Crohn's Disease Support Group

anyone else has crapy veins? my poor nurse had a hell of a time trying to find one for my remmi yesterday. She broke her record of only poking once. She told me ( in a nice way) I have old lady veins. ( they tend to roll and are really really hard to find) I've tried the water, heat i even have arm warmers ( like leg warmers) Stupid veins..lol

My veins roll pretty badly. I've got one good vein and when it goes I'm screwed

I've always had bad veins, even when I was a toddler.

However, there's two tricks I've learned throughout the years.

1) If you're at a hospital, the phlebotomy department has a tiny ultrasound machine with a pen-sized wand that's used exclusively for detecting hard-to-find veins. If whoever is trying to "stick" you is unsuccessful, demand a phlebotomist with the 'vein Doppler machine'. Yes, it will probably irk (even bruise the ego) of the nurse/doctor, but keeping their ego intact is NOT worth blowing your vein over!

2) The only way I've found to bring my veins to the surface- and keep them there- is to have a blood pressure cuff installed on my upper arm with a warm towel wrapping the area they intend to take the blood. The cuff is uncomfortable when pumped up, but well worth it when they only have to stick me ONCE (my average is three times before they get blood).

My veins use to be to be good. Maybe all the poking with needles and IVs has wore them down thru the years. Some nurses can find a vein right away while others act like I am a pin cushion. Try to make sure you have plenty of water beforehand. Also ith the IVs I have learned to ask for a pediatric IV since they seem less painful.

Hi everyone.

I have never been here before but wanted to share with all who need this info.

My best friend has terrible veins..she has tried it all from drinking lots of water to hot towels that get cold within min after using, hospital microwave bag,holding hand under tap water, and anything else you can name.

Her second to last infusion took 6 painful trys to finally get needle in.

Last week she wanted to try something different so she took plastic flower vase with her to hospital. once nurse was almost ready to begin infusion, I filled vase with very hot water. Ros submurged her hand in it for 3-5 min and WOW WOW WOW..did the veins pop..secret is in immursion of hand into water..

Who would have thought something so simple would work so well..

I sure hope this works for you as well as it did for my friend.. Let me know coz if so we need to spread the word on this best kept secret.

Good luck and luv, trena

Post edited by: trenaann, at: 10/17/2011 09:09 AM

Post edited by: trenaann, at: 10/17/2011 09:11 AM

I will try that next time as it usually takes at leats half a dozen attempts top get my veins. Thanks for that. xxx