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I don't have a problem with needles but was worried about blood tests before I had one done.
What they do is ask you to sit down and put your lower arm out on to their table which is usually to the side of you. Then you clench your fist, or they put a strap on your upper arm so the veins show.
You can turn away or watch but I always look away. They clean around your elbow joint where there are lots of veins, and then they put the needle in there where they can find a suitable vein. Usually they do it here anyway. It feels like like a little push in, it's a bit sore but it's not bad at all. Then they take out your blood which takes not very long at all for 1 little tube, sometimes they do more than one..but it's a seemless change.
Then they move the needle out and this doesn't hurt, and press cotton wool down where the needle went in. Then you hold it there and start wiggling your fingers again to get the blood working properly again. Then a plaster goes on to cover up where the mark was. You may get some bruising if you wriggle so try sitting still.
Let them know you don't like it and they are really understanding usually, the nurses do this 100s of times a day..nothing you say or do, if you cry or scream, will shock them.
If you feel faint tell them and they can do it when you are laying down.
Hope this helps
What they do is ask you to sit down and put your lower arm out on to their table which is usually to the side of you. Then you clench your fist, or they put a strap on your upper arm so the veins show.
You can turn away or watch but I always look away. They clean around your elbow joint where there are lots of veins, and then they put the needle in there where they can find a suitable vein. Usually they do it here anyway. It feels like like a little push in, it's a bit sore but it's not bad at all. Then they take out your blood which takes not very long at all for 1 little tube, sometimes they do more than one..but it's a seemless change.
Then they move the needle out and this doesn't hurt, and press cotton wool down where the needle went in. Then you hold it there and start wiggling your fingers again to get the blood working properly again. Then a plaster goes on to cover up where the mark was. You may get some bruising if you wriggle so try sitting still.
Let them know you don't like it and they are really understanding usually, the nurses do this 100s of times a day..nothing you say or do, if you cry or scream, will shock them.
If you feel faint tell them and they can do it when you are laying down.
Hope this helps
in your vein where your arm bends (does that make sense I can't explain things today)on whichever arm isn't your handwriting arm normally. It doesn't normally hurt they stick in a needle not a big one and fill up small tubey things depending on what they are testing for and you get a plaster at the end and normally not even a bruise.
Well, they're technically not injecting you, they're taking blood out 
General practice I've found is that it'll be taken from the inside of your elbow (if you look there are loads of veins near the surface there) though there are other veins in the forearm they sometimes use if they can't get it from there. They'll possibly put a band around your arm and tighten it, or use a blood pressure cuff slightly inflated so your veins stand out. Then they'll swab it, wait for the area to dry, and slide the needle in. I find it uncomfortable generally but it shouldn't be too painful. Don't look at the needle though, focus on something on the wall or something. And stay relaxed, don't tense.
General practice I've found is that it'll be taken from the inside of your elbow (if you look there are loads of veins near the surface there) though there are other veins in the forearm they sometimes use if they can't get it from there. They'll possibly put a band around your arm and tighten it, or use a blood pressure cuff slightly inflated so your veins stand out. Then they'll swab it, wait for the area to dry, and slide the needle in. I find it uncomfortable generally but it shouldn't be too painful. Don't look at the needle though, focus on something on the wall or something. And stay relaxed, don't tense.
I have to have blood tests all the time, and at first im always a bit scared, but you just have to remember it doesnt hurt that much. It hurts less than cutting yourself, or having a really bad headache.
Its true that you don't feel them changing the tubes, or taking it out, its just like a tiny scratch when they put it in. Just look away, and try and talk to the nurse or whoever you are with.
You're 14, so its likely that you will be treated as a child, in which case they migt offer you 'magic cream'. This numbs your arm so you don't feel the prick of the needle, but imo it feels worse having a numb arm than a scratch!
Its true that you don't feel them changing the tubes, or taking it out, its just like a tiny scratch when they put it in. Just look away, and try and talk to the nurse or whoever you are with.
You're 14, so its likely that you will be treated as a child, in which case they migt offer you 'magic cream'. This numbs your arm so you don't feel the prick of the needle, but imo it feels worse having a numb arm than a scratch!
The thing you have to remember is that the whole thing only lasts 20 seconds anyway. It is only a tiny prick, they do their stuff, and you go home after being out of the house for hours just for 20 seconds of doing stuff.
Really experienced anaesthetists don't spend ages tapping the back of your hand with two fingers trying to bring a vein to the surface to put a cannula into - they tie a latex glove round your upper arm, and your veins become much easier to find
Really experienced anaesthetists don't spend ages tapping the back of your hand with two fingers trying to bring a vein to the surface to put a cannula into - they tie a latex glove round your upper arm, and your veins become much easier to find
LPK
Okay, on monday i need to have a blood test. Now, needles scare the lving day lights out of me so i am not looking forward to it. So i need to know what it is they do exactly, like where they inject it etc* and does it hurt? 
