In Praise of Sleeves
I’m not sure who hates it most when I have to get an IV: me or the medical practitioner. On those rare times when they actually do get the needle in the right place the first time, it’s only a matter of time before my vein “blows” and we have to start the whole painful process over again. And when they don’t get it right the first time? Well, that might be why I managed to leave the hospital 10 pounds heavier than when I checked in and, after spending most of the night peeing, started the next morning 12 pounds lighter.
Let’s just say that I’m glad it’s still long-sleeve weather, because with arms that look like this, I can only imagine what people would think!
*give you a gentle hug* No, you don’t know me. But I read you.
Thanks for being gentle, Cristin!
Kate: Good luck with your treatment. Being sick sucks, doesn’t it? The next time you go to have an IV, try this. Your veins are very sensitive the amount of water you have drank within the past few hours. If you are just a bit dry, the veins will collapse and that makes it a lot harder to get the needle in. So a half-hour or so before your next IV, try drinking a big glass of water and see if that helps. Apologies if you already know this, or if it’s not practical. But my DW is a med tech and a trained phlebotomist, and she tells me all the tricks.
Thanks for the tip, Cousin Dave. I’m already a big water drinker — close to 2 gallons a day most days — but I’ll be sure to time my liquid intake a bit better next time and see if it helps!
They’ll never listen to you, but you could try to tell the people putting the IV in that you have easily collapsing veins and could they use the smallest IV needle available. Plus they should be very very slow if they are injecting any meds. Most people inject way too fast because they don’t have time to wait.
Also, I KNOW they never ever put pressure on the spot long enough after poking about for a vein. (once again the time factor). I happen to bruise very easily – so whenever I get blood taken, after they’ve put the cotton on the site, I tell them, “I’ll take over”. I put lots of pressure on the needle site and raise my arm above my head. I try to hold it up there for at least 1 minute if not longer – I seldom have a bruise. That would work in your favor for blood tests although not so much for blown IV’s. *sigh*
Good tips, Teresa. One other thing: try asking them if they will use a “butterfly” needle when they stick you. This type of needle is more accurate, but a lot of labs limit their use because they are more expensive.
I did the drinking water trick today before my doctor’s appointment, knowing they were going to run more blood tests. Also pressed on the spot as hard as I could and held it over my head afterwards.
It worked: you’d never know they’d drawn blood. Much, MUCH better than those bruises!
I’ve been lucky in the IV dept. The one time they stuck me in the wrist it was by a candy striper…She was the best…and cute too…maybe that had something to do with it?
Any way…she got a huge needle (they pumped a liter of antiboitic laced saline solution in to me in under 15 minutes)in one try with next to no pain and not a bit of bruising. The last time was two in the arm that hurt a bit more but were not bad. I guess I stick easily.