IV and needle difficulties

[Marguerite53]

Hi! A few days ago there was a thread running about IV's and the discomfort some people have with the tech finding a vein. I can't find that thread, so I'm just starting this because..............

I've been told to drink plenty of water prior to a blood draw or IV and it truly works!! I know that sometimes you have to go in completely empty, but I suspect that drinking extra water up until that time will also help.

I think you can also request smaller needles (maybe pediatric?) and I've had lots of success when they go in on the top of my hand.

For years I would dread any kind of needle work because I always walked out feeling like a pin cushioned heroin addict, with bruises to match.

The last straw was when I arrived "stomach empty" for an endoscopy. I had been on an African safari and ever since my stomach had just been weird. They thought I might have picked up a vile bacteria so they needed to put me out to have a snip and a look. They could not get an IV in to knock me out. For 45 minutes they tried everything. They even had me hold my arms under scalding water to try to raise a vein. I was in tears! They were barbarians! Eventually, something worked (I was too upset and exhausted to remember what) and they got what they wanted.

After that, I decided I just had to find a way to make it easier. I started asking every tech I ran into if anything would help and what I heard most often was, drink plenty of water. It really works! I've also decided that each time I face my potential abuser I will smile and ask them if they ever have any trouble getting a needle in. If they tilt their head as if to say "sister, you gotta be kidding" and pronounce an emphatic "NO" then I know I'm fine. If they balk at all, I ask them to get someone in there who is good at finding a vein. The magicians are out there. Sometimes you just have to ask for them.

Hats off to all those who have great veins!! But for those of us who don't seem to, I hope this helps.

Marguerite

 

[M&M]

I know what you mean..

I know what you mean..

Hi Margarite, I'm know what you mean by IV's - and needles - they have a hard time on me as well. I think my veins know the minute someone is about to 'attack' and they RUN... I just got out of the hospital and talk about needles - I just cried at the sight of the IV cart.. When I got home the Visiting Nurse came to my house to draw blood for my INR and he used the butterfly (tiny needle) and tried 3 times and could not get any blood. He actually kept 'seeking' the vein as the needle was in me.. It was very painful. After 3 times I said - NO MORE - So, I had to drive and hour and half and get a 'prick' in my finger for my INR and I have to do that for the next couple months.. My veins have had "enough".. and I can't say as I blame them. But like you said - they did say drink lots of water - which I had - and a warm compress helps - which I had. I say find a better method and get rid of needles all together. There's got to be a better way. I've told alot of people about my veins and it seems there are alot of people like us. I guess its not uncommon. Just very upsetting and aggrevating..

Good Luck and Best Wishes
Runner

 

[Nan]

Thanks for that information about drinking lots of fluid prior to an IV or a blood draw! I will try that ! I am one of the difficult draws also. I actually got to the point where I refused what I considered to be just routine sticks in the hospital last time I was in. I managed to get by without one....they talked me into the other ones. And boy, oh boy, am I glad to have my Pro Time Monitor!!!!!!!

If anyone else has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them.

 

[Ross]

I've tried it all and for me, it simply doesn't work. They've destroyed most everything in my arms. I see where they even did a cut down sometime during my last surgery. .......and now I have to get stuck because of Aldactone, Zaroxolyn and Lasix!

 

[Gisele]

I am like Ross..........can't get one in. My surgery in August used up what was left that was decent so went I went in for OHS in Nov there was nothing left. They put a line in my neck and left it there the entire time I was in ICU (5 days). When I got readmitted a day after discharge I nearly cried in the ER as the nurse insisted that she could do it! After several attempts I refused to have her try again and she told me if I didn't let her try they would have to call the cardiologist on duty and he would do a cut down(it was in the evening). I let her try again and made sure I tried to totally relax and she was able to get it. Phew!

I feel for any patient that doesn't have good veins.

 

[medtronic of borg]

Ivs

Ivs

I remember the ddays of the old steel needles...ouch! Todays cathiters are much better. I also am one of the lucky ones. Mine are easy to find. As for the size it is sometimes easyier to use a larger gauge then a small one. I know when I was having difficulty getting (rare for me I had a nack for it) started in one of my pts I would more often then not step up not down.

Med

 

[Ross]

I would more often then not step up not down.

Med

Stay away from me!

 

[Marguerite53]

needle size

needle size

Actually, Med, you could be right. Maybe I'm thinking of Acupuncture. My acupuncturist uses tinier needles on my feet because they are very sensitive. Now I'm curious about the needle size. I'll ask a tech next time I go in. Anybody else out there into acupuncture?

 

[Georgia]

ARGH

Use venous draws here for inr's - the lab tech's run when they see me coming. My veins are shot - a whole bunch permanently because of chemo, and the others simply haven't recovered from the surgical abuse.

I also found the water trick - add to that - don't take your lasix before your draw. Also - push-ups, walking with arms flailing, any exercise that'll bring the veins up and increase circulation in your arms. Also - techs gave me pediatric heating thingees to tape on my hand before I come in because the warmth also helps. I seldom have to have more than one or two sticks anymore; and believe me, I have problems with it.