Who's done self phlebotomy? Need tips

[Perrin Aybara]

I've had a hand IV in the hospital and I don't think I could do that to myself. Opposite side of your elbow or forearm are better spots in my opinion. Much less painful and larger veins.

 

[Flathead Fred]

I use the posterior tibial vein, it’s near the inside ankle. I use this so I’m able to sit and use both hands. Strap a tourniquet above the knee, bevel side up on an 18 gauge needle, remove plunger, insert at 45 degree angle, once you pierce the vein drop that angle to around 20 degrees insert till you have a good flow and drain into a 2 cup measuring bowl. If I’m well hydrated and took aspirin and fish oils to thin the blood I can usually be done in 10 minutes. Occasionally it will coagulate and I’ll repeat on the other leg until a pint is reached. Crude but it beats a stroke.

 

[jJjburton]

I use the posterior tibial vein, it’s near the inside ankle. I use this so I’m able to sit and use both hands. Strap a tourniquet above the knee, bevel side up on an 18 gauge needle, remove plunger, insert at 45 degree angle, once you pierce the vein drop that angle to around 20 degrees insert till you have a good flow and drain into a 2 cup measuring bowl. If I’m well hydrated and took aspirin and fish oils to thin the blood I can usually be done in 10 minutes. Occasionally it will coagulate and I’ll repeat on the other leg until a pint is reached. Crude but it beats a stroke.

How do you realize you pierced it? Is there a way? To prevent going to deep or shallow?

are you suppose to twist the bevel too once in? So the shorter side of the be em is now on top instead of bottom “ closer to skin”?

 

[Flathead Fred]

You’ll know you pierced the vein when blood rushes into the plunger less needle. The bevel is facing up, don’t twist, once I see blood enter the syringe I insert it an additional 1/2 inch.

 

[Slicknyc]

You’ll know you pierced the vein when blood rushes into the plunger less needle. The bevel is facing up, don’t twist, once I see blood enter the syringe I insert it an additional 1/2 inch.

What gauge needle and what length do you use? 3cc syringe? Also- does it matter which side of the needle is facing up or away from body? I’m sorry - just edited and reread your post- you say bevel side up? I’m a bit confused. How exactly are you sitting?

 

[Slicknyc]

I use the posterior tibial vein, it’s near the inside ankle. I use this so I’m able to sit and use both hands. Strap a tourniquet above the knee, bevel side up on an 18 gauge needle, remove plunger, insert at 45 degree angle, once you pierce the vein drop that angle to around 20 degrees insert till you have a good flow and drain into a 2 cup measuring bowl. If I’m well hydrated and took aspirin and fish oils to thin the blood I can usually be done in 10 minutes. Occasionally it will coagulate and I’ll repeat on the other leg until a pint is reached. Crude but it beats a stroke.

It does seem easier for me to use this method. I can get a better view and easier to keep still. Just trying to figure out how to sit and get a setup going. Are the bottoms of your feet flat on the floor the entire time? I may have to do this sitting on my toilet or a chair in my bathroom, I thought I sounded crazy with my questions but looks like other guys are interested in trying this as well.

 

[Flathead Fred]

Yes, I’m seated with my feet flat. I elevated the leg I’m drawing blood from by setting that foot on a bathroom scale, this raises it a couple of inches and allows for the measuring cup to slide under the syringe with the plunger removed. 18 gauge, 1-1/2 inch needle. While seated leaning forward you with be inserting the needle upward towards the heart.

Look at a needle close-up from the side, the bevel is the angled edge, that faces up while you penetrate the skin. Obviously make sure you are swabbing with alcohol and using a new harpoon. Clear as mud?

 

[Jet Labs]

The Doctors I'm dealing with are fucking clowns so I'm going to have to get this shit done myself!

This is all I can find up here in Canada, 18g collection pin with tube.

