im so freaked out about getting my blood drawn its rediculous. i start hyperventalating and crying.?

Question

how can i change this because i have bad acne and im going on accutane to fix it and i have to get blood drawn every month and before and after for five months to clear me up for 4-6 years. im so freaked out!!!! (*i know i already posted a question like this but i had to explain*)

Answer 1

RELAX!!...LOL..u will get used to it. I have been donating blood for over 12 yrs now and i dont even notice it anymore. If it effects u this much...Dont watch...just try to think that in a few months u will be acne free for a few yrs. Thats the best reason to do it. try and b brave...it'll be worth it. Good Luck :)

Answer 2

I don't do the crying thing though sometimes it does feel very close and I am 53yrs old and have been in the medical profession for over 30yrs.
I have refused taking hepatitis vaccines,tetnus shots etc opting to take my chances and knowing that if I were to ever contract something like this that there is treatment for it and yes I know that treatment could include shots but I hope at that time I will be so sick that it will seem worth it and I will be more accepting of shots.
I have had to have dental work off and on since I was 7 and at one point I took several fillings without novacaine because of my fear of needles.
Over the years I have put off much needed dental work and even take the butt chewings I get from Dentists because of it but I will wait til the pain of bad teeth hurts sooo bad that the needle needed to numb the pain so they can get rid of the tooth pain seems so insignificant though I do still get palpations and sweaty hands.
Today I take medicine to lower my cholesterol and it too takes periodic blood checks to watch my liver function.
I hate this and I always ask for the best technician and I have even gone so far to tell them that they only get one stick so they had better be good enough to get that stick the first try.
I also tell them that I am very afraid of needles and to NOT tell me when they are fixing to stick me. . .just do it without me knowing it is coming because if I know it is coming I tense up worse.
I NEVER watch the stick because to do so I would know when to tense up and tensing up makes things worse.
No matter what others tell me,I know it is a phobia and try as I may it comes with gripping fear.
The only thing I can do is to continually tell myself that it won't last that long,that there are people who suffer through alot worse than a needle stick and live through it and know that suffering a stroke from high cholesterol or having a heart attack is worse than getting the needle stick needed to draw blood and this is what I hope to prevent by taking my cholesterol medicine and they only way I can continue taking it is to have the blood tests.
At first they were every 3 months but at my last Dr visit I was told I could wait 6 months. . .maybe the same will happen with you.

I hope this helps and GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

There are several things you can do to make it a better experience. I'd recommend bringing someone you're close to with you for support, to hold your hand and make you feel more comfortable and relaxed. You could even bring your favorite stuffed animal if you think that would make you less nervous. When you actually get the blood drawn, try not to look at the blood being drawn. Also, make sure to breathe calmly. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I read a study where nurses used distraction when children need to have blood drawn and it worked well. Try to have someone go with you and keep talking and telling you jokes or playing weired word games, etc. Anything to keep you focused on that person and not the person drawing the blood. Go to yahoo or google images and look for pictures of needles and stuff. Keep looking at them in the comfort of your own home until you can look at them and think about them without crying.

Answer 5

I had the same problem for the longest time. Honestly, if you sit back and recognize that it's only a tiny prick, it's not that bad. If the pain bothers you, you can always ask for a butterfly needle which is thinner, smaller overall, and made for children and adults with smaller veins. Take deep breaths, close your eyes, and grab someone's hand as the procedure's being done. It's always over in a minute.

Answer 6

Get a hold of yourself and tell yourself it's a nessecary thing. I get blood drawn every month for the past 6 years and at first I had to look away and even got nauseous. But I told myself to brace myself and see it as a fact. Accept it. But also eat and drink before you go, and do deep breathing exercise before you go and in the clinic, breathe in to the count of four, hold for the count of four and breathe out for four. It will occupy your mind.
Good Luck

Answer 7

What you need to do is learn breathing techniques; similar to Lamaze. Just close your eyes and/or turn your head away. Engage the nurse or whoever is taking your blood...in a conversation, or just open your mind and use something as a focal point. Pick one thing to think about and focus on it. This is a "mind over matter" technique that takes time to learn. It is much like "meditating"...it will really work....!

Answer 8

You need to drink a lot of water about 3 days before each blood draw. this will help plump up your veins so they find them more easily & reduce the chances of missing you on the first stick.
Also, bring a friend along to distract you. Or, take your iopd or walkman & distract yourself that way. Also, let the phlebotomist know you're scared. they can distract you while they do the bloodwork.

Answer 9

you just have to concentrate on it not really hurting and being over quickly.If you know it will freak you out dont watch-you could actually make it worse by being so tense-you tighten everything up which can make it a little harder for the needle to go in.Think to yourself-do you want to be the over dramatic chick making a scene or do it and get it over with.Think of the poor women taking your blood-its what they do all day and they probably get tired the whining.Its just a tiny needle-like getting your ears pierced.

Answer 10

calm down. think of how little kids who have cancer and other horrid illness' get thru their 1000's of needle sticks? do you think they like it? you have lived a lot longer than many children. gain strength, and think about something else while it happens. if you can put up with the humiliation of acne, you can sit through a 8 second blood draw.