advice for getting bloodwork done tomorrow *UPDATE thank you!

[momof1princess]

OP, i'll be the broken record and say drink plenty of water and make sure to take juice and crackers with you! i'm hypoglycemic, and always eat my breakfast (usually 1/2 an apple and 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter, because it's portable) right after the blood draw. the heart racing, palpitations and tiredness COULD be symptoms of hyperthyroidism-please check with the lab and make sure your Dr. has ordered a FULL thyroid panel, including Free T3, Free T4, Total T3, Total T4 and TSH. best of luck!

 

[Imzadi]

1. Don't be afraid to eat plenty before bed...

Make sure you eat plenty of protein. protein burns slower and it will keep your blood sugar up during the night and into the morning.

I'm hypoglycemic & anemic. I always make sure protein is the last thing I eat. I often don't want to eat anything for a good 3 hours after waking. I'm still pretty much full from the night before.

Whenever I've had too many carbs the night before, I always have problems the next morning. I'm often "off" the whole next day as my body is trying to play catch up in stablizing my blood sugar and carbs while getting enough protein back into my body.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

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.

thanks for the advice! i'm definatly going to mention it to them.

i definatly plan on taking a nap afterwards, i'll probably need it lol

OP, i'll be the broken record and say drink plenty of water and make sure to take juice and crackers with you! i'm hypoglycemic, and always eat my breakfast (usually 1/2 an apple and 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter, because it's portable) right after the blood draw. the heart racing, palpitations and tiredness COULD be symptoms of hyperthyroidism-please check with the lab and make sure your Dr. has ordered a FULL thyroid panel, including Free T3, Free T4, Total T3, Total T4 and TSH. best of luck!

thanks! i've got juice and crackers stocked up already!

when i spoke to this new doctor i mentioned to her that thyroid problems run in my family, so she said she wanted to check all of it just incase.

you've all made me feel a lot less nervous about this, i really appreciate it!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Make sure you eat plenty of protein. protein burns slower and it will keep your blood sugar up during the night and into the morning.

I'm hypoglycemic & anemic. I always make sure protein is the last thing I eat. I often don't want to eat anything for a good 3 hours after waking. I'm still pretty much full from the night before.

Whenever I've had too many carbs the night before, I always have problems the next morning. I'm often "off" the whole next day as my body is trying to play catch up in stablizing my blood sugar and carbs while getting enough protein back into my body.

that's actually a really good idea. i think i'll go grab myself some peanut butter and cheese right now!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have a needle phobia....soooo....

The fasting ones are especially tough.

First--anything involving needles and I request to lie down.

And then I flat until the work is done and then slowly slowly slowly work my way to sitting up....then moving my legs to the side...and then standing.

Same procedure, every single time, since I was 17.

I would bring a snack--and then eat it before you get up. Let them know you have issues and they will let you take your time. Make them aware and they will keep extra aware so that you don't pass out.

I did a 3 hour glucose--that was fun. Had to show up starving and get poked 3 times. So I had to repeat the procedure above 2x without a snack.

Also--I think when you lie down, they can also elevate your legs and that helps to prevent passing out.

And any lab should have a place for you to be accomodated. In my old town--it always meant I went to the kids room as that was the only room with a bed.

 

[disfan07]

The most I have ever had drawn at once was 8 vials (a couple of times)

I always bring something to drink and something to eat with me for afterwards. I'm lucky though that I always get my labs drawn at my doctors offices so they are much better and much more caring than the labs.

I dont have a needle phobia so I can't help with that. I actually usually watch them draw the blood.

For me its usually just:

Water before bed
Juice and snack after the labwork.

 

[hambirg]

I haven't read all the responses, but I will go back. I had SEVERE anemia. . ."hey we ran your blood and we think you need a blood transfusion" anemia. I was a vegetarian for 5 yrs. .during two back to back pregnancies and two surgeries. I was having all kinds of hypoglycemic issues and heart palpitations. . .once I was on iron and started eating meat again. . it all disappeared.

