View Full Version : Stoopid phlebotomist
ElleGee
01-30-2008, 11:40 AM
Last week,(thursday) I had blood drawn b/c every 6 months it needs to be done since I have fibromyalgia and the docs want to rule out deadly diseases etc.
I sit down.. She says that I have the tiniest veins but proceeds to stick me like I had italian sausage for veins. I scream b/c whatever she did sent a shooting pain down my arm to the tip of my thumb. She also had the nuts to tell me she didn't stick me that deep. She stuck my right arm. I am right handed. My brand new 3 week old car is a stick shift.
Cut to today..
I just got out of the ER a little while ago. She defo hit a nerve and I am now ace bandaged, in a sling and have to take motrin and percoset..
After I get the kids from school and cook dinner I am going to take a percoset and maybe I won't care that I need to get some of this house cleaned and typing has become a whole new experience in 'WTF'..
:beamup
BigLyd1
01-30-2008, 12:23 PM
Hopefully you never have the see that nurse again. Next time ask for somebody who knows what they're doing. I have tiny veins and have wanted to smack some people for causing injury to me... but nothing like what happened to you. I found someone who can get my blood on the first try and always call the lab first to make sure he is there. I even know what time he takes a break... LOL.
lucimPI
01-30-2008, 02:00 PM
For some strange reason when I have to have blood drawn, it has to be from my left arm. The right arm gives up so much and then quits. I am right handed anyhow so the left is better. I also have to tell them to use the finest needle because it just does not work with the larger needle. I usually go to the Hygenic Institute because the gals, if you tell them how to do it go right along with it. If I go to the hospital to have it done, the nurses give me a hard time. The last time really was the kicker. Told her left arm, small needle. She tells me "I am a RN and know what I am doing" OKAAAY", right arm, it quits so she pokes me again, now this is with the larger needle also, it quits again, once again she pokes me and went thru the vein - got nothing. I told her left arm, small needle or I am call your supervisor. She was mad but did it. First poke and got all the blood she needed. My doctor sure was ticked when he saw my right arm. I was black and blue from my elbow down to my wrist. I cannot understand why some nurses are just so nice and others just seem to be so contrary.
gmyers
01-30-2008, 02:18 PM
Every time they need to draw blood from me it seems like they can't get it without sticking me over and over. One time they got the blood but a huge knot popped up where they took it. It took a few days for it to go down. I hate it when I get a stubborn nurse who is determined to get it if she has to stick me eight or ten times.
Kelsey1224
01-30-2008, 03:26 PM
I so understand how you all feel. Why won't they listen to us and accept that we know our bodies.
Last July I had shoulder surgery and needed to have an I.V. put in before the surgery. I told the surgical nurse, "you can't put it in the back of my hand because my veins will blow." She argues...tries to do it and is unsuccessful. She calls another nurse who is able to get a very tiny needle in the back of my hand. The anesthesiologist comes and said that the needle isn't big enough and that she will do it when I'm 'out'.
I wake up from the surgery and the back of both hands are black and blue (why she tried the arm where they were doing surgery is beyond me) and the I.V. is in a vein in my forearm. Guess the anesthesiologist couldn't get it in my hand either.
Now I'm having a colonoscopy/endoscopy in a week. Who wants to make a bet that I'm going to get an argument about where to put the I.V.???
Pepsi4me
01-30-2008, 03:46 PM
I also have to get blood test every 6 months for my thyroid & cholesterol.
Most will use a butterfly needle(small/thin one) but last Monday I went to a new DR & the person who takes the blood used a large needle & in my right arm(I am right handed). After it was bleeding pretty good & 10 mins later it was aching. I got home & took off the blood soaked bandage & I had a lump.
9 days later I still have a large bruise.:getyou
flute
01-30-2008, 03:58 PM
Now I'm having a colonoscopy/endoscopy in a week. Who wants to make a bet that I'm going to get an argument about where to put the I.V.???
Be happy you get one. 6 years ago I was awake for mine.
I'd rather do it awake anyway OMG leave me be with the needles.
((hugs elle))
SLance68
01-30-2008, 04:02 PM
I am so thankful that when I have to get blood drawn it can be done at my Primary Dr's office. She has a wonderful nurse that could get blood from a turnip on the first stick. I have a computer chip in my left arm (long story) and therefore they can't put one of the pressure bands around my upper arm. She knows exactly where to hit and gets all that she needs - 3 or 4 tubes without a problem - on the left arm - can't do right arm it has been hit too many times over the years and is hard to get anything. I am diabetic so I have been doing this every 3 or 4 months for the past 20 years and I swear by Dr's nurse - she is one of the best.
justme23
01-30-2008, 04:15 PM
Oh, I hate when they hurt you and then say stupid things like "I didn't stick you that deep" or "Oh, I know that doesn't hurt, don't be a baby". Makes me want to pinch their heads off. Ugh.
I hope you feel better soon, Elle.
