weight or is being 50lb overweight can make it hard to get blood?

I always get my bloods done at the hospital. I have a choice of 3 sites and book online. In and out in around 10 minutes and always about 6 phlebotomists working. They will do GP tests as long as you bring the form.
Would that be an option for you OP?

Another ivf’er here with lots and lots of bloods done- you need to drink a LOT in the days leading up to it if your veins are difficult. Mine are a pain and at one point they had to take from a vein between my knuckles. I don’t need to explain how painful that was. Water and warmth are you friends 💪🏻

I have awful trouble with blood tests, and had to stop giving blood a few years back as it's just too difficult to get blood out of me. One particularly memorable occasion, I went to a walk in phlebotomy department at a local hospital first thing in the morning for a fasting blood test. Despite being one of the first people there, I waited 90 minutes, and owing to them having all the windows open, I was really cold. The tried both arms, both hands and one of my feet before giving up.
I now only go to the nurse at my GP, and remind her every time to use the tiniest needle she has available!

Dh always goes to the hospital otherwise they struggle and he gets bruised. Some are better than others at finding a spot.

Thanks how would i find out if i can go to the hospital for bloods? Just given a GP appointment.

Ask at the surgery, the gp/nurse will give you a slip to hand in to the hospital phlebotomy department.

I'm always like this when have to get bloods done. Even if I drink loads of water. They normally have to take it from my hand as my arms are so bad.
Maybe aske them if can't get it from your arms to try your hand. The nurse always says to me it's much sorer from the hand but I don't think it is.
I've been to the hospital too and same thing happens. I've been recently diagnosed as diabetic so had lots of blood tests done. I do be embarrassed as the nurse is always apologising to me for not been able to get a vein, when it's my fault that I have crap veins or lack of.

Ask for the blood form from gp and how to book at the hospital, they have far more experience.

I used to have great veins, did blood donation and platelets. But I am now really difficult to get blood from so I drink loads and loads in the day before, make sure I am really warm - long sleeves, gloves, and tell them when I go in that I am hard to bleed. And I'm not afraid to say no more, or ask for someone else. They don't like using a butterfly ime, but its well worth it

I spend a couple of minutes clenching and unclenching my fist before I go in.

Managed to get blood on thursday.