I work in a hospital medical lab, and part of my job is taking blood for a variety of tests. A LOT of people have extreme anxiety about needles and getting blood taken. I deal with it everyday, and I get it. It's not fun.
So I decided to go ahead and post some tips here that can make your session a little easier if you have anxiety giving blood.
(Keep on mind I'm in Canada, and some things are different across countries, but in general it's all the same- but always follow what your doctor or phlebotomist tells you)
1. When your doctor gives you the paper with the tests on it, ask if you have to fast, and if he says yes, ask if you can drink water. You almost always can, and the number one reason your vein can be hard to find is that you're dehydrated. This makes your veins "flat". Note: water means just that. Water. Not tea. Not coffee. Not a bagel. Unflavoured water.
2. If you have small veins, or they have had a hard time finding your veins before, put a warm cloth over the area, or have warm water run over the area before you go in. Heat can raise the veins under your skin a little.
3. Follow what the phlebotomist tells you- make a fist and hold it, or pump it. Keep it clenched until they tell you to let it go. This makes the vein stand up.
4. Don't move around a lot in the chair. Even turning your wrist can make the vein in your arm turn or twist and that can decrease the flow.
5. As hard as it is, relax. The phlebotomist doesn't want to hurt you, honest! We love nice, quick, painless draws, and take pride in it. You don't have to look at the draw. Just turn your head.
6. Sometimes it will hurt. There are nerves running everywhere in the arm, and sometimes a needle can graze one. Yes, it hurts, but it's honestly not preventable as there is no way to know where they are. The pain will leave.
7. When the needle comes out, put pressure on the area. That doesn't mean for 3 seconds then start peeking to see if it's bleeding. If you cut your finger at home, you put pressure on it. This is the same thing. If you bruised after a draw, 9/10 times there wasn't enough pressure after. You're bleeding under your skin, it's not "trauma" like if you fell down stairs.
8. If you are likely to faint, let the phlebotomist know beforehand. They won't think you're a baby, a LOT of people can pass out if their blood pressure drops the slighest. They'll lay you down which will 99% guarentee you won't pass out.
9. Likewise, if you suddenly get dizzy in the chair or feel like you want to throw up, just tell the phlebotomist. It's common, no one will think any less of you. People's bodies' react differently to any blood loss, and we know you have no control over it.
10. Don't be afraid to ask questions, ask how you can make it easier next time, and if you had a good draw, please let the phlebotomist know. Anxiety can make the job harder for us AND you!
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