Veins

You may want to drink plenty of water prior to your lab or Dr. visit. I was told that being well hydrated helps them find those veins. Feeling cold and tingly...better talk to your Doctor.

Steve

Really, Bar77? My veins are so tiny that they can't get an IV inserted in my hand, so they always have to do it at my elbow. Last time I got one put in though, the nurse used a catheter (they always use butterfly needles on me, it was the first time I've ever not had one) and when they took it out, blood was gushing out :( I soaked through all of the gauze (they put more than usual too) in under 20 seconds and had my arm covered in blood. It was so scary haha. Usually I don't have trouble having veins found though, they just complain that they're tiny. Both my sister and father have really deep veins though, so it can take ages to find theirs. They are both overweight, which I think may be a factor.

barbaric... have them use a ultra sound... all the IV places i use have one.. one look, see the vein stick it in no problems..

I have no problems with IVs or blood draws, but the stupid recliners they have me sit in have the feet elevated above the rest of you... and I have low blood pressure to begin with, so my legs get all cold and tingly.

After yrs of hving iv antibitics i literally had no place left to get iv in or blood out..picc line was usde....always drank lots ofneed bi if water as well..i remember one time 17 tries i finally flipped out..now became a 2 pokes your out o here kind o gal lol..lyn

I work in a medical office where I have to do pokes on patients. On you toughies I put the turnequette on your arm over the shirt sleeve (as a cushion) hang your arm down beside your bottom and have you pump you hand. I also use a warm compress, we have single use instant heat packets. I also "aggrivate" the blood vessels by rubbing the area or tapping you with a flat hand (gently). I would suggest if your diet allows that you drink as much water as you can handle the day BEFORE and the morning of! Also NO coffee or caffein in any context, the caffein constricts the blood vessels. If you have a place where the nurses seem to have a better time insist that they use that area. I always listen to my patients, they know their bodies better then I do!
Although I see your point in not telling them that you are a hard poke I would say let them know! Sometimes it is hard to asses that someone is a hard poke just by looking at them. A heads up ensures that I take extra care in my game plan before I start coming after you with a sharp thing!

Thanks jesse's_girl, that's good info for those of us who need it.