advice for getting bloodwork done tomorrow *UPDATE thank you!

[LiLIrishChick63]

so i have to go get bloodwork done tomorrow and it's the type where i have to fast for 8 hours beforehand.

now, the last time i got this sort of bloodwork done, i didn't do so well afterwards. i'm boarderline anemic and they took about 5 vials and after that i almost passed out, then almost got sick before coming home and basically being out of it for a few days(i should probably mention that i had my "monthly visitor" then as well, so i'm sure that didn't help either).

i'm wondering what i should do so i don't have those effects again....at least not THAT bad? any advice?

can i actually TELL them when i'm there "hey is there any way we can take maybe just two vials?" the last time they kind of ushered me out of there pretty quick, didn't offer me to sit or have anything to eat or drink.

 

[kacaju]

bring some OJ and something to eat for yourself. Once you get the blood taken eat before you leave

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you are anemic and/or hypoglycemic, a fasting blood test could be a real problem... (Too bad for most labs, you are just the next 'number', and they really don't know you or care. )

1. Don't be afraid to eat plenty before bed... And, don't forget that fasting does not mean that you should become dehydrated... Plenty of water... Hydrate!

2. I would have somebody take me... Is there anybody at your home who could do this, or somebody to pick you up early and get you there in a matter of minutes.

3. Second, carry food and drink with you. Whether it's some packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers, or whatever... Have something with real nutritional value with you, as well as something to drink... Juice, Water... break this out immediately after the blood is drawn and you exit the lab.

And, of course, if low iron is an issue... I would try to make sure to boost my iron levels as much as possible before having blood drawn.

If you take anything like Levoxyl or Synthroid... skip it until after the blood test... (do not take first thing when you wake up, as is commonly advised) I have heard that these can kick in, and if you aren't eating, bring on some hypoglycemia.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

bring some OJ and something to eat for yourself. Once you get the blood taken eat before you leave

thanks for the advice!

If you are anemic and/or hypoglycemic, a fasting blood test could be a real problem... (Too bad for most labs, you are just the next 'number', and they really don't know you or care. )

1. Don't be afraid to eat plenty before bed... And, don't forget that fasting does not mean that you should become dehydrated... Plenty of water... Hydrate!

2. I would have somebody take me... Is there anybody at your home who could do this, or somebody to pick me up early and get youthere in a matter of minutes.

3. Second, carry food and drink with you. Whether it's some packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers, or whatever... Have something with real nutritional value with you, as well as something to drink... Juice, Water... break this out immediately after the blood is drawn and you exit the lab.

And, of course, if low iron is an issue... I would try to make sure to boost my iron levels as much as possible before having blood drawn.

If you take anything like Levoxyl or Synthroid... skip it until after the blood test... I have heard that these can kick in, and if you aren't eating, bring on some hypoglycemia.

that IS the problem, too. because of the anemia it makes it difficult. i HAVE to eat breakfast, no matter what. i rarely ever leave the house without at least having some toast or something otherwise i won't feel good.

my husband has to work, however i spoke to my father and he's going to pick me up and take me and bring me back. which he did for me last time too, which i was thankful for, because there was no way i'd be able to drive myself home.

thanks i might pick up some peanut butter crackers tonight, and maybe a protine par.

should i pick up some sort of iron suppliments to take before i go? i wasn't sure if i should take those or not, i didn't know if it would affect the test results.

the only things i take now are Vitamin D and Singulair and the doctor said i was fine taking both of those.

 

[Christine]

Drink a LOT of water. The blood draw goes much better if you are well hydrated. As another poster mentioned, bring a snack with you so you can eat immediately after the blood draw.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Drink a LOT of water. The blood draw goes much better if you are well hydrated. As another poster mentioned, bring a snack with you so you can eat immediately after the blood draw.

thanks! i think that might have been part of the problem last time, i don't think i drank enough water. water is usually the only thing i DO drink, but this time maybe i'll have a few glasses beforehand.

 

[Agri]

My mom has problems with large blood draws. I would wonder why your doctor would schedule such a large draw if they know you have such a problem.

At any rate, we bring food to eat right there before she even gets up. We usually pack juice and the lance cheese and peanut butter crackers. As others have mentioned, stay hydrated and eat right up to your deadline, even if that means staying up past your bedtime. Drink plenty of water when you get up in the morning, too.

 

[Christine]

thanks! i think that might have been part of the problem last time, i don't think i drank enough water. water is usually the only thing i DO drink, but this time maybe i'll have a few glasses beforehand.

