Today I had to have an iv and the tech "blew out" two of my blood vains trying to get the needle in place. I have very small rolling vains and they have to use my hand, but what made me so mad is she finally said I guess I need to go get a baby needle, Why didn't she get the baby needle to begin with, anyway my tip Baby needles Maybe my vains wouldn't run and hide when someone comes at them with a needle in the future, because I will tell them up front GET THE BABY NEEDLE!!! I'm sure you can add your own tips to this so we can all profit. Carose

Don't ya just wanna "knock them out" when they do that Carose?? I too have small veins, and I ALWAYS say;"your going to use a butterfly needle, now are you not"?? I'm so sorry you had to go through this! Hugs Love, Desi

I will mention that Monday when I go to the hospital to get blood work done. I never think to do it.

I have only had about 2 times where the Nurse was able to get blood out of me the first time. I went one time to get birth control pills years ago and they stuck me 13 times. I finally told them they had to quit. I was young and stupid or I would have made them quit after about 2 times. Now I do tell them right up front that they get too tries.


When I went to get my VNS in April I told them right up front they got too tries. They couldn't do it, I knew I had to have this surgery so I told her to get someone else to do it.

That's something I suggest, if they can't get it after 2 tries they need to find someone who can. Many a time I have had them to say to me, I will go get so and so he or she can do it. Why the heck can't they do it.

Like you, I have rolling veins and they tend to go and hide. Like you also I have had them to go get the smaller needle. Why don't they do it to begin with.

If you have trouble getting blood taken, I suggest that a person tell them up front about it, that way they know not to waste your time and theirs. It's our pain though.

Ada

Butterflys are so much easier!!

I have had to have IVs through my legs before (before RSD went into last leg) and have even had femoral stabs and central lines. The nurses used to hate being asked to remove blood from me! I have never been good at getting blood and the RSD definetly didn't help! Any needle just seems to makes my veins collapse the second a needle touches. Oh well! I did find the butterfly needles and taking it very very VERY slowly helps! Oh and of course, local anaesthetic on the area before you have it taken (as I'm sure you all know!).

After 2 tries the chances of that nurse getting it is teeny (they just get frustrated and randomly stab) so ALWAYS get a new nurse to try - some will try and say that they can do it, but just try and be tactful and explain you know how hard it is and you have a 2 chance rule. I don't always explain about the RSD because it is just not worth it. Oh, if no one can do it and they are going to either do a central line or a femoral stab then make sure you get the phlebotomists to check you over first and see if they can do it.

Love ya, and happy blood sucking!!

Frogga xxxxxxxxxx