What happens when you get blood taken?

[RedHedd]

I close my eyes and don't look! I had the same reaction as you. The first time I had my blood taken when I was a kid, my dad was a lab tech and took my blood in our kitchen - I passed out! Ever since that day, I just don't look and tell them to get it over with as quickly as possible.

[Kevin Farmer]

I also donate blood, I guess im one of the fortunate ones that it doesnt bother at all.
Besides if you give a pint of blood you get free orange juice and little debbie snacks and an occasional t- shirt.

[Prairie Purrs]

I passed out cold when I had my pre-marriage blood test. In retrospect, I should have taken it as an omen.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by CatsinDenver
I passed out cold when I had my pre-marriage blood test.

There's a pre-marriage blood test? Does everyone have to get a blood test before they get married? Or is that just something they have in the states?

[lizbud]

Originally posted by CatsinDenver
I passed out cold when I had my pre-marriage blood test. In retrospect, I should have taken it as an omen.

Now that's funny.

I cannot donate blood, but if it's taken for testing, I can't look
or I pass out cold. I turn my head away & talk to them the whole
time.

[Prairie Purrs]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
There's a pre-marriage blood test? Does everyone have to get a blood test before they get married? Or is that just something they have in the states?

I think most states have eliminated the blood test requirement--I got married back in the early 1980s.

[sirrahbed]

I have had so many needles in my life and am also an RN, so needles are nothing to me - though I DO have to look so I am not startled by the stick (and to make sure their technique is good )

But, I took in my then 16-17 year old son for some bloodwork...a big football player type. He turned "caspar" too! A few minutes later we were walking down the hall...and suddenly I was walking alone. He had passed out back behind me

Hubby is also awful about needles. He needs draws regularly because he has thyroid disease - but is always late and I usually have to drag him in

Everyone is different about pain and the types of pain. I think the only things that really *hurt* me are migraines, nerve pain from sciatica or pinched disk and arterial blood gas sticks. I had my three kids and then got up and went home. It simply did not hurt me. I also am a wreck when I have nausea or a stuffed nose.

[Felicia's Mom]

I look away when the needle is put in my arm.

[micki76]

I'm fascinated with it and must watch. I just think it's cool to watch my blood shooting into the tube.

Recently, I've had some rather serious health problems and have had a lot of blood work, CT scans with dye (they inject it in an IV), and have been in the hospital enough times that none of it bothers me anymore. :/

[Laura's Babies]

I just had blood taken the other day.. Reckon I am a old hand at it, I watch them stick me and watch the blood fill the tubes. I find it facinating to watch. The have to use the butterfly needle on me, the big ones just make my vains roll and I tell them if I see them pull out the big ones that THAT won't work on me, they have to use the butterfly needle. One lab teck told me that after years of poking the same vains, they get scarred up and that is why the big needles make mine roll with the big needles.

My sister does the turning pale, getting dizzy and almost passing out stuff like you do. She is scared of needles, I am not.. Is that because I sew and she don't? Who knows!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

No big deal for me. It's always difficult to find a good vein, but I always try to relax! Being a "blabber-lady" sure helps

[ramanth]

I was 14 and had to have blood taken twice a few months prior to surgery I was going to have.

The first time went smoothly.

The second time....well... they took the blood and I remember leaning my head against the wall. Then I felt fuzzy.

When I woke up I was on the floor and I felt nauseous.

I had had a seizure.

Ever since then, I have to lay flat when getting an IV or giving blood because I'll pass out.

Haven't had a seizure since though.

Even so, I'm not a big fan of needles because of what had happened.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by Laura's Babies
I just had blood taken the other day.. Reckon I am a old hand at it, I watch them stick me and watch the blood fill the tubes. I find it facinating to watch. The have to use the butterfly needle on me, the big ones just make my vains roll and I tell them if I see them pull out the big ones that THAT won't work on me, they have to use the butterfly needle. One lab teck told me that after years of poking the same vains, they get scarred up and that is why the big needles make mine roll with the big needles.

My sister does the turning pale, getting dizzy and almost passing out stuff like you do. She is scared of needles, I am not.. Is that because I sew and she don't? Who knows!

My husband likes to watch it too.
Yeah, they had to use a butterfly needle on me too.
I'm not really afraid of needles, it's the blood. In high school I had several piercings and I have a tattoo, but only one of the piercings bothered me and that's because it was bleeding, and the tattoo hardly bothered me at all. Yesterday I told them I wasn't good with blood and I didn't watch, but I knew what they were doing and I could feel it so I had a hard time. Next time I'll ask if I can lay down while they do it.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

When I get blood drawn.... I get really, really light-headed, so bad that i have to lay down when they are doing it!

[Chica]

WHEN I NEED BLOOD WORK DONE, THE PHLEBOTEMIST HAS TO USE A BUTTERFLY NEEDLE ON ME. IT WORKS EVERY TIME. I CAN ONLY USE ONE ARM, BECAUSE I HAD BREAST CANCER IN MY RIGHT BREAST. MY DOCTOR SAID I HAVE TO AVOID GIVING BLOOD IN MY RIGHT ARM BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE INFECTIONS. THE LYMPH NODES WERE REMOVED UNDER MY RIGHT ARM, AND THAT FIGHTS INFECTIONS. I KNOW, TOO MUCH INFORMATION. BUTIT IS GOOD INFO. I AM A CA SURVIVER 10 YEARS NOW!!