The most tubes I've had drawn is 3 at one time. I do fine with one tube but after 2 and especially 3, I even start to feel a bit funny. I think it's more or less a mild vasovagal reaction to having so many tubes drawn and I always feel "funny" when they change to a new tube.

I am *not* a water drinker but have found that if I drink a bunch of water before I go, they find the vein easier and the blood seems to flow into those tubes pretty quickly. If I don't drink, it is a slow process.

 

[Art 1]

I don't do well either when I have blood drawn. I pass out if I'm sitting when they are drawing the blood. Now I lay down and stay laying down for some time when they are done then slowly get up and about. I take maybe 30 mins to get going again. Thankfully I have only had blood work down a handful of times in my life, usually for insurance purposes.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

My mom has problems with large blood draws. I would wonder why your doctor would schedule such a large draw if they know you have such a problem.

At any rate, we bring food to eat right there before she even gets up. We usually pack juice and the lance cheese and peanut butter crackers. As others have mentioned, stay hydrated and eat right up to your deadline, even if that means staying up past your bedtime. Drink plenty of water when you get up in the morning, too.

well i had a different doctor then, and i DID mention to this new doctor about that happening last time, and she said the MOST they'll do is 3....which i'm hoping that it's 2 of the big ones, and then one small one at least.

thanks i might have to make it a late snaking night! not that i mind! lol

The most tubes I've had drawn is 3 at one time. I do fine with one tube but after 2 and especially 3, I even start to feel a bit funny. I think it's more or less a mild vasovagal reaction to having so many tubes drawn and I always feel "funny" when they change to a new tube.

I am *not* a water drinker but have found that if I drink a bunch of water before I go, they find the vein easier and the blood seems to flow into those tubes pretty quickly. If I don't drink, it is a slow process.

thanks, i'll definatly drinks lots of water tonight and tomorrow!

i just got so scared by that reaction that i really don't want it happening again. espically since i'm only being dropped off and i'll be home by myself until 7pm, you know?

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I don't do well either when I have blood drawn. I pass out if I'm sitting when they are drawing the blood. Now I lay down and stay laying down for some time when they are done then slowly get up and about. I take maybe 30 mins to get going again. Thankfully I have only had blood work down a handful of times in my life, usually for insurance purposes.

when they're drawing the blood i'm usually ok. i just don't watch....because i hate needles lol. but DURING it i'm fine, it's afterwards maybe about 5-10 minutes later i start feeling REALLY crummy.


should i mention to the staff that i get like that afterwards? because the last time it was "ok you're all done, next!" and it's like it was a convayer belt in there of people going in and out.

i'm not sure if i should mention "hey last time i didn't do so well afterwards, do you mind if i sit here for a minute and eat something?"

i always feel like i'm being a bother.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you know what you are being tested for? Whe I get routine annual bloodwork, they take 2. If I'm getting just cholesterol and liver function, they only take 1. 5 is alot.

 

[Art 1]

when they're drawing the blood i'm usually ok. i just don't watch....because i hate needles lol. but DURING it i'm fine, it's afterwards maybe about 5-10 minutes later i start feeling REALLY crummy.


should i mention to the staff that i get like that afterwards? because the last time it was "ok you're all done, next!" and it's like it was a convayer belt in there of people going in and out.

i'm not sure if i should mention "hey last time i didn't do so well afterwards, do you mind if i sit here for a minute and eat something?"

i always feel like i'm being a bother.

That's what I do, I tell them. They have no problem taking me to a room with a cot. They shut the lights off and let me take all the time I need. I had an IV put in for knee surgery a few years ago, my wife told them that I don't do good with that type of thing. They tilted the bed back so that my feet were higher up then my head, not the same as having blood removed but this helped and I didn't get light headed at all.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Do you know what you are being tested for? Whe I get routine annual bloodwork, they take 2. If I'm getting just cholesterol and liver function, they only take 1. 5 is alot.

everything basically lol. i told my doctor that i'm just ALWAYS tired, no matter how much sleep i get. and i get palpatations and rapid heart rates for no reason, so she wants to test a lot of things. my vitamin levels, my hormones and thyroid, liver, cholesterol, anything else you can think of, basically.

i thought 5 was a lot too! i'm hoping if i go in there tomorrow and ask, they'll tell me 2 at the most!

Just an "out there" question-are you going to find a lab open on Saturday?
I always do bloodwork Mon-fri??

yes i'm VERY lucky that there's a lab open on Saturdays in my city. and it's only a 5 minute drive. i have an appointment for 10:30 already set up!

 

[Dax]

My DH has this problem...he usually gets his blood draws EARLY in the day, this way fasts while he is asleep. He is not a good needle getter either, so he is usually pretty hopped up..

