Just an update on the blood draw situation: it turns out I was right! It is the tech's technique in drawing my blood that causes me pain and more blood loss than is normal, rather than me being the problem. I had another appointment at my RE's clinic last Sunday (good times having to go to the Dr. at 7:45 am on a Sunday!). The regular tech must only work during the week so another tech who had not drawn my blood before was on duty for the day. I didn't even have to ask for the butterfly needle like I now do with the other weekday tech. This weekend tech gave me a quick prick in the crook of my elbow with the normal sized needle and drew my blood. I barely even felt the needle stick and there was scarcely any blood loss. No gushers like with the weekday tech! And I told her so. I said I hardly felt it when she pricked my arm and that it always hurts a lot and bleeds a lot when I have my blood drawn during the week. She gave me a smile and said 'Good!', bandaged me up, and sent me on my way. I like her; I wish she worked during the week instead!
I tend to have problems too with blood draws. I usually have to ask for the butterfly needles as I have small veins that move. I have had techs think they know what they are doing only to have to stick me twice as the vein moved. The worse are the ones that pop through the vein and cause internal bruising. If you can request a different tech doing the week I'd do so. I hate those folks that don't pay attention to us that know our own vein.
ReplyDeleteOh no, sorry to hear you have trouble with blood draws too! It is miserable when you try to warn them and they don't pay any attention to you.
DeleteI've actually never had problems with blood draws until now and that's why I suspected it was the tech and not me. I did ask for someone else to do my blood draw but apparently, they only have one tech on staff in the mornings when I have most of my appointments. So I will continue asking for the butterfly needle.
I can't imagine having problems with blood draws! That must be terrible...the most I've had is 21 tubes back in Marchi! It was horrible!
ReplyDeleteWOW! 21 tubes! I can't imagine how awful that must have been. You are so strong!
DeleteThe lab at my clinic has about 6-8 different techs that do blood draws, and I definitely have them ranked in my mind from most to least favorite based on how comfortably/painfully they do their work on me. When I end up with the bad ones, I always wish there was some way to request a specific tech. It seems so trivial, but it makes such a big difference! All of the blood draws are annoying enough without them having to be painful too... Is it weird that I kind of want to send flowers and a thank you note to my fav tech?? :)
ReplyDeleteIf my clinic had more techs available for blood draws, I would definitely ask for one that I rank higher than the others. I'm a firm believer that it's my right as a patient to do whatever is necessary (within reason, of course) to ensure my comfort. I encourage you to ask for your favorite tech for your blood draws. And then maybe send her a thank you note. ; )
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