Drawing blood pain and how to control it?

Is there anything I can do to lessen the pain when they draw blood from me?





At this point, I'm thinking about...





Buying the strongest topical anesthetic cream at the nearest drug store and applying a lot of it to the spot.


Taking pain killers before I get my blood drawn.


Drinking lots of water.





Is there anything else I need to do? I'm getting my blood drawn to make sure I can qualify for the medication Accutane.Drawing blood pain and how to control it?
Most of the time, the pain from a blood draw is minimal. If the lab tech is any good, it's a smooth stick. If you are very concerned, I would warm-pack your arm first. That dilates the veins and makes the process easier.





Seriously, unless your veins are very small or in really bad shape, most people don't even notice a venipuncture.Drawing blood pain and how to control it?
If you have this much anxiety, you should discuss it with the lab personnel before you go in, and see what they advise. Drinking plenty of fluid is advised to keep your fluid volume up, and the lab can provide you with warm water to lower your arm into. Hanging it down and keeping it in warm water will help to fill the veins so they are more prominent. Ask the lab personnel about topical anesthetics. Taking systemic pain killers might put you in the category of sissy pants, and I would rethink that.
Skip the topicals - you want the site to be clean. If you're having blood drawn from an artery, the lab tech will numb the site for you with lidocaine, in any case.


Drink lots of water the day and evening before the blood draw, if it's going to be in the morning; a lot first thing in the am if the draw is in the afternoon.This will make your veins plump and easy to find.


Tell the phlebotomist that you are nervous - you certainly won't be the first person!


Ask her to ';count out loud to three'; before the stick. When she gets to ';two';, take a deep breath in and hold it. Don't watch. After she says ';three'; (she went in on ';three';), release this breath.Still don't watch.


If you're ultra nervous, on ';One,'; pinch your earlobe on the same side with your index finger and thumb nail. Pinch and pull down. There's an accupressure site there that is a pain reliever. THEN, on two. take a deep breath in. On ';three';, she sticks you, and you release your earlobe and your breath at the same time. Still don't look.


If for some reason things didn't go smoothly, repeat above as needed.


Voila - you've made it through!
I think the pain level depends on the person drawing the blood - not what you can do to stop it. Just relax and don't watch. It will be over before you know it.