PrincessArky
01-30-2008, 06:40 PM
OMG I am so sorry that happened to you, I cant even imagine the pain :(
I can only ever get it out of the left arm not the right for some reason just stops flowing lol I dont have little veins BUT I do have rollers and I tell them fast if you cant do it right please get someone that can
EMSnurse
01-30-2008, 07:50 PM
Being on the other side of the syringe, I can tell you that they dread someone coming in with bad veins about as much as that person dreads being stuck, but I can also tell you that I good practitioner will listen to her patient when they give information about the best places to draw from. It is very insensitive for them to tell you it doesn't hurt. Of course it doesn't hurt, compared to car crash victim that just came through the ER, but that's THEIR perspective, not yours, and yours is all that should matter at the time. Shame on those people, a little sensitivity training is in order for them. Where I work, we have a "two attempts and you're out" policy, and I think it's a good one. (OF course, I never miss...lol)
iluvmybaby
01-30-2008, 08:10 PM
Being on the other side of the syringe, I can tell you that they dread someone coming in with bad veins about as much as that person dreads being stuck, but I can also tell you that I good practitioner will listen to her patient when they give information about the best places to draw from. It is very insensitive for them to tell you it doesn't hurt. Of course it doesn't hurt, compared to car crash victim that just came through the ER, but that's THEIR perspective, not yours, and yours is all that should matter at the time. Shame on those people, a little sensitivity training is in order for them. Where I work, we have a "two attempts and you're out" policy, and I think it's a good one. (OF course, I never miss...lol)
I am a diabetic, being diabetic they want to stick you until you are completely out of blood. I tell them flat out, they get two sticks, make sure you get enough blood because that is ALL you are going to get, period. I have bad veins, I had surgery and when I woke up, they had blown out a vein and my entire crook of my arm was swollen/bruised/black and blue. I was so pissed it hurt for like 5-7 days afterwards and looked horrible. Apparently, they stabbed straight down instead of thru
I forgot to add, I have a SECRET weapon, there is a cranky old man who works as a phlembotomist, he has horrible personal skills, and literally just asks your name etc, but he hits the vein EVERY SINGLE time it is so awesome
Being on the other side of the syringe, I can tell you that they dread someone coming in with bad veins about as much as that person dreads being stuck, but I can also tell you that I good practitioner will listen to her patient when they give information about the best places to draw from. It is very insensitive for them to tell you it doesn't hurt. Of course it doesn't hurt, compared to car crash victim that just came through the ER, but that's THEIR perspective, not yours, and yours is all that should matter at the time. Shame on those people, a little sensitivity training is in order for them. Where I work, we have a "two attempts and you're out" policy, and I think it's a good one. (OF course, I never miss...lol)
I completely agree. I dread it when a person with bad veins comes in. If I don't feel a good vein, I opt to call the dr. I would rather the patient be mad at him then me. My 2nd question to the patient is " do you they usually get blood out of your right or left arm?" ( if I don't feel a good juicy vein) If they say left I look another time. My office goes my the "two attempts too". I also tend to use the butterfly needle.
I am so sorry you had to go through that horrible draw. In school I once had a girl put the needle in my arm, as she turned her head to talk to the teacher she lifted up on the needle and turned it slightly. ( which was still in my arm) That was the last time she ever touched my arm. Revenge is sweet though, I did manage to draw on her. I took my sweet time..... But I still didn't give her a bruise the size of a baseball, like she gave me.
regor380
01-31-2008, 07:34 AM
i have also been told I have tiny veins and they roll, When I was pregnant with our first my hubby went with me to have blood work done and that nurse poked me about 3-4 times and I told hubby I was going to be sick if they poked me again, he stood up(6"4) and she said what are you her body guard and he says i sure am get someone who knows what the h*** they are doing, the dr came in and said are you giving them a hard time hubby says know they just don't listen and can't do there job correctly.
BigLyd1
01-31-2008, 10:13 AM
It also amazes me how many nurses automatically seem to go for the right arm first. I tell them the left arm and they think they can get it out of the right arm. So they poke me there first and end up with the left arm. :getyou
One thing I've heard that helps is to drink a lot of water. I guess it supposedly pumps up the veins a little.
sunniekiss
02-01-2008, 02:03 PM
When I was in the hospital last year the first nurse would not listen to me when I told her to NOT try to hit a vein in my hand for an IV but she wouldn't listen & of course my vein blew. I was in the hospital for a week & had to have my IV redone every day. I made them get a doctor for the ER to start my IV's after that.
Next time you need a blood draw ask them to use a butterfly needle. Works best for me.
It also amazes me how many nurses automatically seem to go for the right arm first. I tell them the left arm and they think they can get it out of the right arm. So they poke me there first and end up with the left arm. :getyou
One thing I've heard that helps is to drink a lot of water. I guess it supposedly pumps up the veins a little.
Yes water is good, and it does make the veins plump. Best of all it will not alter most common blood tests.
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