Technicians typically have a hard time finding a "good vein" when drawing my blood. Anyone else have this problem? If so, can you offer any tips? I drink a lot of water right before the draws but that doesn't seem to help.
Blood draw question
Started by
mikefromillinois
, Mar 17 2015 11:52 AM
8 replies to this topic
#2
Trey
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Posted 17 March 2015 - 12:27 PM
I assume you mean finding a vein big enough to use? That is not often a problem with adults. But if so they can use child needles.
But if you mean the vein collapses, don't let them use the inside elbow vein -- they always go for those. And over-use of them creates scarring. I always make the phlebotomist use my forearm veins.
The best way to enlarge your veins is to make yourself very warm. Maybe wear a big coat while waiting until you sweat. Drinking too much water before the draw skews the blood test results.
#3
Gail's
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Posted 17 March 2015 - 02:21 PM
Muscle raises the vessels to the surface. Try to squeeze a ball or use weights to build up muscle. If you find a good phlebotomist use the same one. I just request her when I check in. If they find a good vein, remember where it is then tell them the next time. You should alternate veins but a couple of times of using the same vein should be ok.
Diagnosed 1/15/15
FISH 92%
BMB 9:22 translocation
1/19/15 began 400 mg gleevec
1/22/15 bcr 37.2 IS
2/6/15 bcr 12.5 IS
3/26/15 bcr 10.3 IS
6/29/15 bcr 7.5 IS
9/24/15 bcr 0.8 IS
1/4/16 bcr 0.3 IS
Started 100 mg dasatinib, mutation analysis negative
4/20/16 bcr 0.03 IS
8/8/16 bcr 0.007 IS
12/6/16 bcr 0.002 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 70 mg
4/10/17 bcr 0.001 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 50 mg
7/5/17 bcr 0.004 IS
8/10/17 bcr 0.001. Stopped TKI in prep for September surgery.
9/10/17 bcr 0.006
10/10/17 bcr 0.088
FISH 92%
BMB 9:22 translocation
1/19/15 began 400 mg gleevec
1/22/15 bcr 37.2 IS
2/6/15 bcr 12.5 IS
3/26/15 bcr 10.3 IS
6/29/15 bcr 7.5 IS
9/24/15 bcr 0.8 IS
1/4/16 bcr 0.3 IS
Started 100 mg dasatinib, mutation analysis negative
4/20/16 bcr 0.03 IS
8/8/16 bcr 0.007 IS
12/6/16 bcr 0.002 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 70 mg
4/10/17 bcr 0.001 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 50 mg
7/5/17 bcr 0.004 IS
8/10/17 bcr 0.001. Stopped TKI in prep for September surgery.
9/10/17 bcr 0.006
10/10/17 bcr 0.088
#4
mikefromillinois
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Posted 17 March 2015 - 06:01 PM
Drinking too much water before the draw skews the blood test results.
Trey, could you elaborate on this please? Which results? CBC ? CMP ? BCR-ABL ?
#5
rcase13
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Posted 17 March 2015 - 06:09 PM
I had a lot of water just before being diagnosed. Maybe its all a big mistake and I don't have CML. 
I have blood drawn once a month always from the same vein. Anywhere else results in multiple sticks and bruising
I have blood drawn once a month always from the same vein. Anywhere else results in multiple sticks and bruising
10/01/2014 100% Diagnosis (WBC 278k, Blasts 6%, Spleen extended 20cm)
01/02/2015 0.06% Tasigna 600mg
04/08/2015 0.01% Tasigna 600mg
07/01/2015 0.01% Tasigna 600mg
10/05/2015 0.02% Tasigna 600mg
01/04/2016 0.01% Tasigna 600mg
04/04/2016 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
07/18/2016 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
10/12/2016 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
01/09/2017 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
04/12/2017 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
10/16/2017 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
01/15/2018 PCRU Tasigna 600mg
Cancer Sucks!
#6
Trey
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Posted 17 March 2015 - 08:35 PM
Too much water can skew CBC counts and reduce WBC, RBC, etc. Also some CMP counts. Does not affect PCR or FISH.
#7
Damerault
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Posted 22 March 2015 - 09:19 PM
I am an awful stick. The phlebotomists run when they see me coming. Only two in my Oncs office will even attempt. I have been advised to eat salty food the night before a draw, drink lots of water and they wrap my arms in warm compresses before they draw. Good luck.
11/29/2013 Diagnosis PLT 538 K/uL HGB 6.2 G/DL, HCT 18.5% WBC 557.00 K/uL Enlarged Spleen
Sprycel 100 MG
Hydroxyurea initially 4 capsules daily
By 4/2014 PLT 27, WBC and RBC Low. Off Sprycel for 3 weeks
After 3 weeks, blood counts normal, no mutation, back on Sprycel 50 MG
5/2014 PLT too Low off Sprycel 4 weeks
6/2014 started Tasigna
Side Effects- Nauseous, Headaches, Tired
8/2014 second opinion Mass General CML Specialist
Continuous transfusions of RBC, PLTs and NEualasta to temp increase blood cells to fight off infection.
Remain on full dose Tasigna
Major p210 International Scale
05/11/2015 0.0950
09/08/2015 0.0782
01/19/2016 0.0310
04/28/2016 0.0161
07/25/2016 0.0244
11/04/2016 0.0140
02/06/2017 0.0129
05/23/2017 0.0087
Today 0.0000
Be well, Diane.
#8
Billie Murawski
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Posted 22 March 2015 - 10:29 PM
My veins are shot, sometimes when I get bw I get poked 3 or 4 times, once in a while I'll get a good phlebotomist and she'll get it right the first time. But I have small veins so when they collapse I'm sol 
.
#9
Gail's
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Posted 23 March 2015 - 10:56 AM
Another thought. Phlebotomists are trained to use veins in a certain area usually the crook of the arm. When All else fails, the area near the wrist or the back of the hand works pretty well although I think it hurts a bit more.
Diagnosed 1/15/15
FISH 92%
BMB 9:22 translocation
1/19/15 began 400 mg gleevec
1/22/15 bcr 37.2 IS
2/6/15 bcr 12.5 IS
3/26/15 bcr 10.3 IS
6/29/15 bcr 7.5 IS
9/24/15 bcr 0.8 IS
1/4/16 bcr 0.3 IS
Started 100 mg dasatinib, mutation analysis negative
4/20/16 bcr 0.03 IS
8/8/16 bcr 0.007 IS
12/6/16 bcr 0.002 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 70 mg
4/10/17 bcr 0.001 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 50 mg
7/5/17 bcr 0.004 IS
8/10/17 bcr 0.001. Stopped TKI in prep for September surgery.
9/10/17 bcr 0.006
10/10/17 bcr 0.088
FISH 92%
BMB 9:22 translocation
1/19/15 began 400 mg gleevec
1/22/15 bcr 37.2 IS
2/6/15 bcr 12.5 IS
3/26/15 bcr 10.3 IS
6/29/15 bcr 7.5 IS
9/24/15 bcr 0.8 IS
1/4/16 bcr 0.3 IS
Started 100 mg dasatinib, mutation analysis negative
4/20/16 bcr 0.03 IS
8/8/16 bcr 0.007 IS
12/6/16 bcr 0.002 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 70 mg
4/10/17 bcr 0.001 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 50 mg
7/5/17 bcr 0.004 IS
8/10/17 bcr 0.001. Stopped TKI in prep for September surgery.
9/10/17 bcr 0.006
10/10/17 bcr 0.088
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