Approaching Phlebotomy for People who have a History of Injection Drug Use

[@RadagonTheRed]

I have a history of IV drug use spanning well over a decade and unfortunately, in my early days, I didn’t look after my veins at all. As a result, I systematically destroyed all of my good and easy sites. Then I progressed to my legs and feet and destroyed all of my good sites there. The only reason I didn’t start injecting into my groin (femoral vein) was because I am overweight and couldn’t safely find the femoral pulse to make sure I didn’t hit the artery. Now, if I have to get blood drawn or need and IV insertion I always have to go through the same nightmare of nurses and doctors not believing me when I say the veins are shot. So they try both of my antecubitals and when they fail they move onto my wrists. When they fail they try my legs and feet. After many failures they usually give up and send me away covered in plasters having completely failed to get my blood. Occasionally a really good doctor or nurse will manage to find a vein on the back of my feet where I couldn’t reach but usually not. I have so much shame and regret and going through that same nightmare every single time just makes me feel worthless.

[@RoughStoneRollingLapidary]

I really appreciate this video. As an off and on IV user for over 10 years who started out with bad veins, blood draws can be traumatic whether I’m clean or using. Either way the shame and guilt are ever present. If I’m clean it is an almost impossible trigger to get past. Even with multiple years clean. Having to go through the 2 pokes from each phlebotomist on duty passing the torch to the next. It’s dehumanizing. So I can’t tell you how much I appreciate getting a nurse or phlebotomist who doesn’t stigmatize me and makes me feel comfortable. I’ve been brought to tears more than once when I have to answer stupid questions like “Have you had several IV’s lately? You’re bruised here. Where’d all this scar tissue come from?” And so on. So thank you for the awareness.

[@jarlaxle3588]

As someone who injects drugs daily I personally hate when I go in an the medical personnel doesn't listen to what I'm saying. I know they get fed up with people who think they can google symptoms and be a doctor but some of us do have real world experience although not trained. I know my body and am obviously intimately familiar with my veins and which ones are scarred or damaged. I also understand that nurses/phlebotomists might have techniques I don't know or helpful equipment but please listen when I say that you will probably have an easier time in this area instead of that one or whatnot. I try to always be informative up front though and easygoing and usually that helps.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

Hi Alex my name is Tee I have a bunch of videos on here regarding my own 23 year IV addiction to heroin and Fentanyl, I'm 40 years old. 26 times in rehab 10 different times on Suboxone I'm on methadone for the 6th time and then all this time I've never really had any clean time at all. I know exactly what you mean about being hard to find a vein I literally have no access from my shoulder to my fingertip on both arms and my legs are no better. So you might ask how I even hit? Well it's a pretty disgusting conversation, It's a combination of in my palms strange places in my fingers, occasionally I'll find one thin thread in one of my feet that blows out after one use. Somehow I always seem to manage to find something really tiny somewhere. But I don't know how long it can go on like this it's literally been over a year since I've hit a normal size vein I'm not exaggerating this at all it's that bad. Anyways I really hope you'll come zubzribe to my chan-nul yes spelt wrong or this comment would be deleted most likely, but I have a ton of videos up on my own addiction harm reduction recovery history of drugs drug information and some wild drug stories anyways I really hope to see you there it would mean a lot to me I'm trying to collect as many good people as I can find with like minds I hope you're doing all right Alex if you need some more to talk to just hit me up on here much love 🙏🏼❤️👻

[@kyleewebster5964]

i agree completely its extremely irritating especially because we know our veins better than anyone else and every-time they actually do listen to me on my suggestions of where to try, it has always worked out for them immediately. if spmeone wont listen to where i am teling them to go ir they keep trying where i asked them NOT TO, ill go leave and try a different doctor/hospital because they have no idea how painful it can be in a damaged area

[@princess2141990]

All mine is gone it seems

[@ncnuggets]

​@@princess2141990that's a horrible feeling. Mine too. They're not gone but they're damaged to a point where the blood doesn't draw.

[@BushyHairedStranger]

There are mobile Phlebotomy labs that will draw blood there in the comfort of your own home. They can use an ultrasound device to ensure they find the best vein for ONE STICK SUCESS and then its over. Highly suggest it. Its all I ever use.

[@DBBee]

Thought this video was for people WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF IV DRUG USE becoming a phlebotomist haha

[@nolanat504]

me too 😂😂😂😂

[@BushyHairedStranger]

This is an awful experience for IV drug users,..clinical setting, fluorescent lights, the disinfectant cleaning smells, white lab coats,..all these elements are not like getting high, they are antithetical to what an IV drug user anticipates with syringes & needles, small bit of pain followed by enormous relief-pleasure. Phlebotomy labs are often humiliating, you feel like a freak because youre getting stuck over & over & over. Any long term IV drug user KNOWS more about their bodies, their veins & which ones to use & NOT USE than a the most experienced “Vampire”-or best phlebotomist in the building.

[@faithingod9782]

Not everyone with bad veins is an IV drug user. I personally have had more than 12 surgeries and my veins were damaged. It is extremely offensive when I'm treated like a drug addict.

[@NotAnotherAUDHDCrafter]

Yeah ive had people ask if I've ever done it.. never. But my veins hate me

[@RoughStoneRollingLapidary]

It’s extremely offensive to be treated like a drug addict when you are a drug addict.

[@BradleyBuiltWoodcraft]

It’s extremely offensive that you find it offensive to be compared to a drug addict, I’m offended. 😮

[@timothyaldrich83]

Having a personal history of IV use it’s infuriating when you tell them a vein is definitely bad and they disagree because they know better and proceed to keep hitting the same spot and coming up with nothing but excuses

[@BushyHairedStranger]

The “Vampire”-best Phlebotomist in the Lab is never as good as the IV drug user. Butterfly or no, I can find a vein in my feet & neck better than the best Phlebotomist could in my arm. Unfortunately they wont let you do your own draw or draw on other parts of your body…

[@austintx6033]

This is me !!!!! 😢

[@myles_akhonya8714]

I like it

[@ivi7792]

bad communication