Intravenous Needles
Discussion
I've got a serious needle phobia, specifically for intravenous needles such as those used for taking blood or a drip, which is pretty crazy considering I'm diabetic so stab a couple of needles into myself every day.
I've not had my blood taken in about 5 years, but I have an appointment tomorrow with my GP to take 2 vials of blood.
Its been on my mind torturing me for the last 5 days that I've known, and now that its under 24 hours away I'm seriously sweating it. I can feel my heart rate has risen dramatically and I've got that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach and feel physically sick.
A no-show is still on the cards, but out of general principle I want to go ahead and not waste any valuable NHS time. Does anyone have any coping strategies?
I've not had my blood taken in about 5 years, but I have an appointment tomorrow with my GP to take 2 vials of blood.
Its been on my mind torturing me for the last 5 days that I've known, and now that its under 24 hours away I'm seriously sweating it. I can feel my heart rate has risen dramatically and I've got that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach and feel physically sick.
A no-show is still on the cards, but out of general principle I want to go ahead and not waste any valuable NHS time. Does anyone have any coping strategies?
Mini1275 said:
Just try and take you're mind of things.....Forget about it untill tomorrow. 
Simple, but effective. Deal with the consequences tomorrow, i like it.... i'll keep trying!soad said:
Try listening to some music via mp3 player using headphones? Close your eyes and not look at the nurse/doctor?
From previous experience i can't look at the doctor or needle. Closing my eyes with music sounds like a good option 
john_p said:
What happens if you ask to do the injection yourself?
I tried that when i had some vaccines at school years ago, they wouldn't let me.I'm not sure i like the prospect of digging around in my arm for a vein though
Matt Evans said:
Last time I went for a blood sample taking, the only reason I knew it was being done is because I could see the vial filling up. If you look the other way and try to relax your muscles, you probably won't even realise, and it will be finished before you know it
Ceers for the reassurance and a good idea if i can force myself to relax jimmystratos said:
They can use a local anaesthetic cream (EMLA or Ametop) to numb the skin before the sampling. Mostly used on kids, but can make all the difference between success and failure in phobics. Takes 20 minutes or so to work, so might be worth some pre-planning with them.
I'm not so fussed with the pain, and i think having the patch on my arm will just compound the situation and make me even more nervous. It also gives my fight or flight reaction a chance to fly. Cheers for the info though OnTheOverrun said:
At the risk of sounding insensitive, the only 'coping strategy' that works is to man-up, tell yourself a daft little prick isn't going to make you cower like frenchman at a balloon-bursting contest and get on with it! 
The thought of any prick, no matter how small, being rammed through my skin is not nice!I also have a needle phobia, and am diabetic (thankfully tablets at the moment). I'm dreading the day that I have to inject insulin.
Anyway when it comes to having blood taken I simply look in the opposite direction. The worst bit for me is that I can hear the gurgling sound as the blood goes in to the syringe!
Anyway when it comes to having blood taken I simply look in the opposite direction. The worst bit for me is that I can hear the gurgling sound as the blood goes in to the syringe!
EMLA cream won't help because he isn't scared of the pain, he's phobic.
Two biggest misunderstood conditions by the general public are phobia, and depression. Co-incidently they are both altered states of thought, and therefore difficult to empathise.
I would suggest talking to your doctor a few days prior. Discuss the use of diazepam with him, and take someone with you.
Two biggest misunderstood conditions by the general public are phobia, and depression. Co-incidently they are both altered states of thought, and therefore difficult to empathise.
I would suggest talking to your doctor a few days prior. Discuss the use of diazepam with him, and take someone with you.
I always used to hate having this done. But, I've had it done at least ten times in the last six months, so kind of had to get used to it. Don't look at the needle beforehand and close your eyes and turn away whilst it's being done. It really doesn't hurt at all - the only 'stressful' thing is seeing the needle and the blood. Eyes closed and it'll be over before you know it.
OnTheOverrun said:
At the risk of sounding insensitive, the only 'coping strategy' that works is to man-up, tell yourself a daft little prick isn't going to make you cower like frenchman at a balloon-bursting contest and get on with it!
a daft little prick isn't going to make you cower like frenchmanI thought this described all french men...............
Seriously.... are you fasting? If so, you should get seen quickly so make yourself known wehn you arrive AND at the same time, say you are very very nervous about it. They will then find you the best they've got who will make it all seem very very easy and painless. Look the other way of course and think positive. Its not going to be a problem, its not going to hurt, I can do this, this is a piece of cake - repeat in your head about three times and it will be over
Just a thought but if the person taking the blood is attractive you can always stare at her tits/face/legs and think rude thoughts. I have found this quite an effective strategy in stressful situations in the past. If its a bloke, not so clever (for me anyway) but try the briefest of conversations as a distraction. You know the stuff - busy day/nice weather/she's alright nudge nudge and so on.
My fear is flying and the only way I can make the take off do-able is to be pissed which, sadly, is not an option here I guess. Good luck with it - you can do it.
My fear is flying and the only way I can make the take off do-able is to be pissed which, sadly, is not an option here I guess. Good luck with it - you can do it.
You should have mentioned this on Saturday. We'd have sorted it out for you. Several pints in Cuba and I guarantee a high chance that we could have taken your blood sample merely by mopping the floor.
Or... and you’ll like this one... sellotape a screwdriver onto you steering wheel facing, pointy bit towards you. Drive to the doctors, full pelt, and then use those silly sized brakes as hard as you can just as you arrive. Again, by simply wringing out your jacket, they can take a blood sample and all without a needle in sight.
[Doctor Nick]Bye everybody[/Doctor Nick]
Or... and you’ll like this one... sellotape a screwdriver onto you steering wheel facing, pointy bit towards you. Drive to the doctors, full pelt, and then use those silly sized brakes as hard as you can just as you arrive. Again, by simply wringing out your jacket, they can take a blood sample and all without a needle in sight.
[Doctor Nick]Bye everybody[/Doctor Nick]
sonic_2k_uk said:
Mini1275 said:
Just try and take you're mind of things.....Forget about it untill tomorrow.
Simple, but effective. Deal with the consequences tomorrow, i like it.... i'll keep trying!, good luck. I wen't through a stage of having them every couple of weeks and it worked for me!. It'll be fine mate One of my kids needed a jab a few months ago (6yrs old) we just spent the day smacking his arm to prepare him for the pain....made a game of it seeing how much of a wack he could bear. When the time came for the jab it was pretty minor in comparison and he laughed at the nurse while she was sticking him She thought he was mental.
She thought he was mental.Well sonic, despite having had aproximately 10,000 injections/blood samples taken over the years, and also injecting GH, i still have a phobia about needles myself. I have found the best thing to avoid being jittery, is to concentrate on something whilst looking the other way. The fact that my usual nurse is a hottie helps, and i find i can now go through blood samples/injections etc without a problem
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