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Author Topic: This hoop was a hard one to jump through  (Read 3474 times)
MooseMom
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« on: September 22, 2011, 07:04:13 PM »
Ugh.

I'm doing my first round of annual hoop jumping to stay on the list.  I've done it all...the pap, mammo, cardiac screening, but the last test was today.  I had to have blood draws for about a million different things, which was fine.  But after filling the 7th or 8th vial (and the stick was more painful than usual), I actually passed out.  I thought the adenosine stress test would be the physically most difficult bit, but I felt a hell of a lot worse from this blood draw today than I did during the stress test.

It was awful.
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
paris
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« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2011, 07:29:44 PM »
I'm sorry you had such a hard time.  And of course, you didn't eat before because they ask you to fast, so you were running on empty.  Sounds like it was just too much.   When I had 12 drawn, the said it was about the same as donating blood---and you lay back for that and get orange juice and cookies!!    Hope hubby was there to take care of you.  Have you rested today?   First annual testing   --- already!    One year of seniority!  You're moving up!    :2thumbsup;   
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« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2011, 07:39:00 PM »
 :grouphug;

I love how when you are doing these things, they just keep taking blood and more blood.  And then they tell you that your anemia appears to be getting worse all the time!   :banghead;
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MooseMom
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« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2011, 09:49:52 PM »
I didn't have to fast for this test; it was for stuff like Hepatitis, TB and HIV.  I had had a bowl of cereal a couple of hours before, so I don't think it was hunger.  And I'm not anemic.  Well, my results have always shown that I am ever so slightly low, just by a tenth or so, but I haven't had to be treated for anemia.  So, it's not that, either.  I don't know what caused me to faint.  I was chatting away with the tech, asking her about which vial was for which test, blah blah blah, and I could feel myself starting to go.  I tried to breathe deeply to control it, but it didn't work.  I really wanted to stay conscious long enough for her to get all the blood she needed.

And no, hubby wasn't with me; he never is when I get blood drawn, and I was seriously thinking of having to phone the police to come and get me and take me home because I didn't want to get behind the wheel and kill someone.  But I gradually got better and went and got myself some lunch.  But even now, I still feel a bit shaky and weak.

Next year, I'll ask to lie down first.
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
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« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2011, 12:49:28 AM »
Nothing worse than a bad blood draw, MM. Where we go to get our blood drawn, the techs are so good, you barely even feel it. Except of course, there has to be ONE who is a close relative of Jack the Ripper. I got her last time and had a bruise for a whole week. Glad you are feeling better. Smart to go and get something to eat right away too.
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billybags
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« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2011, 06:32:12 AM »
Moose, you take care now and have a relaxing week end.
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jazzin11
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Keep on going...It can't get any worse, can it?
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2011, 09:10:48 PM »
MM...those big blood draws are no fun. I felt that way after 12 or so vials, and nearly passed out on the 14 vial draw!  Thank goodness for the butterfly apparatus, as I don't think I would've tolerated the normal blood draw needle. Those hurt and leave me bruised! Hope you're feeling better.

John (jazzin11)
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MooseMom
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« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2011, 09:49:31 PM »
Yes, she used the butterfly apparatus, so that was a plus.  I guess I'm just not used to such big blood draws.  What's funny was that last month, I went to the lab for my usual Gift of Hope monthly draw plus my usual neph draw plus this transplant draw (I thought one stick for all draws would help save my veins), and they told me they couldn't do all three because it would mean drawing too much blood.  I came onto IHD that afternoon and whined about how stupid that was.   ::)  Now I see their point.  I was just completely caught off guard.  And I still feel a bit woozy today.  Ah well, I have a year to prepare for the next one.
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
cariad
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« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2011, 05:35:40 PM »
Oh, that brings me back. Not the passing out part - I've often wished I would pass out, but I don't think I ever have - but the rough blood draw, yes. Seen it, lived it, hated it. Sorry to hear this has happened to you.

2 years ago I would have dismissed the idea that a blood draw could be that big of a deal. I checked into Northwestern bragging about my awesome veins. Having survived (barely!) through the terror of nurses not being able to locate a suitable vein in urgent situations post-transplant, I now know what a nightmare a bad draw can be.

Hope you are feeling recovered!  :cuddle;
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MooseMom
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« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2011, 04:33:04 PM »
I'm still not really sure what happened.  I don't know why it was a "bad draw".  I get blood drawn every month, and sometimes it is completely painless, and other times it hurts.  This time it did hurt a bit more than usual, but it wasn't that bad.  I was just sitting there, asking questions about why the Quantiferon Gold test took three vials (she didn't know) and blathering on about other stuff, and suddenly from the back of my brain, there came this gradual but growing realization that this was not going to be pretty.  I got the cold sweats and everything.  All I can think of is that she had to take a LOT more blood than usual because of the many tests that Rush required...that's the only thing that was different from my other monthly draws.

