Am having my first blood test tomorrow. Hate and am scared of needles. Having a blood test is my biggest fear?

Question

PLEASE HELP ME. Having blood test tomorrow for first time. I hate and am scared of needles. Reallu squeamish, and feel really sick just thinking about it.
What will happen?
Will it hurt?
How big is the needle?
Will i feel it?

Really need reasurring words of support, and comfort.
Sooo petrified, pleas help me. Really thinking about canceling it

Answer 1

If you're having blood drawn from your arm, it's nothing! Don't worry about it. Now blood taken from the fingertip is painful -- ouch! -- but at least it's quick.

If it's a blood test from your arm, here's what you can expect: a little pinch when the needle goes in, several seconds of no discomfort at all while the blood is drawn, then another little pinch when the needle's removed, which is weaker than the first one. If you've ever been scratched by a cat, or had a paper cut, trust me, those pains are much worse than having blood drawn.

Don't look at your arm at any time during the test. Don't look at the needle. Psychologically you'll feel pain if you watch it: don't! It's just the thought of the needle that's scary to most people. The "pain" is just a little pinch, barely a pain at all.

First they'll tie a plastic strip around your arm while you make a fist. This causes your vein in your inside elbow to become more visible. Then they slip the needle in (it's very small) and untie the plastic strip and tell you to relax your hand. A few seconds later, they put a cotton swab over your arm and slip out the needle. You'll be told to hold your arm up and hold the cotton ball a few seconds so the tiny wound will close. They'll put a bandaid on you and you're done.

Just don't look at your arm, take a few deep breaths, and remember it's just a tiny pinching sensation, no big deal. Talk to the person who takes your blood if you want to, while your blood's being drawn. That will relax you a lot.

Be cool! Afterward you'll know there was nothing to it!

P.S. I have blood drawn every couple of months.

Answer 2

I understand your fear - I HATE needles too, but a blood test really isn't that big of a deal.

You will go to the lab or the dr's office and some very nice nurse will help you through it. Let the nurse know that you are nervous and they will be extra sympatheitc.
Here's what happens - they tie a small piece of rubber tubing around your bicep and then they take a really tiny needle - not much thicker than a few hairs and gently put it in your arm - you will feel a pinch - but really nothing else. Just sit still and BREATHE!!
Feel free to bring a small 'good luck charm' to hold on to or squeeze for reassurance.

There is no point in cancelling - you obviously need the blood test for something and if you cancel you'll just have to get all worked up again to do it another time.

If you are really scared of the pinch that you will feel - go to your pharmacist today and ask him/her for some Emla cream. It's a numbing cream that hospitals use before needles and small proceedures. You need to rub it on a couple of hours before your blood test.

You will be fine - your biggest obstacle is your fear - not actually the needle. So breathe deep and just get it over with.

Answer 3

The medical profession is there to be of service to patients. I have always found those who administer these tests to be very careful and kind-hearted people.

Your test is a wonderful way of knowing the state of your health and what remedies you might need to take in nutrition and health practices. See it as a tool to BENEFIT you.

Tell the person who is doing the test how you feel and that you are very nervous about needles. ASK THEM TO USE A CHILD'S NEEDLE which is thinner.

Any kind of needle, you'll just feel a momentary pinch, that's it. Nothing terrible, I promise. A small amount of blood goes into a small glass vial and they take a couple of vials one after the other. There is no need to insert an extra needle. That's all there is to it.

If they are able to use a child's needle you'll feel practically nothing at all.

DON'T WATCH, TURN THE OTHER WAY, CLOSE YOUR EYES. It only takes about 3 minutes or so for the whole test.

Remember that the person who is there - that's their job - and they want to be helpful. They know many people are nervous. So just tell them and I know they will be extra careful with you. Please don't worry. All this is for your benefit. When it's all over you'll wonder why you were so nervous. It wasn't bad at all.

Good Luck, Relax, and God Bless.

Answer 4

Because I used to faint or pass out when taking a blood test, I for several years asked to be able to lie down when the blood was being drawn. Usually the blood drawers were perceptive enough to talk about other things while drawing the blood and keep my mind occuppied so I didn't think about what they were doing. I just turned my head away from watching the procedure and concentrated on looking at the face of the person drawing the bood. The really good ones will tell you a joke or make you feel special so you hardly notice at all. They tell me they would rather have someone request to lie down than to have a person pass out on them. Believe me just the word shot would make me feel dizzy and queasy when I was a kid, teen ager and young adult. Now I am a Diabetic and have to eject and have blood drawn and I have gotten over my fear you can too. Baby steps. You are not alone. Go ahead with your blood test, tyhey take very little blood and it will not harm you.--the doctor needs it to make sure you are healthy. There are certain things that your blood work will show your physician that nothing else can. You'll be glad you did! Do it for your family and those you love. You will do ok. Why don't you take a picture with you of your child or grandchild or your dog or cat and look at that while you are waiting.
-Spec

Answer 5

Wow, sounds like me... I faint whenever, I am given a shot or have to have blood drawn, anything that involves needles...the only thing that I have ever found that works for me is to lie down (and this can be done..they do have gurneys) and hold out my arm and I look the other way and say my ABC's (sounds childish...but hey it works for me). I have had this Phobia ever since I was a child, I am now 31. I will tell you though, the feel isn't any different then a cat scratch, or having someone pinch you. Its just a little prick, the needle isn't all that big. My problem is I stress out about it so much that I raise my blood pressure and once it is done and over with, I relax so fast that my body just shuts down for a second or two.

Answer 6

I hate N*****s too. I prefer not to say the word. I however don't mind having a blood test. I find the nurses and doctors now a days are really good at drawing blood painlessly. Whatever you do, do not look at the nurse when she enters the room with the N in her hand. That is the worst. Keep your eyes away facing a corner and breathe comfortably, saying that it isn't going to hurt. I also prefer going for such things on my own. When family and friends are around, they look sympathetically at you and make you feel sorry for yourself. You won't believe how good you will feel if you go in independently. I am quite ok with blood tests, but don't really like injections where the nurse puts something into your body. REMEMBER keep your eyes away from nurse when she is entering the room, and tell her before hand NOT to show you the N. Good luck. I would love feedback after you are all done.

Answer 7

I'm not good with needles either. Don't worry about it. This is what I do. I don't look at the needle, I take a deep breath before they start and I close my eyes and concentrate on anything BUT the needle. It doesn't take too long, and the needle isn't that big. You will feel a prick on your arm. Honestly it hurts more after it's all done then while it happens.

Answer 8

If the person taking the blood is any good you will barely feel anything. Reach over with your left hand and, with the tips of your fingernails, pinch a bit of skin inside your right arm until it barely starts to hurt. That is what the needle prick will feel like, only prolly less.
Plus, don't watch.
The needle is really tiny. Only the vial attached is large.

Answer 9

My problem is my veins are real deep and they can't aways find them. So, so then they go hunting and fishing. and when you get a real inexperienced blood testologest it Will drive you wacky.Hopefully you won't have that problem. Some times the testologist does it and you can't even feel a thing. other time it feel like they're are using a blunt needle. That said. the whole test is only about 2 minutes if it goes even that long.
Good luck, And I hope you pass your test.

Answer 10

The fear is the worst part of it. Getting excited and worked up increases all of your senses. Just close your eyes or look away ... take several deep breaths. Maybe bring your iPod. Been stickin people for a long time too. Many times a good phlebotemist can make things go smoother, distract well, and do it painlessly; but there are no guarantees.