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Avalux

(35,015 posts)

15. I have had patients 'pass out' on me while drawing their blood.

Reply to GreenPartyVoter (Original post)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:31 PM

Oct 2012

It's a vasovagal reaction, an autonomic nervous system response from watching or experience a medical procedure (in your case, venipuncture). Has nothing to do with bp or illness. "All in your head" so to speak.

Since you said it reminded you of a bad experience as a child, that's probably the trigger. Next time, have then draw your blood while lying down after resting for a few minutes. Keep your eyes closed and don't look at the needle.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for good results!

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Went in for part 2 of my heart test. Did not go as planned. :^( [View all] GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 OP

Let's hope the end result is good. Denninmi Oct 2012 #1

It was not fun. Thank you for the good wishes. I hope they come true. :^) GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #6

I'm sorry to hear it. Bertha Venation Oct 2012 #2

Thanks, Bertha. It was the only reason I could come up with for going down like that. Normally, GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #4

Years ago at a work sponsored blood drive one of the guys just passed out and started flopping CBGLuthier Oct 2012 #3

Yeah, I bet! I was pretty embarassed about passing out. I don't usually do that. :^( GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #5

My husband got thrown out of a blood drive once csziggy Oct 2012 #17

At least it wasn't like when I did the stress test. hobbit709 Oct 2012 #7

Holy cow! You are lucky you didn't stroke out or something! GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #8

I think that's pretty common Major Nikon Oct 2012 #9

Very unpleasant, for sure! GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #10

Well fortunately it was the procedure that went amiss and not the results! Was worried there. HopeHoops Oct 2012 #11

Yeah, it still hurts when I touch it or bump it. When I was 11 I was in the hospital for GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #12

If they don't get the drip right on a sub-c, you're going to swell up. That's part of why I have... HopeHoops Oct 2012 #13

If I didn't change meds so often, I would do that for my med list. GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #14

PM on the way... HopeHoops Oct 2012 #16

I have had patients 'pass out' on me while drawing their blood. Avalux Oct 2012 #15

Thanks! Yeah, If it hadn't hurt I probably wouldn't have flashed back to that other experience. I GreenPartyVoter Oct 2012 #18