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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / July 2004elbow surgery and blood test woes question
I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right elbow. I am now in a cast and sling until I see the Dr. this coming Thursday. It's been a challenge doing everything one-handed but I think the hardest part has been not being able to knit which the surgeon has told me not to do for a month. Of course I'm going to follow his instructions to the letter because I want the surgery to work. I have found that the best thing to keep my arm dry during a shower is putting on and taping two plastic bags that the newspapers come in every morning. Interestingly, the pain following the surgery has not been worse than the level of pain when my rheumatoid arthritis flares up. I expected the pain to be a lot worse and am grateful that it is not. Only time will tell as to whether the surgery is going to cure the pain in my elbow and allow me to get back to doing things normally such as knitting with my right hand. Now a question. Every time I have to have a blood test the technician has a great deal of difficulty finding a vein that will work. It usually takes at least two different tries in two different places before she can get enough blood to come out to fill the amount of tubes that are required for the blood tests that my rheumatologist orders. I always see the same technician because she is the only one that can eventually get the blood out. She always uses an infant size needle because she says my veins are so small. A few months ago when I was on prednisone she was blaming it on that but now that I have been off of that for a few months she is saying I should see a vascular specialist. I'm going to ask my rheumatologist about that when I see him in August. Has anyone else had this problem and if so any tips on making my every two months like test a little easier? As the nurses were preparing me for surgery last Wednesday they also had trouble putting in the IV and in fact said they collapsed a vein, whatever that means. The anesthesiologist was able to get it and thank goodness. MaryB > I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right > elbow. > Now a question. Every time I have to have a blood test the technician has a > great deal of difficulty finding a vein that will work. A > few months ago when I was on prednisone she was blaming it on that but now > that I have been off of that for a few months she is saying I should see a > vascular specialist. > Has anyone else had this problem and if so any tips on > making my every two months like test a little easier? > MaryB I'm guessing you will get at least 10 replies on this one if everyone isn't out celebrating the 4th. Many of us have trouble getting blood drawn and getting IV's started and such. I hate to badmouth your tech, but I also hate it when medico's blame the patient when then can't do their job. A lot of people take prednisone and still manage to get blood drawn and IV's started. I have always had a very bad time with draws. And it was no fun when I needed draws twice a week to monitor coumadin. I did get lucky from that experience in that the clinic I use would always assign this old guy that had a magic touch to children and frequent flyers like I was. I was just less hassle for them than having someone else try and having to call him in anyway. He seemed to have the best luck with a spot on what would be the outside of my left elbow when I hold my arm out palm up. The scaring from frequent use has made that a good place for draws. In addition I have my favorite anesthesiologist, and request him when needed. The doctor that does my endoscopies also has a way with a needle. The tech gets two tries before calling on him. Anywhere else, I tell them that I've got one good vein, don't mess it up. Nobody gets more than two tries. Nobody sticks a needle in the back of my hands or the inside of my wrist. It hurts like hell and had never worked anyway. If I know I'm getting a draw, I make sure I'm very well hydrated. Drinking a glass of water just before will help. Another thing a nurse recommended one time I can't swear helps but it sure can't hurt. I was in the hospital with asthma and the solumedrol they were running IV was blowing out veins and we were really having problems. She told me it would help if after I was doing better, I would do a little exercise to tone up the muscle in my lower arms. That it would help with the veins wiggling away from a needle so easily. Jo Jo, thanks for all the tips. I'm saving them to look at just before my next blood test in August. It does look like a lot of people have the same problem so at least I'm in good company! MaryB > > I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right > > elbow. [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > Jo I think that difficult veins is very common here. I don't have a certain number of stick rule, because if I did i am afraid I would have to keep coming back for blood work or IVs. It is not uncommon for me to have five pokes to start an IV, and about three different nurses trying. I can expect to have about the same success with blood work. In the end, they usually use the veins in my feet. I don't start there because the feet are more painful, and it seems to require more to get the blood out. My one vein usually starts out plumping up and looking good and then collapses or blows. I actually feel more sorry for the lab tech or nurse, because they feel so badly having to stick my multiple times. Since this is a regular occurence I am prepared for it, and after 30 plus years od regular blood work etc, don't find it terribly painful. For me it would be more painful to have to go home and come back another day. It helps to drink a lot of water before blood draws, and sometimes bending and straightening the arm with a slight weight several times helps to plump up the veins. They may also put hot towels on the area to help plump up the vein. It helps if they use a butterfly and a syringe to draw blood. If they are not doing this, suggest it, as it makes a huge difference. Rose @}>-->>> Please remove "Ima" to reply privately! I always tell them use a butterfly if they need more than one vial. When they change the vials to take more blood for different tests and they are not on a butterfly, the fragile vein will collapse or blow. The butterfly is a small needle which has a tube attached to it and the vials are popped on and off the tube end putting all the jostling at the tube end and not at the vein. I always demand a butterfly and if I get flack I ask for a supervisor. My Body; My Rules. Duckie >........ > It helps to drink a lot of water before blood draws, and sometimes [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > @}>-->>> > Please remove "Ima" to reply privately!  Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) > I always tell them use a butterfly if they need more than one > vial. When they change the vials to take more blood for different [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I always demand a butterfly and if I get flack I ask for a > supervisor. My Body; My Rules. ABSOLUTELY!!!!! I have one lady that's been doing my draws for several years. When she moved to a different lab, I moved too! Fortunately, it was a lab that I don't have to pay a copay at, since as a kidney patient, I have blood drawn a minimum of once a month. I also have a hard time and always request a butterfly. If Miss Ellie isn't working that day, or they have someone new, I'll tell them which veins work best, inform them that they roll badly, and a new phlebotomist usually gets one try, maybe two if I'm feeling generous. I'm very allergic to tape, so I can't have pressure bandages all over me. :-) It also helps tremendously if you're not dehydrated at the time, so drink plenty of fluids ahead of time. When I go to surgery, I always tell the anesthesiologist about my bad veins, and usually come out of surgery with a jugular IV. So much easier. Also, I don't let them use my hands either, but occasionally the vein on the side of my wrist at the base of the thumb is a good one. That one's not too bad. Good luck. Prayers coming your way for your next bloodwork. Mag Drink LOTS of water the day before, then get up early and drink even more. Take a hot shower before you go and if necessary, get then to wrap your arm/arms with hot damp towels. I have also noticed that if I can exercise even a tiny bit before that the veins tend to be more obvious. Duckie > I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right > elbow. I am now in a cast and sling until I see the Dr. this coming [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > anesthesiologist was able to get it and thank goodness. > MaryB Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) Hi Mary, Glad to hear your surgery went well. Do as the doctor says and you'll be knitting in no time flat :) As for veins, I have the same problem..only mine are so deep you can't see them. When the doctor or nurse finally thinks they have found it, my veins jump (I don't think they like being stuck :) On top of that, I'm a doctor's worse nightmare as I'm a basketcase when they come near me with a needle. I used to ask my family doctor anesthesia when he had to do a blood test :) He would always laugh, but I wasn't kidding :)) I'm sure others have the same problem, you just have to hope for a technician who knows what they are doing. Carole > I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right > elbow. I am now in a cast and sling until I see the Dr. this coming [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > anesthesiologist was able to get it and thank goodness. > MaryB Glad to hear the surgery went well. I hope it al heals quickly. Hold off on the knitting till the dr says you can do it. I see you got lots of good answers about the veins. Hydration is a major factor. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right > elbow. I am now in a cast and sling until I see the Dr. this coming [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > anesthesiologist was able to get it and thank goodness. > MaryB Mary, glad to hear your surgery went well and your recovery is off to a good start. As for no knitting for a month... well, it's a good time to practice that delayed gratification our parents tried to beat into our brains! LOL No, truly, when the temptation becomes overwhelming, keep reminding yourself of how much more knitting you can do when all is fixed. You sound like you know that already though. Oh! and I know what you mean about pain. I find the pain of surgery much easier to take because I know it will keep getting better and they give you better pain meds usually. Can't help with your vein problems except to tell you you have lots of company here. This group makes me very grateful for the veins my parents passed on to me. I've had phlebotomist friends call them "ropes" LOL prayers continue for your complete recovery. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Nann, you lucky girl you, having nice big veins! You are right about the pain--I know this is a healing type pain but one my RA flares up it seems very scary since I don't know how bad it's going to get or when it's going to end. And yes, I am staying away from those knitting needles! MaryB > Mary, glad to hear your surgery went well and your recovery is off to a good > start. As for no knitting for a month... well, it's a good time to practice [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > prayers continue for your complete recovery. Have them put a warm wash cloth over the spot on the arm. If they refuse to do so, then push the issue. You might want to try a HOT cloth put in a baggie and take it along. Then have them zap it in their microwave and that will save them some time. Make sure it isn't zapped too long LOL. Again if they refuse, ask for the supervisor. I have blood tests every 2 months or less, some times monthly. If you have ever been to a HUGE hospital like Cleveland, they know their business. They do it "very" well. So it might be the staff that need some education. Also having tests like that in the same area causes scar tissue, so alternate your arms, NOT now though LOL. You can demand good care, sometimes you just have to SPEAK your piece. works.... janers Mary, I can sympathize on the blood draw. When I went for my shoulder surgery on June 8, the nurse tried one time and couldn"t get it. Since the anestheologist was there at the time she decided to let the doctor do it. The only problem was it took her six tries before she got it! However, she had gotten a needle full of something to keep it from hurting so much and used it first each time. It was still the worst part of the surgery! Gwen Signature**************************************************** "I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress." Ronald Reagan ********************************************************** | I had the elbow surgery last Wednesday to mend the torn tendon in my right | elbow. I am now in a cast and sling until I see the Dr. this coming [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] | anesthesiologist was able to get it and thank goodness. | MaryB Gwen, I certainly sympathize with you. The poking around to get the IV in was certainly the worst part of my surgery also (well also having to miss breakfast---although I've never been tested I'm sure I'm hypoglycemic and feel faint and sick at my stomach when I have to go too long without food). When she finally got it in I told her "I'm very stressed and hope I get my relaxing medicine soon!" Since that was one of the last things I remember I think she gave to me right away :-) MaryB > Mary, I can sympathize on the blood draw. When I went for my shoulder > surgery on June 8, the nurse tried one time and couldn"t get it. Since the [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.714 / Virus Database: 470 - Release Date: 7/2/2004 They'd need an anesthesiologist to get an IV in me :) Come at me with one of those things and you'd find out just how fast someone can run with an arthritic knee :) Carole > Gwen, I certainly sympathize with you. The poking around to get the IV in > was certainly the worst part of my surgery also (well also having to miss [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > think she gave to me right away :-) > MaryB |
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