- Mention you dont give blood well, that you react bad after. Hopefully the place will be helpful, not all are..

- Water...LOTS OF IT! DH fasted on EVERYTHING once, and payed the price DEARLY..

- Bring some candy for RIGHT after they done...something with SUGAR..Last place I went to had nothing for DH, so he ate 2 sugar packets and felt better much quicker.

- Bring OJ...and something else to eat...As soon as you can, down the OJ..and eat..hopefully that helps

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

That's what I do, I tell them. They have no problem taking me to a room with a cot. They shut the lights off and let me take all the time I need. I had an IV put in for knee surgery a few years ago, my wife told them that I don't do good with that type of thing. They tilted the bed back so that my feet were higher up then my head, not the same as having blood removed but this helped and I didn't get light headed at all.

thanks! i'll have to mention it to them!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

My DH has this problem...he usually gets his blood draws EARLY in the day, this way fasts while he is asleep. He is not a good needle getter either, so he is usually pretty hopped up..

- Mention you dont give blood well, that you react bad after. Hopefully the place will be helpful, not all are..

- Water...LOTS OF IT! DH fasted on EVERYTHING once, and payed the price DEARLY..

- Bring some candy for RIGHT after they done...something with SUGAR..Last place I went to had nothing for DH, so he ate 2 sugar packets and felt better much quicker.

- Bring OJ...and something else to eat...As soon as you can, down the OJ..and eat..hopefully that helps

the earliest appointment i could get was 10:30 which isn't TOO bad for me, since it's on a Saturday when i have off, and i usually can sleep in until 9.

the last time i went, they just shoved me out of there so fast, i think that's why i'm nervous this time around. but i'm going to a different location(same lab, but they have a few different locations and this one is closer) so i'm hoping that they'll be a little more helpful.

everyone's saying water, so i'll definatly be doing that!

and i'm going to the store in a bit, so i'll pick up some OJ and crackers or something, thanks!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

OP, chronic unabated fatigue, heart palpitations.... Have you been tested for Chronic EBV. It is common... but many doctors just don't have that on their list. If these are your symptoms, this is a simple test, and you should be checked for this.

Also, even if it takes a few days longer...
Next time, make sure you get an early appt....
It is a little late for that now, but I would have suggested you reschedule.

Remember, even if you are kind of shoved right on outa there, find a spot to sit and have that snack right away!

I believe our hospital's lab is open on Sat.
That might not be so uncommon.
And, for a simply blood draw, you don't need an appt.
However, if they are busy, or understaffed, or just plain slow, you could still be there till 10:00. Been there done that. I know what that's like when one has to do the fasting.

Get up and have a nice midnight snack tonight!!!!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

OP, chronic unabated fatigue, heart palpitations.... Have you been tested for Chronic EBV. It is common... but many doctors just don't have that on their list. If these are your symptoms, this is a simple test, and you should be checked for this.

Also, even if it takes a few days longer...
Next time, make sure you get an early appt....
It is a little late for that now, but I would have suggested you reschedule.

Remember, even if you are kind of shoved right on outa there, find a spot to sit and have that snack right away!

I believe our hospital's lab is open on Sat.
That might not be so uncommon.
And, for a simply blood draw, you don't need an appt.
However, if they are busy, or understaffed, or just plain slow, you could still be there till 10:00. Been there done that. I know what that's like when one has to do the fasting.

Get up and have a nice midnight snack tonight!!!!

no i don't believe i was ever tested for that. but i've had this problem for at least 10 years or so, if not longer.

the problem was, my old doctor didn't really ever listen to me when i'd tell him things. "i'm tired a lot. i get palpatations." and he'd constantly want to prescribe me anti-depressants no matter what. he hardly even wanted to GET testing done, just wanted to give me the meds. so i'm going to a new doctor who seems like she listens a bit better, and we're getting more indepth testing done.

the earliest was 10:00 for appointments(i think in the morning they'll take first-come first-serve and then past a certain time they'll start getting the appointments in) and that was taken so i took the next one, 10:30.

which, like i said isn't too bad for me, i'll probably sleep until 9 or so.

yeah the fasting part is NO fun!

but i DID just go out and buy some OJ and a protine bar and some peanut butter crackers to take with me.

thanks so much for the advice everyone!

 

[Tazicket]

Just wanted to agree that you should definitely tell them that you don't do so well with blood draws. I'm the same way and I have thyroid issues, so I have to have blood drawn a few times a year. I just warn them that I have a history of passing out. They've always been very kind and understanding about it - it's super common.

Good luck! And drink loads of water. I try to also take a nap when I get back home afterwards, and that helps me some, too.