I've had a headache ever since, and yesterday I went to bed at 6.  I guess I don't recover very well anymore, another result of CKD, I suppose.
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
cariad
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« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2011, 08:43:34 PM »
Oh, MM, I had a really crap draw this morning down in Chicago. I had to have eleven tubes or something, and they were trying to calculate how many millilitres they could take on a single draw without causing problems. (It is based on one's weight.)

So, there were four of us all crowded around my pitiful veins. One nurse was holding the needle site just so, another was switching out tubes and watching for vein blow outs, and the research coordinator was handing over tubes and trying to distract me from the misery and tension by chatting. It took 3 separate sticks and roughly half an hour, but they got their blood. I mentioned your experience to the research coordinator, asking if that happens when too much blood is taken. She said it was probably a vasovagal response. I have had those all my life, but only just had a name put to it with my last biopsy. Those come along without much warning, generally in a situation of physical or mental stress of some sort. I've not blacked out from one, but I remember feeling like I was going to vomit (and I have vomited in previous ones) and my systolic bp was reading in the 60s. They knew exactly what it was when I said I thought I was going to upchuck, and my surgeon pushed saline. BP crashes like that are murder on the kidneys, so I was petrified.

You might read up on the various and sundry manifestations of a vasovagal response. I suspect much of it will sound familiar.
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Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. - Philo of Alexandria

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MooseMom
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« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2011, 10:15:43 PM »
Cariad, I'm sorry you had such a bad draw.  OMG, it sounds dreadful, it really does.  It makes me feel woozy just imagining it.

I had a look at "vasovagal response", and I don't think it describes my experience.  My experience was a one off.  The stick stung a bit more than usual, but there wasn't really any stress involved.  I have started watching the needle and taking a good look while it is in my vein; I figure it is one small way to prepare for self-cannulation.  Looking at it doesn't bother me, and I wasn't physically that uncomfortable.  I really think she took more blood than I could handle.  I suspect it's as simple as that.  It wasn't nearly as difficult as what you experienced!
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
lmunchkin
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« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2011, 01:38:32 PM »
My goodness MM, don't know how I missed this post!  I guess you are doing ok now, since it has been almost 2 weeks. Sorry about your problem and my missing this.  Hope everything is well with you!

lmunchkin

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11/2004 Hubby diag. ESRD, Diabeties, Vascular Disease & High BP
12/2004 to 6/2009 Home PD
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MooseMom
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« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2011, 02:06:49 PM »
Quote from: lmunchkin on September 29, 2011, 01:38:32 PM
My goodness MM, don't know how I missed this post!  I guess you are doing ok now, since it has been almost 2 weeks. Sorry about your problem and my missing this.  Hope everything is well with you!

lmunchkin

 :kickstart;

LOL, how could anyone POSSIBLY miss one of my whiney posts?????  What, you have more important things to do? :P
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
lmunchkin
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"There Is No Place Like Home!"
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2011, 02:45:39 PM »
Like you, yes!  Thinking about Florida and you probably Vegas, Im sure! We are so excited, MM, that neither of us has gotten proper sleep lately. 

Taking my laptop with me incase they have WIFI. Wish I could go to LAs Vegas, but will be there in spirit!  I know you have got to be excited. I hope internet is provided, cause I want to communicate with you guys while there!

lmunchkin   :kickstart;
« Last Edit: September 29, 2011, 03:50:18 PM by lmunchkin » Logged
11/2004 Hubby diag. ESRD, Diabeties, Vascular Disease & High BP
12/2004 to 6/2009 Home PD
6/2009 Peritonitis , PD Cath removed
7/2009 Hemo Dialysis In-Center
2/2010 BKA rt leg & lt foot (all toes) amputated
6/2010 to present.  NxStage at home
MooseMom
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« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2011, 03:45:41 PM »
Oh, that sounds so wonderful and peaceful.  You two certainly deserve some quality downtime, that's for sure.  I hope you have a wonderful vacation!  I can't wait to hear all about it, and if you could provide us with some photos, that'd make it even better!
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
lmunchkin
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« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2011, 03:54:23 PM »
Would love to share photos, but I haven't a clue how to do it!  One of these days, Im going to sit down and figure it out, but for now, I got "things" on my mind if you get my drift.

lmunchkin   :kickstart;
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11/2004 Hubby diag. ESRD, Diabeties, Vascular Disease & High BP
12/2004 to 6/2009 Home PD
6/2009 Peritonitis , PD Cath removed
7/2009 Hemo Dialysis In-Center
2/2010 BKA rt leg & lt foot (all toes) amputated
6/2010 to present.  NxStage at home
MooseMom
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« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2011, 03:56:31 PM »
Well then a really good description of how much fun you had will be just fine. 
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
lmunchkin
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« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2011, 05:37:23 PM »
You got it!

lmunch
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11/2004 Hubby diag. ESRD, Diabeties, Vascular Disease & High BP
12/2004 to 6/2009 Home PD
6/2009 Peritonitis , PD Cath removed
7/2009 Hemo Dialysis In-Center
2/2010 BKA rt leg & lt foot (all toes) amputated
6/2010 to present.  NxStage at home
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