XP: Avoiding bruises from blood draws

StacyLH24 · June 2014

I just saw this mentioned in the worst things about 3T thread. In case you didn't know already, there is a way to avoid bruising from blood draws. After the draw is done, hold pressure on the spot for 5 minutes. I did this through my inject cycles and it worked every time. I didn't even have a smidge of a bruise. Last cycle I had two back to back draws (Along with others earlier in the cycle) and still no bruising. The nurse who does the draws at our RE's office said it also helps so that your vein doesn't swell and become unusable for that cycle. She draws mine in exactly the same spot every time and there haven't been any problems.

This way you can bare your arms in summer weather and not have to explain those bruises!

chucktgirl · June 2014

My new RE's office offers you the option of a bandaid or an arm wrap (the stretchy, sticky kind, like mesh tape.) They swear that the wrap causes less bruising. I've used it twice. I did get slight brusing, but it was less than with the bandaids. You could bring your own tape to your draws or request that your office switch!
Thanks for the PSA, @StachLH24!

ronniesgirl1981 · June 2014

I'll second this advice! It works miracles for my pasty skin!

katib77 · June 2014

I got a bruise when one office used the larger gauge needle that goes straight to the vial, instead of the butterfly looking smaller needle. Also, it helps to be hydrated.

scooteriste · June 2014

Thanks for the tip. I always press down afterward but not for 5 minutes, more like one minute. Haven't had a huge problem with bruising except for once or twice. The phlebotomist at my clinic is very tense when drawing blood and says the same weird phrase every time. It drives me nuts.

runawaylaurel · June 2014

I pressed down like this after my IV was removed following ER and 2 days later I don't have any bruising at all! Thanks for the tip!

PrivateOne · June 2014

StacyLH24, they really shouldn't be drawing at the same spot every time. I've learned (been told) that the body tends to build up scar tissue around the spot they stick you and the more times they do the same spot the worse it can become as the scar tissue hardens over time. That's why sometimes you can feel a knot at the injection site. Next time you go in ask them about it and see what they say. My clinic always mentions it to me since I've been in there so many times, plus I have a thyroid condition and get blood for that.

Denise91980 · June 2014

I always get blood drawn from the same spot because it is my "good vein." When they were monitoring my cycle and had to get drawn 4 days in a row I was fine until they didn't take enough and had to re-stick me. They also told me that applying pressure helps and it did until that one incident.

StacyLH24 · June 2014

@PrivateOne‌ - Thank you for that info. My last draw was almost two weeks ago and I can still see where she puts the needle in. I will mention it when I get started for my IVF cycle.

mrscsw · June 2014

I wish I would have seen this post a week ago. My arms are all bruised up and I am running out of good veins. Not sure where they are going to stick me tomorrow, but I will try this to see if it works! I bruise really easily!!!

przemosbabe · June 2014

Ha thanks. I look like a drug addict right now

Want a personalized experience?

XP: Avoiding bruises from blood draws

Re: XP: Avoiding bruises from blood draws

Choose Another Board

Search Boards