Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

kelly4 Posted: Jun 28, 2005 10:53 AM

Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

I am having my blood test tomorrow and I have always been VERY afraid of needles to the point where I have a panic attack. I am starting it now. I am obsessed about tomorrow and I can feel my stomach getting queesy and all the other signs of a panic attack. Anyone else have this? How do you get through it? Any help would be comforting! My mom tells me just to 'grow up and get over it!' She doesn't realize that it's beyone my control! I just wish I could face it like a big girl, but I totally shut down and become another person that I don't like or want to be. I am practically in tears now with the thought of tomorrow! My DH had to hold me down for a PPD test a few months ago and I bit him really hard that left a mark. Yep, I know it's wacky, but like I said, it's totally beyond my control!

Please help!!!!!!

SeptWed Posted: Jun 28, 2005 10:57 AM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

The only thing i can say is don't think about it. I use to be very afraid of needles until i just didn't think about it till i sat down in the chair. Then closed my eyes...seriously you barely feel the needle going into your arm. I think getting novacaine is a worse feeling then tkaing blood...so don't try and think about it too much.

sweetadeline Posted: Jun 28, 2005 10:59 AM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

I have the same problem. I wish I had some advice for you, but believe me, I can sympathize!

ETA: Here's something that may help you feel better: LOTS of people have this same fear. You are not being a baby.

jandt2006 Posted: Jun 28, 2005 11:02 AM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

I am the same way, I always request a thin needle because it doesn't hurt as much and they can always get the vein the first time. I would also ask about a spray they have. I have had it years ago i'm not sure if they still do, but they spray the area and make it numb. Also ask if you can lay down ahead of time and not sit in the chair. Do not look at it if you can help it. Also bring a stress ball with you for the other hand and a bottle of water or orange juice if you feel the need.

july06bride Posted: Jun 28, 2005 11:05 AM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

I get panic attacks at the dentist- which I had to do yesterday with all that work...and i have to go back for the surgery today...in a few hours...because they couldnt do it yesterday... basically...try to stay as calm as possible...bring music/walkman...drink water...deep breathe...bring a stress ball to squeeze

good luck

jandt2006 Posted: Jun 28, 2005 11:07 AM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

what kind of surgery july06bride?

kelly4 Posted: Jun 28, 2005 01:16 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

thanks! Still feeling aprehensive though

july06bride Posted: Jun 28, 2005 02:56 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

Posted by jandt2006

what kind of surgery july06bride?

it is a minor surgery on my gums but i am still a scaredy cat

i was suppossed to get it done yesterday but i couldnt get it done cause of all the work i had to have done...so i went back today--- i am so mad because i didnt get it done today either- cause there are some complications with other dental work i had to get done! I am so upset because he knows how panicked i get...FH worked from home both yesterday and today to be with me and now another week or so of being a nervous wreck!

july06bride Posted: Jun 28, 2005 02:57 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

Posted by kelly4

thanks! Still feeling aprehensive though

regi Posted: Jun 28, 2005 03:04 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

you got fm

kelly4 Posted: Jun 28, 2005 05:42 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

thanks everyone! It's great to know many people share my fear! I can't take anything to calm me down though (valium etc) b/c I'm preggo!

regi Posted: Jun 28, 2005 09:19 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

oh.. gotcha. you will be fine. just think positive!!! I had two blood tests last week and was dreading it!! But I turn my head away and hold back the tears.

marymoon Posted: Jun 28, 2005 09:27 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

I know this is totally unorthodox, but would it help if you like pricked yourself with a pin or a needle a few times beforehand?/

I know, weird, right? But maybe if you're the one doing it and controlling ti you can get ove the fear? I'm 100% not afraid of needles and I think the reason is that when i was kid I used to love to stick needles through the skin on my fingers to freak out the other little girl scouts (I SO wanted to be a boy scout). But anyway..I don't know. totally weird, but... that's all I can think of. Try some deep breathing, etc.

SO many people are afraid of needles, you are NOT alone!

StayandJohn Posted: Jun 28, 2005 10:24 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

The only thing that worked for me was to just look away when the tech took my blood. Although I dont have a debilating fear of needles I'm not a great fan of them either, but now that your pg your going to be getting a lot more of them (sorry to tell you), I'm sure your gonna get used to them.

Close your eyes, relax and think of your little baby swimming around in there

Danielle Posted: Jun 28, 2005 10:27 PM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

Looking away definitely helps me!!! Good luck!

Imagin916 Posted: Jun 29, 2005 12:36 AM

Re: Severe fear of needles (repost from LIF- thought more traffic here! Please help!)

Just take a deep breath, dont look at the person drawing the blood and relax. Most importantly, dont move or jerk your arm! I know its a natural reflex, but not moving your arm will make it easier and it wont hurt. Good luck!