By pincushion - 31/12/2015 05:47 - United States - San Francisco

Today, I had a CT scan done with contrast. My tech seemed competent in his job so I wasn't nervous, until he tried to start my IV. It took him 3 attempts to get it right. Not only was I stuck 3 times, he also blew one of my veins. I now have severely bruised arms and what look like track marks. FML
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Top comments

theblondeone 16

As a phlebotomist in a major hospital, this is extremely common and unavoidable, especially if you are dehydrated or have crappy veins. It's not necessarily the tech's fault.

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MrsPegg 45

Try warm packs if you have bumps and cold packs for the bruises with some tylenol or ibuprofen and the bruises and bumps should clear up quickly. Hang in there OP and I hope your CT results come out ok. - Nurse Becca

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Comments

Seashells77 25

IV puncture isn't easy. I guarantee that tech feels horrible. It's nerve-wracking as hell to not get it on the first try. I hope the rest goes smoothly for you. And to those sue-happy idiots.. *cue eye roll sequence*

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ManicGypsy 22

Could be worse. Last time I had to have an MRI with contrast, they stuck me 6 times and still couldn't get it, and ended up just not doing the contrast. It's pretty common with me. Every time I have to have an IV I tell them that my veins either blow or roll. It sucks, but it's life, and not their fault.

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LostInTheZone11 29

I had a 6 try occurrence too before a back surgery. They had to call someone from ICU down to get it in. I have veins that look like the Alaskan Pipeline, but they roll at times. They dug around too, and I was in tears by the end of it. Now I am very adamant about if they miss they pull it out and try again.

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TaoShaman 24

That type of thing happens to me all the time. I have small veins so they often have to use the needles they use on kids. There is this one lady who was super nice and amazing at finding them though. She told me about this pagan group too, so she was all around awesome.

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writergirl1029 17

I feel your pain. Due to some medical issues I have, when I start vomiting, I have to go into the ER to get rehydrated with IV fluids. Under the best of cirumstances I'm a hard stick because of deep, tiny veins. Dehydration just makes it even more fun. It once took them over an hour and a collapsed vein to get the needle in.

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yeongji 31

Healthcare sure is different in the states. Over here, your friendly neighbour from the north, D.I. technicians are not trained/certified to start an IV. Nurses start them before patients are sent for a scan, and if someone is a hard poke, lab technicians take over. Either way, I am sorry to hear about what happened, but unfortunately it does happen. No matter how competent someone is, everyone is different and so are their veins. There is a reason why people who are referred to as a hard poke is called a hard poke.

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DevHowarth 6

That isn't necessarily the tech's fault. This is more common than you think.

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illuminatzi 19

The same thing happened to me, and thr nurse blamed it on me for not relaxing enough.

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why57why 21

If you think that's bad my mom has weird veins and it took he nurse 9 tries to get the vein

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usnwife 18

I have horrible veins, never gotten blood drawn with less than 3 attempts. You can see my veins, but when you try to get the needle in the vanish... not just roll, but literally cant be found again. Ive been told thanks but dont come back after donating blood and I stopped bleeding halfway through and they couldnt find another vein. It sucks OP, I feel your pain!!

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Bekll 31

Only three times? Lucky you. My veins are so small that often needles for infants are used on me and I'm given the "best nurse" who fails too and I end up so bruised. It took an hour one time. Sorry, OP.

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