unco-operative/shy veins

[jenspoon]

This is my first post on this forum but I have been receiving so much encouragement and education over the past few months from visiting the site and devouring information. I feel like I "know" so many of you and would like to say thanks for sharing from your wealth of knowledge and experience.

Armed with this information and God's grace we have seen a definite improvement in health and quality of life for our 15yo daughter wcf.

We had a clinic visit yesterday and it was time for the Glucose Tolerance Test. We have never had major problems with blood tests and cannulas for blood extraction being inserted before but it was impossible to get a canula inserted for the test. All I can think of is that we rolled out of bed really early, drove two hours then went in for the test. Perhaps circulation was poor? DD always has cold hands and feet so I know peripheral cirulation is probably poor.

Since blood extraction is a necessary and ongoing part of life, does anyone have any "tricks of the trade" for shy veins.

 

[jenspoon]

This is my first post on this forum but I have been receiving so much encouragement and education over the past few months from visiting the site and devouring information. I feel like I "know" so many of you and would like to say thanks for sharing from your wealth of knowledge and experience.

Armed with this information and God's grace we have seen a definite improvement in health and quality of life for our 15yo daughter wcf.

We had a clinic visit yesterday and it was time for the Glucose Tolerance Test. We have never had major problems with blood tests and cannulas for blood extraction being inserted before but it was impossible to get a canula inserted for the test. All I can think of is that we rolled out of bed really early, drove two hours then went in for the test. Perhaps circulation was poor? DD always has cold hands and feet so I know peripheral cirulation is probably poor.

Since blood extraction is a necessary and ongoing part of life, does anyone have any "tricks of the trade" for shy veins.

 

[jenspoon]

This is my first post on this forum but I have been receiving so much encouragement and education over the past few months from visiting the site and devouring information. I feel like I "know" so many of you and would like to say thanks for sharing from your wealth of knowledge and experience.

Armed with this information and God's grace we have seen a definite improvement in health and quality of life for our 15yo daughter wcf.

We had a clinic visit yesterday and it was time for the Glucose Tolerance Test. We have never had major problems with blood tests and cannulas for blood extraction being inserted before but it was impossible to get a canula inserted for the test. All I can think of is that we rolled out of bed really early, drove two hours then went in for the test. Perhaps circulation was poor? DD always has cold hands and feet so I know peripheral cirulation is probably poor.

Since blood extraction is a necessary and ongoing part of life, does anyone have any "tricks of the trade" for shy veins.

 

[jenspoon]

This is my first post on this forum but I have been receiving so much encouragement and education over the past few months from visiting the site and devouring information. I feel like I "know" so many of you and would like to say thanks for sharing from your wealth of knowledge and experience.

Armed with this information and God's grace we have seen a definite improvement in health and quality of life for our 15yo daughter wcf.

We had a clinic visit yesterday and it was time for the Glucose Tolerance Test. We have never had major problems with blood tests and cannulas for blood extraction being inserted before but it was impossible to get a canula inserted for the test. All I can think of is that we rolled out of bed really early, drove two hours then went in for the test. Perhaps circulation was poor? DD always has cold hands and feet so I know peripheral cirulation is probably poor.

Since blood extraction is a necessary and ongoing part of life, does anyone have any "tricks of the trade" for shy veins.

 

[jenspoon]

This is my first post on this forum but I have been receiving so much encouragement and education over the past few months from visiting the site and devouring information. I feel like I "know" so many of you and would like to say thanks for sharing from your wealth of knowledge and experience.
<br />
<br />Armed with this information and God's grace we have seen a definite improvement in health and quality of life for our 15yo daughter wcf.
<br />
<br />We had a clinic visit yesterday and it was time for the Glucose Tolerance Test. We have never had major problems with blood tests and cannulas for blood extraction being inserted before but it was impossible to get a canula inserted for the test. All I can think of is that we rolled out of bed really early, drove two hours then went in for the test. Perhaps circulation was poor? DD always has cold hands and feet so I know peripheral cirulation is probably poor.
<br />
<br />Since blood extraction is a necessary and ongoing part of life, does anyone have any "tricks of the trade" for shy veins.

 

[JazzysMom]

HYDRATION is huge,

warmth in the area to allow the veins to relax.

If you had time....weight training <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

HYDRATION is huge,

warmth in the area to allow the veins to relax.

If you had time....weight training <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

HYDRATION is huge,

warmth in the area to allow the veins to relax.

If you had time....weight training <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

HYDRATION is huge,

warmth in the area to allow the veins to relax.

