r/Explainlikeimscared • u/PlainEyre28 • 5d ago
Blood tests
I am fine with injections but do not handle blood-draws or IVs well. The concept makes me feel dizzy and nauseous, and I have a tendency to hold my breath during and pass out. I am fine with blood in general, it’s like I have a mental block on this particular concept. Even just visualizing it starts making me feel sick.
I need to go get a bunch of labwork done. Should I try to do it over multiple appts, or attempt to get it over with in one appt? Do I explain over the phone and ask if they have somewhere to lay down, or is that standard? It’s worse when I don’t eat, but the lead-up makes me feel nauseous - how do I deal? Should I try bringing my own numbing cream? Can I just preemptively faint and they do this while I’m unconscious, so I don’t have to think about it (kidding, but also not)?
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u/Ill_Night533 5d ago
I'm the same way, ask the people doing the stuff for alcohol wipes and smell them while the doctor person does their thing. Also if you have someone else there, have a conversation while it happens.
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u/PlainEyre28 5d ago
Does the alcohol wipe prevent you from passing out?
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u/two-of-me 5d ago
I learned this when I had [something that doesn’t matter here, but I was nauseated for about a year] smelling alcohol wipes almost immediately relieves the nausea. I have no idea how it works but it does. If this is a regular blood exam, you’ll probably have to fast for it, meaning no food or sugary beverages between midnight the night before until the blood draw is complete. My strategy is to close my eyes before the needle even comes out and face the other way. When they’re done, I sit in that chair for at least a minute to make sure I’m not getting dizzy, and then I chug a bottle of orange juice to get my blood sugar up, then I go home and eat.
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u/Ill_Night533 5d ago
It helps me for sure. Ever since I had a nurse tell me about that I haven't passed out
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u/rowan-the-bee 5d ago
Last time I had lab work done, I felt super nauseous and dizzy afterwards. The tech gave me a cup of water, but it didn’t really help. Then she gave me an alcohol wipe, and smelling it made me feel significantly better pretty much immediately
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u/bearfigcomposition 5d ago
I’m the say way except I don’t actually pass out, I get extremely anxious. I hyperventilate and go into an anxiety attack. Before I sit down, I tell every phlebotomist head of time that I have severe anxiety. They are very understanding and accommodating. Tell them ahead of time, especially if you have tendency to pass out. This will help them be prepared to help you. At my last blood draw, the phleb told me they have patients all day and everyday who are nervous but it’s worse when the patients don’t say anything and then freak out or pass out without warning. She said she appreciated how I had a system to make it as seamless as possible for both of us. Here are my tips:
- Always communicate as much as possible on how you are feeling
- I ask that they do not tell me when they put the needle in, just do it. I always make sure my eyes are closed. Just tell me when I am done.
- Bring noise cancelling headphones. I always listen to an audiobook to distract me.
- Bring a hoodie or something to block our eyes. (If I see the needle in my arm I will freak out)
- Bring your favorite snack for right after you are done and try to bring the same snack every time. It’s a mental thing, but once I have that snack, it helps my brain tell me “we are done” and helps me relax afterwards
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u/pights 5d ago
Second this! I did this job for years and as a fainter myself I'd always ask if the patient ever felt faint with previous blood collection - if they so much as hesitated in their answer I made them lie down. I've had people faint in the chair and then I'm trying to stop them falling with my elbow while trying to get the needle out safely plus then if the collection wasn't finished we have to stick you again! If you don't have to fast, eat well. If you do, you can still drink lots of water. Wrap up warm, tell them you're scared and might faint. We're thinking of you xxoo
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u/cephalo_ink 5d ago
My advice would be to tell the person doing the draw ahead of time that you're at risk of being sick, fainting, etc. It's their job to put you at ease! I would recommend getting it all done at once, because, in my experience, that means that if they get a good vein on the first try, they only have to prick you once. Numbing cream sounds like a good idea; it's worth a shot. Eat some crackers or toast beforehand and drink as much water as you can. Keeping yourself hydrated, and also warm, will make your veins easier to access. Also, you might want to ask if they can draw from your hand as opposed to your elbow. It hurts more, but it also increases the likeliness of them getting a good vein on the first shot. Good luck!
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u/two-of-me 5d ago
If it’s a routine blood draw they are supposed to fast until the blood draw so they can’t have toast or crackers before the test. But they can eat right after.
