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Original poster

Fellow needle phobics how do you cope with having bloods taken?

61 replies

Ihatethedawnchorus · 25/10/2022 22:20

Having bloods taken tomorrow morning, I have a severe needle phobia. Last time(a couple of years ago) I ended up with 3 people in with me-one taking the blood, one holding my arm and one trying to keep me calm as I went into a panic attack. I want to make it easier for the staff as well as me.

So far my plan is emla cream(a godsend), eye mask and headphones with music.

OP posts:
Rexthesnail · 25/10/2022 23:19

Tell them, ask to lay down, as long as its not fasting blood tests, warm drinks and eat. The more hydrated and warm the vein is, the easier it is to find.

Original poster
Ihatethedawnchorus · 25/10/2022 23:23

Think my phobia was triggered by having stitches next to my eye when a toddler, many years later I was still able to describe the dr to my dm

OP posts:
ChagSameachDoreen · 26/10/2022 00:29

I just had to grow up and deal with it. Only option.

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General health
mrsmacmc · 26/10/2022 00:36

Wiggle your toes when they are doing the blood sample or any needle work. It focuses your mind on toe wiggling rather than the task at hand ❤️

Owlnoises · 26/10/2022 00:49

I'm not sure how helpful this will be but I kind of rationalised myself out of my phobia.

I thought about it and realised my fear stemmed from a nurse telling me as a child that she wasn't going to inject me and then I saw her hiding the needle. I think I then became fearful of being taken by surprise and jumping which I think in my mind meant I'd get accidentally stabbed in the eye or something.

I think in that sense, I don't think the definition of phobia as an irrational fear is very helpful. I think there often is a rational reason in there somewhere albeit one that is only rational to the small children we were when our fears started iyswim.

Anyway, once I was able to work out what my fear really was, I could rationalise myself out of it much easier. Admittedly alongside that, I've got an autoimmune disease that means I need monthly blood tests and now self inject medication and like a PP with the ivf, there's kind of no choice.

Anyway, the rationalising thing might not be that helpful and in the short term PP's tips are probably more practical use. 😂 I just thought I'd share as I used to really struggle and it's so much easier now.

ThunderSocks · 26/10/2022 01:42

I had a terrible, terrible needle phobia for many years. Too long to go into, but I ended up having acupuncture (not for the phobia, for something else), which got me over the worst of my fears. Not necessarily suggesting acupuncture as a solution to your phobia, but my acupuncturist used to ask me to breathe in, then out, and insert the needle on the out breath. It helped me feel calm and reduces any pain. Whenever I get bloods done now, I just focus on taking a long breath out (I don't bother explaining/asking them to tell me to breath in and out etc anymore as it just doesn't bother me like it used to)

Nat6999 · 26/10/2022 02:54

My late dp was needle phobic, if I took him for a blood test I used to have to practically sit on him & bury his face in my boobs while the nurse did his bloods. Getting him in the room was like dragging a dog in the vets who refused to stand up.

TheNestedIf · 26/10/2022 03:14

I find it far easier to have blood taken from the back of my hand. The inside of the arm is very sensitive.

Otherwise, the plan to look away and chat about something or listen to music is a good one.

Original poster
Ihatethedawnchorus · 26/10/2022 10:24

Got them done, eye mask and headphones helped al though there was still tears and it still took about 20 minutes before I could let them put the needle in. Dd2(16) was having bloods done as well(needles don't bother her) and she held my hand, she did complain afterwards about me crushing her hand🤣

OP posts:
ParentallyUnprepared · 26/10/2022 10:33

My pregnancies helped me. With one, the vein collapsed every bloody time so I had to go again in the other arm!

I once had to have a blood test and I went to the clinic at the hospital. I was one end on a semi-circle of others having blood taken so I turned my head to the wall so I couldn't see what was happening to everyone around me. The fucking nurse told me off for being rude. I came out in tears (I was getting blood taken because I was poorly!). It was horrible.

cushioncovers · 26/10/2022 11:19

I used to take blood as part of my job and unless it's a fasting blood test I found that patients who had had plenty of fluid and a good breakfast beforehand had easier vein's to bleed. Also make sure you're not cold. Wrap up warm and move around, it all helps with blood flow which means that the person taking your sample will have an better chance of getting the vein first time.

