Problem with needles?

Question

My daughter has to have regular blood tests..the problem is she has a bad phobia of needles.
When she had the last one done (about a month ago) they injected her about 7 times because they couldnt find a vein and when they did they couldnt get any blood from her. As you can imagine she was in a terirble state after and nearly had a panic attack during. Is there anything i can do to help her?
She doesnt look at the needle when they do it, she grips onto my hand and we have tried everything. They cant giver her anything for it because they said "they need a clean sample"
What can i do she is 15...

Answer 1

Take her to a hypnotist - it will make a world of difference - she won't see or feel the needle and her nerves will be restored.

Answer 2

his is a very common fear in both adults and children. Talking to your play specialist can help enormously to deal with both your child's fear and your own too. Explaining about the whole process using a special teddy can help - from applying local anaesthetic cream to putting the blood in bottles and sending it to the laboratory. This shows why the blood is taken and what happens to it once it has been taken. It can also help if your child is given the choice of where the blood is taken from - this will not always be possible so check beforehand.

Distracting your child can take their mind off the process, using dolls, bubble lamps or noisy toys - the noisier the toy, the more it seems to help.

The nurses can also put some local anaesthetic cream on your child's hand or arm before the blood test. This will reduce the amount of pain your child feels during the injection, but it can take about half an hour to work, so mention it to the nurse beforehand.

Remember if you have a fear of needles, you don't have to stay with your child while it is happening. Staying with your child if you are scared of needles can sometimes influence how your child reacts. Distraction also works for adults too, so maybe try singing a song together with your child to take both your minds off the needle.

Answer 3

What kind of blood test does your daughter need? Usually there are 2 routes of blood-taking - venous blood sample & capillary blood sample. The ones that your daughter has been going through is venous blood sampling. The next time that your daughter goes for blood taking, please ask the personnel whether they can do it by capillary method. The reason that your daughter had to be pricked several times cos' they couldn't find a vein is because when a person is in a state of nervousness or fear, the veins constricted/collapse. The only way that I can think of for her is using a butterfly needle for her blood taking. This needle is finer than the typical blood taking needle & often they're used for paediatrics. The needle is also smoother, so that the blood taking will be an ease for the patient.

Answer 4

Ok, first of all she needs to lay down whenever she had blood drawn. For some reason this seems to help. Also talk to the doctor, maybe he can prescribe something for anxiety for her to take prior to blood draws.

Another option would be, if she is getting blood drawn so regularly, to have some kind of central line put in so she does not need to get stuck. A port-a-cath is one option, it is implanted under the skin. You still need to get stuck with a needle, but NEVER 7 times, just once! There are also catheters on the outside of the body which would require no needle sticks, but it would not be the best option for a 15 year old.

Ask her doctor which option is best for her.

I respectfully disagree with the people who say to have the doctor to draw her blood. Doctors are usually the worst phlebotomists. You need someone who works in the lab and draws blood all day and that it is their primary job. Not a nurse, not a doctor. An experienced phlebotomist.

Answer 5

Have you thought about hypnosis or maybe cognitive behavioural therapy whereby they extinguish a fear by exposing you to the feared object in safe & controlled circumstances so that eventually all fear is gone. Such therapies can take several sessions to take effect. In the meanwhile, always ask that an experienced member of staff takes the bloods so that she suffers as little as possible. Often trainee doctors or nurses get lumbered with taking blood samples but you do have the right to request someone more senior if required. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Get them to use childrens needles not adult (I am very slim and have the same problem but they are more successful with childrens needles for some reason)

If they don't succeed the second time make them get someone more experienced to do it, don't let them fob you off, if they haven't managed by the second time then THEY need to get someone who can do it not blame it on the veins.
When I give blood they have one chance and one chance only, I usually have either a doctor or the head vivisection person do mine, that is part of their job, stand up for your daughter and insist on it. Do it now before her phobia becomes so bad she cannot give blood while awake

Answer 7

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your and your daughter's difficulties. I have a 13 year old daughter myself and I feel for you.

Here is a site about coping with giving regular insulin injections to children who have a fear of needles:

http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/print.cfm?aid=1702

Please read through the page, there are some helpful coping techniques and good advice there.

Also, here is another page I think you should visit:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/PanelQuestionsByKey/ME59?OpenDocument

I think you should consult with your daughters doctor's/medical team and discuss the topics on that page.

I wish you the best. Hang in there.

Answer 8

i really feel for her i start sweating and feeling sick 1 time i had 2 lay down and i was sick they also have the same problem trying to get my blood ask if the doc can do it usually there pretty good and do it first time im 25 and still affraid of the things if you sort her out let me know the secret. good luck.

Answer 9

try asking the nurse to give you a blood test and let her watch.
might help
or go to a blood donor session and give a pint
and help 3 more people

Answer 10

Get onto a homoeopath, he/she can give remedies that will calm her before tests & even to strenghten her veins. Also give her plenty of vit C for vein strength.