A New Pet Peeve

I can guess exactly what their deal is. They are probably used to dealing with people, unlike you, who are are starving for attention and who make sure everyone around them know how uncomfortable they are, etc. I have dealt with such people, who, I repeat, are not like you. They are annoying and tedious to have to give customer service to. That causes one to develop apathy for everyone else, not believing that they may become queasy after a poke in the arm.

That’s my “defense” for them, because I have been there dealing with those frustrating attention suckers. It’s too bad that people like you have to suffer the effects of the “other kind.” Just keep that in mind, for next time.

By the way, my pet peeve is apathy. Unfortunately, I happen to deal it out quite a bit – but only when necessary .

I know exactly how you feel. I hate needles. Ask my mom and she will tell you how I tried to runaway from the nurse when I was getting my vaccinations. Of course if your adulthood, it is rare not to get blood drawn and I have had to do some deep breathing exercises and avert my eyes from the needle itself. I always make it known to the person drawing blood or inserting any needle into me that I HATE needles. I have had good ones and bad ones. Once I told I tech who had to insert a dye in me for a kidney scan that I hated needles and they almost laughed at me. I had a a line put in and told to use the bathroom and almost fainted when I accidentally looked at it. I cannot stand having a needle in me longer than necessary. But this is something I had to get over, somewhat, when I got pregnant with my first son. I didn’t know how I would cope, especially during labor when it is unavoidable having a needle in you for an IV. But I did it. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate needles, but somehow I have been able to tolerate it. Having major surgery last year also got me over it. However, the bottom line for me is always how the nurse, technician or whoever treats me during the procedure. For the most part, I’ve been pretty lucky but I also attribute to karma. I always thank the person doing the needle work for doing a good job if there is minimal pain involved or discomfort. In fact, I praise their good work. It seems to me that most technicians have pretty good empathy toward the people they take blood from. Is there any way to go somewhere else or another lab. I would also complain to your doctor. I did that when I had my kidney procedure and the doctor told me they planned not to use that particular radiologist again.

I have the SAME pet peeve! I had my blood taken a few weeks ago and the guy was emotionless and really freaked me out. It makes SUCH a difference when they can just be nice!

The Wife of Odie´s last blog post..4th of July

So sorry this experience had to be so trying….wish I could have been there with you. Nothing like a Mama Bear to get folks to shape up!! Over the years I think I’ve run into almost all the different technicians and nurses out there. I feel there are categories of tech/nurses: 1. the really caring and I’ve chosen the right field/profession 2. Most days I’m caring and pretty sure I’m in the right field 3. I don’t care and why did I choose this field? 4. Today’s a lousy day and this field sucks!!

We all hope we don’t hit # 4 too often or we’ll all quit going to the doctor for anything!! Having said that, I’m very grateful for all those who join this great field of nurses/technicians because they love and/or enjoy to work and having the opportuntities to help others. They apply themselves to really learning the best techniques in working with their patients. I’ve had so many experiences where I didn’t feel a thing while having blood work done. Yes, a few where I thought I must have had a bulls eye drawn on my arm!!! Ouch!!! So glad that drawing blood doesn’t take too long sometimes when you have someone that is less than caring.

What does a smile cost anyone especially when they’re working with patients? Here’s hoping all the blood work you may have in the future will be with those in the number 1 category – professional and caring and don’t hurt you!!! They may even give you a pat on the arm….

Bummer, I am so sorry! I used to be like that about blood draws but with my third I had SO MANY that I got over it. The only upside to that situation. Hopefully you don’t ever have to get used to needles.

Mindee´s last blog post..Another Conversation With Reagan

i hate people that pull out and drive slow too….and i really hate needles, on top of my hate for needles my veins tend to roll and are hard to find. so not only do the technicians poke and poke but they often have to do it multiple times in multiple places…making the blood lab my least favorite place in the world.

Briony´s last blog post..yum-yum

I just had one of the best experiences getting blood drawn at my Dr the other day. I’m not afraid of needles, but as I age I’m becoming a very hard stick, so what I dread is the multiple tries and the digging around of the needle. UGH. I told the nurse this as I sat down just to warn her, and guess what she said? That there is a tiny needle available called a butterfly and that all I have to do from here on out is ask for it! And she had NO PROBLEM getting it in the first time and it was very nearly painless. Tabitha, you should just tell them that you’re a hard stick and that you want the butterfly needle. It’s so much better!

Yuck, sorry it was so awful! Next time just look them in the eye and say, “I HATE needles! Be nice to me!” LOL

I will never trust a nurse who gets their eye liner tatooed on. (induction of my first child story)
I also can’t stand wet hair ( I blow dry EVERYDAY) and appliances on my counter top.

Serene´s last blog post..Just in Case You Were Wondering

Sounds like being focused on how your warnings/feelings were discounted helped get you through the experience without suffering any ill effects. Personally, I wish you had thrown up on her shoes, preferably, open-toe. But I certainly don’t wish YOU the discomfort of vomitting!

