venesection trouble

I had the same trouble and no blood would come through so they gave up in the end and I now have a chelation drug. It's very expensive and not licenced for heamachromatosis but if nothing else works...what can be done? It might be worth asking about the possibilities? It is a lot slower to de iron though so they would take that into account too. It is really stressful when they are prodding around in your arm, I took my partner along and he was instructed to ask me questions throughout to distract me, the longest chat we've had in years! I also tried Emla cream to numb the area and it did a bit, but it was still very uncomfortable and sore

I'm the same way. I have deep-set veins and they're small so it's hard to find a good one in order to have phlebotomies/venesections from.

The very first time I went in it took 45 mins just to find a vein. I was poked numerous times in both arms. It was very painful and very trying. The next time  I guess my adrenalin wasn't pumping as much as it was the first time because I almost passed out. That's when they figured out that I need an IV bad 10 mins before, during, and after my phlebotomy every time. My trouble is is that they can generally eventually find one, but then I drain like my life is depending on it and I fill a bag in under 5 mins, so the loss of blood so suddenly is too hard on my body.

We have it down a bit more though because so long as I have my IV bag in my left arm I'm less anxious, which helps, and then they always take the blood from my right arm.

Although I did have it once where they just could not get it so they ended up sticking a needle in my hand, attaching a tube to that needle and I literally bled into a jug. It was glamorous and I felt like I was in a weird vampire movie or something.

So I don't really have any advice, other than to try and relax, drink lots of water beforehand, make sure you haven't had coffee as that dehydrates you, make sure you've eaten a meal within a few hours, etc. I try to listen to music at the same time to relax myself. The needle hurts but my anxiety is my main obstacle when it comes to phlebotomies.

What they do with Megan sounds the best idea.  I often need a hot towel.  I started off good but after a couple of hundred venesections my veins have gone on strike.  But we persist and eventually get there because I insist.  I am not walking away without a proper venesection.

I also find if I am left sitting and waiting for a while beforehand, my veins go to sleep so try to keep moving beforehand, and raise your legs once in the chair, if you get one of those type of chairs.

Ask to try Megan's process, and/or a hot towel before you go to iron chelators - they have awful side effects although they don't seem to affected Lisa which is good.

Good luck with it and think positively about it.  Venesections are better than having chemo.

I found that if I drink a big glass of water before I go, my veins are hydrated and easier for the blood draw.

I have to mega hydrate for two days before each time (I mean almost a gallon each day). It plumps the veins a bit.  Also a little regular cardio exercise makes a big difference, though when my iron is high I can't really exercise.