Biopsy back- positive. Urgent question about dye used for scans.

Hubby's biopsy came back today.  8 cores- all positive.  Gleason 4+5=9.  Bone scan and CT to be scheduled for either tomorrow or Thurday.  Meet with urologist again Friday.  Hubby's main concern--- he is deathly afraid of needles (had one broken off in arm as a child) and his blood vessels are very small and roll and colapse easily.  He wants to know (and I am look at the web to find out) if the radioactive dye for the bone scan can be injected into one of the bood veins in the back of his hand?  This is the easiest and least painful place for him.  It is almost impossible to find the veins in his arms and trying to use the ones in his ankle/foot is VERY painful.  If you knnow- please share ASAP so I can assure him. 

I've had problems with veins and needles too and have found the back of the hand works GREAT.

I also realized when the nurse was looking for a good vein on my arm I would start holding my breath. I was accustomed to this long drawn out search for a decent vein and held my breath during it. A really bad idea if the goal's to avoid fainting.

I always tell them now to use the back of my hand.

This may not be the kind of answer you are looking for, but your husband might benefit from taking an Ativan pill or something similar before he undergoes the procedure. All this is bad enough without any extra fear or anxiety surrounding getting the IV. He needs all his strength and presence to deal with PC-related issues so why let the fear of needles get in the way? A little anti-anxiety medication just before a procedure can make the whole thing a lot easier.

Update-
The scans have been moved to early tomorrow morning. Also found out that they can use the back of his hand. I'll encourage a warm shower and some fluids. However, he has to have the CT scan first, and we were told no eating 4 hours before and limit drinking because he has to drink something for the CT scan (at least he can take some tea to mix with it so it will taste better!).
We see the urologist Friday afternoon.

A good nurse will find vane in arm.  Don't let rookie do it.  Request skilled nurse.  My wife is same with vanes, but skilled can do it.

Do the full scan with the die.  Well worth it.

My was 3 of 12 on biopsy.  Please be supportive to him.  He needs it.

Even after, he will not be able to preform for a while.  Be supportive.

Communicate feeling and require him to do same.

Google and read.

Medican has come a Long Long way.  He will recover and you WILL have him back almost whole.

Communicate with him.  Can't say it enough.

Good Luck.

@ Softalways?

In the 35 years we've been married, there have been some very good nurses and techs who 'tried' to use his arm.  That's one reason he's afraid.  NO ONE has ever found a useable vein and been able keep an IV/needle for blood draw in it.  His veins are so very tiny AND they roll AND then they 'blow' or colapase!  He sometimes gets stuck multiple time.  And when he knows he's going to be stuck, his blood pressure goes SKY HIGH- like 190/98. 

Yes, they should be able to inject with an IV to the back of the hand, not that uncommon a situation. I just had a CAT done last week, and they used a small IV needle to begin with. I don't have the vein issues, so they got it stuck right on the first try. Injecting the dye was not a big deal for me. What was gross was having to drink the barium sulfate drink an hour ahead of time. could hardly get the stuff down my throat (especially with my current "no appitite" or hunger issue), but I managed.

Good luck to him.

David