Blood samples

whydoibother

For someone who has issues taking blood samples, can the dr force you to have blood samples? I heard that our local dr stopped prescribing meds to someone who’s been on them for over 20 years just because they refused to have blood samples. Can drs force you to have blood samples? The reason blood samples were refused was because the person gets very sick when taking them, they nearly faint.

L1011

If a medicine needs bloods to ensure that it is working, or continues to be safe to take, a doctor would not be able to prescribe it without those. It would be malpractice to continue.

whydoibother

It’s the very same medicines being taken for over 20 years. No dr ever requested blood samples to prescribe them. Our drs retired and we had a load of different drs since and now finally it appears that this dr will stay but now she wants to get everyone to have bloods. I’m just wondering if someone has issues with taking bloods, and they refuse to have bloods taken, can the dr stop giving them meds even though they’ve been on those meds for over 20 years?

I would give you an example of a medication that absolutely requires repeat bloods: warfarin. An effective blood thinner which helps prevent DVTs, lung clots etc, and has saved many lives, but it must be kept at quite precise blood levels, or else it could potentially lead to, eg, a brain bleed or any bleeding internal or external that’s hard to control. People’s body weight & other metabolic factors vary, so repeat blood tests are absolutely necessary or the risk of giving an estimated dose outweighs the benefit. There are many other drugs that need bloods monitoring, that’s just an example. Failure to monitor could lead to a detrimental outcome and as poster above says, doctor stands to be charged for malpractice.

I never liked bloods being taken, used to have to have them frequently. One can lie down for a while during & after to prevent a faint, and look away & above all explain to doctor/nurse/phlebotomist taking them that one has a genuine phobia. A good practitioner is used to this phenomenon and should be able to distract patient during procedure. If sensitive to pain, paracetamol before might help.

ZX7R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119812742#Comment_119812742

New doctor is requesting bloods comon practice,

Does said doctor have the medical history of the patient if no ,then definitely they can refuse to give the meds and are looking at the patient with a blank sheet and will start at the beginning.

Just Courious what is the illness that they need the same meds for twenty years.

Doctor can also refuse to give the meds if they suspect that they could be causing other health issues.

the_amazing_raisin

I'm pretty sure a doctor can't force you to do anything, but if they require blood tests to prescribe a particular medication them they're within their rights to request them and refuse a prescription

I suggest the OP advises the person who is being tested to speak to their doctor about their difficulty having bloods taken and see what the options are. There may be another way to do the test

Doctors have ways of reassuring nervous patients, they'll probably advise to bring someone for support and to drive them home from the doctor.

My wife isn't great with needles, so when she needs a vaccination or bloods taken I usually go with her to try and distract her and give her some backup

It's possible they could prescribe you a dose of valium or something of you're extremely nervous?

Shauna677

Important to get blood works done once a year, all sorts of ailments, potential illnesses etc can be picked up from the results. What's the big deal in not wanting it?

when I get bloods taken they always have a challenge, I inherited from my Dad’s side the most invisible veins imaginable. There is only one vein that reliably yields, I always point to where it is, buried down below a layer of thick flesh by my right elbow. Trying to insert a cannula usually requires a team 😂 and I’ve had one in my foot, and neck. My mother had the very opposite, big ropey veins under very thin flesh.

Shauna677

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119813157#Comment_119813157

Ropey veins 🤣

Nesta99

Doctor cant force someone to give a blood sample but they can refuse to prescribe a drug for the simple reason that as the prescribing doctor he/she is liable ethically and legally for that prescription. That said, the doctor will consider the potential issues with not prescribing a drug also, especially one that has been used long term. Much will depend on what drug and why of course. No GP wants to stick a patients just for the sake of it so if it is requested there will be good reason.

As has been mentioned above, there are many ways to make taking a blood sample from a needle phobic patient - someone with significant anaesthetic experience can often draw bloods painlessly, phlebotomists also so attending a hospital clinic rather than GP practice can help, a practice nurse, if there is one, will be experienced.

Topical local anaesthetic can be applied, something like Emla, make sure it is applied about half an hour before the sample is taken. A small needle similar to those used for kids can be used eg butterfly type with tubing is a lot easier for a patient particularly if multiple samples/vials are used. Small things can make a big difference like keeping warm beforehand, arms covered, gloves on, have a heat pack held at the site for example. Accept the reassurance that is being given as the thought is often worse than the reality. Company can help especially if distracted by conversation. It often happens that a patient doesnt even realise the sample has been taken especially when off on a rant about the health service or waiting times!!

