I passed out during a blood test

[sparks_E39]

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.

[Huntsman]

A similar thing happened to me, nursey got one bottle of blood, the flow petered out, she made half a dozen attempts with the needle at getting a new hole flowing.

I was fine until she looked at me and said 'you ok? looking a bit faint?

That was it.

Zonk.

[RemainAllHoof]

Yeah, the fitting part is not something I was expecting to read. Perhaps speak to your GP about getting tests done?

[anonymous-user]

Happened to me when a couple of student doctors tried to take my blood! Made a right hash of it and there was claret every where! my wife had to ask them to pick me up off the floor when they had stopped bickering!

[Caesar9]

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.

[Happy82]

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

• bump

I awoke, she asked if I was ok,I apologised and continued to natter away until....

• bump

Awoke again, apologising and she took the last little bit out and then.....

• bump

I re-awoke with three nurses trying to hold my up


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

[RemainAllHoof]

Happy82 said:

I re-awoke with three nurses trying to hold my up

That's a service I wouldn't mind. Oh, wait, you meant...

[The_Doc]

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

[sparks_E39]

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

[K77 CTR]

Completely agree with the doc, seen it happen many times before. Ask to lie down whilst they take your blood next time and get up very slowly afterwards.

[Happy82]

RemainAllHoof said:

Happy82 said:

I re-awoke with three nurses trying to hold my up

That's a service I wouldn't mind. Oh, wait, you meant...

These nurses were quite...... beefy..... the hospital was in Kidderminster so that should say it all

[jet_noise]

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.

[mph1977]

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

[turbolucie]

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

[andy_s]

How butch did I feel when I did it on my army medics course?

I only felt a small prick.


(Weeeell, somebody had to).

[sparks_E39]

Well this morning I've had cereal, toast and 3 glasses of water- hopefully enough to keep me conscious! Thanks for the advice chaps.

[slinky]

Happy82 said:

These nurses were quite...... beefy..... the hospital was in Kidderminster so that should say it all

They breed them stout over there..

[Sonic]

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.

[sparks_E39]

I led down this time and was fine, no blackouts or fits!

[Huntsman]

sparks_E39 said:

I led down this time and was fine, no blackouts or fits!

Result, not such a wuss after all.