If you had time....weight training <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

HYDRATION is huge,
<br />
<br />warmth in the area to allow the veins to relax.
<br />
<br />If you had time....weight training <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[lmattaway]

Yes, exactly what Mel said. Your daughter is not alone. I've lost count of the number of times it's taken multiple people, multiple pricks just to draw blood from me. Drinking tons of water (at least a full Nalgene) before hand helps, as well as wearing layers to stay warm. I've even had them wrap blankets around me. I also find it's helpful to let them know before hand that I'm often a "hard stab" that way they tend to be less timid and just go for it.

As a side note, I'm a good weight and my PFTs are around 100%, so even the healthiest of us can have trouble when it comes to blood draws. (And I share your daughter's genotype)

Good luck on the next blood draw!

 

[lmattaway]

Yes, exactly what Mel said. Your daughter is not alone. I've lost count of the number of times it's taken multiple people, multiple pricks just to draw blood from me. Drinking tons of water (at least a full Nalgene) before hand helps, as well as wearing layers to stay warm. I've even had them wrap blankets around me. I also find it's helpful to let them know before hand that I'm often a "hard stab" that way they tend to be less timid and just go for it.

As a side note, I'm a good weight and my PFTs are around 100%, so even the healthiest of us can have trouble when it comes to blood draws. (And I share your daughter's genotype)

Good luck on the next blood draw!

 

[lmattaway]

Yes, exactly what Mel said. Your daughter is not alone. I've lost count of the number of times it's taken multiple people, multiple pricks just to draw blood from me. Drinking tons of water (at least a full Nalgene) before hand helps, as well as wearing layers to stay warm. I've even had them wrap blankets around me. I also find it's helpful to let them know before hand that I'm often a "hard stab" that way they tend to be less timid and just go for it.

As a side note, I'm a good weight and my PFTs are around 100%, so even the healthiest of us can have trouble when it comes to blood draws. (And I share your daughter's genotype)

Good luck on the next blood draw!

 

[lmattaway]

Yes, exactly what Mel said. Your daughter is not alone. I've lost count of the number of times it's taken multiple people, multiple pricks just to draw blood from me. Drinking tons of water (at least a full Nalgene) before hand helps, as well as wearing layers to stay warm. I've even had them wrap blankets around me. I also find it's helpful to let them know before hand that I'm often a "hard stab" that way they tend to be less timid and just go for it.

As a side note, I'm a good weight and my PFTs are around 100%, so even the healthiest of us can have trouble when it comes to blood draws. (And I share your daughter's genotype)

Good luck on the next blood draw!

 

[lmattaway]

Yes, exactly what Mel said. Your daughter is not alone. I've lost count of the number of times it's taken multiple people, multiple pricks just to draw blood from me. Drinking tons of water (at least a full Nalgene) before hand helps, as well as wearing layers to stay warm. I've even had them wrap blankets around me. I also find it's helpful to let them know before hand that I'm often a "hard stab" that way they tend to be less timid and just go for it.
<br />
<br />As a side note, I'm a good weight and my PFTs are around 100%, so even the healthiest of us can have trouble when it comes to blood draws. (And I share your daughter's genotype)
<br />
<br />Good luck on the next blood draw!

 

[crystalina0814]

I agree with the others! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I have always used coconut water to hydrate before a series of blood draws. It helps me immensely. Coconut water is supposed to rehydrate your body quicker than plain old water...do some research! Amyways, my two cents....it has done a great job for me in getting my veins to cooperate!

 

[crystalina0814]

I agree with the others! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I have always used coconut water to hydrate before a series of blood draws. It helps me immensely. Coconut water is supposed to rehydrate your body quicker than plain old water...do some research! Amyways, my two cents....it has done a great job for me in getting my veins to cooperate!

 

[crystalina0814]

I agree with the others! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I have always used coconut water to hydrate before a series of blood draws. It helps me immensely. Coconut water is supposed to rehydrate your body quicker than plain old water...do some research! Amyways, my two cents....it has done a great job for me in getting my veins to cooperate!

 

[crystalina0814]

I agree with the others! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I have always used coconut water to hydrate before a series of blood draws. It helps me immensely. Coconut water is supposed to rehydrate your body quicker than plain old water...do some research! Amyways, my two cents....it has done a great job for me in getting my veins to cooperate!

 

[crystalina0814]

I agree with the others! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I have always used coconut water to hydrate before a series of blood draws. It helps me immensely. Coconut water is supposed to rehydrate your body quicker than plain old water...do some research! Amyways, my two cents....it has done a great job for me in getting my veins to cooperate!