Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Feeling like a pin cushion...

I don't want to complain to much, but one of the prices to pay for less pain for me is the blood tests attatched to my meds. Its not that it hurts so much it just doesnt seem natural to be getting stuck all the time with needles. Anybody else have the building anxiety before getting stuck? I do envy those who go to the doctor once a year!

hey, kid

how's ya doing...

i hate needles...i hate shots...i dread blood tests; you're not alone.

the worst was when i was on mtx and they wanted blood every couple weeks; now i've negotiated a fairly
reasonable three/four blood tests a year...(hint...if there are no big variations between tests AND your world
isn't going south it means your pretty stable and tolerating the meds you have to take and the interval between
tests can become wider...)

my doctor always does a CBC, Liver and Kidney test, and i humor him with an extra tube he can play with and
he runs whatever else he wants as a kinda bonus.

i am one of those who feels the little hole...and i hate that pincushion sensation...there are a few times when
i just delay my enbrel shot a day because i can feel the little holes in my thighs ache.

hope you're well

Hi Lotus,

I totally agree with the pin cushion analogy. I have been poked so many times that now it is ..."No you cant use that arm.... or that isnt a good spot because the veins roll in that area" Or letting them know where a really good one is..... but I only do that if they cant find something. Because that spot really stinkin HURTS.
Or I love when a new person will go to draw blood... see my arm and say "Oh you poor thing... they have been mean to you havent they?" As she adds another hole to what "they" have done

hugs from one pin cushion to another

Pam

Hey Lotus,

I know how you feel about feeling like apin cushion. My primary doctor gets me every three months, not to mention the other doctors I end up seeing who always need some kind of test. Even a trip to the ER results in being stuck to draw blood or have an IV put it. The last few times they have taken blood they have complained about my veins being tough. All I can say is if you had been stuck as many times as they have I imagine your veins would be tough also.

I have never liked needles but tolerate them. As a child in the early 1960's a doctor used what he later said was a brittle needle which broke off in my arm so I had to go through them digging it out. Afterwards probably until sometime in my early 20's I was terrified anytime they approached me with any kind of needle. I got over it during basic training after receiving shot after shot for everything under the sun. Thankfully needle manufacturers have come along way since my childhood in making better needles. But I still think all the bloodwork they say they need to do is going a bit overboard.

Hang in there even though we have to give blood samples it is a small price to pay when the meds are helping cut some of the pain.

Brent

I got cured by mass innoculations and I did it as they asked who wanted to come to the front of the queue.....I saw hard tough men pass out waiting in the queue since then not a problem.

I do n't like canula's when I'm flaring as they really sting but so is everything else but it has to be done.

Good to see you posting again Lotus, you always bring a light soft caring attitude with you,

Merry Christmas

Dave