BUT . . .this is my suggestion to you. Eat something that sticks(high in protein and good fat) the night before,. . .or even wake up and eat it during the night. Cottage cheese and peanut butter are both good. Have somebody else drive you there. Keep some protein and something rich in potassium in your bag. . peanut butter and a banana. Then go out and have a calorie rich (but balanced in protein, carbs and fat) breakfast after wards. . .a garden omelet or something similar at Denny's. Don't skimp on fluids. . .straight water is best. . .some salts helped me though. . .so maybe some Gatorade. You will know how you feel. Don't let them push you out before you are ready.

 

[Christine]

I haven't read all the responses, but I will go back. I had SEVERE anemia. . ."hey we ran your blood and we think you need a blood transfusion" anemia. I was a vegetarian for 5 yrs. .during two back to back pregnancies and two surgeries. I was having all kinds of hypoglycemic issues and heart palpitations. . .once I was on iron and started eating meat again. . it all disappeared.

OP, wanted to add to this. I had anemia for awhile, now I just walk around non-anemic but with pretty low ferritin.

One of my HALLMARK symptoms is rapid heart rate, heart palps, etc. If the anemia is not treated well, you will continue with having heart palps and times where your heart races. My resting heart rate was always very high. Once I regularly take iron and my levels get better all of that heart stuff gets more normal.

 

[WL Fan]

Just to clarify: The number of tubes that the lab draws is based on the kinds of tests the doctor has ordered - each color-top tube has a different function with a different kind of agent in the tube to help preserve the blood that's been drawn. And, believe it or not, there's really not that much blood in each tube, certainly not enough to make anyone feel faint because of a loss of blood. Not that that helps if needles make you woozy anyway!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Just to clarify: The number of tubes that the lab draws is based on the kinds of tests the doctor has ordered - each color-top tube has a different function with a different kind of agent in the tube to help preserve the blood that's been drawn. And, believe it or not, there's really not that much blood in each tube, certainly not enough to make anyone feel faint because of a loss of blood. Not that that helps if needles make you woozy anyway!

if you're anemic, even a small amout of blood loss can make you feel pretty crappy. even when i get my monthly i have to be careful that i'm eating and drinking plenty of fluids or else i won't feel right.

even tho i hate needles, i've had tattoos and piercings done and i've never passed out from those, it was only after the blood had been drawn, a minute or two later when i was leaving.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

thanks for all of the advice guys!


i just got back a little bit ago from getting my bloodwork done. luckily i actually knew the girl who was drawing it, so i mentioned to her that the last time i didn't do so well afterwards, so she drew the blood in a way that would take it slower which i guess she said is better for people who tend to feel sick afterwards.

and she also let me sit for a few minutes afterwards which helped.

i also finished my whole bottle of OJ before i even got home lol.

i really appreciate all of the advice. this time wasn't nearly as bad as last time with all of the suggestions you guys gave!

 

[kimblebee]

Thanks for posting this thread. I was diagnosed as anemic about a month ago and I never would have thought about having problems getting blood drawn. I will now make sure I stay hydrated and bring something to eat for as soon as I'm done. Thank you.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Thanks for posting this thread. I was diagnosed as anemic about a month ago and I never would have thought about having problems getting blood drawn. I will now make sure I stay hydrated and bring something to eat for as soon as I'm done. Thank you.

yeah i drank a ton of water the night before and then a few glasses before i left.

i brought OJ with me, some peanut butter crackers, string cheese, and a protein bar and now i'm drinking some water and eating some tuna fish and i actually feel a LOT better this time than i did last time.

i'm surprised your doctor didn't mention to you about getting bloodwork done when you were diagnosed.

but i'm glad this could help!

 

[Imzadi]

Glad this time went better and you made it home okay!

 

[hambirg]

yeah i drank a ton of water the night before and then a few glasses before i left.

i brought OJ with me, some peanut butter crackers, string cheese, and a protein bar and now i'm drinking some water and eating some tuna fish and i actually feel a LOT better this time than i did last time.

i'm surprised your doctor didn't mention to you about getting bloodwork done when you were diagnosed.

but i'm glad this could help!

That's so good to hear!

Now hopefully this bloodwork will give you some answers.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Glad this time went better and you made it home okay!

thank you! me too!

That's so good to hear!

Now hopefully this bloodwork will give you some answers.

thanks! yeah i hope so! it seems like this doctor might actually help out and listen to me.