Any tips to not pass out

Liz629

I inherited from my dad the lovely quality of practically passing out when I have blood drawn.  It is not the sight of blood, I could watch it go out of me all day, it is just the loss of blood, I can't explain it.  I get super light headed, hot, clammy and my blood pressure drops.  Needless to say, I try to avoid having blood drawn at all costs.

Tomorrow I have to have b/w so we can begin our first IUI cycle (Yeah!).  I know that I have to do it, and will have to do it in 3 more weeks, but I really want to avoid the feeling of passing out.  Any tips?

Nova726

I don't know, but good luck.  For my IUI cycles I'm usually in every 3 days or so getting more blood drawn, just wanted to warn you.

gymnst1013

Maybe juice or some cookies beforehand?  They will likely only take 1 vial so it really shouldn't be too much of a loss of blood. 

orange1414

I used to be a fainter, but IF has toughened me up! Hopefully you'll get past it, too. My strategy was always to tell them that I was a fainter, ask if I can have the blood drawn while laying down, and asking to lay down for another five minutes after. Usually did the trick for me. Good luck!

laura.noel

I have this problem, too, badly, and have since I was a kid. If you don't know, the medical term is a vaso vagal reaction. I've had a lot of medical issues, even before ttc, so I'm getting better at it. Things that have worked for me:

tell the receptionist you have the reaction. they can often provide the most experienced nurse to draw the blood, who can do it quickly and lightly, and give you less time to react. 

lying upside down on the table (with your feet on the slanted part, and your head lower). keeps blood flowing to your head.

an ipod- the most relaxing music you can find. stuff you'd use to fall asleep

a blanket. i usually put it all the way over my head. it's weird that that works, but i think it removes you from the situation somehow.

having dh in the room while the blood is being drawn....often, he has to hold up the arm they're drawing from.

failing all of that, xanax, but that's probably not the best when ttc, and you're not supposed to take it at all once you're pregnant. even though it's not a conscious psychological thing, the drugs deaden the vagus nerve that is causing the reaction.

Hope this helps!  

 

Liz629

laura.noel:

I have this problem, too, badly, and have since I was a kid. If you don't know, the medical term is a vaso vagal reaction.

Thanks for the advice.  I forgot it was called vaso vagal.  I had it when I was doing all the testing for my Lasik eye surgery, I also had the same reaction when I had my HSG.  It's so weird, and I hate the feeling.  I will try some of your tips.

Samm1008

I used to be the same way.  I would get light-headed, everything seemed very far away and...boom.  The phlebotomists used to laugh at me when I asked if I could lay down while they drew my blood until they realized I wasn't joking about fainting    I even fainted after a flu shot. 

I used to think it was also due to loss of blood, but it wasn't...it was all in my head.  If I were you, I'd ask to lay down while they draw your blood and just look away.  I would tell them that it bothers you and they'll usually try to talk to you to distract you.  I can honestly say it doesn't even bother me anymore.   Good luck and keep telling yourself the end results will be worth it

 

cbubbles2

This exact same thing happens to me!! It's not the needles or the sight of blood, it's just how my body reacts to losing that much blood! Wow, I'm sorta glad I'm not just a freak! It hasn't happened in awhile though because I always warn the blood technician and I always stay sitting for at least a few minutes after. I find that if I warn them, they go slower, use a smaller needle, and are slower to rush me out after.

Good luck and I hope it goes well!

zookbride

orange1414:

I used to be a fainter, but IF has toughened me up! Hopefully you'll get past it, too. My strategy was always to tell them that I was a fainter, ask if I can have the blood drawn while laying down, and asking to lay down for another five minutes after. Usually did the trick for me. Good luck!

Ditto all this, I used to be the biggest scaredy cat when it came to needles...now its no biggie. My nurse always told me to make sure I was fully hydrated before hand. Also, the laying down was a must for me back when I was freaked out.

 GL!!

PMTeagle

Sorry I'm late to reply.  I used to pass out everytime I had blood drawn.  Once I started going in for fertility related blood draws, I did ok.  I'm not sure if I just kind of got over it because I knew I had to do it to move forward with trying to have a baby, or if it really ended up being shock therapy by having to have it done more often.  Deep breaths for sure.  Good luck.