I just found out that I have to have a blood gas test.

I already have an extreme anxiety with needles.

I try to suck it up for regular blood work,

but upon waking knowing I have blood work,

my heart is pounding and I'm a wreck until it's over.

Blood gas is taken just below the wrist

and apparently has to travel deeper into the arm

than normal.

UGH...I feel gross just writing this.

On one of the "how to" things I read it said,

"Make sure you don't hit the bone because it's very painful."

:eek:Ahhhhh!!

Can someone tell me what happens and what's it's like?

Do you think EMLA cream would work to numb it?

If it's the same test I had when I was in the hospital for pneumonia, I'm sorry to say that it hurts a lot and they do it without any numbing. I'm not trying to scare you. I get lots of blood tests regularly and used to inject insulin, so I have no needle anxiety. I'd never had one of these before. Maybe they can give you a little numbing in the area. They have to hit an artery instead of a vein. My blood came out purple. But look at it this way. Once it's done, it's done. :smile:

Well, EMLA only numbs the skin,

so that won't be any help.

I talked with the nurse and she said that

the guy that does it is really good.

Patients always come back with compliments about him.

To me it's like medieval torture...but it's gotta get done.

:smile:

If it's the same test I had when I was in the hospital for pneumonia, I'm sorry to say that it hurts a lot and they do it without any numbing. I'm not trying to scare you. I get lots of blood tests regularly and used to inject insulin, so I have no needle anxiety. I'd never had one of these before. Maybe they can give you a little numbing in the area. They have to hit an artery instead of a vein. My blood came out purple. But look at it this way. Once it's done, it's done. :thumbup:

If the guy doing the blood draw is good at it, perhaps it won't hurt as much as mine. My nurse had to poke a couple of times before she found the artery. So maybe she was really bad at it!

I've had it done twice and the first time it did hurt but the second time it was done by a different person and it didn't so maybe it depends on the skill of the tech. Don't watch and you'll be fine! Nancy.