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Original poster

Injection phobic child

17 replies

Nonochair · 01/12/2020 09:25

Dd is 11 and terrified of injections. Probably because she hasn’t had to have one in living memory and has built it up to be a massive thing.
I can sympathise as I used to be scared too but she is extremely strong willed and I’m worried about how I will get her to have covid vaccination (if it ends up being available for children and if it’s needed for ‘immunity passports’ ) Obviously I’m also worried about other future vaccinations but they aren’t pressing yet!
I know she’ll refuse to leave the house if she’s due to have one at school or if I say we are going to drs or something.

She is that stubborn that I can see her saying she’d rather not go on holiday etc. than have the injection.

OP posts:

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 01/12/2020 09:28

I think cross that bridge when you come to it. Children are very low down the list. My DS is the same, he has ASD. He'll probably have the first jab because he's smart and very pro-vaccine, then he'll have a massive panic attack at the thought of the second one. That's what happened with his recent boosters, he got one but not the other. It is what it is, sadly. And (if it's offered at school for young people) they won't push it at all if there are any signs of distress.

GreyishDays · 01/12/2020 09:28

A nurse really helped me by being the first to say ‘sharp scratch’, which they all seem to say now.
Anyway, it really does feel like that. Can you explain that to your DD? It doesn’t feel like a needle going in. It literally feels like a sharp scratch.
Has she explained what she’s worried about precisely?

GerardWay123 · 01/12/2020 09:29

Start practicing EFT (emotional freedom technique). It sounds daft but it actually works.

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TimeQuest01 · 01/12/2020 09:31

I have had a phobia of needles since I was little, I actually used to pass out each time just from the fear.

I’ve had a number of blood tests in the past couple of years and can honestly say I didn’t feel a thing when I used the numbing cream (Emla). Just make sure you apply it at least 1 hour before the procedure.

This was for blood tests, I don’t know if for injections the needle goes deeper and it would hurt more, but for blood test, 100% painless.

Good luck!

TimeQuest01 · 01/12/2020 09:33

Also, if or when the time comes, tell the practicing nurse about her fear, I’ve found them to be very patient and understanding.

MadeForThis · 01/12/2020 09:43

Could she watch you go first? Or a sibling? Or even a you tube video?

And bribery. Lots of bribery.

They will have to get 2 injections so be honest that it will hurt a bit, but only for a second.

Original poster

Nonochair · 01/12/2020 09:48

I think If I can get her to leave the house/car it will be ok. Maybe the numbing cream would help thank you.
It’s a balance of discussing it now so she knows it’s inevitable and gets used to the idea or completely ignoring it until the time comes so she doesn’t work herself up.

A strange thing is that she wants her ears pierced which I’m sure is much more painful. This could be a good bribe actually

OP posts:

Polly99 · 01/12/2020 09:50

I have a child like this OP. Her phobia is really extreme and no amount of nice patient nurses will help. We have tried everything bar hypnotherapy , so that is what we will be doing next. I gather that the results can be dramatic. I'd suggest you do look at something like this because your DD's next scheduled jab (which she will be due to have probably before she reaches the top of the covid jab list) is HPV which is two injections and is IM, so a longer needle and sore afterwards.

Original poster

Nonochair · 01/12/2020 15:19

Yes I think HPV is in year 8 isn’t it? She’s been worrying about that one for a couple of years already.

As I say-I do remember being terrified myself and crying and shaking in the waiting room/queue at school (and fainting afterwards) but I can’t even see her getting that far.

OP posts:

User415373 · 01/12/2020 15:40

Maybe they'll make a nasal vaccination like the flu vaccination for children?

GhostTypeEevee · 01/12/2020 15:52

DS is petrified about needles. I know his secondary school boosters would cause a massive meltdown which would humiliate him afterwards so I declined them and asked the GP surgery if he could have them there.

He was really brave going in but had a massive meltdown in the nurses room and went all faint. I had to hold like you would a toddler for it to be done. He really can't explain why he went like that but does want to have them. He's already decided that if there is a covid jab for kids he will have to held to have it done but wants that rather than not have the jab. The nurse was really patient with him.

My husband hates having injections too and faints every time he has one, which is relatively often due to work, he can't really explain why either.

GhostTypeEevee · 01/12/2020 15:53

I hadn't even released that they got a booster in year 9 so it came as a bit of a shock

Original poster

Nonochair · 01/12/2020 16:12

That’s a good idea to decline them at school
and get them done at the drs. That way any meltdowns won’t impact her learning or cause any embarrassment.

OP posts:

GhostTypeEevee · 01/12/2020 16:24

@Nonochair the surgery were absolutely fine when I explained why I wanted them done there and ds was relieved.

Londonnight · 01/12/2020 16:36

My son had an extreme needle phobia. Nothing or anyone could help. Unfortunately he developed crohns disease which requires lots of blood tests and injections . Just about the worst that could happen.

When they are so very frightened it is really hard. I spent 6 very long years trying to get help for him. We tried CAHMS, hypnotherapy, bribes, relaxation tapes, emla cream. He really wanted to go through with the blood tests etc, but when it actually came to it fear just in the way.
Eventually, because he was going to have to start having infusions we finally got a fantastic counsellor who helped him no end.

Sometimes that's all it needs, some one who will give time and understanding to the very real fears that children can have. It didn't stop the phobia overnight, but overtime it was so much easier, to the point now that he has no issues at all,

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 01/12/2020 16:40

I'm autistic with a needle phobia, or at least, I have a phobia of drawing blood with a needle, so wont permit the nurse/phlebotomist anywhere near me.

I have no issue with injections, vaccinations that go into a muscle, it's any needle that has to be inserted into a vein near a joint. It's not about pain either, as I can just about tolerate having a needle inserted into the back of my hand, which is much more painful, but not my elbow etc.

I realise I'm not offering any sort of solution to your issue, but I thought I'd describe how my autistic brain processes the issue in case it offers any insight into your DD

GhostTypeEevee · 01/12/2020 16:51

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

Ds is has autism too and he has nightmares about having to have blood taken and I'm really worried about what would happen if he ever needed it done.

Have you just never had blood taken? Or what do you do?

I think for him blood plus the needle will tip him over the edge. In science he's excused from taking his pulse as he just can't do it. It makes him feel woozy and panicky.

Again it's very similar to dh but he doesn't have autism

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