How to Prepare for Your Blood Test: My Tips and Tricks

Blood tests are kind of par for the course when it comes to autoimmune diseases, and as much as it has almost become routine, it’s still not easy. Ever since I was a baby I have had very difficult veins. They’re small, hard to find, and don’t yield much (gross). For those who are new to blood tests in the autoimmune disease world it’s not just one or two vials that they have to take, but more like eleven, at least it’s around that for me. 

My first panel was done when I was seventeen, and hadn’t had a blood test in over ten years. I’ve never really been bad with shots, but something about IV’s and needles makes my veins hide and my skin crawl. I was laying on the exam table as two nurses poked, massaged, and dug trying to get something out of either of my arms, but nothing, and I mean nothing, came out. I left traumatized knowing I would soon have to go back. However this time we went to a different place where they specialized in labs. The nurse talked to me about my difficult veins, but she switched up her approach and used a needle meant for babies. It was quick with just a little pinch, but sadly this experience would not become the new normal. I boil it down to a very skilled nurse, and a very good vein day. 

Since then at almost every draw they have to try both arms, double band them, massage my arms to try and get every last drop (sometimes the bare minimum) so that I won’t have to come back and do it again. I think it’s partially because they know it sucks for me and partially because they don’t like my veins either (literally one of the nurses said “Oh, it’s you again” in a joking way). 

The preparation is more than just sleeping and drinking water (although those are very important!), it’s also doing mental prep, and dealing with anxieties I often like to avoid. Will everything come back normal? What if something is wrong? What if I pass out? What if I throw up again? It’s playing on my phone or trying to keep polite conversation as they dig a little too deep, both feeling bad and scared for myself, but also feeling bad that I am in inconveniencing someone yet again (yes, I understand this is their job, but I know they feel bad and don’t want to cause me harm). Then it’s the recovery process of being even more exhausted, arms hurting, watching the bruises heal, and stressing out about what the results might bring. The physical pain isn’t great and I’m very afraid of passing out, but I think the anxiety of the results and what they mean for me, as well as my friends and family, is probably the worst part. Even when the results come back and are “good” I never feel safe as my mind wanders to the “what if’s”. 

That isn’t to say everything about them is sad or bad, in fact part of me likes getting a check up. It gives me some sense of calm to know that I have this record of the past six years, and that hopefully if something was going wrong it would be caught early. I’m also lucky in that my mom or boyfriend always takes me, and that anyone else in my family would come with me if I needed it, even my sister who’s needle anxiety makes me more worried for her than for me, which does keep my mind off of it. 

Well, now that I have given you a slight peak inside my mind, let’s get into my process for both physical and mental preparation (in no particular order). 

Drink Water

Drinking enough water is always important, but especially in the days leading up to a blood test. In the past year I have started drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day, in part for my overall health, but also so I am not dehydrated which makes finding a vein and giving blood that much harder. When the search for my veins begins one of the first questions they ask is, “Have you been drinking water?”, to which I get to respond yes, knowing that I am doing what I can to make this process easier for myself and them. As someone with difficult veins, I want to do everything possible to make it as painless and easy as possible. 

Mindfulness 

This is actually something I learned in therapy for my test anxiety, but I use it for almost anything that stresses me out. Whether it be in the waiting room, or in the chair as they prepare the needles and tubes, I take a second to relax myself. Now, I am not a therapist, mental health expert, or any kind of professional, this is just what I do and what helps me. I center myself on the chair, relax my shoulders, unclench my jaw, make sure both feet are solidly on the floor, hands on my knees or just a comfortable position, and I close my eyes and take several deep breaths. Some people like to imagine a place or moment, but I just like to focus on my breathing. If you have an Apple Watch, you can use the Breathe app which will take you through one minute of deep breathing. I used to not believe in the practice, but it really does calm me down and allow me to clear my mind. 

Eat

Unless you have been told not to eat, I find that eating before my blood test leaves me feeling less tired, nauseous, and faint. The one time I did not eat before my blood test, my vision went black, I felt faint, and ended up throwing up while they were taking it (thankful that they just kept taking it so I didn’t have to come back). It’s also important to bring a snack (juice, a granola bar) for after you are all done. These blood draws can take a lot out of you and it’s important to nourish yourself. Maybe even get yourself a special treat once it’s over.

Mints and Gum 

When I get anxious I also get very nauseous. Through the years I have found that chewing gum or sucking on a mint soothes my nervous stomach, but it also gives me something else to focus on while they are actually taking my blood. 

Relaxing the Night Before (Easier Said Than Done)

Getting sleep before and after makes the retrieval and recovery process much better. I have a hard time getting to sleep the night before my test, so I try to relax myself as much as possible. I make myself a lavender epsom salt bath to soothe my achy joints and get me in the right frame of mind to (hopefully) have a restful night of sleep. I’ll turn on a show or movie, do a face mask, and really allow myself to sink into bed. It doesn’t always work, but there’s no harm in giving yourself a little extra love and care. I think a lot of times with lupus it becomes taking care of symptoms rather than taking care of yourself, and it’s important to remember that lupus isn’t all you are. 

Your Outfit

For pretty much every doctor or lab appointment I always wear short sleeves, a zip up hoodie or flannel, leggings or running shorts, and Birkenstocks (sometimes with socks). Short sleeves or tank tops give the nurses easy access to your arms without having to half undress or try and roll your sleeve up, but it’s also important to stay warm to help with blood circulation (and doctors offices are usually cold). I try to keep everything loose because the last thing I want to be worrying about is my jeans digging into my stomach, or getting nervous and feeling like I am suffocating in my clothes. 

Warm Your Veins

This is something that I recently started doing, but it has proven to be very helpful (for me). This piece of advice comes from my dad, who told me that warming up where they take blood would help with the process. I use reusable heat packs and place them on my elbow pit (inside of my elbow) on the car ride over and usually in the waiting room as well. There are many different options for heat packs, but this is most similar to what I use: reusable heat packs. I do not know the exact science of it, but I do know that warmth is important for blood circulation, and it has seemed to help me.  

Let Yourself Feel

For me blood tests come with a lot of anxiety. On the one hand I feel so lucky that I only have to do it every six months, but on the other hand I hate that I have to do it all. Then I feel guilty because other people have much more demanding and painful struggles, and in the grand scheme of things it’s not that big of a deal. Comparison can really be the worst. Comparing myself to healthy individuals and what it must be like to not hurt or worry, jealous of the fact they don’t make themselves sick worrying about results and tests. But on the flip side comparing myself to those who have it harder, and feeling shame and guilt for not being able to do more and for feeling bad for myself. It’s important to let yourself feel and know that what you’re feeling is valid, but it’s also important to not let it consume you, whether it be jealousy, guilt, or a mix of the two. Sometimes these blood tests feel like the biggest reminder that I am “sick”, and with that comes a lot of emotions that I often cast to the side.

Everyone has different circumstances, tests, fears, and processes, but this is mine. It’s been a learning curve these past six years trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t, and I’m sure this process will continue to evolve as I go through this lupus journey. With that being said, I would love to hear about your tips and tricks!