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They called a CODE BLUE on me

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Posted 1/8/2014 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Well, friends, I thought I would share a recent UC story. After my checkup with my GI after Christmas, he increased my lialda (I'm also on Imuran) and told me I had to get a blood draw every 2 weeks for a few months so that he could monitor the increase in meds. He also wanted a Vitamin D test and a TB test.

Well, I have always been a bit squeamish about blood, but I've had so many draws this past year that I thought I was over it. NOT.

So, the day after Christmas my 19 year old Type 1 Diabetic son and I went to the hospital for a fun "mother/son" blood draw. As a diabetic, he needs a yearly test and he's very squeamish (though he's been inserting his own catheter since the age of 7 for his insulin pump) I figure that I will show him how "no big deal it is". Yes, I was going to "show off" for him!

Well, he does just fine. Me, not so much. After the draw, I got ringing in my ears and started sweating profusely. Next thing I know, I'm on the ground. I hear "CODE BLUE to OUTPATIENT LAB". I think, "wow, that's scary" I open my eyes to see 4 docs and as many nurses with a crash cart hovering over me. My poor son is there, trying not to freak out. Apparently, my blood pressure dropped dramatically. I was revived with smelling salts and ice to my neck.

So, all ended well. I have vasovagal syncope and they think because they took so much more blood than usual that this happened. From now on, I will be laying down for my bloodwork. Yet another joyous aspect of UC.

On a positive note, when this happened years ago when I was in high school, I didn't fare so well. In Biology class we had to prick our fingers and I fainted, slamming my face on to the overhead projector. Sr. Frances had to rush me to the hospital and I had a lovely black eye for my Senior Prom! No black eye this time, a "Christmas Miracle". turn
Posted 1/8/2014 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
glad you are ok, cita!!! sometimes blood draws can really wear you out. it's good they are prepared and handled the situation accordingly!!

i remember one time a code was called during my infusion. i was losing consciousness though so i didn't "hear" it- just saw visions of about 25 doctors/nurses in my room and putting the AED on me. i woke up covered in wires and with an oxygen mask on in the ER, i think.
Posted 1/8/2014 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Oh my, how scary. Glad you're okay.
B
Posted 1/8/2014 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you're both okay.... If I ever get a code blue, hopefully I'll think of you and take it in stride:)
Posted 1/8/2014 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
I have this reaction to all injections. And also in high school got tetanus shot nd passed out... smacked my head on a desk :D
Small town in northern WI though so I just went to the nurses office the rest of the day, lol.

Im glad you are feeling better and no black eye! :)
Posted 1/8/2014 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have been doing self-pay labs for 8 weeks straight.

The one nurse is an idiot and screwed up, its was REALLY painful and she must have forced it through a valve or gone out the other side of the vein into my arm, felt it going in and out.

Giant 4 inch long bruise, 2 weeks later its a blood clot which then backups up into my bicep and clots there too.

I told the ER to examine me FREE OF CHARGE, they said its 'superficial' since its exterior veins wont result in a DVT.

