Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

So, I have to go for (another) blood test and apparently, they have to draw a LOT of blood - like 10 tubes they told me

They were gonna do it right in the doc's office today, but the girl couldn't find a vein at all! I have this problem all the time! Does anyone else have this? What do you suggest? I am now petrified that my veins are gonna collapse when they try and draw that much blood! The girl told me to drink a ton of water before I go, but does that even work? UCK I am dreading this!!!

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

i've always had this problem!! They go from one arm to the other repeatedly trying to find a vein and it never works. The bruises on my arms that I get afterwards are just horrific.

I"ve noticed that if they take it from the top of my hand its faster and more effective. They always try and talk me out of it b/c it hurts more and they dont like doing it that way. But I insist and it ALWAYS works.

ETA- I can drink all the water in the world and that has never ever helped my veins
EVER lol

Message edited 4/6/2009 8:17:07 PM.

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

i have this problem! its the worst, they can never find my veins!!!! i am a diabetic doe 15 years and have taken many many needles but when it comes time for blood work! i freak out last time they took it from my hand and it hurt so much! mind u i get it done every 3 months! last time i went they told me to drink a ton of water too!

good luck!

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Yes, it's perfectly normal. My mom has floating veins that are hard to find. Sometimes my veins are hard to find. The doctors have always said drink LOTS of water. This will bring your veins to the surface. Hopefully this will help you!

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Let them look in your hand-it hurts more but at least they wont have to stick you 10 times.

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

I have small veins and they float as well. I usually have them draw from the top of my handl. Also ask them to use a butterfly needle or pediatric kit

Good luck

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

I have bad veins. They always have a problem. I am so squimish with blood. I look away and pray I dont faint

Talking about this gets me queesy

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Posted by SB7308

I have bad veins. They always have a problem. I am so squimish with blood. I look away and pray I dont faint

Talking about this gets me queesy

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Posted by Baby09

Posted by SB7308

I have bad veins. They always have a problem. I am so squimish with blood. I look away and pray I dont faint

Talking about this gets me queesy

oh god me too. It's bad. Someone can be talking about it and I start to get sweaty and dizzy lol And i've had blood taken a millionnnn times. I've had surgeries, hospital stays etc and STILL..I can't even think about it.
Once I went to a lab to have blood drawn and I stood up to leave and I was walking towards the waiting room and everything went black.
I woke up passed out on the floor with a massive gash on my forehead. I hit the wall on the way down lol OH and then once I woke up to people hovering over me, I threw up lolol it was quite the sight

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

I'm right there with you both.

They can NEVER find my veins...always go for my hand and it leaves horrible bruises and it hurts.
I personally never found the water thing to work too well for me either.

Good luck Marisa. I will say that there are a few people out there who are phenomenal at drawing blood, even with my bad veins, so sometimes it isn't as traumatic as others.
I have also almost passed out a few times but never actually have.

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

My veins "hide" as well. Once they find them, they are good, but most phlebotomists can't find them. The guy who drew my blood when I donated was awesome. Once shot, direct hit. Then again, that's all he does, every day.....

My GP often does my hand.

During my last surgery, they had to get the "expert sticker" to find my vein. The nurses and other doctors couldn't find the veins...

ETA: I'm a bit of a masochist... I enjoy watching them try, even when they have a hard time, and have to "search" for the vein....

Message edited 4/7/2009 1:05:29 PM.

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

LOL well thanks for sharing, girls!

I went for the blood test first thing this morning. I warned her that I tend to get dizzy, so she had me lay down. She examined both arms and said she'd try my left. She got about 4 vials full with that vein and then it collapsed. She ended up getting the remaining 10 vials from my right hand with NO problems at all! It didn't even hurt me! And yes, you read right... 14 vials of blood they had to take! The lady told me in the future, whenever I need blood drawn, to tell them to try my hands first b/c it was so easy there!

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

WoW 14 vials!! glad your ok! i have to go next month and dread it!

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Meee!! I have a lot of surface veins. My good veins are very deep. Every GOOD phlebotomist that I have been to has told me to drink A LOT of water before having bloodwork done.

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Posted by RisiLeigh

LOL well thanks for sharing, girls!

I went for the blood test first thing this morning. I warned her that I tend to get dizzy, so she had me lay down. She examined both arms and said she'd try my left. She got about 4 vials full with that vein and then it collapsed. She ended up getting the remaining 10 vials from my right hand with NO problems at all! It didn't even hurt me! And yes, you read right... 14 vials of blood they had to take! The lady told me in the future, whenever I need blood drawn, to tell them to try my hands first b/c it was so easy there!

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Posted by Mici C

My mom has had that done in her hand too and she said it wasn't that bad. They also did her wrist which she said was the worst ever. The nurse was also a beotch about it.

Re: Anyone else have bad/tiny veins?

Aww... I draw blood so I can only imagine how you feel. I've had lots of patients with 'bad veins'.... its no fun. Make sure they use a butterfly needle when possible, some tests you shouldnt use it for. And if you know you have a good vein in your hand, TELL THEM. It shouldn't matter if they want to do it there or not, our job is to get your blood... no matter where it comes from. I worked with alot of techs who refused to do hand draws. It's not fair to the patients. Good luck at your draw.