Newly diagnosed

Posted , 6 users are following.

I was diagnosed in May with PV. Went to hemotolgist thursday, had blood drawn. It hurt like a bear. Anybody know what to ask for to keep pain down from big needle?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Posted

    Emla cream an hour before the jab. Get nurse to spread cream put a sticky dressing on. Go for a coffee
  • Posted

    I have blood draws from weekly to everyother and when I first went I had the exact

    same experience...UNTIL  i WAS TOLD that there is a product that comes in

    a opaque brown bottle that smells like ether and when they pour it on your arm

    it totally numbs the skin and you hardly feel the prick of the needle.  I don't know

    why they keep this a secret..  I could not have blood draws (since I have so many)

    without it.  If the nurses don't have it inquire from a pharmastist what the name of

    the product could be.  I could find out for you later in the week of July 25th (when I go to clinic again).  INSIST if where you have the draw does not have that product

    then INSIST that they find out what it is and GET IT.  You or your insurance is

    paying the bill...and there is NO need to suffer.  Having the disease is bad enough.

    • Posted

      Thank you Frances for your reply, I sure will try to find out about it.cryIf you would like to correspond I don't know how withou giving info publicly.Thank you again.

    • Posted

      I will try the pharmastist,if that does not work I will call my fy D.r  Thanks
    • Posted

      Please send me the name of the prduct to relieve pain in arm. Thank you ahead of time. GPcry

  • Posted

    I am continuing what I wrote...I noted as I closed my message that someone

    had mentioned Emla cream..I have tried that but it is Not as good as the

    liquid in the brown bottle that smells like ether.  Something though is better than

    nothing.  Good luck!!

  • Posted

    Hi Glenda

    Some good advice has already been offered. I was a Phlebotomist myself at a hospital a year back. I know it's easier said than done but if you can try to relax yourself, it will help. Most people tend to "tense up" just prior to the needle going in, which is human nature admittedly. Also try to ensure the Nurse or Phlebotomist uses different veins/arms (if they don't already) so that they don't just focus on the same vein. I find when I have to have my own venesections done, the Nurses like to head straight for a nice large vein situated on my right arm as it's easy for them to access and draw blood but using the same vein on a regular basis can become a little sore.

    Hope this helps and good luck with your treatment.

    Keith

  • Posted

    Procedures may be different where you live...but the cancer clinic that I attend

    has a combination needle/collection bag all in one unit...the size oredered

    by the attending doctor.  and is what each person administering a phlebotomy must use.  Asking for a smaller needle??? is questionable..

  • Posted

    Hi I'm going to the specialist about the possibility of polycythaemia on Thursday, can u tell me what blood tests are done, I always feel better about things if I know what's coming?

    • Posted

      They measure your hemocrit level, also they do a Jak2 test to see if you have primary or secondary polyctthemia.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.