Discussion
I appreciate a phobia is not about the perceived "pain" but seriously, if you don't look you probably won't even know its done.
I don't have a fear of needles as such but until 'recently hadn't had a jab since I was a kid so could only remember how much they used to sting.
In recent months I've had numerous drips and stuff in hospital which I just about felt but certainly didn't hurt followed by flu, pneumonia and covid none of which I even felt. I mentioned it to one of the nurses and she did comment that the design of hypodermic needles had improved as had her technique!
As already said, mention it, keep distracted and look away.
I don't have a fear of needles as such but until 'recently hadn't had a jab since I was a kid so could only remember how much they used to sting.
In recent months I've had numerous drips and stuff in hospital which I just about felt but certainly didn't hurt followed by flu, pneumonia and covid none of which I even felt. I mentioned it to one of the nurses and she did comment that the design of hypodermic needles had improved as had her technique!
As already said, mention it, keep distracted and look away.
If you feint at least you'll wake up vaccinated! I've given blood and been stabbed so many times when I was ill that I don't think about it anymore. But I still can't watch the needle going in.
I had vac1 a couple of weeks ago and I genuinely did not feel it. Was a mite sore the next day but the injection itself was completely painless.
I had vac1 a couple of weeks ago and I genuinely did not feel it. Was a mite sore the next day but the injection itself was completely painless.
Get yourself some Ametop, https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/ametop-gel-15...
Any pharmacy will sell it.
It’s a very effective surface anaesthetic cream. Apply it a good 40 minutes or so before your appointment and you literally won’t feel anything.
I’m a retired special care dentist, we used it a lot before IV sedation and such things.
Any pharmacy will sell it.
It’s a very effective surface anaesthetic cream. Apply it a good 40 minutes or so before your appointment and you literally won’t feel anything.
I’m a retired special care dentist, we used it a lot before IV sedation and such things.
I didn't have an issue for years and gave blood a few times in my 20s, but now I turn to jelly when I know I'm getting a jab or having bloods done - no idea what triggered it, but it's a proper full on phobia for me now.
At my last work blood test my HR was recorded as 80 odd prior to the bloods being taken which they warned me was high (and odd, considering I weigh about the same as a teatowel and run 50+km/week) - told them about my irrational fear and they re-took the measurement afterward when I was a bit calmer - 42...
My only suggestions - tell them ahead of time - every nurse will have seen it before - either lie down or comfy chair. Don't look and keep talking - everyone sees straight through the ploy of "tell me about your holidays as a distraction while I jab you", but it does help. Go to your happy place and concentrate on your breathing - it will be over in seconds. Laugh with the nurse afterwards about how big a jessie you are.
At my last work blood test my HR was recorded as 80 odd prior to the bloods being taken which they warned me was high (and odd, considering I weigh about the same as a teatowel and run 50+km/week) - told them about my irrational fear and they re-took the measurement afterward when I was a bit calmer - 42...
My only suggestions - tell them ahead of time - every nurse will have seen it before - either lie down or comfy chair. Don't look and keep talking - everyone sees straight through the ploy of "tell me about your holidays as a distraction while I jab you", but it does help. Go to your happy place and concentrate on your breathing - it will be over in seconds. Laugh with the nurse afterwards about how big a jessie you are.
PistonGuy66 said:
Im having my covid jab on friday and im really freaking out about it now!
Had mine yesterday. They use a much, much smaller gauge needle than those used for taking blood/you may be familiar with, and it doesn't penetrate far because it doesn't have to. Just into the (l) deltoid (side shoulder muscle). Honestly you won't notice it. Try not to get too apprehensive, my sympathies!mickyh7 said:
I know this wont help much.
But while I was talking to the Nurse, I was totally unaware she had done and finished.
It honestly did not hurt.
I did not feel anything at all.
Good luck.
I was the same, I was looking away and never felt it so was surprised when she told me it was done. But while I was talking to the Nurse, I was totally unaware she had done and finished.
It honestly did not hurt.
I did not feel anything at all.
Good luck.
tting myself as soon as they started talking about a vaccine! My wife is the same and 'look away', 'you won't even feel it' doesn't help at all. It's a phobia, it's not rational!
It's probably not ideal but the only way my wife ever has any injections is to tell the person giving the jab that she's probably going to pass out, and that she needs to be lying down. Then when she does pass out nobody's worried, and with 20 minutes to recover she'll be fine. Those giving jabs regularly will be quite used to this.
It's probably not ideal but the only way my wife ever has any injections is to tell the person giving the jab that she's probably going to pass out, and that she needs to be lying down. Then when she does pass out nobody's worried, and with 20 minutes to recover she'll be fine. Those giving jabs regularly will be quite used to this.
AJB88 said:
I hate needles.. I'm covered in tattoos. Always becomes a talking point when I go for jabs or tests.
Me too. My particular issue is needles going into my veins. I have to have blood tests every 6 months and it’s horrendous.
Plenty of ink in me but I have no issue with that at all.
The covid jab was almost unnoticeable.
Same here. I’m used to the blood doning needles, which are a bit chunky. My Covid jab was a two man job for some reason. I was chatting away to the note taking part of the team when she told me that was it and I could go. Her oppo had been in and jabbed me and I hadn’t even noticed. Absolutely painless.
As injections go, I can’t imagine anything easier.
As injections go, I can’t imagine anything easier.
mickyh7 said:
55palfers said:
Imagine how many needles will be going in if you're unlucky enough to get Covid and end up in ICU?
What a really helpful post!Well done you.
The op will be feeling great now.
Why would you do this?
To point (!) out one needle will be better than dozens. And possibly death.
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