Who's done self phlebotomy? Need tips

[BushLeague]

Ontario doesn’t charge you for bloodwork that I know of, I think we all have the same health care system being Canadian. Thank you I’ll do this this week.

BC has to pay every month for healthcare, dont they?

 

[BushLeague]

Yes, just go to a walk in and say you have that disease that increases your red blood cell count, polycythemia vera. Are you unable to go to Canadian Blood Services and dontate? If you have previous blood work of high hct and rbc show the walk in doctor that. Or if they won't send you for a phlebotomy, tell them to test your RBC and HCT, and there you have proof. Get them to set you up for one every 2 months or something. They can do that. That's how mine is setup. I just call and book a time. I don't know where you are in Canada, but I know Ontario charges you for bloodwork, don't they? We have it good out west here.

If thats the walk in you used for bloods, wouldnt they already understand whats going and and be able to just set it up?

 

[Cashton]

BC has to pay every month for healthcare, dont they?

I’m in Ontario, but I thought Canada had a universal health care system. And it was free for all of us, hell you can come from the states and if you happen to come to a hospital here your healthcare is still free.

 

[BushLeague]

"Health and dental coverage starting from $69.70 per month! Health Insurance BC administers the provincial health insurance plan which consists of: Medical Services Plan (MSP): Enrolment in MSP is mandatory for all BC residents and their dependents. Premiums are billed one month in advance."

and yeah its "free".

 

[muscletrain]

"Health and dental coverage starting from $69.70 per month! Health Insurance BC administers the provincial health insurance plan which consists of: Medical Services Plan (MSP): Enrolment in MSP is mandatory for all BC residents and their dependents. Premiums are billed one month in advance."

and yeah its "free".

"Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums were eliminated as of January 1, 2020. British Columbia (B.C.) residents are no longer charged MSP premiums. Enrolment in MSP remains mandatory for all residents."

It's basically just rolled into taxes now, so yes it's "free" in the sense that you aren't getting a monthly bill. You should have zero issues going and donating at Canadian Blood Services. The only annoying part is finding one that's convieniently close. I typically wait till somewhere super close is having a blood drive (CBS hosts them at churches/schools etc).

You should not be charged for bloodwork in BC docs just send you to lifelabs. Maybe if you are getting or requesting some random shit?

Personally I keep that information to myself by using letsgetchecked.com but its pricey as hell. During covid customs was fucked and I lucked out and got like a kit of 4-5 resent to me because they looked lost in transport, then they showed up so I'm good for awhile. If you need to bring results in you can hit download and it shows up like a traditional blood test in a printable form. Otherwise you can view your results in their website GUI.

If any of your markers are off ie. you know your test is gonna be sky high a nurse will try to call you typically a new york #. I jsut ignore it and your results are posted up.

They are pretty spot on for anything you would get done from your doctor.

 

[BushLeague]

Nice, I didn't see that change. Im not from there but was discussing it with friends out there.

I guess that way is probably cheaper than going to a naturopath.
Im thinking of just going to a walk in and trying my chances there.

 

[Slicknyc]

Reviving this old thread as I really need to do this on my own - blood bank not an option as I’m disqualified. First time in just gonna try and keep it simple and use an 18ga. and a large bowl as I only have a 1cup measuring cup. (Maybe I’ll just do 100-200mls my first time as a test run. My main concern is which vein do I pierce and does it matter? Do I just pick a very thick visible tube in my arm? How do you slide the needle in? Like a 45 degree angle? This is big boy stuff- might have to do this in the bathtub.

 

[malfeasance]

If you really want to keep it simple, get a phlebotomy kit. It comes with the bag, tube, and a proper venipuncture needle, which will work way better than winging it with an 18G. The bag also lets you know when you get to half a liter.

As for the vein, use the same one the lab uses when drawing blood.

Turn your palm up. Inside the elbow, there is a vein closes to your torso - that's the one.


Why do you need to drain blood? What is your blood test result making this a necessity?

 

[shackleford]

Also, maybe this is obvious but, don't stick it if it has a pulse.

 

[jJjburton]

If you really want to keep it simple, get a phlebotomy kit. It comes with the bag, tube, and a proper venipuncture needle, which will work way better than winging it with an 18G. The bag also lets you know when you get to half a liter.

