After nearly eight full-time years in Rhode Island, I still didn’t have a primary care physician. And since I want to do things in my life like start a family and oh, not be sick, I thought it was time to get one. The physical went fine, until they handed me a lab sheet and told me I had to get blood work.
Blood work and I don’t get along. Actually, blood work is a menace to all the women in my family. When we get blood drawn, we pass out. Like a light. Goodbye.
It must be a genetic thing because it has nothing to do with fear. Our bodies just DO NOT LIKE having blood removed from it.
So any time I have to have blood drawn, I nicely explain to the technician my situation and assure them that if I just lie down from the start, I’ll be perfectly fine.
I’ve found that the technician’s response ranges anywhere from indifferent compliance to my request, to outright annoyance (you would think I asked them to remove their own arm), to flat out refusal. (“No, you cannot lie down, but you can sit in this seat and try and slouch yourself down a little.” Yes, TRUE STORY and by the way, it DOESN’T WORK.)
But on occasion, there is a nice tech, who will immediately lead you to the bed, let you lie down, get the needle in on the first try and even give you apple juice afterwards.
The fact that I just enjoyed a cold class of juice and am decidedly NOT passed out right now, is why today is a Smile Friday.
Happy weekend!
19 comments
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July 10, 2009 at 9:04 am
Melissa
So nice to hear there are people like that tech!
Sometimes it seems all I run into are the bad/mean/rude/whatever people and I feel like I’m turning into one. Not good.
July 10, 2009 at 9:08 am
Kathleen
I’ve never passed out, but I’ve definitely hyperventilated before while giving blood. Now I always do the same thing as you: ask them to put my feet up from the beginning. It helps a lot.
Happy Friday!
July 10, 2009 at 9:34 am
DevilsHeaven
I’ve come close to passing out. And when I got shots before going on our honeymoon the doctor told me that from now on I should tell the tech that I HAVE to lay down in order to get shots because my body does the fight or flight thing and that’s why I get all whoozy.
Mean tech people suck.
July 10, 2009 at 9:39 am
Britt
Excellent! Glad people listen to you! Why would any tech not listen when you inform them you will pass out. Hmph.
July 10, 2009 at 9:42 am
Stephanie
Im happy to hear that there are still nice people like that. While I dont pass out, I can only have blood drawn from my right arm, otherwise my whole left elbow area turns black and blue and swells, and that request really annoys people too, especially in my Doctor’s office. There really needs to be more nice tech people.
July 10, 2009 at 9:53 am
Sarah
My husband is the same way. He’s truly not afraid of needles or shots… but blood drawn always leads to him passing out. And he gets the same reactions when he asks to lie down… but generally the technician’s oblige because no one wants to be responsible to hold up his 6′ 4″ frame!
July 10, 2009 at 10:05 am
dailyeditor
I hate having blood work. I start thinking about how painful it would be if the tech misses the vein and has to keep sticking the needle in a bunch of times. I don’t know why I let my mind go there… Glad your tech was nice, though! That’s so thoughtful of her to give you juice afterward, too.
July 10, 2009 at 10:53 am
Inna
I also pass out, it sucks. And yeah, I love it when we get a nice tech that really understands and doesn’t give you a hard time about needing to be laying down flat.
Glad it went well!
July 10, 2009 at 10:57 am
Jessie
ech… blood work
I don’t pass out – but I defn. can’t watch!!
July 10, 2009 at 11:10 am
Rachel
Blood work…yuck!! Hope the results turn out well!
July 10, 2009 at 12:47 pm
spamwarrior
I’m really good about giving blood, I don’t really do anything. But that’s horrible that some people can be so mean about it. What do they do after you pass out?
July 10, 2009 at 12:53 pm
pinkhighheels
I’m one of those weird people who sign up to donate blood even though I hate it! I’m always super nervous right before they start.. and then completely fine once the needle is in!! =) I”ve never once passed out though. Scare bear!
July 10, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Cait
I hate getting blood taken, too. I’ve never actually passed out, but I come really close – usually I think I’m fine but once I walk out it starts to hit me. I end up taking a breather outside the place (which I’m sure scares the crap out of anyone going in, especially if it’s their first time).
For me, it’s just the anticipation and thinking about it too much. Like, after the fact, if I look at the bandage and think too hard about the fact that there was a needle in there, I start to freak out.
It must run in the family – my mom hates blood and has to lay down, and my brother just goes out like a light immediately.
July 10, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Sheenah
I don’t pass out but I do have problems with people trying to draw blood. It usually takes five sticks because my veins are so flipping small. They have to use the smallest needle and my vein is likely to collapse. Blood banks have told me not to bother donating.
July 12, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Julie
I converted a tech to a nice one. She insisted I sit in a chair and I’d be fine. I woke up on the floor, the stuff scattered around, someone holding my legs up. Next time I had to have work done (diabetic – tests really often), she took me straight to the lie-down room, without my asking or anything.
July 13, 2009 at 9:57 am
Sara
You know about D and passing out….
July 13, 2009 at 8:54 pm
According To Anastasia
The exact same thing happens to me!!! I always give the tech a “fore-warning” that I “don’t do well with needles,” and that I could possibly “pass out.”
They usually just give a little chuckle, and proceed with gentle caution. It’s not until I turn white and I start to slump in the chair that the tech freaks out and says, “your color isn’t good, CAN I GET A BED IN HERE!!!”
July 14, 2009 at 6:50 am
your mom
well you see, you just need to train those techs! i find that if you pass out on them just once – and make it a real doozy – they quickly learn and will INSIST that you lie down in the future.
July 15, 2009 at 7:45 am
la petite belle
the EXACT same thing happens to me. EVERY TIME. But now I NEVER EVER EVER have blood drawn or have a shot without laying down. never.