Help me get over my irrational fear of needles BG!

[kuronosan]

Also, whatever you do don't hold your breath. You will pass out and it will fuck up your results, especially if the person drawing tends to leave the tourniquet on too long. I've trained many med students and that is always the first mistake they make.

[Arvin]

not gonna lie having an iv in you when youre burning up with a high fever feels good man

[BadKarma]

A butterfly needle? No wonder you're so fucking scared. They use that needle for collapsed veins or tiny veins. Fly over my house. I'll help you get over that shit.

They're using the wrong type of needle for you. Butterfly needles hurt the patient more but make the person drawing your blood happier about their shitty technique.

I have tiny veins sadly. Thats the needle they say the need to use

[Kuya]

It always seems like tiny veins is what most people who are afraid of needles have.

[Talus]

Look on the bright side. At least you're not getting a subtenon or intravitreal injection.

[Tyche]

I know it was last page, but I love this philosophy Tyche, I know they had to learn somewhere, but this is honestly brilliant in my drunken little mind right now.

Edit: Also HIIII Katie how's your demon spawn? (Please don't ban me )

Residents have delivered 2 of my 3 children as well. With my newborn, it was the resident's first delivery. He was easily the most nervous person in the room.

[dejet]

Do what I did. Get so hurt tgat they take blood or your fucked. Worked wonders.
Nothing like life or death to get over fears

[Chun Liroy]

I love the piercing feeling and I love the suction feeling.

Cosigned. I always thought it was weird to feel this way, but I love it. I stare intently as they stick the needle in my arm, lol. I also enjoy getting shots and other pain sensations as well, I'm fucking weird. Oh, and I have tiny veins so a nurse spent like 15 minutes looking for a vein once, lulz.

Now, someone help me get over my irrational fear of airplanes. I'm very good at controlling outward emotion, so I seem fine, but on the inside at every single noise change (like, simply the engine making a slightly different droning noise) or change in gravity (levelling off, or when the plane pushes you upward) or bump I'm screaming inside. I think it has something to do with not being in control of the situation.

[Francisco]

I'm also terrified of needles....

Maybe not terrified, because I've seen people scream bloody murder over them... just from the alcohol swab before the prick. I just kinda wince, and tense up a bit.

I'm not worried about the pain, possible disease, or even a mistake. Just the whole concept of it skeeves me the fuck out.

I still get a flu shot yearly... I mostly deal with that by looking away and distracting myself by talking to someone while it's being done.

[Tonko]

There's honestly nothing you can do to overcome the fear, other than desensitization training. I've been a nurse for almost 5 years now, and the best thing to do is distract yourself when dealing with needles. I REALLY get annoyed when some 200lb + guy hits the floor when getting blood taken. Shit kills my back.

[Raldo]

Might have been mentioned, but it helps me if I eat beforehand. I think I may just have low blood sugar, but when I get blood taken I get light headed and once it was so bad that I couldn't walk without assistance. Someone gave me crackers, boom instantly fixed. I eat beforehand (unless I'm told not to ughhhhhhhhhhh) and I don't really have problems anymore.

[Kerberoz]

Spoiler: show

[solanis]

fuck you kerb

[Tonko]

Well done Sir lol

[Odon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response

I have it too, not much you can do brah.

[Silenka]

Oh Kerb, lulz.

I have tiny veins too and often have to be stuck several times before the nurse finds a vein. It's ok though, I'm not afraid of needles. Oh, I don't like them, but I just tell myself 'shit needs to get done yo' and take it like a boss. To me, it's akin to the nervousness you get with stage fright, which I've also overcome by telling myself that it really doesn't fucking matter, nothing too bad will happen even if I mess up, it's not gonna ruin my life, and neither will needles.

Meditation is super helpful, like others have said. Honestly, if you meditate every day for like 15-20 mins the proper way (blanking your mind, rhythmic breathing) you will eventually reach a state where you open your eyes afterward and nothing anyone can do to you would faze you. I wish I woulda kept up with meditation, I'm so lazy though I'd rather be playing games lol.

[Qalbert]

needles have, thankfully, only bothered me once. professor offered extra credit if you went to the blood drive, which meant there were far more students than blood drive nurse people. a couple minutes in the needle popped out and blood started to run down my arm and onto the floor, took a good 20ish seconds to get someones attention, and I was freaking out a bit.

[Hyan]

I had a fear for needles, but then I had to use one myself + let some other noobs inject me in the army. lol, after that all I've gotten is mild uncomfort.

I actually 'fear' the needle that they use to get a blood sample from the tip of your middle finger. It's so fast and unpredictable, yet stings enough to feel it. The wait always kills me.

[BadKarma]

Update: made in thru without passing out...the fucking bed made all the difference

[Celestialstrife]

Yay :D