Why Some People Pass Out During a Blood Draw? | DrSwetech.com

Do you pass out when your blood is drawn or when you see blood?
Why does this happen and what can you do about it?

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[themissinglink]

That explanation is interesting. I just passed out getting blood drawn a few hours ago. The needle itself didn't bother me, but then I started getting lightheaded and woosy. I actually felt like my body was saying "you're taking too much".

[Grahamcrackerz]

I got mine drawn about 45 minutes ago and I passed out so now I’m here 🥲

[---utfk]

I felt fine until they removed the needle, then I suddenly got very tired, began sweating a lot, and my vision went black.

[richardthiele]

After having passed out a number of times at blood draws, I can give better advice. For me, lie flat while they’re doing it, close your eyes (don’t look), talk to the phlebotomist to distract yourself, wear light clothing (a T-shirt, even if it’s cold outside), have water or juice at the ready or maybe a snack, take as much time as you need to fully recover afterwards, don’t rush out the door. One time I thought I was fine after five minutes waiting, but then I fainted at the check out desk.

[asdfbeau]

A phlebotomist changed my life with this really simple advice "you can't faint if you're lying down."
Seriously, if your body shuts down when you get blood drawn (like me), try having them do it while you're lying flat on an exam table

[jameseddine]

half way into it i passed out and i ended up embarrassing myself now i'm searching if i'm not the only one so i feel less ashamed

[anonymousperson]

I was never this way as a child. Since entering my 20s it seems to be worsening. Only occurs when I have my blood drawn. As a diabetic, this is INCREDIBLY inconvenient and leaves me feeling very embarrassed because phlebotomists will often roll their eyes or act as though I'm being a crybaby when I look away and grit my teeth and squeeze my fist to avoid passing out. I will try to cross my legs in the future. thank you for this video.

[rootishskin]

LAY DOWN FLAT and you will be alright. I had this issue every time I go for bloodwork and I started laying flat to give blood and not once since I felt anything crazy. Please do try and lay flat while giving blood next time and MAKE SURE you tell the person drawing blood that you want to lay flat and they definitely will understand why:) cheers!!

[rhyanlumilay]

I usually passed out when I saw the nurses draw blood from me but if I watch someone getting their blood samples I actually enjoys it and watched them without passing out, even small blood that profusely seeps out in any wounds in my body I immediately faints but I can treat someone's bloody wounds without me fainting at the sight of their blood.

[janetmcbride]

Okay, he said that squeezing your hands/knuckles helps, but when I’m about to pass out I lose all of the strength in my hands and legs. Just me?

[queenofscots]

K I’m O negative, I’ve tried so many times, hydrating, eating, good sleep! Doesn’t matter happens every time, can never finish!😖

[defunkdafied]

Just happened to me for the first time at 25! Such a mind-blowing experience

[kaspern]

I am not afraid of needles, it doesn´t hurt at all. I can watch other people bleed and take blood draws. But when im in the spot i get sick and nauseous. When i was a little younger i could fall or cut myself and bleed and be completely fine, now i just want to fainth. I can deal with pain an blood. but it seems like when it´s my blood my body just shuts down?

[realmadridFS]

this sucks i get like cold sweats and feel like throwing up and bam i passed out

[justaguyandhissilver]

I wish i could find a way to avoid this. I have no problems giving blood, no problem with needles, and am fine for the whole process. Its afterwards thats always been a problem. The same thing happens every time. I get blood drawn, the nurse talks to me the whole time, i think shes watching for reactions or possible fainting. The whole process goes well. I leave the room, speak to the receptionist if needed, then head to my car. About 5-10 minutes afterwards is when it starts. I start to get crazy tunnel vision. Become super nauseous. Extreme cold sweats. I become severally thirsty out of nowhere. It feels exactly like the peak of an anxiety attack. I get a compulsion to groan, cuss or swear as the dizziness hits hard. I feel like im dying and going to pass out or vomit. It is literally the worst feeling i have ever felt. Does this happen to anyone else? If so have you found any tricks to avoid this from happening? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have important blood work needed and ive been avoiding it because of this.

[mrsg]

So sad, just donated plasma and have before!!! No problems! Passed out today and only was able to donate for about 30 min

[akshitabhakhri]

So here i get to know how common it is. It happened with me for the first time today and I passed out so bad, cold sweat and complete blackout. But nobody here mentioned fatigue post fainting. I want to know if that’s common too because I feel like I barely have strength. I’m also on anti depressants (recently) so bit worried

[smr]

I'm here because when I went to MEPS to enlist for the Army I had my blood drawn. I was fine until after she pulled the needle out. Before I knew it I was getting light headed and the nurse was shaking me to wake up. I was very embarrassed. I need to learn to get over this because I enlisted as a 68w which is a medic. While in AIT I will be administering IVS often and also having them done on myself. I need to learn to overcome this

[jamesharding]

The one and only time I passed out during a blood draw was in the army. I don’t remember passing out per se, but I remember waking back up with a sergeant _enthusiastically_ shoving his fist in my sternum.

I also remember I woke up swinging, because that fucking hurt.

[B-oc]

I’ve had this since I was a little kid. I remember having my finger pricked once when I was sick, and that did it. After that, any blood draws, or even just talking about it would often send me into this reflex.