equivocated
10-02-2001, 02:15 AM
ok...
i have a question.
is anyone else afraid of needles?
My fear is to the point where I'll either pass out at the sight of a needle, or if it doesn't go that far, i'll pass out when receiving the needle, and even SOMETIMES when i don't actually pass out, i'll puke right after the needle. And i ALWAYS feel nauseous for hours afterwards.
Also, i always think about the needle i received, and have bad dreams.
And if i think about needles at other times (like right now), i start to feel nauseous and dizzy.
Does anyone have any advice on combatting this fear? Because i DO plan on having children someday... and that'll require needles, and also other blood tests and so forth.
please help!
i have a question.
is anyone else afraid of needles?
My fear is to the point where I'll either pass out at the sight of a needle, or if it doesn't go that far, i'll pass out when receiving the needle, and even SOMETIMES when i don't actually pass out, i'll puke right after the needle. And i ALWAYS feel nauseous for hours afterwards.
Also, i always think about the needle i received, and have bad dreams.
And if i think about needles at other times (like right now), i start to feel nauseous and dizzy.
Does anyone have any advice on combatting this fear? Because i DO plan on having children someday... and that'll require needles, and also other blood tests and so forth.
please help!
Sponsor
Ally1017
10-14-2001, 02:46 PM
HI! I'm really afraid of needles too, but once I'm at the doctor and they have to stick me I just have to realize that it's not going to hurt like I imagine it will. If you feel like it's a problem maybe you should talk to your doctor. I have a fear of being gagged with the tongue depressor and throwing up because when I was little they had to do a strep test and they made me vomit. My doctor suggested hypnosis to help me get over the fear. I never actually had the hypnosis done because I moved away from my hometown, but I trust him and believe that it might be a good option to help me overcome that fear. I haven't done any research but maybe you could and then talk to the doctor. Also, about having kids, I don't really know if you'll even be thinking about the needles as much as the contractions and the fact that you would have a beautiful baby after the labor. Hope this helps you some.
wolf
11-23-2001, 11:39 PM
I was phobic about needles for years, much as you seem to be (even the sight of them would make me light-headed). In addition, I'm a Type I diabetic (requiring insulin, which is currently available only by injection).
I've been seeing a psychologist for a few months for other issues, and when I mentioned the needle phobia, she thought it would be something I might overcome fairly easily. This seemed impossible to me; I couldn't imagine letting anyone get near me with a needle, much less do it to myself! After a few months of therapy (not directly related to the phobia), I felt like I was ready to try to take on the problem -- I took out an insulin needle and just looked at it for a few minutes; then loaded it and took a shot like I'd been doing it for years! The all-encompassing fear just fell away.
I relate this story to show you that this phobia can be overcome. It's just a little glitch in your thinking that seems enormous, but can fade away quickly with treatment.
I've been seeing a psychologist for a few months for other issues, and when I mentioned the needle phobia, she thought it would be something I might overcome fairly easily. This seemed impossible to me; I couldn't imagine letting anyone get near me with a needle, much less do it to myself! After a few months of therapy (not directly related to the phobia), I felt like I was ready to try to take on the problem -- I took out an insulin needle and just looked at it for a few minutes; then loaded it and took a shot like I'd been doing it for years! The all-encompassing fear just fell away.
I relate this story to show you that this phobia can be overcome. It's just a little glitch in your thinking that seems enormous, but can fade away quickly with treatment.
kristis2
11-30-2001, 04:33 PM
I was scared to death of them as well,untill I got pregnant and had to have a zillion tests! I still have a fear that I will pass out during them,but I never have even come close,so it is just a thought! I hope you can talk with your Dr about this and maybe he/she can help! Take care! Kristi
kristis2
11-30-2001, 04:35 PM
I was scared to death of them as well,untill I got pregnant and had to have a zillion tests! I still have a fear that I will pass out during them,but I never have even come close,so it is just a thought! I hope you can talk with your Dr about this and maybe he/she can help! Take care! Kristi
equivocated
12-16-2001, 05:02 AM
Thank you very much for the suggestions!#
The hypnosis is a good idea, and... I was curious as to whether there's a childhood memory regarding a bad experience with needles that i can't access conciously. In that sense, hypnosis seems perfect. I'll talk to my doctor our next visit.
Thank you!
-equiv
P.S. there was a flu going around here a couple of weeks ago, so our town's FLU SHOT clinic was on... needless to say, i was too stubborn to take the needle (as it's not mandatory), and i ended up getting a HORRIBLE flu for about 2 weeks, resulting in a MASS of crazy symptoms.
sigh... maybe some day!
