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Giving blood and IVs – for people that are hard stick- Helpful suggestion



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I just thought I'd share this piece of information. My surgeons office told me that there have been studies to help individuals that are a hard stick when it comes to giving blood or getting an IV. They said that the study showed that when people listen to music while they are giving blood or Getting an IV placed, that for whatever reason – the veins are better or react better I guess… I thought I would just share this because I know I've personally I have a horrendous time when it comes to getting blood taken and IVs placed. I've had several central lines and they can't even do pic lines on me anymore. So, I'm going to try this on Monday when I go in for preop and see how it goes… But like I said I thought I would share. If it helps someone, it's worth trying.

Blessings to all

Natalie

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Thanks for the information, I myself am an easy stick. I work as a nurse and I am always looking for better ways to start an IV on a hard stick.

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I just thought I'd share this piece of information. My surgeons office told me that there have been studies to help individuals that are a hard stick when it comes to giving blood or getting an IV. They said that the study showed that when people listen to music while they are giving blood or Getting an IV placed, that for whatever reason – the veins are better or react better I guess… I thought I would just share this because I know I've personally I have a horrendous time when it comes to getting blood taken and IVs placed. I've had several central lines and they can't even do pic lines on me anymore. So, I'm going to try this on Monday when I go in for preop and see how it goes… But like I said I thought I would share. If it helps someone, it's worth trying.

Blessings to all

Natalie

Being hydrated help plump the veins as well. As I age I find it harder when I need blood drawn. Thx for the info.

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That's really interesting....I'm a hard stick so I will have to keep that in mind next time!

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They have the hardest time getting my veins they are deep and move. I tell them this every time they don't seem to believe me till they can't get if the first try. One thing they did for the iv before surgery was apply heat to my hand and if went in fine. Next time other than drinking a ton of Water I'm going to try to really warm up my arms to help.

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when people listen to music while they are giving blood or Getting an IV placed, veins are better or react better

Natalie

that is very interesting :unsure:

i'm also a hard stick :angry:

listening to music???

guess it could calm you down a bit, hmmmm, i'll try it :)

of course drinking lots of Water before needle is essential!

kathy

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I was a very hard stick before surgery but now that I've lost so much weight they have never had to stick me twice. I asked the last nurse if it was easier to stick a thin person and she said that usually didn't make a difference. Has anyone else noticed a difference since losing weight?

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Well, I had to get blood taken today for preop and just my regular everyday blood. And was I tried listening to music – at least in one ear for a short time, but, it didn't seem to work/help- I got stuck 11 times. They even brought and other people that were specialists in drawing blood. Then my blood coagulated too quickly and they had to redraw tubes are they already had drawn. I was definitely well hydrated – I always am. I had to talk to the doctor today and tell him that I was going to central line. I hate having them but, if that's the only option & way to go then I've got to do it.

Who knows about the study? Maybe I did something wrong… Or maybe I'm just that hard of a stick. I didn't used to be.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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