How can i get over my fear of Blood Tests ?

Question

Panic around needles. Hyperventilate and feel very sick & dizzy.

Having a blood test & scared.

Answer 1

1. Here is what you will actually feel - if you have nails on your fingers, pinch your skin in the crook of your arm - pinch it not too hard and not too gently.. That is exactly what you feel
2. What you don't like is the thought of the needle, NOT the pain. You can take a lot more pain than the equivalent of a tiny pinch.
3. DO NOT LOOK IN THE DIRECTION OF THE NURSE WHEN SHE ENTERS WITH THE NEEDLE. KEEP YOUR EYES TOTALLY IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. TELL HER TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO SHOW IT TO YOU. BREATHE CALMLY IN AND OUT DURING THE PROCEDURE. SUGAR OR SOMETHING SWEET ON YOUR TONGUE HELPS. AS LONG AS YOU DON'T SEE IT, YOU CAN JUST PICTURE SOMEONE PINCHING YOU. I GUARANTEE YOU WILL NEVER BE SCARED AGAIN. JUST A PINCH. When she is actually drawing blood there is no pain at all. Then again a slight pinching feeling when she removes the needle.

Answer 2

Ugh, I hate it too. Try and do some deep breathing. Ask to lay down or use a reclining chair. Some labs have one or both. Don't look, even when they begin to tourniquet your arm. If you have an i-pod, take it and listen to some distracting or relaxing music. Some of the phlebotomists are very good, you won't even feel it and it will be over before you know it.

Answer 3

I'm the same - awful isnt it? I had to have a couple last year and I told them how nervous I was and that I needed to lie down when having the test.
That really helped - Good Luck!