Not many people understand how you can be so scared of needles, but I am and I desperately need a blood test! There's no way I can do it- will hospitals knock me unconscious with gas if I asked them to, or would they just think I'm being stupid??
2006-08-31 02:56:33 · 18 answers · asked by bex 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I also have an extreme phobia of needles.
I tried cognitive behaviour therapy which was rubbish - they suggested I look at pictures of needles, hold one and watch episodes of Casualty!!
I tried hypnosis which was useless.
It really affects me when I have to have an injection - a holiday jab or a blood test of anything. I have bad sleep for the whole week leading up to it and the night before, I have practically no sleep.
I ALWAYS pass out during or afterwards as well. When I have stayed conscious I have realised that it doesn't hurt at all. Though for me, it's not about the pain, it's just the THOUGHT of it - the piercing of the skin. It really freaks me out.
I doubt they would knock you out to be honest. You HAVE to tell the nurse that you have an issue though. What they normally do with me is lay me down and the nurse does some deep breathing exercises with me when I start to freak out and panic.
It's an unpleasant experience, but something I have had to learn to live with as nothing I have found has been able to help me so far.
Good luck xx
P.S. I tried the anticeptic cream and it made my vein shrink away from my skin so they had to use the other arm anyway!
They deal with people like you and me everyday, so don't feel silly. You can't help it.
2006-08-31 03:03:37 · answer #1 · answered by Wafflebox 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to have a massive problem with needles, I went into shock and couldn't stop shaking or anything. When I asked they gave me some cream to numb the area so I wouldn't feel it (it worked!) and on one occasion I was given gas because they couldn't do anything else with me.
I'm over my fear now, I didn't want to look stupid so I just didn't say anything, looked the other way and bit my lip.(oh, and my friend came and held my hand :). I have blood tests regularly so it just became a matter of need and I got used to it. I feel silly now that I used to get so worked up, but I really understand how you feel.
I hope you get it sorted and everything is okay (I'll pray for you if that's okay). Good luck.
2006-08-31 03:06:45 · answer #2 · answered by guest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They probably won't give you gas. But, they can give you a cream to rub on the area where the shot is given or blood work is done. Ask your doctor for it before you go in for the blood work. The cream numbs the area and is applied 20 minutes before you recieve the shot/bloodwork. They actually give this to children for shots and blood work. It does work. I have a 7 year old and she agrees. But, you do need to plan to get the cream in advance from your doctor. The nurses who do bloodwork cannot give it to you. You are not being stupid by any means. Most everyone has fear of needles. Some more than others. Being tense about it makes it worse. Get some cream! :)
2006-08-31 03:06:23 · answer #3 · answered by Sher 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel you..literally! I, too, have that. To have blood tests done I lay completely horizontal and have the nurse talk to me about anything or I just ramble to them about something.. This works well for me. Still slightly uneasy about dentist needles. My wife says it a bit silly becuase your phobia is NOT more important then taking care of yourself, via blood testing, she's right. As I have gotten older it has gotten better. chin up, breath deep and lay down- look away and chat!
2006-08-31 03:34:08 · answer #4 · answered by Tom B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they'd use anaesthetic on you
the best they could do is keep you distracted, like hold your arm and needle at the ready and just before the nurse injects the needle they should make you look another direction. How i can't think, they can't scare you coz you'd start back,
or, why, look, they can blindfold you and gently stroke your bare arm to ease the skin tonus.
You could do breath exercises at the same time, as they'd ask you to hold your breath while they do the injection.
MY GOD POOR NURSE!!!!!!!!!
good like to you anyway
or maybe you'll pass out by yourself at the sight of the needle?
2006-08-31 03:05:53 · answer #5 · answered by Faith * 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would understand, I'm sure they deal with needle phobics everyday. I doubt they would gas you for something that takes just a matter of seconds.
One way is not to look at what the nurse or whoever is doing. Keep you eyes closed and breath slowly.
Or else ask a hypnotherapist for help.
2006-08-31 03:02:14 · answer #6 · answered by daisymay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm scared Sh**less of needles too. An no matter what they say (It won't hurt ... you'll hardly feel it .. etc) I still have to really get myself "psyched up" if I need a blood test or a shot. Try closing your eyes (don't look at what they are doing), and imagine yourself in your happy place...
2006-08-31 03:01:35 · answer #7 · answered by retracm67 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a neddle phobia as well hun so now if i go in for tests or ops i ask if i can go in half an hour earlier as they can now use an anasthetic cream on you which numbs the area so you dont feel a thing! If your doctor or hospital wont do this you can buy it at the chemist, my friends have done this when they have tattoos! hope this helps.
2006-08-31 03:00:47 · answer #8 · answered by Helen D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They may give you some numbing cream for your arm 10 minutes before hand I doubt they will knock you out as the risks are too great
I hope you get through this and feel better soon :)
2006-08-31 03:05:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your not frightened of needles just pricks,ok stop panicking be brave ,just don not look when they stick that huge needle into you and think of something else like getting a huge tatoo on your ar*e or something the letter missing is s
2006-08-31 03:08:32 · answer #10 · answered by taxed till i die,and then some. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