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The blood draw today was extremely painful 😒 Honestly thought I might actually pass out it hurt so bad. I am 70 and I am wondering if becoming extremely sensitive to pain like a needle blood draw is age related? Or is it Rheumatoid Disease related? I have always been able to handle pain. I had 2 babies born with 💯 Natural Childbirth. No pain killers whatsoever! And now a blood draw about makes me pass out!!! Any thoughts anyone?
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Members rallied around the question of whether extreme pain sensitivity during blood draws is related to age or rheumatoid disease, with many... Read more
More than likely it’s the person taking the blood putting the needle in too deep is very painful,doubt very much it’s anything to do with RA ,I’ve had it happen to me ,some don’t know what they aredoing ,I always avoid the bad person now,I know what days of the week the good one is on duty
Just tell them you want the lab work done either a butterfly it works and is less intrusive to delicate skin. We lose a lot of collagen jeez!
Male here, I absolutely believe that women have a higher tolerance for pain than men, at the risk of sounding sexist, its "baked in" to the gender. Men generally don't have to pass a watermelon through a small orifice.
That said, I have always had a very high pain tolerance but as I cross the over 60 threshold I'm finding that things that I used to blow-off have risen to a level that requires some sort of a response from me.
My theory is that pain is cumulative, you eventually reach a point where the tank is full and any additional pain that is added flows out and becomes bothersome. My doctors all agree, use heat, not cold when you have RA or similar to relieve the various overflow pain.
I'm sorry that you are having the pain issues, talk with your medical support team about this, they should have a way to help you.
I have 2 pieces of advice.
1. Always drink at least one bottle of water before a lab draw. It helps the veins expand and the blood flows easier.
2. The butterfly needle is best for older people. Its a smaller gauge, and is much less painful. Less bruising as well.
As we get older, our skin integrity lessens, our veins get smaller, and tougher too. The more water you drink prior to a lab draw, the better. The smaller the needle gauge the better also.
@A myRAteam Member it's the same one I've had for the last few years. Which is why I think it's my body objecting. But, she told me she is transitioning into a Lab Assistant and there is a new lady who will be doing the draws for the most part. She's "older" and very kind so we will see how that goes. But I'm still going to ask about that butterfly needle. I haven't met her yet.
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