?? or anyone who gets faint after bloodwork

[akhenaten]

My DD 22 gets very faint after she gets blood work done. Since she is 22 I was not with her the last time she had it done.. only heard afterwards.

Tomorrow she is going to a specialist and I will be going with her. Does anyone who has this problem have any tips that help you before and after the test?

I would guess being well hydrated before hand will make access easier...

 

[swandiverpatt]

I don't know if this is an emotional or physical reaction. If it's physical, you really can help by hydrating yourself. Have her start drinking more water the day prior to the draw and the day off. It makes things a lot easier and she'll feel better.

 

[erincon23]

This happens to me. Tell her to let the technician or nurse know beforehand. They'll have her lay down for the blood draw. She should bring a small bottle of juice and a protein bar, and have the juice handy -- not still in her purse -- when they do the draw, so she can drink it immediately. They'll let her rest for a minute or two, then help her sit up.

 

[akhenaten]

Thanks so much to both of you... I am not sure if it is physical or emotional either.

But even if a part of it is emotional , being prepared with juice etc may even have a placebo effect ..

 

[bellanotte10]

i've passed out twice due to a nice combination of fear and dehydration. They gave me juice and lollipops to bring my blood sugar up, and had me lie down.

i would agree with telling them before hand. and if its out of nerves, I had one nurse just talk and talk and talk at me the entire time about her dogs and kids and funny stories, so i was focusing on that instead of the needles, so that really helped me.

 

[erincon23]

Forgot to mention that EVERY doctor's office has juice boxes available for just this situation. If she forgets to bring one, have her ask ahead of time if she remembers, or afterwards -- they'll probably offer if she tells them that she gets faint. With all the bloodwork my DS had in the past few years at many different sites, nobody ever didn't have juice available.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

My teen daughter faints afterwards too. We just make sure she is laying down after for a good 10 minutes. We always have juice on hand.

 

[akhenaten]

awesome... i think I will go out today and buy a huge lollypop and keep it hidden in my bag as a surprise.. maybe that will not only give her a physical boost but make her laugh... (hey she's 22 but she's still my baby..LOL)

Thank you all..

 

[Abbie]

Being well-hydrated is key but if this is not a lipid draw, make sure she also eats something prior to the draw. I donated blood once on an empty stomach and nearly fainted. Awful feeling!

DD26 had the same issue last time she had to have blood drawn. She was mortified! Now she knows to drink (and eat if possible) and lets the tech know. They are used to this and know how to handle it.

 

[JoanGirardi]

I used to do blood draw, and trust me when I tell you that the tech would prefer to know ahead of time that she tends to feel faint. They'll get a place for her to lie down for the draw and it will go much better. Good luck.

 

[akhenaten]

She just left for work and I told her to start drinking water and hydrating to prepare for the blood draw.

She said ugh... well then you have to come with me because I can not drive afterwards!

I told her I was planning to go and would drive BUT that she is able to drive after getting blood drawn..she just has to prepare...

 

[minkydog]

This happens to me. Tell her to let the technician or nurse know beforehand. They'll have her lay down for the blood draw. She should bring a small bottle of juice and a protein bar, and have the juice handy -- not still in her purse -- when they do the draw, so she can drink it immediately. They'll let her rest for a minute or two, then help her sit up.

DH has a loooong history of fainting at the sight of blood, beginning with our pre-marriage blood tests. One time he passed out while giving blood and went into shock--they had to call 911! DH suggests the same thing--be upfront about your reaction--it is what it is. Lots of people have this physiological response, nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. Tell the technician to let you lie down for the blood draw--it's a safety issue; you don't want to risk falling and having a head injury. DH keeps a can of Coke with him, ready to sip as soon as the needle is out of his arm. That seems to prevent the worst of it and usually he's good to go within a couple minutes.