I learned what I needed to and not going to continue after that.
Posted 1/8/2014 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Glad your ok. I do ok getting blood drawn as long as I don't watch. Doesn't bother me looking at anyone else having it done.
Posted 1/8/2014 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Katie, do you still live in Northern Wisco? We have a place in Phelps, 25 minutes northeast of Eagle River. We were just up there last week. I LOVE the Northwoods!!! My husband is there now..30 below! BRRRRR
Posted 1/8/2014 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Shearbear,
I didn't watch, so I thought I would be ok. I think it was hot in the room and I was more stressed than usual because of my son.
My doc's making me get another draw next week. I'll have my husband drive me just in case!
Another positive thing: I ate a big salad last night for dinner (the first time in 1 1/2 years) WITH NO ILL EFFECTS! So, it appears my meds are working, so that makes the blood work more tolerable.
Posted 1/8/2014 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a real man and used to watch them take my blood time and time again. No big deal. One day they took my blood and I watched as per usual and I started getting light headed, my legs got shaky, and the next thing I knew I was lying down on the office doohickey thingy. I thought I was suffering some kind of a reaction but they finally convinced me that I was close to a full blown faint. Couldn't believe it. No codes were called though so I guess you have me beat there. Didn't have any kids around. That must have been a little traumatic but maybe they learned a lesson that when something bad like that happens the doctors can "bring you back to life".
Posted 1/8/2014 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I am also slightly vaso-vagal. I found out when I was 14. I would run around for conditioning for volleyball and then go stark white when we were done. I've also passed out from a blood draw - I was just pulled out of it with smelling salts. I also have trouble with lifting weights. I get the same dizziness issues. Almost passed out when my uncle was in the hospital and his bp tanked. The worst one was when I had a very painful pelvic exam - broke out into a cold sweat and almost passed out. They actually saw the blood pressure drop when I stopped a stress test (treadmill running)

Something that helps is being adequately hydrated. Dehydration affects me more quickly than others.

I've been through three series of cardiac tests at different ages (14, 16, 24 yrs. old) and it's always been vaso vagal.

It's a pain in the butt, but just be aware that these things can happen. The biggest problem is hitting something on the way down!

Post Edited (ActiveUCer) : 1/7/2014 9:12:22 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/8/2014 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you're okay!

I haaaate getting my blood drawn, but I do fine with it. I just can't look. I have "easy" veins and the nurses never have a hard time with them, but one morning I had some crazy girl who couldn't find a vein. She tries one arm and can't hit a vein, so she goes to my other arm. After a minute or so it doesn't feel like she's got it yet so I made the mistake of looking down. She was wiggling the needle around IN MY ARM trying to find a vein!!! It was awful looking and feeling. She never did find a vein.

PS - Embers, I went to Wisconsin for the first time this past spring. It was so beautiful up there! I was there on a dairy tour for my job so I got to tour cheese factories and dairy farms. It was really awesome. I'm in love with the websites that the Wisconsin milk marketing board has put together, especially the cheese & burger society and the grilled cheese academy.
Posted 1/8/2014 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Wow! That's pretty nerve wracking...I'm glad you are okay! All that from a lab visit...
Posted 1/8/2014 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Getting a bit dizzy just reading all these stories
Posted 1/8/2014 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my! I'm glad your okay but I had to chuckle a little because I could picture the black eye for your prom LOL. My husband had a vaso-vagal after his hip surgery. I think it's more scary for the loved one watching than the person who goes thru it!

I am not squeamish but I can't look when they are putting needles in. Not because it scares me or grosses me out but because I find it hurts less :)
Posted 1/8/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
oh wow, pretty scary situation...but good to know to be prepared.

I'm not a lot squeamish about the blood tests...I watch specifically so that the technician doesn't start wiggling the needle in my vein (since it tends to collapse with the bigger needles).

Hope it doesn't happen again to you, and it's awesome your son did OK with the test.

q
Posted 1/8/2014 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! Forewarned is forearmed! Make sure you lay down if you're even a bit squeamish. I forgot to add that the nurse told me I was convulsing too. I'm really lucky that I didn't hurt myself. Hope you're all staying warm. Today in Chicago we're starting to warm up a bit, which is really nice.
Posted 1/8/2014 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes a pass-out will involve some shaking/ convulsion-like action. Happened to me at an urgent care once. I had strep and had been only drinking soda (the bubbles felt good on my throat). Went to urgent care with my mom and passed out in the waiting room. It did look like I was having convulsions! Had an ambulance called with that one. Determination was "dehydration"

It is very scary!!

I also passed out in the bathroom before because of abdominal pains! If you ever feel dizzy in there, make sure you support your head on your hands, placing your elbows onto your knees. I think this prevented me from falling over!! Pain also can cause a vaso-vagal response.
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