Quote :

"Even now, they always have to use one of those butterfly needles to get anything out of me, and they can never find my central vein in my right arm."

The folks at Rex blood svcs are really great. That's part of why I'm willing to let them use the standard needle.

Anywhere else, I tell them right away to go ahead and get out the butterfly needle - the light blue one (17 gauge, maybe? 17 or 14).

6/7/2006 11:08:13 PM

Quote :

"y'all better never join the military"

Ah yes. I almost bolted when I was in line. I do better with shots on a full stomach. However, in basic you get about zero time to eat, so I was hungry all the time. So I got light-headed, they decided the reason was I was dehydrated...and they sent me to get an IV. Which made things worse.

Ah, basic. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

6/7/2006 11:09:36 PM

there were good parts and bad parts. that was one of the bad parts. although i would have to say the ass shot was the worst.

6/8/2006 1:34:28 AM

Quote :

"i want to give blood at some point in the (near) future. I don't know my blood type, "

They'll type it when you donate I think. And besides, just be glad you're giving it to civilians - usually cute ones. Not ugly male medics (or corpsmen).

6/8/2006 1:36:37 AM

I don't really mind them; I just grit my teeth when the job is being done.

The last time I donated blood the bitch drawing it from me didn't know what the hell she was doing. She MISSED the Goddamn vein in my right arm, and kept sticking the needle further into my arm, moving it around trying to get to it. When the area around the needle started to swell and bruise, then she decided to take it out and have someone else try again on my left arm. I should have told her ass to go back to nursing school.

6/8/2006 12:50:50 PM

the light blue butterfly is a 25 guage i think, its pretty small.


not everyone has a good antecubital vein (in the crook of your elbow)


the REX iv team is great, i saw one of those nurses hit a vein in between the index and middle fingers of one guy. That was the ONLY good vein the guy had that didnt already have a line running into it.

Whats really cool is to watch a PICC line or a subclavian central line go in.


well, acutally the coolest thing ive seen in the hospital so far was a ventriculostomy(watched someone drill a hole in someone's skull)

[Edited on June 8, 2006 at 4:57 PM. Reason : love my job]

[Edited on June 8, 2006 at 4:58 PM. Reason : oh and nurses dont get much practice with IV insertion in school, its on the job training instead]

6/8/2006 4:53:49 PM

Quote :

"the light blue butterfly is a 25 guage i think, its pretty small."

Don't think so.

When I was in the hospital, I asked for the smallest needle, and they refused because it was going to take too long to get the 4 vials they wanted According to them, the needle they gave me took too long. And that was the blue one I mentioned.

6/8/2006 5:03:29 PM

well, i can always have a look see at the 3 types of butterfly needles we stock in the ICU since i fiddle with them every day im there anyway


if they use a 14 guage needle for a vacutainer blood draw, you should be able to shoot blood across the room........cuz thats a big damn hole

[Edited on June 8, 2006 at 8:53 PM. Reason : .]

6/8/2006 8:51:35 PM

i get to be stuck this afternoon!! i hope this lab tech is as gentle as the one at my old doctor or i will be a sad panda

6/9/2006 9:28:19 AM

yeah i had to give blood once a month for a while. that was fun when she said to the other nurse "oh....i think i used the XXX needle by accident...." and it took forever. fucking bitch.

6/9/2006 9:36:19 AM

I just got my wisdom teeth out not an hour ago even... had IV sedation... and it really wasnt that bad... as far as the IV goes.... but im still waiting for the pain after the anastesia wears off...

6/9/2006 9:38:34 AM

Quote :

" So I got light-headed, they decided the reason was I was dehydrated...and they sent me to get an IV."

haha, in the Marines, they just made us chug a canteen of water or two (canteen=1 quart), then turn it upside down over our heads to show that we finished it.

Quote :

"not everyone has a good antecubital vein (in the crook of your elbow)"

any time they take blood from me, they're like "wow, you vein is HUGE. this should be easy." unfortunately, i just don't bleed well or something, and it always turns out to be a real aggravation.






and damn, people...i'm not saying that getting hit with a needle is fun, but it doesn't really hurt. it's slightly unpleasant, but the actual pain is pretty minimal. i never knew so many people REALLY had a problem with it.

6/9/2006 10:46:37 AM

We had to do the whole 8 canteens of water a day, not to exceed 12 a day, in the Air Force, too. But if you felt sick, then they automatically assumed you were dehydrated.

I have no idea why needles freak me out so much. I have two tattoos. I've had my ears pierced many times. The tattoos I was totally fine with, and they're big, so it's not like I got some fifteen minute, tiny thing. The piercings generally made me feel sick, though, even on a full stomach. Tattoos and piercings are voluntary, so I spend a lot of time getting myself ready for them. But I can't do the same on a shot, even though they're fast, and certainly a lot more beneficial.

6/9/2006 2:10:52 PM

Some of you have had some traumatizing needle experiences. I don’t mind giving blood samples and I’ve donated blood many times over the years. However, there is one place I do not like being stuck with a needle – my neck.

Back in grad school the doctor found a lump on my thyroid. (That’s located in just above the hollow in throat.) They couldn’t decide if it was fluid or solid via ultrasound, so a sample was needed. The specialist had me lay flat on a table with a pillow under the top of my shoulders and lower neck, such that I was essentially looking upside down. My instructions were to “Lie really still. You don’t want to move once the needle goes in.” They gave me a local numb shot, and then used a 16-guage needle/syringe to draw a sample. Fortunately, it was mostly liquid and determined to be non-cancerous.

Years later, the same thing came back and I had to have it done again. Since they knew it was liquid this time, they didn’t even bother with the numb shot. Just lie real still while we use a 21-guage needle to draw the fluid out.

Other than the numb shot, it doesn’t hurt. It just feels like pushing your finger against the neck. However, psychologically it bothers me. I think I’m going to ask for sedation if I ever have to go in again.

6/10/2006 10:12:04 AM

i used to really hate getting shots

once when i was getting a filling i hit my dentist when he tried to give me a shot in my gums (he didn't like that too much)

but after a while i just realized that's something you have to get used to
so i tell them to make sure i don't SEE the needle. then i'm fine

except i still hate IVs. and i still get kind of freaked out when they draw a lot of blood, or when they say "you might want to lay down" before sticking me.

i keep telling myself that i will give blood soon, but then i always chicken out. i think i'd be fine if i had someone else to go with.

6/10/2006 10:26:14 AM