As for the vein, use the same one the lab uses when drawing blood.

Turn your palm up. Inside the elbow, there is a vein closes to your torso - that's the one.


Why do you need to drain blood? What is your blood test result making this a necessity?

I have never seen these without a medical license needed or a prescription. Where can you find this?

 

[jJjburton]

Also, maybe this is obvious but, don't stick it if it has a pulse.

Not obvious... lol

why?

edit- o ok, i got it.

 

[shackleford]

Not obvious... lol

why?

edit- o ok, i got it.

Sorry, that was more clear in my head. You get it but in case @Slicknyc or anyone else needs clarification, veins dont have a pulse, so youre feeling for a vein, dont stab it if it has a pulse, thats an artery.

For petes sake though, be sterile!

 

[Cashton]

If you really want to keep it simple, get a phlebotomy kit. It comes with the bag, tube, and a proper venipuncture needle, which will work way better than winging it with an 18G. The bag also lets you know when you get to half a liter.

As for the vein, use the same one the lab uses when drawing blood.

Turn your palm up. Inside the elbow, there is a vein closes to your torso - that's the one.


Why do you need to drain blood? What is your blood test result making this a necessity?

Can you send a link to where I would find one of these kits?

 

[Perrin Aybara]

ebay

 

[Slicknyc]

Sorry, that was more clear in my head. You get it but in case @Slicknyc or anyone else needs clarification, veins dont have a pulse, so youre feeling for a vein, dont stab it if it has a pulse, thats an artery.

For petes sake though, be sterile!

No - I didn’t know this until you just pointed it out. My biggest fear would be something like that- maybe going into an artery instead of a vein or somehow severing something. The top of my hands have done nice veins And much easier to see. I know they use those sometimes but idk.

 

[BigRed1]

Can you send a link to where I would find one of these kits?

K-Shield Advantage Blood Draw Kit Blood Collection Bag, 600 mL, BK-64A, Pack of 1

Blood Draw Kit K-Shield Advantage Blood Bag BK-64A Each/1

heymedsupply.com

 

[shackleford]

No - I didn’t know this until you just pointed it out. My biggest fear would be something like that- maybe going into an artery instead of a vein or somehow severing something. The top of my hands have done nice veins And much easier to see. I know they use those sometimes but idk.

I feel like your biggest risk would be infection, so keep things sterile.
Also, veins blow, it happens.
Theres alot of youtube resources on venipuncture. Its a learned skill but really not that difficult.

Theres guys here that actually do this themselves and they can give you first hand knowledge, i've never done this to myself, only to others.

Why do you need to drain blood? What is your blood test result making this a necessity?

Did you see this question? @malfeasance is alot smarter than me btw.

 

[Slicknyc]

I feel like your biggest risk would be infection, so keep things sterile.
Also, veins blow, it happens.
Theres alot of youtube resources on venipuncture. Its a learned skill but really not that difficult.

Theres guys here that actually do this themselves and they can give you first hand knowledge, i've never done this to myself, only to others.


Did you see this question? @malfeasance is alot smarter than me btw.

Thanks brother good looking out.

 

[Cashton]

I feel like your biggest risk would be infection, so keep things sterile.
Also, veins blow, it happens.
Theres alot of youtube resources on venipuncture. Its a learned skill but really not that difficult.

Theres guys here that actually do this themselves and they can give you first hand knowledge, i've never done this to myself, only to others.


Did you see this question? @malfeasance is alot smarter than me btw.

I believe Veins usually ‘blow’ when injecting into them, however possibly they could collapse from an IV draw? Idk I’ve only ever heard of either blowouts or collapsing in IV drug users.

 

[shackleford]

I believe Veins usually ‘blow’ when injecting into them, however possibly they could collapse from an IV draw? Idk I’ve only ever heard of either blowouts or collapsing in IV drug users.

I've watched a hand vein explode into a huge hematoma as soon as I punctured it. I dont know why. Ive been told high bp can cause veins to be more prone to blow too. I have this problem pretty much exclusively in the hands and feet, and usually with older and less healthy patients.