Aww
I hope you're ok and the results come back fine. Now I'm not keen on needles, but a while ago had to have loads of hospital appointments and everytime I went they took blood 
It doesn't hurt, they put the needle in the vein, in the inside of your elbow (where you bend your elbow) and it's just a scratch really. The only bit I find uncomfortable it if they need more than one bottle, and they 'click' them in, it doesn't hurt though, I just don't like the clicking noise (you can call me strange!) but serious LPK you'll be ok, it'll be over before you know it, and if you tell the nurse doing it that you've never had it done before and you're a bit anxious then they'll be extra gentle Hey you might even get a nice looking nurse, that'll tke your mind of it Let us know how it goes, but I'm sure you'll be ok
More hugs
Really experienced anaesthetists don't spend ages tapping the back of your hand with two fingers trying to bring a vein to the surface to put a cannula into - they tie a latex glove round your upper arm, and your veins become much easier to find
You dont have to have a cannula for a blood test though!
I hate those, I once had one put in wrong and it hurt like hell and got infected 
. But im sure you'll be totally fine. Hope it all goes well 
The process has already been explained well but I wanted to say that this:
Is totally true, the nurses are very understanding and sympathise very well. I’ve had my blood taken quite a few times and every nurse has been reassuring and amiable.
There’s no need to worry about it when you get there because they’ll take care of you and try to relax you a bit by talking if you’re scared.
I always tell the nurses that I’m petrified of needles and when they know that they keep me there for a few minutes and keep making sure I'm alright until the nausea goes. So just tell them you're a little uneasy and they'll act appropriately.
Plus, I’ve ever felt is like a realllly dull aching, so even when they start doing it you can’t really tell.
they are really understanding usually, the nurses do this 100s of times a day...nothing you say or do will shock them.
Is totally true, the nurses are very understanding and sympathise very well. I’ve had my blood taken quite a few times and every nurse has been reassuring and amiable.
There’s no need to worry about it when you get there because they’ll take care of you and try to relax you a bit by talking if you’re scared.
I always tell the nurses that I’m petrified of needles and when they know that they keep me there for a few minutes and keep making sure I'm alright until the nausea goes. So just tell them you're a little uneasy and they'll act appropriately.
Plus, I’ve ever felt is like a realllly dull aching, so even when they start doing it you can’t really tell.
Just make sure you have an experienced nurse.
Not pleasant when they spend 5 minutes digging around in your arm to find a suitable vein.....
Not pleasant when they spend 5 minutes digging around in your arm to find a suitable vein.....
silverjonny
The thing you have to remember is that the whole thing only lasts 20 seconds anyway. It is only a tiny prick, they do their stuff, and you go home after being out of the house for hours just for 20 seconds of doing stuff.
Really experienced anaesthetists don't spend ages tapping the back of your hand with two fingers trying to bring a vein to the surface to put a cannula into - they tie a latex glove round your upper arm, and your veins become much easier to find
Really experienced anaesthetists don't spend ages tapping the back of your hand with two fingers trying to bring a vein to the surface to put a cannula into - they tie a latex glove round your upper arm, and your veins become much easier to find
Tie a latex glove?
Its much easier to just wack the tourniquet just up fromthe wrst if you want to get a vein in the hand to stand up
blissy
I've found that newly qualified or trainee nurses are often more gentle when taking blood.
very true, same with student docs like myself.
proper docs tho tend to be utter barstads at these sort of procedures (cept anaethesitists and haemotologists
i was going to say nurses are the way to go. The only time a doc took my blood he completely mashed up my arm got the needle stuck somehow and I had a lump the size of a golf ball on my arm for a month and bruising all the way down. from the elbow. The nurses who have done it have all been wonderful 2 seconds, and a plaster.
ok lots of people are saying its no bother but for me injections or blood tests are bothers. My advice is if they offer you to sit or lay down and ur not sure ur going to be ok then lay down. I didnt do this and fainted lol. But then i had to lay down a bit later to carry on and it felt much better
i hate needles 2 and i cant watch it! They put a tight band round the top of ur arm (usually left) and then ask u 2 clench and unclench ur hands 2 get the vein 2 stick out and then they stick a needle in. It only lasts 4 a couple of minutes! although, i fainted and had a fit in my 1st 1 but it probably wont happen 2 u!
viviki
i was going to say nurses are the way to go. The only time a doc took my blood he completely mashed up my arm got the needle stuck somehow and I had a lump the size of a golf ball on my arm for a month and bruising all the way down. from the elbow. The nurses who have done it have all been wonderful 2 seconds, and a plaster.
omg
thanx for the info. Still worrying about it though. I so hate needles
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