RSD Patients and drawing blood!!!!!!!! - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

cattys · 08-02-2003, 01:44 PM

Three Important Things For Rsders to Know When Having Blood Drawn......

1. Draw on the OPPOSITE side of the RSd.

2. Have them use a pediatric needle (smaller, less invasive)

3. Ask for the most experienced nurse there to perform the procedure, simply explain that due to RSD the blood vessels have a tendency to collapse and/or move around.
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When I was first diagnosed I wish I knew this. I could of prevented so many blown veins and the horrid pain afterwards in my arm was a nightmare.

Take care
Cattys

Angel0627 · 08-02-2003, 08:09 PM

Cattys,
I have RSD in my left wrist/hand. I was reading your post about having blood taken out of the side not effected. I didnt know that. I had a tooth removed about 2 weeks ago and I had IV sedation and they put the needle in my left arm the side my RSD is on. When I got home I discovered that I had pain in the vien that they had put it in.(Not normal pain) Could they have blown a vien? I have had blood taken plenty of times and I have not felt this pain ever. I still have pain 2 weeks later and a bump on my vien. I guess my question is does this pain ever go away. Also thanks you for the info. I will now know not to have anything stuck into my left arm again...I have enough pain in my hand/wrist. I dont need it in my arm now.

dayton · 08-02-2003, 09:51 PM

I wish I had known that also. I think the nurse must have used a darning needle on me. She tried twice and since she blew the vein in the right hand and tried the left hand, she finally asked for another nurse. Unfortunately I was left with one blown vein and a huge black bruise that lasted for almost a month. Now I have a funny looking main vein in the right hand that sticks up with what looks like lumps in it. Wierd. I feel like I will never learn enough about this disease. Surely somebody out there must be doing research and looking for a cure.

Soxy · 08-04-2003, 10:51 AM

Cattys, when my RSD spread to the right leg they tried the IV in the left arm and had trouble finding a vein. I'm wondering if the veins or blood vessels ever heal? Originally, the RSD was in my left foot. What do you think? Or anyone else think??? Just curious....

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There is always hope....

zim · 08-04-2003, 03:56 PM

ever since I got rsd they have not been able to start my iv's the first time. I have had 6 or 7 blocks and they have only gotten it once on the first try!! My veins are bruised and ugly. My rsd is in rt foot/ankel
and one of the iv's they did was in my rt hand. It caused major bruises and I have big hard lumps in the veins further down then where the needle even was. This was a couple or few weeks ago and it is still sensitive to touch.
I still have at least 3 more blocks and I don't see anymore veins for them to use.
Zim