I, “suffer” (?) from deep veins so I do my best to point out the vein (one, right arm, side at elbow bend, thank you, very much) I know will work BEFORE I sit down and the needle is uncapped. As with your latest experience, (of being disregarded) I am sometimes mistaken by the phlebotomist as a know-it-all for knowing my own body.

Nevertheless, their attitude is always quickly adjusted after they try it their way (at my expense!) and fail – After that, they are all too willing to accept my input and we become buddies. Usually, it works out okay, but all too often I leave with an apology ON TOP of my band-AidS, (pural on purpose!)

Bottom line, in all things service-related, EVEN medical care and perhaps ESPECIALLY medical care, YOU are the customer.

I once managed a home health care agency and what peeved me more than the, know-it-all patients were the patients who allowed fear (or desperate hope) to cloud their good sense to know that doctors and nurses are not mind readers – Patients MUST rise up and tell caretakers how and what they are feeling… At every step during treatment. I suggest to patients, Speak up! No one in the medical field is doing any of us a FAVOR – they are doing a job and how well they do that job depends on us!

I say to everyone… Set the expectations up-front, if you feel you are not being heard or given the proper respect as the CUSTOMER, then ask to speak to the practice manager. Often the phlebotomist at medical offices is independent, but everyone answers to someone and within a clinic or medical practice, it’s the practice manager.

This happens to you again, (I hope not!) stand up and request another phlebotomist and if that is not possible, ask the practice manager or a nurse to stand by.

Passing out, even vomiting (with its risk of aspiration) is serious, so asking for another person to stand by in the event you suffer either, is not out of line. I’ve seen people pass out and hit their head, bite off their tongue, you name it…

Remember, you are worth the effort of standing up for yourself (always!) and you are worth the effort of those being PAID to care for you, to provide that care correctly!

Good for you for sharing! I hope your clinic/medical office reads your blog and comments section!

I feel your pain! Needles are the worst. No, scratch that, rude people with needles are the worst.

That’s frustrating that the tech obviously had no regard for you or your feelings or your pain or your anxiousness. And scary that she has the power to hurt others as she sees fit!

Kate´s last blog post..She Says… Calling it Quits

I can really relate to your loathing of getting blood taken. I have actually passed out giving blood too. It is really important to me to have someone who seems to care and can handle things if I do find myself on the floor. As far as other pet peeves, I hate it when drivers don’t use their turn signals, and others who follow too close. Thanks for letting us vent.

There are dentists who are very sensitive to people with dentist aversions. Surely there must be someplace who also deals with this struggle, especially when having to deal with children. Why not try a children’s hosptial lab, if your insurance is willing? Just a thought….

Robynn’s Ravings´s last blog post..We All Scream and Then We Have Ice-Cream….

Well. I have been a fainter all of my life. Not because of needles but from the sight of blood. In a hospital once, while visiting someone who had been a car accident, I fainted three times. The nurse who rushed in to help me said that my fainting is more like a seizure, not just collapsing to the floor. I also tend to vomit upon regaining consciousness. So it is nice when I am take seriously in the lab but that’s not always the case.

Add to that the fact that my veins dive and roll every time they try to draw blood and it’s not too fun. Only once in my whole life as anyone been able to draw blood from my arm and it was a fantastic nursing STUDENT. Nevertheless,they always say “can I just try?” (even though I tell them) and of course I say “please do” because it really hurts to have it drawn out of the top of your hand, especially when the veins tend to blow and they end up having to squeeze and dig several times there as well. Even though they usually use a smaller needle for the hand, it’s attached to a tube that then has to draw the blood down into the vial. It feels like it takes forever.

More than once, I have left the lab, looking frightening to the waiting patients I’m sure, with all of the bandages around both arms and hands.

Once in the hospital lab, I told the nurse the issue and he said, “well I don’t have any of the smaller needles, sorry” and proceeded to use the larger one that they use on the arm. He just jabbed in there so hard and I passed out on him from the sheer pain of it, then had to drive home 45 miles alone.

I can see where the other commenters who are in the medical field get frustrated with the whiners but we aren’t all just looking for attention, so even a little empathy would be greatly appreciated. Is it really that hard to do? I mean, what would it hurt to be nicer just in case they really do have a serious issue?

I love advances in technology…
The last time I had to have an IV (January), the nurse used an ultrasound machine and guided the needle right in. No pain! Seriously!

I am sorry for your trouble and fear! I too have always hated needles until I had to give myself a shot daily for the last year and a half!
My pet peeve comes with shopping. (Isn’t that what you were asking – what are your pet peeves?) I can’t stand to go to a crowded store (Walmart) and there are FAMILIES of ten with 9 children all surrounding the area I want to get to. Why does everyone need to go? When I used to take my kids into Walmart, we would all go separate ways… AND no matter what I want to find in the store, there is always someone right there looking at the same thing, if not two or three people there! Ugh. I have a very short fuse at Christmas time and try to most of it on line. LOL!