The hypnosis is a good idea, and... I was curious as to whether there's a childhood memory regarding a bad experience with needles that i can't access conciously. In that sense, hypnosis seems perfect. I'll talk to my doctor our next visit.
Thank you!
-equiv
P.S. there was a flu going around here a couple of weeks ago, so our town's FLU SHOT clinic was on... needless to say, i was too stubborn to take the needle (as it's not mandatory), and i ended up getting a HORRIBLE flu for about 2 weeks, resulting in a MASS of crazy symptoms.
sigh... maybe some day!
DeniseSinger
12-23-2001, 07:45 PM
Okay I'm with ya on this one. I HATE needles! I get the chills thinking about it. And I get dizzy too! I don't pass out, but I have a total break down. If they take too long to come in the room, I run out. (no lie... you can only be brave for so long!) And I cry. I cry A LOT. It's actually pitiful but I feel bad because sometimes I get *kinda* rude. I don't know how anyone could actually give people shots everyday. Ewww! So yeah, I don't have any advice for you, sorry I was just sharing my story lol. And I know thinking about having kids and them giving you a shot IN THE BACK... no comment. People say after you get more and more shots, it gets easier. I don't think so, I think it gets worse, but maybe it'll work for you. Maybe you'll get stronger each time. Also, here's thought... the whole child birth thing. I think that you'll be demanding a shot while you're in child birth. LoL! The pain and the fear of the shot will probably seem like nothing in a situation like that. Ya know? Anyways, I'm getting off. Good luck.
UK mann
02-08-2002, 05:31 PM
Have you managed to get anywhere with your needle phobia? I am in a situation where i face losing my driving license because i cannot have a blood test due to needle phobia.
The DVLA in UK are insisting that i take the blood test even though my GP and a Clinical Pshychologist have confirmed my needle phobia.. mad eh !
Originally posted by equivocated:
Thank you very much for the suggestions!#
The hypnosis is a good idea, and... I was curious as to whether there's a childhood memory regarding a bad experience with needles that i can't access conciously. In that sense, hypnosis seems perfect. I'll talk to my doctor our next visit.
Thank you!
-equiv
P.S. there was a flu going around here a couple of weeks ago, so our town's FLU SHOT clinic was on... needless to say, i was too stubborn to take the needle (as it's not mandatory), and i ended up getting a HORRIBLE flu for about 2 weeks, resulting in a MASS of crazy symptoms.
sigh... maybe some day!
The DVLA in UK are insisting that i take the blood test even though my GP and a Clinical Pshychologist have confirmed my needle phobia.. mad eh !
Originally posted by equivocated:
Thank you very much for the suggestions!#
The hypnosis is a good idea, and... I was curious as to whether there's a childhood memory regarding a bad experience with needles that i can't access conciously. In that sense, hypnosis seems perfect. I'll talk to my doctor our next visit.
Thank you!
-equiv
P.S. there was a flu going around here a couple of weeks ago, so our town's FLU SHOT clinic was on... needless to say, i was too stubborn to take the needle (as it's not mandatory), and i ended up getting a HORRIBLE flu for about 2 weeks, resulting in a MASS of crazy symptoms.
sigh... maybe some day!
GinnyW
03-23-2002, 09:53 PM
well I dont guess I am really scared of em but I do get kinda queasy when I look at it sticking in my skin. I have had a child and had a epidural and all and it didnt hurt a bit.
what I do is JUST DONT LOOK!!! when the nurse walks in the room with it I just turn my head cuz I dont want to see how big it is or anything, and I am fine that way. getting blood drawn is a lil worse since you know it goes in your vein but again just dont look, that hurts even less! and it is over in seconds!
what I do is JUST DONT LOOK!!! when the nurse walks in the room with it I just turn my head cuz I dont want to see how big it is or anything, and I am fine that way. getting blood drawn is a lil worse since you know it goes in your vein but again just dont look, that hurts even less! and it is over in seconds!
rachaelm
04-08-2002, 07:05 PM
i have been terrified of needles for as long as i can remember and i am sooo happy that i came across this message board and read that i'm not the only one afraid of getting a shot! i thought i was the only person who ever took sickness over the needle! lol. I too have dreams that cause me to sweat at night and wake up screaming my head off. i dont know what i will do about my fear yet (although the hypnosis DOES sound like a good option) but it makes me feel great just to know that other people out there have this same problem and are getting over it more and more each day. thanks so much for the help.
