Blood test and O.J.

[sourpuffgirl]

Hey you guys,
I have a Dr's appt on thursday and they are going to take blood. I ALWAYS have a problem with this as I get weak and lightheaded when this happens b/c my veins tend to hide when I know that I am getting a shot. I'm worried about this as I tend to become queasy and faint ( I know its dramatic but I SWEAR I am not overreacting). I normally drink O.J. or something to stablize by blood sugar. But of course this is a no no . Maybe I should just wait it out and see what happens. My mom is going to accompany me. I've been on induction since monday, 6 days cheat free. I dont want to ruin it and half to start from scratch. In the case that I do have to take something to stablize it, I'm afraid that it may attract cravings. Any Suggestions??

[Rick]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

I can so relate to this! I suffer from "White Coat's Disease" myself. Whenever I go to the Dr's office my bp goes up, and if I have to give blood then it's even worse. I just tell them the truth, that I get hypertension at the office. If they have to take blood, then I tell them that I have to lie down for them to do it. Sorry, but that's the way it is. I know it's truly psychological, but hey, it is what it is... if I'm horizontal then it's ok for them to take the blood. I can lay there, get over it and move on... if I'm vertical, I get through the blood drawing, then they have to pick me up from the floor. Not proud of it, just the facts. Now that I know what to do, I'm no longer afraid or embarassed (much) to tell them. It's a lot less embarrassing to tell them up front than to have them revive me.

Good luck with your appt.
Rick

[Moochiecat]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

Take a fat/protein snack with you....a cold boiled egg, or a piece of cheese...that'll do the trick. As Rick says, don't be shy to ask if you can lay down for it as well.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

the small amount of blood you lose will not destablize your blood sugar. Drink some water before you go because the better hydrated you are the easier it is to find your veins. I have hard to hit ones too but I don't faint. IF you need a snack some vegies with a high fat dip should help, some cheese, or an egg. next time when you are an OWLer you can use nuts seeds and dried berries and call it low carb GORP or trail mix.

[Tired of Chub]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

Iget stabbed (blood drawn) every 3 weeks. I hate it. I have the same veins you do...they hide, and roll. I dont faint or get nauseous unless they go *digging*. I tend to try and get super hydrated (take your water bottle with you and keep chugging) and have a snack in my purse for right after (cheese, hardboiled egg, sausage balls etc). Its probably not your blood sugar going crazy, its probably your head and the anticipation and fear etc etc. The minds a powerful thing. If you meditate or do yoga or breathing exercises, use those principles the minute that your name is called to keep yourself calm. Best of luck.

[Mack]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

Hey you guys,
I have a Dr's appt on thursday and they are going to take blood. I ALWAYS have a problem with this as I get weak and lightheaded when this happens b/c my veins tend to hide when I know that I am getting a shot. I'm worried about this as I tend to become queasy and faint ( I know its dramatic but I SWEAR I am not overreacting). I normally drink O.J. or something to stablize by blood sugar. But of course this is a no no . Maybe I should just wait it out and see what happens. My mom is going to accompany me. I've been on induction since monday, 6 days cheat free. I dont want to ruin it and half to start from scratch. In the case that I do have to take something to stablize it, I'm afraid that it may attract cravings. Any Suggestions??

Depending on what lab tests they are going to do, you may need to fast for 8 - 12 hours. This is required for the series of lipid profile test (Cholestrol, HDL, LDL, Triglicerides and others). I recommend you call the nurse and find out.
Don't even drink coffee in the morning because it can throw the numbers off. Also, request to come first thing in the morning so you can just sleep through the fasting part. I just turn my head and not look. They won't take much. You'll be ok.

[BeccaResRN]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

I hate to have my blood drawn, I'm a nurse but that doesn't help when its my getting stuck...

I haven't actually gone all the way out in years but I get close...I get that funny feeling ...and people start shoving OJ at me but....I don't drink it, it really doesn't help, because I am not fainty because I have given a gallon of blood and have a true low blood sugar...I am fainty because of my minds overreaction to being stuck.

One doctor once said Oh you have a hysterical reaction...ha ha ..I don't care what its called Its embarassing and I can't control it much. People always say "and your a nurse???'

Have them lie you down, as a professional fainter I know when you feel faint if standing sit down, if sitting lie down or put your head between your knees...but if you lay down it will be much much better.

Bring a low carb snack, ANYTHING, it doesn't matter that what you drink isn't high sugar like OJ, the only thing the OJ does is distract our mind from feeling faint until you recover.

Deep breaths help me when getting stuck, I jokingly say I'm doing my lamaze breathing, I don't look but some people say they have too.

You'll do fine just don't let them ruin your hard work by shoving bland OJ and tasteless crackers in your face

Funny thing is I can stick others just fine but can't watch surgery, almost passed out 3 times the day they made me in nursing school.

Good Luck

[sourpuffgirl]

Re: Blood test and O.J.

Thanks you guys, Maybe I was just trying to find an excuse to get something sweet (lol ). Great idea about the snacks, I'm getting all the stuff tonight so I can be prepared. As I read the replys a smile came over me....YOU GUYS ARE SO GREAT!!!! I really don't know if I could've stuck it out this long without your support. Thanks once again