Help me get over my irrational fear of needles BG!

[BadKarma]

As someone who is my size, and what my sporting life consists of, it would make sense that I would not be afraid of needles, instead I am deathly afraid of them and frequently pass out when I am on the receiving end of a blood test.

I've tried hypnosis. And a whole host of other things, I'm out of options BG and with blood work that's due tomorrow I'm sick and tired of fearing these things. Not looking for an immediate solution obviously, but I just need something that would eventually help me.

[Cream Soda]

I'd assume you've already tried looking away.

I remember I always used to jerk my finger when they tried to stick it w/ that big ass contraption they used to have back when I was younger. I feared that thing more than the shot itself.

I also remember one time they gave me a shot on my left ass cheek when I was in elementary and they had to have 4 ppl hold me down to give the damn thing to me.

I decided to start giving blood in high school. From the first time, I just looked directly at it while they were doing it and have never had any issues since (whether I look at it or not, but I always prefer to look in case they fuck it up, I can tell their higher up exactly how they fucked it up lol)

[Celestialstrife]

Aw Not sure what advice to give you, just try to relax your breathing, maybe look away? Hope you are able to find some help soon!

[BadKarma]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...fly_needle.png


This fucking thing, this is the thing they use for blood tests. I am a gigantic pussy, along with apparently 40% of other americans.

[Haiko]

Just close your eyes and stop being a pussy.

[Sonomaa]

Im in the same boat man, irrational fear of needles and blood. Nothing I have done save a massive amount of adrenaline can keep me from getting woozy

[Correction]

Play with your DS, headphones on. Works for children.

[SteveMc]

I try to give blood every time there is a drive and have seen more adults scared than I would assume kids. Mostly they look away while the nurse asks them questions and as they answer is when they pop it in, seen people literally sweating from this or walk out, never understood it myself, the ten minutes lying there knowing it's stuck in my arm is more annoying then the pain of the needle itself.
I guess just remember it's not really that painful?

I found out recently standing on Blackpool Tower I'm afraid of heights lol (the glass panels they have you can stand on and look down), I was OK being on the tower and looking down, the second I stood on that glass I shit myself.

[Tyche]

Are you afraid of the pain of the stick or the possible effects of the meds or the competancy of the person administering the needle?

[Mertron]

i fucking love needles

feels good man

[Alleya]

Depends. Make a list of all the things that bother you about it, arranged by how severe your stress level is when you think about it. Then, do some relaxation, meditation, deep breathing stuff. Get real relaxed and centered and calm, then have someone read you the list, starting from the least stressful thing, and work your way up, breathing deep and trying to stay calm as you envision the stressor as vividly as possible. Train yourself that way for a while, and practice the breathing and relaxation when waiting for the test. You'll probably never not be afraid of the needles, but you should be able to handle it much better if you get used to being relaxed when faced with the idea of needles.

[Tyche]

I bet Ive had 10 students attempt their first IV on me. Anytime me, my wife, or my kids get anything done, I like using students, they couldn't be more focused on not fucking it up.

[BadKarma]

The needle pain doesnt hurt all that much, I have very shallow and fragile veins so the feeling of the vacuum I guess as you would call it sucking the blood from my arm causes me to black out. And the tiny nurse thats there doing the test weighs all of 100lbs while I weigh 210. If I fall out of the chair when/if i pass out Im sliding right out of that awfully upright chair on to the floor. I also had a bad experience where a nurse stuck my 9 different times to find a vein. As I said, I am a big guy with small veins. Not a good combo

[BadKarma]

Yes at the place my insurance covers they use motherfucking chairs that sit up at a 90 degree angle and not those nice little benches

[vagus]

I fear needles as well. I just look away and hope for the best.

[Tyche]

Tell them to stick you elsewhere?

[BadKarma]

Tell them to stick you elsewhere?

They refuse.

Also the hand is painful as fuck

[Moridam]

exposure therapy, get them to jab you with needles repeatedly until the fear subsides!

[aru]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response
Sound like you?
I couldn't even make it through the first-aid portion of health class because of this bullshit.

[Demosthenes11]

I don't have quite the phobia you do, but I also hate needles. I did start doing acupuncture, however, and would suggest it to anyone. I think in your situation, it might be able to ease you into needles, as the ones used are typically really small and you can barely feel them (depending where they needle you). Since they leave it in for prolonged periods of time, it will give you time to breath and try to get your mind over it since you won't be able to feel them really after they are in.

Find a community acupuncture clinic in your area (I would not suggest clinical, as they use bigger needles and it feels a fuck ton more like a doctors office). At these places, it's a giant room with really comfy couches and it's really quiet / relaxing, unlike the shit environment of a hospital / office. I go twice a week and have some of the best naps imaginable during those times.

Let me know if you have any questions about it - I've been going at least twice a week for about 7 months. It could definitely help you ease in