As a patient I hate having jabs or blood taken i find looking the other way closing my eyes and humming loudly to myself really helps.

cushioncovers · 26/10/2022 11:20

Ah I've just saw that you did it op. Well done you. Halloween Grin

Southwestten · 26/10/2022 11:58

Well done op - you can relax now for a bit.

BeanieTeen · 26/10/2022 12:22

I have a friend who is petrified of jabs and needles - she decided to go head on to face her fear and signed up give to give blood regularly. Apparently it’s helped.

XenoBitch · 26/10/2022 23:36

ChagSameachDoreen · 26/10/2022 00:29

I just had to grow up and deal with it. Only option.

A horrible dismissive comment. How does one "grow up"?

TrashyPanda · 27/10/2022 18:27

BeanieTeen · 26/10/2022 12:22

I have a friend who is petrified of jabs and needles - she decided to go head on to face her fear and signed up give to give blood regularly. Apparently it’s helped.

I’ve given nearly 50 times and was also a plasma donor.

im still needle phobic

XenoBitch · 27/10/2022 23:30

Am reading this thread again.
I have a GP appointment tomorrow and I know they will want bloods taken. I can't do it! I struggle even having BP taken.

How can I get through it?

mydailymailhell · 27/10/2022 23:47

I had serious needle phobia, if someone even said the word needle I would feel faint. Like an earlier poster said, having to do IVF pretty much cured me of it but I still get nervous whenever I need to get bloods done.
top tips are no alcohol the night before and drink loads of water. I look away, do deep breaths and try to make my body go floppy and also click my fingers as a distraction. I’ve also noticed that if I tell the person taking the bloods that I’m nervous with needles, it’s always worse. I think it’s because they then get nervous or put off their stride. When I say nothing it seems to go more smoothly.

BobbyBobbyBobby · 28/10/2022 02:16

I’m able to go to the reception carefully with my eyes averted and check in and tell them that I’m going to sit and wait to be called but my eyes will be tightly shut and I will need assistance to be taken to the room and my blood test done.

When it’s my turn, a nurse comes and gets me and my eyes are still closed and I’m led into the room and helped to sit down.

I then repeat to the person taking the blood that this is my successful way of managing my extreme needle phobia and she gets on with it all the while my eyes are closed.

After it’s done I am able to open my eyes but I am careful to avert them from seeing any medical equipment and I thank them lady or ladies and then with my eyes squinting I can leave the room and waiting room and then open my eyes properly and get the hell out of there.

I also conduct my dental appointments in this manner and my dentist thinks it’s a brilliant idea! I have no idea what he looks like!

XenoBitch · 05/11/2022 21:47

I cancelled the appointment I was meant to have. I could not do it!
The thing is, I know I really need it.

XenoBitch · 11/11/2022 18:57

Sorry to bump this thread.

I have cancelled so many appointments now, but today I finally made it through the door.
The lovely HCA got as far as a few inches from my arm and I freaked out!

I was so embarrassed. I have another appointment booked. Same HCA and she said she will use a baby needle, even though it will take a tiny bit longer.

I feel like a total tit.

Tinytigertail · 11/11/2022 19:13

Hypnotherapy worked brilliantly for me. 4 years later and I'm still ok with having blood tests

XenoBitch · 11/11/2022 19:17

Tinytigertail · 11/11/2022 19:13

Hypnotherapy worked brilliantly for me. 4 years later and I'm still ok with having blood tests

I have a week until my next appointment, and hypnotherapy is not suitable for me :(

CantSleepCountingSheep · 11/11/2022 19:27

Turn away, deep meditative breathing in to my tummy, say to myself "this doesn't hurt", keep chatting to the nurse. It's over in about 30 seconds. Rational thoughts repeated in my head over and over....

You can do it op! 🙌

Fancypotatoes · 11/11/2022 19:33

There are some brilliant tips here. I have to do a bit of self talk, look away, try to breathe and relax open and closing the hand before helps distract me. It's about distraction with me. Once had a bad experience and it hurt like hell. All good experiences after that however. Each time I do it, gets better.