I'd make a really bad junkie

Rhino

I have this 'fear' of getting poked with needles/shots. I pass out a lot and even just talking/thinking about it now is making me kind of faint and light headed.

I have a docotor appointment in a couple weeks and doing a lot of blood work. I always have them lay me down so that I can't see and in case I go out then I don't bash my head on a table or nothing.

But .. [seriously, I feel funny now; like all light headed just thinking about it] this is a phobia right? How do I get 'past' it?

Please no graphic details about 'it'. Thanks.

I get all weary when I see the blood donation mobile outside of work

Serpent

I have a pretty similiar phobia. Very normal, my sister is like you (passes out), my dad and I are a little better but not much.

I recently had to give a needle in a first aid course (into a real human). I like to think that helped. I even set up an appointment to get a shot this wednesday...

So uh, that might be one way to help get over it, haha.

s3rial one

I used to be a football player. I was the #2 wrestler in the state in my weight class, and that was only by technicality. I ran track in the off season to stay in shape for football and wrestling. Not exactly a stranger to pain.

I was fucking terrified of needles. I could go let some monster 250 linebacker try to fracture my skull a dozen times in one night, but I was afraid of a wound so small, it would scarecely even bleed. It made no sense at all.

So, I'm in the doctor's office one day, and I have to get some blood work done. I expected some nurse to be sympathetic and tell me it won't hurt and blah blah blah. Instead, the nurse calls me a sissy, grabs my arm, jams the needle in, and takes the blood sample. I was so astonished that the nurse actually insulted me, that the whole needle-going-into-my-arm thing was almost lost on me. When I realized what had just happened, I thought to myself "hey, that wasn't so bad. I can't really even feel it." The nurse just smiled at me and left with the blood sample.

Ever since then, I've had no problems with needles. I even donate blood on a semi-regular basis.

Projeck

See a therapist?

Lewisham

s3rial one wrote: »

Instead, the nurse calls me a sissy, grabs my arm, jams the needle in, and takes the blood sample. I was so astonished that the nurse actually insulted me, that the whole needle-going-into-my-arm thing was almost lost on me.

Obviously they teach this at nurse school, they did the exact same thing to me. It works bloody well too... it's the expectation that's the worst bit, not actually getting the jab.

I hate needles too. Really badly. The trick for me is to just not look. If I don't see it, it isn't a needle, it's just an annoying itch.

Al_wat

Its true, its the anticipation that gets to you. Try to keep your mind off it and before you know it, the worst is over.

Personally I might have been scared of needles when I was really little, I don't know. But when I was around 8 years old I had GI tract surgury done, and in the process they had to stick a tube up my nose all the way down to my stomach. Needles were fun by comparison.

Ever since then, I've never been afraid of needles. Its just a little pinch... I mean the worst thing about getting an injection is that your arm feels sore for a while afterwards, but thats not from the needle going in thats from the fluid being pumped into your arm.

Paper Plates

I don't like needles either. I don't pass out, but I seriously get the jitters before I have to get stuck with one.

For me, like a lot of other people, its just the sinister looking shape, so seriously, do what everyone tells you to and just don't look at them. Close your eyes, and remember it will never be as bad as you make it out to be in your head.

ronzo

the thing to keep in mind for shots/needlesis that can only hurt if you tense up, more so for larger needles like tetanus boosters. Dont tense up and you can barely feel anything at all

Raslin

Y'know, its funny. I never was scared of needles for years. Then, the first time I really remember getting shots(old enough to remember), I had to get 5 in a row.

That made me start being afraid of em.

Rhino

It's not the pain that gets me; in fact, most of them are so small I don't really feel them.

Even without doing nothing, if someone just set a needle down and said they will pick it back up in 30 seconds and then throw it away; it would still freak my shit.

I'd honestly rather take a very hard slap in the face rather then have to deal with needles.

Thanatos

There is something in some people's brain that fucks them up when it comes to needles/blood/medical procedures. It will make them pass out, get ill, etc. And other people are just fine with it.

It's more common in males than females, and I've been told by nurses that it's usually the big guys who have the most problems. It's really nothing to be ashamed of.

Tav

When ever I get blood work done, I get the doctor to numb my arm. They use a spray which numbs the vain in about 5 seconds, and the doctor doesn't mind. I never mind getting injected with something, but the idea of getting blood taken out scares the shit outta me.

Fallingman

I was the same until recently.

I had a few blood tests when I was young and HATED it. I let this fear of all needles go on until I had to have a few shots to go on holiday...

I was surprised how much of a non-event it was. Getting a shot in the arm just wasn't as bad as I thought... I guess the moral is to focus on the "well, thats not so bad" aspect of it...

Nexus Zero

I've got better as I've grown older, but I have a similar phobia. I've never passed out but I've been so dizzy that sight seems like a distant concept.

The only reason I'm kind-of getting over it is the past two injections I've had have been fine. Straight in and out, minimal pain, so my rational cortex has taken over since.

Werrick

I have a problem with needles, though not for the pain or the blood. It's the sensation of having them go in and out. Assuming ther'es no problem I'm fine with it, although I have to steel myself and my toes curl, but I've had too many occasions where the needle did'nt go in quite right and then the nurse had to fuck with it. The sensation of being the needle lifting and prodding inside my flesh is so disturbing to me and has happened often enough that I've been conditioned to hate it.

