Challenging blood draws

I am a parent of a 6 year old boy with ITP that was diagnosed 5 weeks ago. For the most part, we are having weekly blood test, some have been sooner. He is adamant that he does not want a finger prick so we are going into the vein. On 3 occasions, we have had to try 3 different veins. The nurse can get the needle into the vein but no blood flow. They mentioned that the veins are closing up. We are really hydrating him before blood tests to rule that out as a cause, but this is a real challenge. Does anyone have some feedback, information or advice on this situation? Having ITP is one thing, but all these blood tests are really starting to wear on our emotions.

Thanks ever so much,
Heidi

I'm sorry you are dealing with this issue. I have two sons that have this problem, one much worse than the other. Hydration is def helpful. I know with my ITP son, when his platelets are low its hard to get blood flow because, in layman's terms, what platelets he does have are "big, fat, and sticky" because they are new, which makes them very efficient. This makes it harder for him to bleed. Its changed a bit recently, though he goes back and forth, bleeds more at times, and not at other times. But over time those veins do scar and its harder to draw from them, and get one for an IV. If you hemonc wants to do a finger prick I would really try to get him to do it. He will learn its not bad at all and he will get callouses and not even feel it.

I hope things get better for you and your child.

I'm sorry to hear that your little one is going through such troublesome blood draws.
I don't know if your child's doctor would subscribe Lidocaine/Prilocaine numbing cream but I highly suggest asking.
My son is 6 y.o. and that ointment has been a life saver for his weekly blood draws.
We received a prescription from the specialist and our pediatrician has also refilled it as needed.
It goes on in a thumb size glob on both arms (never know which side they are going to want to poke) apply about a half an hour before the blood draw, we wrap it with cellophane or plastic saran wrap to keep it from rubbing off and when we get to the lab they wipe it off and when they poke him he doesn't feel it in the least bit! He has learned that it doesn't hurt at all and he is patient and calm and inquisitive as any child would be, even when they need to do multiple attempts. He doesn't even flinch! Like I said... a life saver!

This lidocaine tip is brilliant! Thank you!

If they aren't already using one, ask about a "butterfly needle." They are smaller and less painful.
Norma

hnuckolls wrote: He is adamant that he does not want a finger prick

I totally agree with your wise son - NO finger draw - not to mention it is not a "prick" it is a slice! I unfortunately had one and it hurts like heck and I'm an adult . The other thing is a finger slice does not give an accurate count - there have been discussions here about that. I thought I had bookmarked some articles but this is the only one I can find: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9365861
We conclude that fingerstick platelet counts are systematically lower and correlate poorly with venous counts, though their use seldom results in false disqualification of donors. We also conclude that fingerstick count/predict yield collections do not produce more consistent yields of platelets than standard volume collections.

Hope all goes well, the lidocaine cream sounds like a great idea!

lucidawn wrote: If you hemonc wants to do a finger prick I would really try to get him to do it. He will learn its not bad at all and he will get callouses and not even feel it.

lucidawn I am an adult and I had a finger prick [really a finger slice] for a platelet count only once and I said NEVER AGAIN - that hurt like heck, it is a barbaric practice!! Sandi preaches against vaccines and I preach against fingerslices! Also an accurate count is not given when the blood is taken that way. Please see my other post.

Hope your son is doing well!

Using a butterfly can lead to haemolysis and platelet clumping which will skew the count.

Butterfly needle was never a problem for my daughter's test results. I'd ask the doctor.
Norma

I've had clumping platelets and a butterfly was not used. Now have had years of butterfly needles being used and have never had a problem with results! I'm sure it can happen no matter what - and I'd rather it happen due to a butterfly needle than from a brutal finger slice!