 

[Geoff_M]

I've passed out twice in my life during blood draws and had a couple of close calls. They've been fasting blood draws. The weird part for me is that the trigger event isn't seeing the needle, or blood... it's when they take the tourniquet off my arm. It seems to cause a sudden change in my blood pressure and at times I go "lights out" as a result.

As others have mentioned, tell the person doing the draw that you're a candidate for fainting. Some places have a recliner for such people.

 

[Shmily1]

I've always passed out at the sight of blood or needles. I can't watch needles on tv without being sick and/or passing out. It's gross and I have a weak stomach. We even got married in Daytona so I wouldn't have to do a blood test. I always tell the person ahead of time that I am a fainter. If there is no where to lie down, I turn my head the other way and talk to someone non-stop. The person drawing the blood can't tell me anything about what is going on although they can talk to me. Once, I was alone and they were almost done and I was doing great, just needing to bandage me up, and she dropped the blood vial in my lap. Then they woke me up. They always say "You don't have kids do you?" I reply, "yes, two!"

With you going with her, if you keep her occupied so she's not thinking about it, she will do much better. Good luck!!

 

[Coconut36]

This happens to me. Tell her to let the technician or nurse know beforehand. They'll have her lay down for the blood draw. She should bring a small bottle of juice and a protein bar, and have the juice handy -- not still in her purse -- when they do the draw, so she can drink it immediately. They'll let her rest for a minute or two, then help her sit up.

I agree. My DH used to react that way...as far as he could tell it was both physical and emotional reaction. He would always let them know prior to the draw that he got lightheaded/woozy after and they would have him lay back for it and have him wait a while before attempting to stand. Having juice or the like with him also helped.

Being well hydrated prior to a blood draw is a good idea no matter how you react.

 

[akhenaten]

I've always passed out at the sight of blood or needles. I can't watch needles on tv without being sick and/or passing out. It's gross and I have a weak stomach. We even got married in Daytona so I wouldn't have to do a blood test. I always tell the person ahead of time that I am a fainter. If there is no where to lie down, I turn my head the other way and talk to someone non-stop. The person drawing the blood can't tell me anything about what is going on although they can talk to me. Once, I was alone and they were almost done and I was doing great, just needing to bandage me up, and she dropped the blood vial in my lap. Then they woke me up. They always say "You don't have kids do you?" I reply, "yes, two!"

With you going with her, if you keep her occupied so she's not thinking about it, she will do much better. Good luck!!

Glad to hear you have kids..LOL I was just wondering how DD would do with that..

 

[MomRN]

Everyone has very good suggestions. The only thing I wanted to add was to make sure she remembers to breathe. So many times when preparing a shot, starting an IV, or with a patient in pain people hold their breath.

 

[2binak]

I used to get very sweaty & faint during & after blood draws. Then I met a nurse who told me to always ask for a butterfly needle when having blood drawn.

Apparently, it's common for people to feel faint because you can feel the needle moving in your arm when they change out the vials. It's more psychological than physical. With a butterfly, the vials are not right against the needle that is in your arm, so the needle doesn't move which helps your mind stay at ease.

I always ask for a butterfly now and never feel faint anymore.

 

[KAMLEM]

Forgot to mention that EVERY doctor's office has juice boxes available for just this situation.

I wouldn't assume that because it's not always true. My DD fainted the first time she had her blood drawn and they did not have juice or anything else they could give her.

 

[minkydog]

I used to get very sweaty & faint during & after blood draws. Then I met a nurse who told me to always ask for a butterfly needle when having blood drawn.

Apparently, it's common for people to feel faint because you can feel the needle moving in your arm when they change out the vials. It's more psychological than physical. With a butterfly, the vials are not right against the needle that is in your arm, so the needle doesn't move which helps your mind stay at ease.

I always ask for a butterfly now and never feel faint anymore.

Actually, it *is* a physical response. It's called Vaso-vagal syncope. You can find out more at the Mayo Clinic website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vasovagal-syncope/DS00806/DSECTION=symptoms