A few suggestions for those who have "difficult" veins, (in no particular order).
- Drink a large bottle of water, or two big cups of water 15 minutes before your appointment. Water is absorbed quickly. You'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes.
- Do your very best to RELAX. Tensing up can cause veins to move as the muscles under and/or around them stiffen and shift. If you need to tense up, tense the opposite arm. If you can RELAX, it will be less uncomfortable. Any tensing would be best before the draw, trying to pump your muscles which will help the veins plump up.
- This goes along with relaxing. Whatever you do, do not: jump, twitch, twist, jerk, pull back, or wiggle. It's not only frustrating for the person trying to draw your blood, but it can be dangerous for them and result in the best vein you have getting pierced but not a successful draw. Hold still!
- If you cannot stand needles or blood, do not look at what they are doing. Keep yourself distracted with small talk and tell them why you are doing so. They will understand that you need to distract yourself. Again, do not tense up or move.
- Be willing to have either arm stuck, or if you have good veins in your hands, or back of your wrists, see if they would be willing to try them. Unless I need an IV in a particular place, I will put one anywhere I can.
- Try to keep your arms in a dependent position as long as possible prior to the draw. Gravity is your friend and helps fill the veins.
- Most important, talk to the people at the lab. Explain the situation. Tell them you will try anything they want, as you need the blood work. Best of all, try to talk with them before your appointment. Oh yes, don't move!
- When starting IV's, one thing I do for people who are dehydrated or simply have terrible veins, is use two tourniquets. It's not always easy to make a suggestion like that, as often times a person's ego will get in the way, but never know.
- Don't tense, don't move
