Hi All
Now that I am on Abemaciclib I have to have monthly blood tests to check my white and blood cell count. I can honestly tell you that I dread it. After they manage to find a vein (which sometimes can take several attempts) they then cannot draw out any blood. I never, ever used to have this problem so I don’t understand why it’s happening now. I come home so bruised that it’s ridiculous. Does anyone else have this problem and how do you get around it.
They can only use my right arm as I had a total axilla lymph node clearance on my left side.
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Hi, I have used my lymph node clearance arm for over a year for blood taking. Apparently the latest evidence indicates that there is no harm using the arm that has had a lymph node clearance for vena puncture.
I am also taking adjuvant Abemaciclib, on cycle 18. I do ask them not to have the tourniquet too tight.
Initially I also used the other arm, but after chemo the veins on that arm were shot and obtaining blood was a nightmare. It was my oncologist who recommended using the lymph node clearance arm.
Oh that’s really interesting to know @shade
I think that might have to be the next option for me if things don’t improve - I’m only on my second cycle of Abemaciclib, I was really hoping thay maybe after 6 cycles they’d have enough of an idea on how your doing and the bloods could stop, Seem not,
Hi, unfortunately bloods are still done regularly but less frequent. I tend to have my bloods taken every 8 weeks. Hope your journey taking Abemaciclib goes well.
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@irenko
I feel your pain. I think my worst was 15 attempts which even included my foot.
Things worth trying: drink lots before you go, try to make sure your appointments are not first thing, make sure your hands are warm (even running them under the tap when you arrive).
Has the hospital tried the ‘electric blanket’ to heat your hand/plump your veins? what about the ‘hair drier’ thing? Are they using the smallest cannula (but needs to make sure it will give them enough blood too).
Is there someone better at taking bloods - chemo specialist nurse maybe. I found one nurse who was my saviour and I would arrange to attend when she was free.
At the beginning of abemaciclib use, bloods were due monthly, but the Consultant agreed to three monthly because they were stable/it was hard to get but I did need them every three months for the full two years I was on the regime.
I always used the side that had lymph nodes. I know research says it doesn’t matter, but I have lymphoedema and just wasn’t prepared to take that chance.
Good luck - it really isn’t nice and I hope something in here helps in your case.
Laura
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Oooo @LauraR no electric blanket thing at the hospital. I’m going to eat bananas the night before I I’d heard increasing potassium helps and I’m going to drink coconut water for extra hydration (I drink water all day long as it is).
I was thinking about asking another nurse and can’t bear the thought of doing this for the next 2 years. I’m cautious about the non lymph node side being used x
Hi,
Not on the same drug as you but I feel your pain!! I never had good veins but after chemo and an auxiliary node clearance a simple blood test is a complete nightmare for me. A few tips as suggested by others not getting bloods done in the morning, drinking, eating etc but heat really helps me. I put the heating in the car on full blast, wrap my arm up in a scarf and the nurses will usually use a heat pack on me which they heat in the microwave.
The person doing it also makes a massive difference. I have a nurse in my GP surgery who always seems to get them so where possible I get bloods done there instead of in the hospital- I always ask in the hospital if this is an option if they are having difficulties. Often they will give me the blood form and my GP surgery is amazing at fitting me in (appreciate this is not the case for everyone). Also you are allowed to say can someone else try or say actually that’s enough now. I was developing a serious phobia of needles before I started saying can someone else try or actually are these bloods really needed??
Another tip during chemo I was told to put pressure on sight after blood draws to prevent bruising- it did help!!
Hope you get sorted 