>rach
>rach
memehegan
05-02-2002, 02:32 PM
I was terrified of a variety of things but needles is the worst- after falling on a piece of glass while working in a hospital kitchen, I was halled off to ER for stitches - it took several like 5 people to restrain me while the doctor even put in the novacane numbing stuff and I still managed to bite a nurse at age 23!!!!!! As my anxiety mounted to the point that I couldn't breath an waves of fear flushed over me unexpectedly feeling like the world was going to incinerate its self, I began taking buspar. It worked so well for me! I was so lucky. I started to even kill spiders!!! Who woulda ever thought I could do that! It made me dizzy and nauseas for about an hour each time but I stopped taking it after six months. Now I that I know how normal it can feel, to get blood work or shoo an insect away, I can usually recognize when I am getting upset and stop and breath! Alot! And if I cant get through it, I just wait until I am calm enough, I have good days and not so good. I waited until spring for my latest blood work. I have seasonal affect disorder so forget even trying in the winter. I recently had surgery. Almost painless, and while I was sedated, I had prearranged to get my tetnus update shot@!!! Sheeer genius I think!
Denise71
05-10-2002, 09:30 AM
Hi everyone!
I too am terrified of needles. I've had shots growing up, always afraid of them, but had a lifelong fear of getting blood taken, in that part of the arm. I dont' know what it is about that area, but whenever the idea is brought up of getting blood taken, or giving it, I can't even hold my arm out straight, because I start to feel weird in that spot. I can't walk by a blood drive. I used to be a videographer, and could never shoot a story on giving blood. I can't watch needles on tv. Weird since I love slasher movies, but when it's a needle, forget it. My mom is a nurse, and I was always ask if I would follow in her footsteps, no way! I could not even take a needle and give a shot to an orange! I can't watch when I take my dogs to the vet.. And when that time in my life came to get blood taken when I got married, my husband had to hold me down as i cried. I was terrified. I have had to do it 2 more times since then and I acted the same way. The weird thing is, I have 2 tattoos and my navel pierced!! Dont ask me how I can do that, but it's just different. A shot needle is different. I can't take it. I don't have any kids, but always thought I wanted one. I am terrified of the needles I would have to go through then!!
aaaaaaaaaa.
------------------
Denise 71
Exercise is a lifelong commitment...
I too am terrified of needles. I've had shots growing up, always afraid of them, but had a lifelong fear of getting blood taken, in that part of the arm. I dont' know what it is about that area, but whenever the idea is brought up of getting blood taken, or giving it, I can't even hold my arm out straight, because I start to feel weird in that spot. I can't walk by a blood drive. I used to be a videographer, and could never shoot a story on giving blood. I can't watch needles on tv. Weird since I love slasher movies, but when it's a needle, forget it. My mom is a nurse, and I was always ask if I would follow in her footsteps, no way! I could not even take a needle and give a shot to an orange! I can't watch when I take my dogs to the vet.. And when that time in my life came to get blood taken when I got married, my husband had to hold me down as i cried. I was terrified. I have had to do it 2 more times since then and I acted the same way. The weird thing is, I have 2 tattoos and my navel pierced!! Dont ask me how I can do that, but it's just different. A shot needle is different. I can't take it. I don't have any kids, but always thought I wanted one. I am terrified of the needles I would have to go through then!!
aaaaaaaaaa.
------------------
Denise 71
Exercise is a lifelong commitment...
memehegan
05-10-2002, 10:21 PM
I don't know if this will help you, when I am able to do blood work, I imagine that the blood vien is a straw,( it really is!) and that the needle is simply slipping down the tunnel of the straw. Also when my counsellor discovered how serious my aversion to needles is (when she order all that blood work that doctors and psychiarists think they need from forty something people) she prescribed some kind of mild sedative that works instantly and only lasts not even 30 minutes. On the lowest dose I felt just mildly relaxed she told me to take two pills next time but as I said scince the buspar which I would highly recomend I can usually find that place where it didn't feel terrifying to have blood work or kill a spider. In a million years I never would have believed I could do either without fear or anxiety until I began the buspar. I didn't even want to not be afraid because I was sure that my fear was absoultely normal sane and self-preserving!! I was sure it was abnormal to not be afraid. -Meme
Amanda4
05-17-2002, 05:08 PM
I am also VERY afraid of needles....I have frequent back pain and I have to get a Bone Scan done in 1 month, which I do not want to do but have to do because they need to find out what is wrong. I cannot stand the thought of needles, and last time I got a shot I passed out afterwards..any suggestions?
memehegan
05-18-2002, 02:24 PM
Tell your doctor you have a serious anxiety disorder- I just tell'em right up front that the last time someone tried to stitch me up I was restrained by 5 adults and still managed to bite the nurse. Talk to your primary doctor about anxiety medications and a referal to a cousellor who can prescribe ongoing meds. Buspar takes sevral weeks to work but my doc also gave me lorazepam - it only lasts 30 minutes, mildly sedates you. You'd have to try and experiment with it at home as per doc's orders before the 'big' day- until you get to the right strength- as I mentioned earlier .5mg was not adequate for me but I also didn't have the nausea or dizziness from it like I did with the buspar(it only last a half an hour after each dose and I am super sensitive to meds I bet most people wouldnt react the way my body does to buspar-the doctor tells me this all the time! I take destrostat for ADHD and the first month I had to take it at bedtime because it knocked me out cold! and its an upper like caffine-most people are speeding on it- infact it is a speed street drug!.)
