I passed out during a blood test
Discussion
I was having a blood test and ECG for a minor health issue this morning. ECG was fine, they took two readings and there were no concerns with it. The nurse sat me in a chair, explained the procedure and tried to draw blood from my left arm. No luck there, so we tried my right arm, the needle went in and I went light headed (not bothered about needles, although this is my very first bood test I remember) I then came round to two nurses calling out my name. Apparently I blacked out quite violently and had a bit of a fit. I was out for 20-30 seconds approximately. One minute after I came round I was able to move and walk by myself and felt physically like it didn't happen, although I was a bit miffed. They kept me for 45 minutes to monitor me. I have to go back on Tuesday for more blood tests as they couldn't get a big enough sample today.
I'm keen not to repeat what happened this morning as it wasn't pleasant. I was allowed to eat before the test so before I left I had some toast and one glass of water. That was all I had before the test. I'm wondering if on Tuesday morning I should drink/eat a little more? I've done a little research and fainting during a blood test seems quite common and could quite possibly be a natural defensive mechanism, but the fitting part concerns me. My blood pressure and heart beat was normal. Sorry for the long story here but I wondered if anyone else had experienced similar.
I'm keen not to repeat what happened this morning as it wasn't pleasant. I was allowed to eat before the test so before I left I had some toast and one glass of water. That was all I had before the test. I'm wondering if on Tuesday morning I should drink/eat a little more? I've done a little research and fainting during a blood test seems quite common and could quite possibly be a natural defensive mechanism, but the fitting part concerns me. My blood pressure and heart beat was normal. Sorry for the long story here but I wondered if anyone else had experienced similar.
I passed out a few years ago about a minute after the actual blood test. I hadn't eaten all day so I think it was down to that and I had a thick head for the rest of the day.
A few months ago I was having them weekly and now monthly and they don't bother me at all.
Could the fitting be the same sort of thing as when you are knocked unconscious as its quite common to twitch/fit when that happens I think.
A few months ago I was having them weekly and now monthly and they don't bother me at all.
Could the fitting be the same sort of thing as when you are knocked unconscious as its quite common to twitch/fit when that happens I think.
Don't feel bad, I passed out three times on my last blood test
I was chatting away, she stuck the needle in and suddely I seemed to feel blood getting sucked out of my heart
It was a bit humiliating considering that babies, kids, grannies and everyone else coped ok, and me, the semi-pro rugby player was escorted in a wheelchair out to rest on the bed
I was chatting away, she stuck the needle in and suddely I seemed to feel blood getting sucked out of my heart
- bump
- bump
- bump
It was a bit humiliating considering that babies, kids, grannies and everyone else coped ok, and me, the semi-pro rugby player was escorted in a wheelchair out to rest on the bed
The_Doc said:
You didn't have a fit, not an epileptiform one like you're worried about.
you just fainted and did some jerking.
seen in a million times, usually the big strapping muscle-mary types.
the bigger they come, the harder they fall.
chill.
=-you wooss
Thanks, I'm only 5'7..... but I do have a goatee you just fainted and did some jerking.
seen in a million times, usually the big strapping muscle-mary types.
the bigger they come, the harder they fall.
chill.
=-you wooss
Dear sE39,
not me but a work colleague does this:
At one of those work organised well man type clinics blood samples were taken from those who wished, can't recall what for now. Anyway two nursey types are working through the volunteers and it's my turn. My vampire is getting stuck in and the colleague comes in and sits down with the other. I notice he's a bit nervous. Out comes the needle and padoomp off the chair he falls, lights out. I've never seen someone that pale before (unless they're a goth of course),
regards,
Jet.
not me but a work colleague does this:
At one of those work organised well man type clinics blood samples were taken from those who wished, can't recall what for now. Anyway two nursey types are working through the volunteers and it's my turn. My vampire is getting stuck in and the colleague comes in and sits down with the other. I notice he's a bit nervous. Out comes the needle and padoomp off the chair he falls, lights out. I've never seen someone that pale before (unless they're a goth of course),
regards,
Jet.
The_Doc said:
You didn't have a fit, not an epileptiform one like you're worried about.
you just fainted and did some jerking.
seen in a million times, usually the big strapping muscle-mary types.
the bigger they come, the harder they fall.
chill.
=-you wooss
agree totally , and it's the powerfully built and be-goateed ones that seem to suffer the worst, often becasue they can't / won't don't relax you just fainted and did some jerking.
seen in a million times, usually the big strapping muscle-mary types.
the bigger they come, the harder they fall.
chill.
=-you wooss
I've fainted loaaaaads of times. First while watching veterinary surgery, and then when I moved onto humans. Difference is that in the veterinary setting they leave you on the floor to pick yourself up, and in the medical setting the nurses run to you and on one occasion I was bundled onto a trolley with oxygen mask on, pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff and wheeled into the recovery area in front of all the patients. Was probably to embarass me into never fainting again!
Fine now though, still get a bit woozy when I'm in certain environments though. I blame it on my low blood pressure
Tips - eat and drink plenty beforehand, make sure you're not roasting hot and sit or lie down during the blood test. The rest is up to how manly you are
Fine now though, still get a bit woozy when I'm in certain environments though. I blame it on my low blood pressure
Tips - eat and drink plenty beforehand, make sure you're not roasting hot and sit or lie down during the blood test. The rest is up to how manly you are
I'm not so good with blood being taken, and tend to black out whenever and attempt is made. I feel like im going to pass out after just reading this thread!!
I believe that it's technically called a vasovagal response, but i'll happily be corrected by somebody else in the know.
I believe that it's technically called a vasovagal response, but i'll happily be corrected by somebody else in the know.
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