It's to the degree of a mild phobia.

So, to that end, because I refuse to live my life avoiding things and/or making decisions based on fear response I give blood every 2-3 months religiously. The only way to get over shit like this is to do it and do it and do it.

alcoholic_engineer

I dont care about needles, but for some reason whenever i get one my blood pressure drops and I nearly pass out. No clue why.

I just tell the doctor/nurse ahead of time that it is going to be an issue and that I will need a couple minutes, and they tend to be pretty helpful.

EggyToast

I used to be bad, and I got over it through visualizing it not happening. As in, the few times I had to get one as I got older, I just didn't look. I looked away, thought about something else, and when it happened, it was too late to worry about it. Once I even just closed by eyes when I knew the doc was getting ready, so I couldn't even look.

Now I watch when i get flu shots.

Most docs will be happy talking to you and keeping your mind off of it if you tell them beforehand that you're scared of needles. Tell them up front, and ask if they can chat when they get it ready and do it. They'll probably ask you about your job or pet or whatever.

Gooey

I laugh when I get shots. I don't really know what's so damn funny.

tsmvengy

The best way to get rid of the phobia is to do the distraction method: "OK, I'm going to count to 3... 1.. *stick* It's definitely the anticipation that kills people. Me, I like looking while they do it.

Hallucinogen

For some reason needles only bother me when they're being stuck in the vein at the crook of my elbow(the one that wraps up and around and goes to/from your forearm). Anywhere else, including my mouth, doesn't really bug me. I tensed up quite a bit when the anaesthetist stuck the needle in my arm prior to my surgery. But I hate gas even more. I still remember how panicked I was when I was little and they had to gas me for surgery. I started flailing like a mother-fucker and the doctor had to hold me down.

Zsetrek

I think I read somewhere recently that it's the most common of all phobias, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

GoodOmens

I hate needles too, but I've gotten used to them because I donate blood frequently. I do things oddly, in that I like to watch them put the needle in. I hold my breath beforehand, and blow it out forcefully right when the needle goes in. Seems to work at preventing me from tensing up.

Mr Pink

I used to be pretty freaked about needles, then I got my ear and eyebrow pierced. For some reason after that, needles havn't really bugged me, even for more piercings.

I guess thats how I solved it, but that probably isn't for everyone.

Rhino

ok. I went to the docotor and I got all 'clam-y' and lightheaded and almost passed out when he was taking my blood pressure.


I talked to the docotor about this, he ran some EKG test and then re-did my blood pressure (because first time I had to stop cause I was getting all pale and sweaty). And he basically said "Yea, basically your having a panic attack - when you get this nervous [about getting popped with needle] your heart rate drops and you go out"

Then he write me a script for a bunch of pills that are suppose to relax me. I took one and I feel good, I feel like ice cream and sunshine.

um. Anyways, I didn't get blood work done. He said I should eat before I come in next time, drink lots of fluids, take a pill 30 minuets before my appointment and have a friend come with me (to drive me to and from).

But besides taking drugs, is there anything else I can do? I tried relaxation and breathing exercises (they ussually help if I'm nervous before a big performance) - but at the docotor office they just made me more dizzy.

Actually I don't think it's nervousness or fear... I think it's more the expectation of passing out that makes me dizzy. The docotor said that blood letting lowers blood pressure which is why some people faint, especially if they have low blood pressure to begin with (I do have low blood pressure).

I think it is like a plavoic response. The dogs drool when they hear the bell because they are expecting food... same with me, I think I get light headed when I go to the doctors because I'm expecting to get stuck with needles and pass out. Kind of like a combination of expectation, conditioning and self-fulling prophecy - if that makes sense.

The Black Hunter

So long as the needles aren't going into your cheeks or toes, it's all good.

It's like a nice hard pinch, nothing to worry about. Just face up to it.
The fact is that it will not kill you or harm you in any way past the intitial sting.

By about year 6 I had learnt how to get high off your vaccination.
90% of it would have been placebo and having other people there, but if you lie down and start giggling, you won't stop.
10% was adrenaline.

In year 8 there was an entire gym of students giggling and cackling wildly.

themightypuck

Hallucinogen wrote: »

For some reason needles only bother me when they're being stuck in the vein at the crook of my elbow(the one that wraps up and around and goes to/from your forearm). Anywhere else, including my mouth, doesn't really bug me. I tensed up quite a bit when the anaesthetist stuck the needle in my arm prior to my surgery. But I hate gas even more. I still remember how panicked I was when I was little and they had to gas me for surgery. I started flailing like a mother-fucker and the doctor had to hold me down.

I'm exactly the opposite. Many years ago I spent some foolish time as an IV drug user. There are some real easy spots on my forearm and the middle and inside of my elbow but needles can bruise so if you don't want your drug use obvious there are more discrete locations. I couldn't do it in those discrete locations. My desire to wear short sleeve shirts and the inability to stick needles anywhere in my body except my arms probably saved me a lifetime of addiction.