Nerves?

Wuzzie · May 31, 2018

Does the shaking happen at any other time?

QuietIsntAWord · May 31, 2018

Does the shaking happen at any other time?

I do have an intention tremor, but that's when I'm concentrating on hitting a small target and it's only my hands. Like I said, the shaking doesn't start until after I'm already in the vein so I don't think that's it. I'm at a loss.

Edit: and no, that's the only time it happens

Wuzzie · May 31, 2018

Have you seen a neurologist? I'm just wondering if it's a stress response that might be associated with your intentional tremor. Trying to control it when doing the VP might be stressing your system causing an overall response. I really think you should be evaluated. This has to be miserable for you.

Medic_Murse, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 31, 2018

Stop drinking. I kid...I kid! Seriously though, as someone that can go toe to toe with anyone on blood draws (hear that? That's me tooting (haaaa...tooting!) my own horn). There are difficult sticks that need really fine precision and it doesn't take much to wear on those fine muscles/motors. I find I'll shake from time to time on those.

QuietIsntAWord · Jun 1, 2018

My mother told me the same thing. I didn't want this to turn into a medical advice topic because we don't do that here, but you both may be onto something. I'll look into it. It really is awful, my entire body starts shaking like I'm nervous as hell, but why should I be? I've got the vein, there is blood collecting in the tubes, I succeeded... whyyyyyyyy am I shaking??? lol

QuietIsntAWord · Jun 1, 2018

Stop drinking. I kid...I kid! Seriously though, as someone that can go toe to toe with anyone on blood draws (hear that? That's me tooting (haaaa...tooting!) my own horn). There are difficult sticks that need really fine precision and it doesn't take much to wear on those fine muscles/motors. I find I'll shake from time to time on those.

This isn't just a shake, it's like the fight or flight syndrome with me... i was hyped on adrenaline and then I come down kinda shakes

lrobinson5 · Jun 1, 2018

Maybe it's because you don't do it as often as shots? I used to shake like a leaf when starting IVs but I only seemed to notice it was really bad after I got blood return. Maybe because I was worried that I might still mess it up, or maybe I was concentrating so hard on keeping it together and doing it right that the second I saw the flash I relaxed and then the shaking surfaced, who knows? I hope it gets better, but I agree with above, go to your doctor for a medical opinion.

inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 1, 2018

Very intriguing, interested to see what comes of this.

hawaiicarl, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2018

Other than this possibly being an early onset parkinsonian thing. I sometimes get twitchy like that when my sugars are low, so I rest the edge of my hand on the table which stops the temors, or if no table is present I press my hand on their arm or even brace it against my other wrist. I seem to only get that shaking if my hand is unsupported in any way.

Cheers

riverlands · Jun 2, 2018

If you are a great stick but difficulty holding a direct draw needle and changing tubes, can you just use a butterfly, get a stick, hold the butterfly with one fingertip and pop tubes on and off the holder with the other hand? it wont matter if your tube hand shakes if its at the end of a length of butterfly tubing

QuietIsntAWord · Aug 28, 2018

Just an update.

I've been volunteering more and more to do labs to get more practice.

I've noticed when I put the patients arm in a dependent position and I don't have the patient right there staring at me and every move I make, I have a much easier time. So I'm guessing it is some kind of nervous reaction that I'm not aware of.

Good news is I'm still at a 100% "batting record"

(Yes I know that will end one day)