Passing out and convulsions after bloodwork

[bigbabyblues]

I have passed out during/after blood draws in the past. If I lay down, it doesn't happen.

 

[Geoff_M]

It's not that uncommon, I used to work in a blood donor center and it wasn't a normal week if we didn't have at least one poor donor pass out. Google "vasovagal episode" for more information.

I'm sure it's related, but for me it's not the sight of blood or the needle poke... for me IF I'm going to have a problem it's when they take off the tourniquet on my arm. I've passed out twice in my life and had a couple of light-headed moments. My system doesn't seem to like the sudden "shock" it induces.

 

[sparklynails23]

..My personal hall of famer passer-outer? A 250 or so lb man who was doing fine, took a deep breath, snapped the tray that the arm sits on in half and slid to the floor in slow motion. I can still see it! He was fine after a few whiffs of smelling salts.

Where can you get smelling salts? I have a friend with this "disorder." She started passing out at the store when her doctor called. Just the thought of blood put her out.

 

[Muushka]

Where can you get smelling salts? I have a friend with this "disorder." She started passing out at the store when her doctor called. Just the thought of blood put her out.

Any lab I ever worked in supplied them. They ordered them from the supplier, not sure what else to tell you.

 

[leebee]

DD18 and DH both pass out when blood is drawn. It's not the needle or seeing the blood or anything, it just happens, although DH says when he thinks about stuff being put into his vein... DD has a terrible time, because blood draws really hurt her (I think they are nothing, as long as it's in the elbow). We've had some funny experiences with it, though. I had the amnio, DH passed out. (Turns out all 3 brothers and 2 of his sisters pass out with needles, too.) I remember the first time DD had blood drawn; I'd guess she was about 9. Everything seemed fine, and then I heard her little voice: "Why do I see big black spots?" and out she went!

 

[mjkacmom]

They now make DH lay down if he has bloodwork done - the last time, he woke up sprawled on the floor.

I don't think there is much else you can do to prepare - doesn't bother me in the slightest.

 

[Zandy595]

My 15 dd will do that because of medical stuff. It is vasovagal syncope. They aren't "true convulsions" although they look like it!

A true convulsion is the inability to stay awake after the episode. How is he doing?

My dd has had this for a long while and she uses "visualization therapy" to get her through stuff.

In addition blood draws need to be done lying down from now on and make sure you have a cup of water handy and to go slow and tell your DS to BREATHE.

Even so it still happens to her esp. when the attending person is not listening. She has learned to be direct with them and TELL them what she needs. Most of them are compassionate and comply however sometimes you get the person that says..."oh you'll be fine"....well, no she won't.

Last time she passed out was in the chair at the oral surgeon's getting the heart nodes on. Yea, that med person got the scare of her life.

What do you mean by "go slow"?

I don't know if this has anything to do with DS's episode, but the tech had 3 vials full VERY quickly. The needle seemed really big to me also.

 

[Tigger2252]

My DD was diagnosed with Vasovagal Syncope several years ago after passing out a few times for various reasons. Blood draws can most definitely be a trigger, as can be shots, or any other painful stimulus. She recently had another episode and that one was the first time she had involuntary muscle movement. It looked like a small seizure but the pediatrician said it was just muscle movement. When she is going to have blood drawn, she usually just has to lay down. I also make sure she drinks a lot of water the day before and the day of so she isn't dehydrated. If they have to move the needle around to find a vein she will be a goner.

It sure is scary though so I know where you are coming from OP!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What do you mean by "go slow"?

I don't know if this has anything to do with DS's episode, but the tech had 3 vials full VERY quickly. The needle seemed really big to me also.

Prepare yourself. In other words if you are seeing stars tell them stop the procedure, regain yourself, and then try again.

She has to do this for any medical procedures including getting an eye exam.

Thankfully she is able to get through dental work and the orthodontist without passing out yet. However they were made known about her condition and they allow her to get a break if she needs it.

 

[LJC1861]

I pass out almost every time I have blood drawn or an IV put in. I have lousy veins and it almost always takes more than one stick for either type of procedure.