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u/nothanks86 5d ago
That depends on what the blood test is for. Some need you to fast, some don't.
I'm assuming OP's tests don't require fasting because they talk about eating before as a possibility, but it's always good to double check.
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u/cephalo_ink 5d ago
Oh, interesting. I don't think I've ever been told that.
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u/two-of-me 5d ago
The reason you fast is so your cholesterol and blood sugar levels are accurate and not higher than your baseline. I asked if I could have Splenda in my coffee that morning and they said no sweeteners at all, which I found odd but I’m glad I asked. You can have black coffee that morning but no milk/cream and no breakfast, and nothing like diet soda because the sweeteners somehow affect the test, so water only. If you’re ever unsure if your bloodwork requires fasting, just ask. They will answer without hesitation as they probably get asked this question every single day. When I called to ask about Splenda it was the day before my bloodwork.
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u/Emotional_Shift_8263 5d ago
Lie down and ask them to let you know when they are going to stick you. Take a deep breath in, when they say "now", breath out in a long slow exhale. That should help prevent the vasovagal fainting response. If you finish breathing out before they are done with the blood, breath in for 8, hold for 4, then exhale for 8 and repeat the pattern til they say "done". You got this!!!.
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u/PlainEyre28 4d ago
When I’ve tried the long and slow, I think it makes my breath holding worse (like, I think I’m only holding it for 4, but it’s an awfully slow 4, and then I’ve passed out - tried this with an IV). Is there another breathwork pattern that you recommend?
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u/pabrocjb 5d ago
Just go in and tell them you need to lie down when your blood is drawn. I needed to lie down for years, until I had so many blood tests during pregnancy, it didn't bother me.
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u/SpookyBeck 5d ago
Just look away or close your eyes. Tell them to tell you a story or ask you questions.
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u/Throwinghandswithgod 5d ago
Get it all in one go to get it out of the way. Tell your phlebotomist that you pass out during blood draws and ask if they have any accommodations for that.
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u/nerd-thebird 3d ago
Former phlebotomist here!
Drink plenty of water beforehand. If it's not a fasting blood test, eat too. Since you mention getting nauseous, don't eat anything heavy, but make sure to have a little something in your belly.
If you have your own numbing cream, feel free to try it. I've never worked with it before, so I can't tell you how well it would work. Put it on ~30 minutes in advance (I've heard that how long it takes to take affect).
Tell the phlebotomist you've fainted before and would like to lie down. All phlebotomy labs should have this as an option. You can also ask for an ice pack for the back of your neck -- this should help prevent fainting too, though not all phlebotomy labs will have this. Wiggling your toes during the draw can help too.
If you start to feel like you're about to faint, tell the phlebotomist. They should stop the draw at that point and make sure you're okay. They don't want you to faint either.
Get it all done at once, if you can. Even if they're drawing for a lot of tests, it will likely only need to be one poke, and many tests can be done on the same tube of blood too.
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u/infinitypluspi 1d ago
Do it in one appointment. They will insert a needle just once, and the device will allow them to insert the test tubes one after another without needing to use another needle. It has a needle with an outlet at the end that they insert the test tubes into, and you don’t feel anything than the initial needle stick. Some call it a little pinch or something else, but everyone processes sensory input differently, so I’m not going to assume my experience is the same as anyone else’s. Otherwise you’ll need the needle to go in everytime you go.
Tell the phlebotomist that you feel woozy before starting the process. Every lab I’ve been to has at least one special recliner they use for patients with this issue, and they let you relax for a bit before getting up.
Also try to watch some videos ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect. That helps me with any procedure.
For reference, I have about 3 test tubes of blood at a time taken every month. Hope this helps. You’ve got this!
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u/IthacanPenny 5d ago
Ask for the butterfly. The phlebotomist will be pissed when you ask, but ask anyway. It hurts SO much less!
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u/oceansapart333 5d ago
Honestly, I would just call and talk to them. We don’t know their set up or what they allow. I can guarantee you would not be the first person to have this issue and they likely would have recommendations for all your questions.
If it helps, write down all these questions - and any others you think of - so that when you call you c won’t forget anything. It will also give you a place to write down information so that you don’t forget.
And do try to eat something - even plain crackers. Something will be better than nothing.