Question:
I have a surgery date of l2/23...
I have heard many horror stories about the blood gas tests...I will not be having this until I get to the hospital Monday..Can anyone explain just what this is..and if it is truly painful...Now that my surgery is approaching so fast I am terrified. — pat C. (posted on December 17, 2002)
December 17, 2002
i don't understand why you are hearing "horror" stories about
blood gases. also known as abg's. This is just like when they draw blood
for routine blood tests except it is arterial blood,usually drawn near your
wrist. It is a little more painful but not much. It checks for oxygen
levels in your blood. That will help anesthesia know what is going on with
you. Hope this helps. There is no need to fear this test.
— Delores S.
December 17, 2002
Don't get worked up over it. But, it hurt like a big dog. It was quick
and felt to me like an IV being shoved into the underneath side of the
wrist. All of the pain is worth having the surgery, though. I've heard
that the test does not hurt some people, so maybe you will be one of those!
Good luck and god bless
— Toni T.
December 17, 2002
I had blood gas tests done when I had a blood clot in my leg. I was told it
would hurt bad. I never felt more then a pin prick like any shot. I sat
there waiting for the pain and asked when it would began. They laughed and
said it was over. I quess some feel some pain but it depends on who does
the test.
— Carol H.
December 17, 2002
No matter what procedure you go in for you will hear horror stories from
some people. I had mine drawn from the wrist. It's like getting a shot
only a little more uncomfortable. I'm not a needle person and I handled it
very well. Just hope for the best. That's all you can do. Good luck.
— Tracy A.
December 17, 2002
I had the blood gas test done after my surgery, due to my breathing
problems...I felt nothing, maybe because I was on morphine...but...I did
have a bruise from it that was there over a month..as a matter of fact, the
bruise just finally faded away about two weeks ago....Open RNY 10-30-02
— Ms. M.
December 17, 2002
I have had to get blood gas tests all my life due to asthma. I have had
both good on pain and not-so-good on pain blood gas tests but even the
worst wasn't bad enough to worry about for one minute. Its over and done
with in a minute and if you make sure you have a pro doing it, you'll be
fine. The way I look at it is... I can take any amount of pain if I know
its only temporary. You'll do fine.
— thumpiez
December 17, 2002
Hi!<br>I'm not sure if this is good news for you or bad news. I had
blood gasses done 2-3 times the 2nd night after surgery, as I was having
breathing problems and was totally out of it. The GOOD news is that it
didn't hurt at all... and... ok... I don't really REMEMBER it. The BAD
news is that the respiratory therapist that did them said he was STUNNED I
didn't remember them, because many people say they hurt.<br>I think
you'll be ok... just keep a good attitude about everything.<br>Kelly
— Kelly B.
December 17, 2002
This was what I dreaded the worst in my pre-op stuff. However, the girl who
did mine was very skilled, and I hardly felt it!
— Susan A.
December 18, 2002
Arterial blood gases are drawn to determine if you are adequatly
oxygenating your blood and they are important especially when you are being
put to sleep for surgery. They are usually drawn from the wrist area, or
the inside elbow area. I have heard patients complain that it is painful.
The good news is that it is usually very quick. The best thing that you can
do is to just look away, take a deep breath and think about how good you
are going to look in your bathing suit next year. Good luck.
— denaa
December 19, 2002
Blood-gases arent as bad, as most people make them out to be. I have a very
low pain tolerance, and it took the nurse 6 times, to even, get the needle
inside my artery.. It hurt, as bad as getting your blood taken, not very
bad. Don't stress too much over it, the minimal pain, will definitely be
worth it. Goodluck!!!
— Erica D.
Click Here to Return