Beginning to feel needled now.

You poor thing! My medic dd says they’re only allowed three ‘shots’ and they then have to ask someone else to take over. She is actually good at getting bloods but even so it can be challenging in some patients. Have they tried a vein in an ankle?

Make sure you drink plenty. DH was dehydrated and they couldn’t find a vein.

Lots of water is supposed to help, you have my sympathy as my veins are tiny ( wish the rest of me was).

Had to take mine from the back of my hand . Ouch !☹️

I am another one, whom the medics find difficult to take blood from me. The last time at the RA clinic, it too three different medics, before they managed it from my hand.
I have been advised to drink lots of water beforehand.

Couple of bags of sugar use them as dumbbells lift up and down get the blood pumping. Also as suggested drink plenty of fluids beforehand.

Yes...water is good. Try clenching and unclenching your fists as much as possible, perhaps in the thirty minutes or so before the nurse arrives, if you know when that is. Putting your hands in hot water could help too.

Hope you’re successful this time...

Maywalk I recognise the problem, both DH, DD and DGS have the problem. It is because their veins are so deeply embedded in their bodies, while I wear mine just under the skin and clearly in view like scaffolding. And while DH and DD are overweight DGS, is stick thin and for a long time was underweight, although perfrctly healthy, and they still could not find his veins.

DD has beeen told to stop giving blood as it is so difficult to find her veins and when DH was so ill last year and was in hospital. He seemed to need blood tests every day and every time it would take up to 6 or 7 attempts to find a vein.

On one day when he was feeling really rough when they came in to take blood, he just pulled the sheets right up round his neck and simply wouldn't let them!

silverlining48

Lots of water is supposed to help, you have my sympathy as my veins are tiny ( wish the rest of me was).

Yes, my DH was told this silverlining - it's like getting blood out of a stone with him too.
Last time the nurse at the surgery was straight in and managed it successfully.

He doesn't much like drinking water despite advice.

I understood there were other sites blood could be taken from, the ankle being one.
There surely must be others??????

Oh yes, they've experimented everywhere on DH
(well, not quite everywhere)
He looked as if he'd been in the boxing ring after a stay in hospital.

Drinking water does help to make the veins more accessible. Mine used to be hopeless.

Ouch!
Have the same problem. I’ve been told not to drink tea or coffee beforehand but to sip at least a litre of water half an hour before my appointment. It does appear to have worked the last couple of times.
Good luck.

ExDancer - yes between the fingers or the toes and like the ankle it’s painful.

Good luck Maywalk
I'd definitely try drinking plenty of water beforehand.

Maywalk You coukd also try putting your hands and wrists in warm water or one of those heated bean things, though if you are not at home it might be awkward.
It’s a so and so to be sure, but you are not alone. Good luck.

Had the needles in all the places mentioned while in hospital at various times and they even brought in a special machine to find a vein but still not successful. I do drink well but it looks as though I will have to have an extra bottle of water
This was my hand after trying to find a vein to put a canula in a couple of years ago.
Many thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Is there such a thing as a small childs needle?
I was told by a nurse (a long time ago) to ask for one, as it was difficult to take blood from me.
I always assumed there was no such thing and that it was a joke.

That’s interesting Namsnsnny. Children’s needles. Why not?
I also have tiny ear pipes and they have to use children’s equipment when examining me. I will ask next time.

Goodness May, that looks dreadful.

Yes it was Silverlining 48 and ruddy sore.
Never mind I am still here to moan about it.

silverlining48

Maywalk You coukd also try putting your hands and wrists in warm water or one of those heated bean things, though if you are not at home it might be awkward.
It’s a so and so to be sure, but you are not alone. Good luck.

This is probably the best tip.

Years ago when I did chemo, the nurses used to get me a trug of fairly hot water and I would soak my hand and wrist for about 10 minutes... they always found a vein (and my veins are tiny). I did the whole 10 months treatment like this. It really does work, but you have to soak for a good 10 minutes.

Just had a phone call to say that no one will be coming tomorrow to try and take blood because its been referred to the GP and I may have to go to the hospital.
Got to wait now for another phone call.
Could be to do with my age of 92 and my other ailments including Epilepsy.
Thanks again everyone and I will keep the tips you have told me in mind.

Last time I went to have a blood test, I had drunk so much water that, despite it being a regular issue for me, the nurse did manage to get the blood out. However, it turned out my sodium was low, which I have put down to the amount of water I had drunk. You can’t win.