# Question about veins **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171 "2022-12-07T22:42:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/1 "2022-12-07T22:42:43Z")
I tried to give plasma today. They said my veins were too small, the needle is really big, there would be bruising. If I ever needed a transfusion, would I be out of luck? Just trying to learn here. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/2 "2022-12-07T22:55:40Z")
I’m surprised they didn’t offer to use a smaller needle. I run a blood drive, and some women’s veins are too small for the needles we usually use. They have smaller ones they can use, but the draw takes longer. To answer your question, it shouldn’t keep you from getting a blood transfusion if you ever need one. They will have to find a suitable needle for the size of your veins. IANAD. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/3 "2022-12-07T23:01:49Z")
It would’ve been a way to earn some cash and not be evicted. They pay for plasma, but apparently they must use a large needle. I think she said 17 for the size, not sure. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2022, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/4 "2022-12-08T12:05:43Z")
Transfusions are given to babies. You’d be able to receive one. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/5 "2022-12-08T12:28:58Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > They will have to find a suitable needle for the size of your veins. As someone that has had a central line twice and access through my jugular thrice, for a transfusion they’ll find suitable vein for the size of needle. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/6 "2022-12-09T21:19:58Z")
I usually have some bruising when blood is drawn, despite being told, “You have veins like tree trunks.” ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/7 "2022-12-09T21:22:48Z")
They said they used huge needles. I give up. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/8 "2022-12-09T21:56:37Z")
There’s another element to this. Smaller veins require a more skilled phlebotomist to access, so it’s possible they don’t have anyone on staff with the skill to work with your veins. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/9 "2022-12-09T21:59:24Z")
For 20+ years I was told “you have tiny veins” by many phlebotomists when giving blood, while others said “you have small veins but we can do it”. And then one phlebotomist told me that when I was planning to give blood, to drink as much extra water as I could hold, 24 hours ahead, at least an extra half gallon on top of the regular 8 glasses a day. Has anyone ever heard of this advice? Is it possible that the OP might try it and then go the plasma place (at a different time when it’s someone else’s shift?) and have better luck? As for bruising, I always bruise. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/10 "2022-12-09T22:08:40Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > They said they used huge needles. I give up. I have exactly zero issues with needles. I’ve always been the guy that watches the needle go in. Never bugged me at all. However, the first time I gave plasma, I was a bit caught off guard when the nurse approached me with what looked like a knitting needle. I won’t link to it, but if you do a google image search for plasma donation needle, you’ll see plenty of examples. Having said that, the pain associated with it was little more than what you’d expect from a standard blood donation or blood test needle. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/11 "2022-12-09T22:12:32Z")
I hydrated well. They said the needle was too big for my arm. This was my second time trying. They wont accept me. It was my hope to earn money. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/12 "2022-12-11T19:38:48Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > And then one phlebotomist told me that when I was planning to give blood, to drink as much extra water as I could hold, 24 hours ahead, at least an extra half gallon on top of the regular 8 glasses a day. Sure, the standard advice given to blood donors is to be well hydrated. It’s a little like walking a tightrope if you’re a platelet donor, because those can run two hours on the machine, plus hookup and disconnect time and if, like me, you’ve got a prostate the size of a grapefruit it can get a little uncomfortable towards the end. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/13 "2022-12-11T20:56:11Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > It’s a little like walking a tightrope if you’re a platelet donor, because those can run two hours on the machine, plus hookup and disconnect time and if, like me, you’ve got a prostate the size of a grapefruit it can get a little uncomfortable towards the end. Preach it, brother! Hydration and platelet donation are a tightrope walk~I’m at 43 galloons and counting. But I have to pee between ending the interview and climbing up on the donation chaise and the nurses know to not stand between me and the bathroom when they pull out the needle at the end. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/14 "2022-12-11T21:08:55Z")
My problem is the veins move/roll around or when the doctor’s office tries to draw blood. Usually they have to try three or four times. If forced, they use smaller needles to get from one of my hands. But when I was in the hospital a few years ago they had no problems whatsover drawing blood or getting a transfusion when I needed one. The Phlebotomist (who draws blood for a living) explained that the reason for that is Phlebotomist’s are trained more for that kind of stuff. A regular nurse in a a doctor’s office is not. edit to add: I can’t give blood and stuff because I’m on blood thinners. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/15 "2022-12-11T21:11:43Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > And then one phlebotomist told me that when I was planning to give blood, to drink as much extra water as I could hold, 24 hours ahead, at least an extra half gallon on top of the regular 8 glasses a day. Has anyone ever heard of this advice? Is it possible that the OP might try it and then go the plasma place (at a different time when it’s someone else’s shift?) and have better luck? I was told the same thing. Drink lots of fluid and be hydrated. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/16 "2022-12-12T12:14:26Z")
“You have tiny veins” usually = “I am not skilled enough to access your veins.” mmm ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-veins/976171/17 "2022-12-12T17:36:26Z")
The other possibility is that they will only use large gauge needles because they are in a hurry and do not want to take the extra time needed for using a smaller needle.