• Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 79 subscribers
  • Views 3667 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

What happens during a blood test - reassurance needed

Hope

Today I had that dreaded doctor's appointment, but it went better than expected. I was concerned because I have been experiencing stabbing sensations in the left side of my chest, and was worried in case there was something wrong with my heart. You know that never ignore chest pains advice? Well, I was petrified I was going to die, and I am only 26 years old. But the doctor checked my blood pressure, which was completely fine, as was my oxygen saturation. She took my heart rate on my front and back, and said my heart sounded healthy.

The doctor said that she had no concerns from the tests and from what I was telling her, but offered me the chance to have a heart trace EEG and a blood test at the doctors nexr Monday. She told me that she is not concerned, and thinks that the tests will show nothing is wrong, but that it will help put my mind at rest, so I accepted the tests. But I am worried about the blood test - what do they involve, and how can I reassure myself?

Parents

  • Today I had the tests. The first test was the bood test, taken by a nurse. I slept really badly last night because I was worrying about it, but felt surprisingly calm just before the procedure at 9.10 am. It helped that I had had a full breakfast, and a cup of strong tea and a cup of water, so I was well hydrated. Also, my support worker went to the doctors with me, which helped. She did not actually go into the nurse's room with me, on my request, because I get stressed the more people there are around me.

    The nurse warned me it would feel like being stung by a stinging nettle, and it did feel a bit like that. The pain, it has to be said, was not much worse than having a vaccination, just slightly longer in duration. I looked away from the needle, and the nurse talked to me, which helped. I did not feel too faint, just slightly light headed, but got over this quickly. Annoyingly, though, the nurse said I might need to be called in again for another test because she was not sure if she had taken enough blood. I hope I do not have to go in again, but if I do, I now know what to expect.

    The second appointment - the EEG - was with the same nurse. Thankfully I only had to remove my t-shirt. I was covered with sticky pads, about 10 in total. I was shivering and trembling because I was nervous, but the nurse talked me through some deep breaths, and I soon felt more relaxed.

    However, I was expecting the results of the EEG  today, but was told they need to be looked at by a doctor, and then they will write to me. Does anyone here know how long this is likely to take? Until I get the results I will still be feeling anxiety, but I try and remember what the GP said last week about not having any concerns.

    Should I phone the doctors if I have not heard anything within a week? And how long does it take to process a blood test?

Reply

  • Today I had the tests. The first test was the bood test, taken by a nurse. I slept really badly last night because I was worrying about it, but felt surprisingly calm just before the procedure at 9.10 am. It helped that I had had a full breakfast, and a cup of strong tea and a cup of water, so I was well hydrated. Also, my support worker went to the doctors with me, which helped. She did not actually go into the nurse's room with me, on my request, because I get stressed the more people there are around me.

    The nurse warned me it would feel like being stung by a stinging nettle, and it did feel a bit like that. The pain, it has to be said, was not much worse than having a vaccination, just slightly longer in duration. I looked away from the needle, and the nurse talked to me, which helped. I did not feel too faint, just slightly light headed, but got over this quickly. Annoyingly, though, the nurse said I might need to be called in again for another test because she was not sure if she had taken enough blood. I hope I do not have to go in again, but if I do, I now know what to expect.

    The second appointment - the EEG - was with the same nurse. Thankfully I only had to remove my t-shirt. I was covered with sticky pads, about 10 in total. I was shivering and trembling because I was nervous, but the nurse talked me through some deep breaths, and I soon felt more relaxed.

    However, I was expecting the results of the EEG  today, but was told they need to be looked at by a doctor, and then they will write to me. Does anyone here know how long this is likely to take? Until I get the results I will still be feeling anxiety, but I try and remember what the GP said last week about not having any concerns.

    Should I phone the doctors if I have not heard anything within a week? And how long does it take to process a blood test?

Children
No Data