Butterfly Needles – Sureflo Winged Infusion Set | DEHP-Free

Sureflo Winged Infusion Set with soft, flexible wings for comfortable venipuncture. Coil-resistant tubing, angled design, and DEHP-free for patient safety.

www.midwiferysupplies.ca

 

[Cashton]

The Doctors I'm dealing with are fucking clowns so I'm going to have to get this shit done myself!

This is all I can find up here in Canada, 18g collection pin with tube.

Butterfly Needles – Sureflo Winged Infusion Set | DEHP-Free

Sureflo Winged Infusion Set with soft, flexible wings for comfortable venipuncture. Coil-resistant tubing, angled design, and DEHP-free for patient safety.

www.midwiferysupplies.ca

Let me know what you end up using, I’m in Canada too and need to do this brother.

 

[Jet Labs]

Let me know what you end up using, I’m in Canada too and need to do this brother.

I'm ordering these today!

 

[Jet Labs]

I use the posterior tibial vein, it’s near the inside ankle. I use this so I’m able to sit and use both hands. Strap a tourniquet above the knee, bevel side up on an 18 gauge needle, remove plunger, insert at 45 degree angle, once you pierce the vein drop that angle to around 20 degrees insert till you have a good flow and drain into a 2 cup measuring bowl. If I’m well hydrated and took aspirin and fish oils to thin the blood I can usually be done in 10 minutes. Occasionally it will coagulate and I’ll repeat on the other leg until a pint is reached. Crude but it beats a stroke.

I'm going to try this so I can use both hands!

 

[malfeasance]

That needle is used for putting stuff in your veins, not for draining them.

 

[Jet Labs]

That needle is used for putting stuff in your veins, not for draining them.

I had blood drawn yesterday and she used a 21g. Larger needles are used for donating to prevent damaging the red blood cells! Smaller gauge needles will work just fine for self draining at home, might take a bit longer if not hydrated though.

 

[malfeasance]

What sort of blood draw?

 

[Trenbologna]

Teruflex Blood Collection Bag - 600 mL - Each/1 - 1BBD606A

edit: sorry Perrin, I just reread where you found the 16g

What if someone wanted to keep their blood and store it the way they do at the dr? Any idea where to get those empty glass storage tubes?

 

[Trenbologna]

Sorry 20% more efficiency

Get 20% Better Results From Testosterone | T Nation

Holy fuck. I started pinning sub-q 20 years ago even when it was discouraged by many. Then I started reading articles about how the absorption isn't as good so I stopped. While I found the ultimate pain free/nearly blood vessel free method- (ventrogluteal), I'm totally going back to sub-q. Thank you for that link.

 

[MFAAS]

I would say just be careful or you might end up like Frank after he retired: 051

 

[unloopme]

Hey folks!
Stumbled upon this thread and immediately joined the forum.

This here is the correct answer. The needle is made just for this and even has an extra hole for extra blood flow.

Could you please explain a bit more on how to use these?

Do you close the small clip to insert the butterfly, and then open it once you're ready to draw, then close again when done? Or just insert the butterfly and go, then close the clip when done?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

edit: just noticed a bunch of members in this thread are banned!

 

[HopHop79]

Hey folks!
Stumbled upon this thread and immediately joined the forum.


Could you please explain a bit more on how to use these?

Do you close the small clip to insert the butterfly, and then open it once you're ready to draw, then close again when done? Or just insert the butterfly and go, then close the clip when done?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

edit: just noticed a bunch of members in this thread are banned!

It’s quite easy. Tie off your upper arm if you don’t have easy veins to poke. The butterfly needle sits a specific way (wings tilting slightly up) and insert into vein. You only use the clip for preventing back flow when you are done. I engage the clip just before removing the needle.

 

[Rido]

It’s quite easy. Tie off your upper arm if you don’t have easy veins to poke. The butterfly needle sits a specific way (wings tilting slightly up) and insert into vein. You only use the clip for preventing back flow when you are done. I engage the clip just before removing the needle.

manual blood pressure cuff is a good option too. go 20mmhg above your systolic and let it bleed after you stick yourself.