A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Ok, I know this isn't a romantic question, but I really need some help about this.First, I'm terribly afraid of needles. I can stand the sight of one but once I see one I start thinking on how it will go into my arm and then many horror images would flash into my eyes. It's almost like a phobia. But the irony of all this is that I have to take some blood tests this Friday that I need (and have) to take. They're necessary.So my question is on how I can try to be calm and get over it. I have never taken a blood test before, but my brother did donate blood before and his arm got purple, which makes me even more squeezy at the thought of the process.The most recent time that I got injected with a needle was when I went to the dentist a couple of months ago. The whole process was agonizing (even when it didn't as much as I thought it would) and I'm still scared of needles as much as before. By the way, I got injected about 12 times.So please, at least pep-talk me before I go through this. I'm still doing it, but I think that if I'm not prepared, I will faint. Reply to this Question
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reader, anonymous, writes (16 August 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionSo I got the blood test today.
I explained to the lady (in half-assed words as I was so nervous in the clinic) that I'm afraid of needles. She interpreted it as me being afraid of the bite, which is not really the case. Well, anyways, I looked away for the process. The lady was very nice and talked the way through to keep my nerves calmer.
After I got my blood test, I felt SO much relief. I was so happy to get out of there it's almost unbelievable.
Thanks for everyone who answered me. It helped a lot.
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reader, anonymous, writes (15 August 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks anyone who answered me. The blood test is tomorrow (Friday) so I'll give you the update as soon as I can.
Tisha, thanks a lot for the extra recommendation. I'll try to remember to ask for the butterfly needles as I think I'll be too nervous to even remember. And to answer to your question, yes, it was to the gums, but I don't think the needles were that big. I tried to look away and look at the tv that was next to me. By the 7th needles, my gums were dummed mostly, but since I looked at some (by mistake) I kept on panicking. I was exhausted at the end of the process.
But like DoodlePixie said, the panic is unreal. I can practically see blood dropping and limbs being chopped off, but once a needles comes up on screen I start getting all squeemy (which my friends use for laughs). And oh, I will have my mom with me during that time. My boyfriend sadly can't come, but she will be with me.
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reader, DrPsych  +, writes (14 August 2008):
 Ok, I had a blood test this afternoon and I BARELY FELT ANYTHING...a pin prick in fact! Doctors and nurses are usually skilled at getting blood relatively painlessly as they do it all the time, so you will have no problem. I should add that when the blood is being taken you can just look away as that is what I do...look at the wall! For a blood test they only need a little bit of blood, and your brother donated a lot more! Health professionals know some people are nervous about this and if you explain to the person you see they will treat you nicely and it will be over VERY quickly!
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reader, thats_not_my_name +, writes (14 August 2008):
 ooo i just thought of another thing plan a treat for yourself which you can do after the blood test as a reward for getting through it, like a night out with your friends or a pamper session or something. my mum used to do it with me when i was little and it actually helped! focus on that and not the test. :) xxxxxx
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reader, thats_not_my_name +, writes (14 August 2008):
hey! i don't like needles either, in fact seriously who does? the person who's doing the blood test will have seen it all before, so try not to feel embarassed. when i had to go have a blood test, my doctor suggested that i used some cream that numbs your arm, so you don't feel the injection as much, maybe you could get some of that? the only problem is, i've forgotten what it's called! so i would ask your doctor where you can get it from. lol sorry that i can't remember what it's called! let the person who is drawing the blood know how scared you are, like i said they'll be used to it. then do anything you can to distract yourself, read, listen to music, maybe even take someone in with you to talk to and hold your free hand! in my experience, the build-up is sooooo much worse than the actual injection, so just try and relax, take some deep breaths and think about how glad you'll feel when it's all over. take something to do in the waiting room to distract you as well. good luck, hope i helped a bit! xxxxxxx
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reader, DoodlePixie +, writes (14 August 2008):
Oh god, i'm so terrified of needles also....so totally understand you. I recently met a woman who is a practicing hypnotheripist and has offered to do some mumbo jumbo stuff on me to make my phobia go away - i'm tempted to accept as she seemed very confident!
But yeah, i understand that the panic is unreal, but with the last jab i had i spent the whole day crying and stressing, so by the time the jab came around i was just too physically exhausted to fight with the nurse!
I'd be interested in any techniques offered to you as well, because its not just being scared - its being completely petrified, and a lot of people think the only way to comfort you is to say "don't worry, it isn't that bad!" which ironically makes you feel 10 times worse.
Maybe just take someone you're close to (whether its your partner, mum/dad, sis/bro, best mate) and make sure they keep talking to you the whole time and holding your hand, it takes a little stress out of the situation if you have someone to help you vent your frustration.
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reader, superrrshawna +, writes (14 August 2008):
 i was terrified of needles until i was 12 or so. then i perfected some techniques!
if you are super nervous, tell the person ahead of time. pop some headphones on and blast music so you don't hear the doctor preparing anything or talking to you about how it won't hurt... that stuff usually just makes my hands sweat!
stick out the arm that's getting the prick, and turn your head away. use the free arm to read a book or magazine.
read a sentence over and over until you understand it if necessary!
what sucks about getting blood taken vs shots is that shots are quicker, but with some active self-distracting, you should be just fine!
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reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (14 August 2008):
 Hi, I'm a fainter when blood is drawn too. I tend to go woozy and have to recover for a bit before I can get up and move.
First off, make sure you tell the person who is drawing your blood that you are very very nervous and may feel faint. They will lie you back in a reclining chair or have you lie down. This will help, trust me.
Then ask the phlebotomist (that's the blood drawer) to use a butterfly needle instead of the usual vacutainer set up. The butterfly needle is very small and very skinny and I swear to you, the last time I had my blood drawn, I did not feel the needle go in. No lie. I had a great phlebotomist that day!
Put on some earphones and listen to music or a podcast to distract yourself. Under no circumstances do you look at your arm or what's happening over there. It'll be over very quickly and you will survive it. I promise.
Was the needle at the dentist into your gums? If it was, oh goodness, there is absolutely no comparison between the teensy little butterfly needle and the mongo whopping huge needle the dentist uses there. No lie, they are miles apart. One is a bazooka, the other a tiny little mosquito bite. Easy which one to choose.
Remember, ask to lie down, and really demand the butterfly needle. A good phlebotomist will be able to accomodate a simple request like that.
Good luck. You will make it!!!! I promise!!!!
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