Nobody should be on a drug for 20 years without some sort of review, pharmacist should question things occasionally also. Giving an occasional blood sample is a good thing, it could save a life quicker than the drug that a patient seems so reliant on. The GP isnt trying to catch anyone out, they want to provide the best possible treatment and just maybe there is an improved drug/treatment option over the 20 years!

The sample will only be tested for what is pertinent and you will be told what the tests are for, and ask, but the 10 cups of coffee a day habit wont be outed on routine bloods.

gipi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119813157#Comment_119813157

I feel your pain! Mine are so invisible in my arms that medical staff have to use veins in the back of my hand to get blood - doesn't stop some from trying though, I end up black and blue

whydoibother

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119812942#Comment_119812942

The illness is epilepsy

whydoibother

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119813073#Comment_119813073

I understand that but not when someone nearly dies through the procedure. I have been to hospital because of it when I was a child. It’s no joke.

TherapyBoy

If it’s an available choice, going to your local hospital & having an experienced phlebotomist draw the blood would be a good idea. I’ve often had them take blood from me & not felt the needle at all, no pinch, no pain or pressure even. I’m looking at the needle go through my skin & into my arm & feel nothing!

If it’s down to you ask your doctor can you get the blood taken by an out-patient phlebotomist at your local hospital.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119813411#Comment_119813411

Okay....not trying to make light of your situation but I don't think you can actually die from having bloods taken

You could faint for sure, and depending on when and where you faint that could result in a nasty fall and injury

I know some of the anti seizure drugs (Keppra I think?) can cause kidney failure over a long term. The doctor will likely need bloods to check for this given you've be on it for 20 years now

I get that you don't feel comfortable with having bloods taken. I think your best option is to discuss it with your doctor and ask why they're asking for the blood samples and speak openly about your concerns.

They're there to help you ultimately, so I'm sure they'll find a solution that can work for you

whydoibother

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119813453#Comment_119813453

the issue is not the pain. It’s a very strange sensation, it’s like i can’t breathe anymore.

It is likely panic attacks you experience around this procedure. I know them well, having had them on different occasions, and they are absolutely horrible, they feel alarming, but are not at all uncommon. Everyone who gets them think nobody else in the world has this experience, and knowing how and why it happens is half the battle.

It’s the body’s fight or flight response occurring in a situation where one feels “trapped”. Adrenalin courses through the veins increasing pulse quite enormously as if ready for a very fast sprint. Fine if you are going into a sprint, but if not all you feel is that awful sensation, as if you are about to die. You lose your breath, you almost feel out of your body, floaty, and the perception can be you are about to literally die on the spot.

It can be overcome with a number of psychological techniques, including allowing it to happen, even encouraging it to happen with a “Do your worst!” attitude, and your brain starts to realise it’s all really harmless and can unlearn panic mode.

But if it solely occurs on occasions of blood-taking a very mild sedative tablet could be requested to be taken beforehand, and indeed is useful when initially learning to avert panic attacks.

Peregrinus

As others have said, the blood test is a diagnostic procecdure which isn't ordered for fun. The information it yields may be clinically relevant to the prescription decision. I doubt that the doctor is simply being punitive.

Things you can do:

1. Seek a second opinion from another doctor who may be willing to prescribe the medication without a blood test.
2. As already suggested, explore options for having the blood test made less traumatic for you - experienced practitioners, sedation, family support.
3. See if you can get treatment for your needle-phobia. Hypnotherapy and cognitive therapy have both shown good results, although different therapies work for different people.

Strumms

I’m on a prescribed drug for slightly low BP and just before covid the GP’s secretary called wanting to book a blood test.

i said “well I’ll be booking a checkup in a few weeks can we do it then ?”

she said “your GP has said that he will not be emailing the updated prescription until your bloods get done”

so we booked the blood test, results were grand and a copy of the prescription gets sent.

on doing the test as he’s about to put it in ( the needle ) I inform him that I feel like a bit of a prick to which he starts laughing a bit and he has to regain composure with the needle about 4 millimetres from my skin… ffs Strumms…a couple of days later I get an sms with all the results as relates to every aspect of my health…

He uses lots of numbing spray or whatever it’s called, there is zero pain, hardly any sensation just a bit of a scratch as the needle is removed.

piece of cake.