Anyway..... A good medical team knows that anxiety disorders are very real, and very physical and will be warm, comforting and supportive. They are caused by a chemical inbalance in the brain- it's not that your weak or 'wuossy' - you have very little control over having them- it's all part of the chemical caveman fight/flight response. The doctor who performed my surgery was wonderful and said he was the worst patient ever - very sympathetic- my hand was numbed first with a tiny tiny little needle like the kind they use with a tine-test-just a bubble under the skin, then once it was numb -they did the IV- completely painless, then once the IV was in, I was sedated, floating on clouds and very very happy. The anathesiologist litterally held my hand and talked me through the whole surgery- he was like George Clunney, coated in sugar and in the flesh. IF he had said OK, no more seadations or pain killer- I was already soooooo seadated and relaxed I would have said OHHHHKaaaaaaaaaYYYYY! Also they let me bring my CD player in and use it all through surgery not that I wanted to listen to U2 when I seemed to have George Cluney in the flesh- (Sorry Bono- of coarse I would take Bono in the flesh over George but that wasn't a choice that day! smile) I also have huge anxiety issues about driving in large cities ( I'm such a hokey pokey redneck farm girl) -even though I have been off buspar almost a year I have a doctors order to take as needed and would never travel outside of my little home city without it! I fear getting lost in a large city is as close as I will ever come to falling into an evil black hole- ! In counselling the counsellor said whats the worst that could ever happen? Its not like your going to get lost and never come out! I said oh yes it is -that so could happen! Wouldn't know I was born and raised just outside NYC and was comfortable there walking anywhere. But then I went to Albany as an 18 year old when the Pine Hills Toucher was out and about and the College campus security had posters of him dressed as Uncle Sam saying I want you and we couldn't go anywhere alone day or night with out escort! I have never been the same. Anyway- be kind to yourself- take your fear seriously and inisist that others do and respect it- treating you and your fear kindly and nurturing. You dont have to be bullied into medical care by old fashion rough nurses (or doctors) who dont uderstand Talk about it, plan for it- and use doctors who take your fears seriously.
Anyway..... A good medical team knows that anxiety disorders are very real, and very physical and will be warm, comforting and supportive. They are caused by a chemical inbalance in the brain- it's not that your weak or 'wuossy' - you have very little control over having them- it's all part of the chemical caveman fight/flight response. The doctor who performed my surgery was wonderful and said he was the worst patient ever - very sympathetic- my hand was numbed first with a tiny tiny little needle like the kind they use with a tine-test-just a bubble under the skin, then once it was numb -they did the IV- completely painless, then once the IV was in, I was sedated, floating on clouds and very very happy. The anathesiologist litterally held my hand and talked me through the whole surgery- he was like George Clunney, coated in sugar and in the flesh. IF he had said OK, no more seadations or pain killer- I was already soooooo seadated and relaxed I would have said OHHHHKaaaaaaaaaYYYYY! Also they let me bring my CD player in and use it all through surgery not that I wanted to listen to U2 when I seemed to have George Cluney in the flesh- (Sorry Bono- of coarse I would take Bono in the flesh over George but that wasn't a choice that day! smile) I also have huge anxiety issues about driving in large cities ( I'm such a hokey pokey redneck farm girl) -even though I have been off buspar almost a year I have a doctors order to take as needed and would never travel outside of my little home city without it! I fear getting lost in a large city is as close as I will ever come to falling into an evil black hole- ! In counselling the counsellor said whats the worst that could ever happen? Its not like your going to get lost and never come out! I said oh yes it is -that so could happen! Wouldn't know I was born and raised just outside NYC and was comfortable there walking anywhere. But then I went to Albany as an 18 year old when the Pine Hills Toucher was out and about and the College campus security had posters of him dressed as Uncle Sam saying I want you and we couldn't go anywhere alone day or night with out escort! I have never been the same. Anyway- be kind to yourself- take your fear seriously and inisist that others do and respect it- treating you and your fear kindly and nurturing. You dont have to be bullied into medical care by old fashion rough nurses (or doctors) who dont uderstand Talk about it, plan for it- and use doctors who take your fears seriously.