Quote Originally Posted by KnottedYet View Post
I had a phlebotomist tell me I should always ask for butterflies.

Took me a while to learn the best way for me to ask, and now I each time I have a draw I run down my spiel:

"My veins are very thin and rolly, but they do work. I've been told I should always ask for a pediatric needle, but use whatever you like. My veins do work, really."

Since developing my spiel, I always get a butterfly needle. Before, when I would ask specifically, half the time they'd ignore me and start with a regular needle and make a horrible mess (I tried to pass out more than once) and then have to use a pediatric anyway.
Good point...maybe I should develop a new way to ask. Or maybe I should ask my doctor to write it on the lab order.

Today I basically said "I was wondering if you could please use a Butterfly. My veins don't like to cooperate...they like to roll and collapse...and it seems like butterflies really help with this". Then after her reply, I told her how I've had trauma in the past with multiple sticks and hematomas and nerve pain up and down my arm and that Butterlies seem to prevent these problems. But by then it was clear she was super annoyed.

I'm sure phlebotomists feel especially under appreciated...they work on strangers for 2 minutes and never see them again, and most people don't look forward to being poked with a needle. However, I wasn't being rude or demanding or unreasonable, and afterwards I did thank her and tell her how much I appreciated that she used the Butterfly. So I'm not sure I'm being judgemental. Although I guess I don't understand why a healthcare professional would have a problem with doing something quick & easy to prevent their patient from suffering.