Does it really hurt to get a shot? How can I relax?

Question

I have to get a tetanus shot and a flu shot very soon.and I am really scared. I try to relax, but as soon as I get to the office where the shot is going to be given, I just freak out. Its all I can think about. I get really nervous, and it ends up being a huge thing. How can I relax? What should I do? Are the shots going to hurt bad? I am scared because I have to get both the same day, and I hate needles. Help me please.

Answer 1

ok, I won't lie to you. the tetanus shot will hurt a little and may get sore afterwards. you can use ice and take tylenol for the soreness. The flu shot, I haven't had one so I can't tell you. I just take ddp breaths and that relaxes me. I don't look at the needle and I look away and take the deep breath again. Just stop worrying. Kids get these shots. It's just a little needle. It's nothing. I have blood drawn once a month and I know tha anxious feeling but, I can't let that take over or I'd never make it. so, don't think about the needle until you have to. Tensing up makes it hurt more, but,it won't be bad anyway. Be a brave soldier!

Answer 2

They really don't hurt that much. It's akin to a small bee sting, it's really not bad at all - you'd feel more pain if you'd skin your knee. I kind of freak out with shots too though - I think it's the survival part of my brain screaming that I shouldn't voluntarily let someone hurt me, haha. I ususally bring a reall engaging book and try to read intently before and during the shot - I look away so I don't know when it's coming, and then when I feel the pinch, I have something else to concentrate on. If you are really worried, some doctors might use a local anesthetic, but the pinch for the anesthetic is really just about as painful as the pinch for the shot, so I don't know if that makes sense. Just try your best to calm yourself down and consciously tell yourself that getting the shots is not a big deal, hundreds of thousands of people get shots everyday. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have to get two allergy shots (one in each arm) every Wednesday for 5 years. It's very easy to relax, just make sure your arm is by your side and once the 'stick' is over it's smooth sailing.
I just recently got a tetanus shot and it burned a little bit, but that's normal. It's nothing like a cortizone shot, that burned like hell! Tetanus burning will only last a few seconds and the needles are so small it's just like a pinch.
Take deep, slow breaths.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I hate shots as well, but it's only a prick, really. You feel it for a second and then the nurse pats a bandaid on you...so just let your mind wander and relax. Think of a funny or happy thought, and it'll probably be over by the time you're done thinking of it. One my sister got a shot and tensed up, and the shot got stuck in her arm and she had to relax her muscles to allow it to get out...don't let that happen! Just ease up and you'll have no problem.

Answer 5

Yes it will hurt--but not too badly and not for too long. Tetanus shots tend to make you sore at the site of the injection (afterwards) to take some Tylenol. Take some deep breathes and take someone along with you to talk to you while getting the shots. If they can talk to you calmly, it will take your mind off of it! I had to have an amnio w/ 2nd son (big needle in your tummy to draw out fluid around the baby) I was a wreck!! But my husband was there, held my hand and talked me through it! Good luck!

Answer 6

What would happen if you didn't have the shot hurts and may kill you, so stop stressing over it. Shots don't hurt nowadays because shooters know how to avoid the nerve endings. Even dental shots are painless.

Answer 7

Maybe you should sike yourself out and tell yourself you can handle it. You can always do breathing techniques like they do when your having a baby. Just breath it through. Or invision your at a island somewhere. What ever you have to do to get through it. Did you have a bad experience some time in your past? If so address that issue and figure out where all the stress is comming from.

Answer 8

I hate shots myslef. What I do is relax the arm getting the shot, then I grab on to somthing with the other hand really tight. It gets me through em.

Answer 9

Many of us hate shots- The STICK is what I fear if I don't feel it it dosent bother me to avoid that - I take my thumb of the other arm and bite it while I am waiting for the STICK- concentrating on the painin my thumb I have missed the needle many times- that's what helps me!

Answer 10

The most important thing is not to look at the needle, and ask your doctor or the person giving the shot, to make sure you don't see it. Then just turn your head and don't look.