Difficulty w/ Blood Draws

Right now I'm having my blood drawn every 3 weeks to monitor how I'm doing on Aziothioprine. 6MP didn't go so well for me. It's becoming a comedy act to get me drawn. Since my diagnosis last September, I've had a lot of pokes and they don't bother me. That said, I'm starting to get frustrated with how hard it's becoming to get a sample off of me. The phlebotomist hits my vein, but only a little comes out, the flow won't continue and then they have to toss the tube and start again. Before they give up and start over, they root around in my vein and move my arm in all sorts of ways to try to get it flowing. Yesterday they used up their number of allowed attempts (2 per staff person) and had to send me home for another try again today. They were talking about using my hand. Um, not for 5 tubes of blood. I've used my hand for IV's, but not for drawing that much blood.

I've never had this problem before. It can be hard to hit my veins. I've been told they are small. Once in, I've never had a problem with the vein cooperating. It's happening with multiple people in multiple labs now. Is there something about our meds that add a layer of complication? I know my platelets are high, but that doesn't seem like it could cause a problem with a draw. I'm drinking a ton of water and going for a brisk walk before I go in today to try to pump my veins up. They also asked me to wear warm clothing since I tend to get cold in their air conditioning.

I felt bad for the people following me in line yesterday. When I came out I was covered in bandaids and cotton balls. I'm sure it didn't inspire confidence.

Lots to relate to here, my .d is in same boat. The arm veins look good but the valves don't allow flow,so it looks like a gusher and it just trickles or stops completely. She does use her hand,one vein for everything. Infusions and blood draws. When it goes, we are in trouble. We try hydrating the day before, warm compresses, hand shakes below heart, warm warm clothing( think homeless person in summer), and skinny needles that they use for kids. Also, ask if they have an ultrasound machine to find the valves.

I always get told make sure your not dehydrated. Drink tons of water the day before. It also depends if I actually go to a lab or if I have a nurse at a doctors office do it. The labs can almost always do it in one shot.

A new spot for me was the vein on my upper arm. I have had them take blood there twice with only one poke.

Thats nothing. Every time I am in hospital they gal uses up all locations on one arm and begins down the other before I make her get a pinch hitter. Next one nails it.

They see how vascular I am and think its easy but have been told more weightlifting = more 'valves' and they hit them a lot.

Last year I did bloodwork every saturday for 8 weeks. Last one gal left massive bruising she was a ding-a-ling.

3 weeks ago I hit the self-pay lab and guy was angry I got there at closing time and it hurt more than it ever has in my life but I said nothing. No brusing not sure if he used a non-new used dull needle or what, he was angry they reduced staff too. Hope he did not give me someones disease.

My veins collapse when they use the regular needle. I tell them to use the one smaller, and they don't believe me....sigh. Then they have to change to the smaller one.
Some use the butterfly one (for children).

The issue is that the suction is too fast with a larger needle (at least that's how it's explained to me)...shock for all since I have big enough/clearly visible veins that they salivate at believing it's never going to be a problem.

My only stipulation is "DO NOT poke around. If you're not in, take it out or I'll have a bruise for weeks".
Like I said, some believe me, others don't.

Try a smaller needle and tell them why.

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