With blood draws it is also complicated by the fact that it takes so long to even get blood out of me. The phlebotomist at my Doc's office is really good however and now that she knows me uses the tiniest pediatric butterfly needle.

with IV's, I have a hard time keeping them functional. It seems that they no sooner get started then they infiltrate and have to be done again. Of course that gets my anxiety going, which makes my veins constrict and there you go...out cold.

I have also been a world class fainter all my life. If I cut myself, I faint. If someone else hurts themselves I faint. I have fainted at the sight of blood in movies and TV shows, and even once reading a very graphic account of an operation in a book. Basically, I'm a wimp and a mess......

Linda

 

[Muushka]

I pass out almost every time I have blood drawn or an IV put in. I have lousy veins and it almost always takes more than one stick for either type of procedure.

With blood draws it is also complicated by the fact that it takes so long to even get blood out of me. The phlebotomist at my Doc's office is really good however and now that she knows me uses the tiniest pediatric butterfly needle.

with IV's, I have a hard time keeping them functional. It seems that they no sooner get started then they infiltrate and have to be done again. Of course that gets my anxiety going, which makes my veins constrict and there you go...out cold.

I have also been a world class fainter all my life. If I cut myself, I faint. If someone else hurts themselves I faint. I have fainted at the sight of blood in movies and TV shows, and even once reading a very graphic account of an operation in a book. Basically, I'm a wimp and a mess......

Linda

Awww I understand what you mean. I have lousy veins and sometimes it is difficult.
I do have wonderful veins on the back of my hands however. IV delight!

But it sounds like you found someone who can get you on the first try, that's good.

 

[Lynne M]

What do you mean by "go slow"?

I don't know if this has anything to do with DS's episode, but the tech had 3 vials full VERY quickly. The needle seemed really big to me also.

You should see the needles they use for blood donations.

Seriously, it's not something the phlebotomist did wrong. Losing the amount of blood in 3 vacutainers, in and of itself, doesn't decrease your blood volume enough to make you pass out. Even if the tubes fill quickly. I've given blood many times, which is a much larger amount, with a much bigger needle, and had not the slightest bit of dizziness.

It's just a physiological response to stress. It's not just getting blood drawn, or the sight of blood, that causes this. I had to observe a bone marrow biopsy once in school.....I would have hit the floor if one of the techs hadn't seen me weaving and gotten me out of the room. Nobody was doing anything to me, it was just the sight of the procedure that got to me. It's the same mechanism that causes some people to faint when they get bad news.

 

[sasywtch]

Thanks to those that explained the "whys". I had surgery on my sinus and nose, complete with cast at a teaching hospital. Days later when the doctor took my cast off, he was explaining to the interns what he did, then he stood me up to let me look in the mirror and out I went. Scared the interns. The doctor told me "guess I shouldn't discuss the procedure in front of you?". I never knew why I fainted but now I do.

 

[Zandy595]

I was more worried about DS convulsing/seizing/shaking (whatever it was) than him passing out.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was more worried about DS convulsing/seizing/shaking (whatever it was) than him passing out.

Yep it is freaky. My dd was turning blue with her last faint, it took her so long to finally breathe.

Just to note to you that you cannot take any "relaxing" meds if you have this condition because it is a brain response thing (not a med professional, just a mom) and you do not want anything to interfere with their blood pressure during an episode.

You can get better at it! My dd is living proof.

That being said, I did get my dd an echo cardiogram and an EEG just to be on the safe side. Her sister has a repaired heart defect so better safe than sorry.

 

[jrsmom]

DS had to fast for 12 hours before the blood draw, that's why I thought it might be a good idea to bring his blood sugar up. But then again I'm not a medical professional, so I don't know what I'm talking about.

He ate lunch a couple hours ago and is doing fine now.

The lab tech didn't seem too worried about the episode. I think he just wanted us out of there so he could move on to the next person. He told me to go get him something sweet to eat.

Like others suggested, make sure that either you or your son tells the phlebotomist that he has passed out before. They should put him into a reclining chair. When I was working in a lab situation, we would keep the patient who fainted reclined until we felt that they were ok to get up.

Another tip is to have him keep talking, if he is talking he will be less likely to hold his breath. I have had some very nervous people and I try and clam them down by talking to them and having the do a few deep breaths. I have had some patients that were so scared and by talking with them to help keep them calm, they didn't even notice that I had finished taking their blood.

Sometimes there are people that will always have a problem no matter what...