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Subject:
Improving size and presence of human forearm veins
Category: Health Asked by: paternostrum-ga List Price: $25.00 |
Posted:
07 May 2004 12:09 PDT
Expires: 13 May 2004 01:35 PDT Question ID: 342854 |
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There is no answer at this time. |
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Subject:
Re: Improving size and presence of human forearm veins
From: pinkfreud-ga on 07 May 2004 13:10 PDT |
Like you, I have poor veins that have been made worse by overuse during numerous medical procedures. This may sound simplistic, but the best thing I've found to improve vein usability is to be *very* well hydrated at the time of the stick. This is not always possible, of course. But it has been my personal experience that ample hydration and proper electrolyte balance can make a noticeable difference. On the lighter side... I once asked an IV nurse what I could do about my problem. Her suggestion: don't be a tiny redheaded person. This advice came too late for me, since I had been a tiny redheaded person for many decades at the time. ;-) |
Subject:
Re: Improving size and presence of human forearm veins
From: sarleo-ga on 12 May 2004 16:03 PDT |
Three decades of medical procedures with lousy veins to begin with has led me to try several things: First I make sure that I am sufficiently hydrated as pinkfreud has already stated. That is a must. Next, if at all possible, I have any procedure scheduled later in the day when my arms have been moving around, allowing blood to flow through the veins for a good while. Then I think about temperature. You mentioned that you were not interested in any suggestions about heat. I assume you mean you do not want to emmerse your arms in hot water or have hot towels draped over them. I do find that there are times that these activities save me. I would just add that in the colder weather or in air conditioned hospitals, my veins retreat and hide. In response to that, I wear several long sleeve shirts and flex and contract my forearm muscles frequently while I am waiting to get stuck. Also, even in summer, I wear gloves if the temperature is cold in the hospital. I am very careful, especially at teaching hospitals, of who is going to try to draw blood, place an IV or inject me with anything. When veins are so very fragile, I treasure and nurture them. Lastly, a suggestion made to me by the medical staff, was to make time each day to take a tennis ball or something similar and use that to exercise my muscles. It has worked for me. I have gone from IV's in my neck to 20 gauge needles in my forearms by the second try!I wish you the best of luck. Sarah Ann |
Subject:
Re: Improving size and presence of human forearm veins
From: crabcakes-ga on 12 May 2004 16:21 PDT |
pinkfreud's comment about being well hydrated is the very best place to start. You didn't want heat related ideas, but taping an infant heel-warmer, the kind used for infant heel-sticks, to the veniouncture area, is your best bet. (10-15 minutes) Ask for the "Best Stick" to do the drawing and/or IV. Many regular patients know who is the "best stick", just ask! A dozen or two jumping jacks, if you're able,and if not, a few arm swings, just before being "poked" will help, as will lying on a stretcher/bed and dangling your arm over the side for a few minutes, espcially with a heel-warmer taped to the area to be poked. Phlebotomists will sometimes keep a tight tourniquet on for extra time. While this method may help, it can produce erroneous lab results, particularly in electrolytes.(Phlebotomsists may be good, but they have little background in medical testing techniques, and may not know this) There used to be a product, called Vene-Vue that would illuminate a vein, allowing the inexperienced to see a vein that was not palpable. It was expensive, and most hospitals quit stocking it. I have seen cancer patients actually draw lines up and down, on either side of a known vein, that was hard to stick, making it easier to find. For blood draws, on hard to draw patients, I have better luck on the back of the hand, and on the thumb. It *may* be a bit more painful, but for me, it's a sure thing! One poke and we're done. Good Luck! Regards, crabcakes |
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