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Blood test

Buttons11

Well-Known Member
Messages
162
Location
Woking, Surrey
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I went along for my HbA1c this morning - booked on 14th July, as apparently today was the earliest date they could give me. Unfortunately the nurse could not get any blood! She tried both arms, then my left hand. By this time I was getting quite upset (She didn't know that my Dad died on Monday and I have been in a great deal of pain from sciatica) I just wanted to get the test over with. She asked if I wanted her to try the other hand or leave it for another time, but I'd had enough so I said leave it.
She said to ask reception to give me an appointment "with someone else" She didn't say who. The receptionist told me the next available appointment was 31st August. I wasn't happy. but went home.
Later I looked on line, only to find I had been given another appointment with the same nurse...
I phoned the surgery, explained what had happened and said I was told to get an appointment "with someone else". The receptionist said it might be some time before the next fasting appointment was available, so I told her I didn't care if I could only get an appointment at 11am, I was happy to fast until then rather than wait 3 weeks!
Then a miracle occurred! I have an appointment at 7.30am tomorrow with the phlebotomist!
This is maybe not directly diabetes related, I just needed to get it off my chest.
 
I hope tomorrow goes better!
And I am very sorry to hear about losing your dad.

Have a hug.

(oh, and you may have to fast, but you can drink water. making sure you are well hydrated will make the veins easier to find. hope that helps)
 

I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad, Buttons. It's a very rough time for you.

One advantage of seeing a phlebotomist is they usually oodles, and oodles of experience in finding shy veins, so hopefully it'll go well.
 
Hope all goes better tomorrow as @DCUKMod says lots more experience should help
No wonder you were upset sending hugs

Frances
 
Thanks all. I'm not sure how much water I can drink tonight, as I will spend all night on the loo but I'll make sure I drink a very big glass as soon as I get up tomorrow. Fingers crossed it goes better
 
Buttons11 said:
Yeah! She did it without any problems! Now the exciting wait for the results!
Click to expand...
You were lucky. Our practice phlebotomist is rubbish. She hardly ever gets blood from me and I always end up with a huge bruise! Strangely the best "vampire" I have encountered is the nurse at the hospital clinic who has quite bad arthritis in her hands. Sorry about your dad too. It will take a while to get over it but you will get there. I lost both my parents within 6 months of each other.
 
Buttons11 said:
Yeah! She did it without any problems! Now the exciting wait for the results!
Click to expand...

Phew! That must be a relief.

I'm lucky to have veins like the channel tunnel, and as long as I make sure I'm warm when I go for my tests I'm sure anyone could do it.
 
Buttons11 said:
Yeah! She did it without any problems! Now the exciting wait for the results!
Click to expand...
Well done my last blood test took two people - after 'digging around' twice in both arms I was sent to someone else who managed to get it first time - although even she admitted it was more luck than judgement. My sister-in-law is a phlebotomist and, when she looked at my veins, decided she wouldn't like to take my blood!
 
Last time for me it took several goes to get any blood phlebotomist had to change needle size and as she put it go old school not sure what she meant by that, She reckons my veins are collapsing I'm sure she thinks I'm a junkie, yup prednisolone junkie that's me.
 
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