Collapsed vein

[upsetmom]

Today my daughter went for a a blood test. As the nurse inserted the needle she said the vein had collapsed. She said that she might be dehydrated but that was not the case...she had drank a lot of fluids. She ended up taking blood out of the other arm. Every time they they take blood out its always the same arm and vein...could this be the cause of it.

 

[DustyKat]

How often does she have blood taken?

Dusty.

 

[upsetmom]

At least once a month...but now its weekly

 

[DustyKat]

Once a month should not cause a collapsed and even weekly shouldn't be a bother. It sounds as if it was poor technique on the phlebotomists part.

Matt had weekly bloods for nigh on 5 months and within that time frame he had three hospital admissions that added up to about 6 weeks in total where he was having bloods drawn daily plus IV's and he did not have an issue with collapsed veins. So as you can see, under normal circumstances it takes quite a bit before your veins would be traumatised enough to collapse.

Dusty. xxx

 

[upsetmom]

Thanks Dusty

I thought this might be the case.
When we got home my daughter told me that the strap they use on the arm wasn't even tight...I think we'll go to another hospital next time.

 

[DustyKat]

That sounds like a good idea. Do you ever go to a pathology place?

Dusty. xxx

 

[upsetmom]

We have but the results always take a bit longer.

 

[DustyKat]

Oh okay. Up here there is no difference, we have results the next day whether it is done at the hospital or at a pathology place.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Agent X20]

Long time ago now, but when I was first diagnosed I was having blood taken about twice a day and I had a collapsed vein or two. The phlebotomists varied in their effectiveness but tended to be ok as they were getting plenty of practice... having blood taken by a doctor is the very worst