Recently I was told that the reason for the difficulty with my blood draws and insertion of IVs is I have twisty veins. The last phlebotomist said she could see my veins didn’t run straight but turned this way and that (now I can’t look when I’m getting a blood draw so I have no idea if that’s true). I’ve always been a hard stick with a butterfly kinda girl but it’s gotten much worse since brain surgery last year. Just wondered if anyone else has had this told to them and how they deal with blood draws.
I am not a phlebotomist, but my daughter is so i sent your question to her.
This is what she returned,
Now she is also a Para-Medic and she gets all the difficult draws in the hospital where she works.
Although i am a Basic EMT,i am also trained to do IV’s and we certainly see what you call “Twisty” veins, we might call them spider veins, and they do challenge us. In the case of my Daughter(s) I’ve always encouraged them to step up to any and all challenges (Within Reason) and that has certainly benefited her/them in their careers.
Be patient with your challenging anatomy and understand that even the best can struggle and it can go completely the other way too.
Case in point, several years ago when i had surgery the RN that was prepping me stated that it was nice to see large (pipes) veins like i have the first thing in the morning but also added the cravat that that can be deceiving, anyway, the vein blew. It just happens.
auldcelt another butterfly girl here. I have the same problem. Small, twisty (not where they should be?) veins that roll. I’ve had to get IVs in my foot and thumb. Because I’m on a blood thinner I get monthly, or more frequent, blood tests to monitor the dosage and sometimes it takes several tries. Because of your brain surgery are you getting a lot more draws? If so, scar tissue builds up at your “good spot” and then another one has to be found. The people at the lab I go to don’t try different places each time to avoid this because they’re too hard to find; we use one till it’s done, then search for another. For months they got it out of my left shoulder.
When you find somebody who can draw your blood, stick (:p) with them. Find out when they work and ask for that person—it’s worth it. Drink lots of water before you go. Are you familiar with the term “flash”? When the blood barely covers the bottom of the vial and then stops and they have to try another place? Being really hydrated helps with that. Squeeze your fist before the needle goes in and then let go as it’s being inserted so tight muscles don’t make it that much harder. And think “juicy”—that’s what I do.
In a bad situation (ER, IV change etc. when nobody’s having success) someone from the anesthesia department can/should do it…or somebody who works with babies. Ask for that “special” treatment because you need it.