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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to really hate blood tests?

30 replies

iwanttolearn · 05/08/2010 17:08

I get called a big baby because I hate anyone coming near me with needles. I had a blood test ealier in the week and fainted. I drank 2 glasses of chocolate milk and still felt really weak for the rest of the day and later in the evening I had a fever. I spent the next day in bed. I've eaten soups with lots of beef in them, etc. I don't know if the fever came because I was so worried about the blood test... All in all, not a pleasant experience.

I hate blod tests

OP posts:
cumbria81 · 05/08/2010 17:10

No not pleasant but not the worst thing in the world. People go through worse every day so I think YAB a bit U.

Jacksmybaby · 05/08/2010 17:11

I hate them too. I feel very sick and faint afterwards. Grim .

Vallhala · 05/08/2010 17:15

YANBU and you aren't alone. I'm petrified of them, shake, cry, feel sick, and will only ever have them if it's life or death, literally.

I had to have them prior to cancer surgery but refused all ante-natal and post-natal blood tests - never had one until I had pre-op blood taken elective c/s with DD2 and only then because they wouldn't allow the operation unless they had taken blood and done whatever it is they do pre-op.

The ward sister who told me that I had to have a blood test for iron count before leaving hospital with DD2 got a real earful, I can tell you!

purplewednesday · 05/08/2010 17:34

Poor you!!

No, YANBU.

I always find it odd that children are allowed to be scared of needles but adults are just expected to get on with it.

Next time you need bloods doing explain that you have a phobia and that you would like some Emla cream (local anaesthetic cream) so you don't feel anything.

emptyshell · 05/08/2010 18:15

Surprisingly they don't bother me (I'll scream the place down if the dentist tries to come near me with a needle though). What DOES bother me is the grin of glee on anyone's face with the "oooooooh you've got lovely exposed veins" before they take any blood - take the blood yeah, but can you not do the Jack Nicholson in The Shining impression beforehand?!

Al1son · 05/08/2010 18:29

I'm a baby and I have appalling veins. They thought I was being unreasonable when I refused to let a student practise on me in A&E. The nurse who came to do it instead had a bit of a cat's bum face until he'd tried in four different places without getting a drop. Two more people tried in several places each then I was admitted and a doctor on the ward managed to get just enough for the most vital tests.

The med student thanked me before I left A&E for saying no.

I'd love to have that special cream because it really really hurts :-(

midori1999 · 05/08/2010 18:37

I don't think YABU to really hate blood tests, but I do think you are going totally over the top and being over dramatic about the whole thing.

I am not keen on blood tests and used to really hate them, especially as I have dreadful veins and all but the most experienced usually take at least two attempts. It once took a consultant anaesthetist 5 goes (yes 5!) to put a line in my arm and that did result in a few tears, but once it is over it is over. When I was pregnant I was having blood tests 3 times or more a week for 10 weeks, and now have to inject myself twice a day until the end of Sept. and then once a day in any future pregnancies. So, I suppose I am over it...

MumNWLondon · 05/08/2010 18:47

I used to hate injections and blood tests. Total needle phobia. Then I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and have had lots of blood tests esp during pregnancy so have had over it.

OP: YAB a teeny bit U but I hope you don't have to get over it.

expatinscotland · 05/08/2010 18:48

I don't like them, either, but our GP is fabulous at them! Seriously, you don't really feel it at all. He has a gift.

Dancergirl · 05/08/2010 18:54

YANBU!!

I hate, hate, hate them too. I usually cry or faint or both. I have a few coping strategies though. Firstly - Emla cream - put it on an hour or so first and it numbs the area. I put some on the inside of both elbows and leave it to them to find the easist vein. I always ask to lie down flat first to stop me feeling faint.

Always, always tell them that you are nervous - they are very patient and understanding. I always feel a bit embarrassed but they told me they've had grown men crying! Also, ask if they have a paediactric needle - all this combined with the emla cream means you don't feel a thing!

expatinscotland · 05/08/2010 18:56

My left arm is so rubbish for tapping even anaesthetists have had a time. So now I tell them all to go for the right one.

wubblybubbly · 05/08/2010 19:06

YANBU at all. I really don't mind any kind of jab, surgery, pain in general, but stuff involving my veins makes me ill.

I'm currently undergoing chemo and I can assure you, all the extra blood tests/canulas etc have done nothing to allay my fears, quite the opposite. My veins go into hiding as soon as I walk into the room, although I've only fainted twice.

Once of the chemo nurses is exactly the same, worse even, she can't visit the dentist without 10 grams of valium!

It's nothing to do with being brave either.

diddl · 05/08/2010 19:12

I also hate them.

Left arm is crap-they always go through the side of the vein!

Right arm OK-but I´m usually in a state just in case the same happens as to my left arm!

I also can´t bear to look.

lazarusb · 05/08/2010 19:13

I had to have a canula when I had an mc. Dh left the room as he doesn't like needles. I was very hacked off.

expatinscotland · 05/08/2010 19:15

I've had numerous canulas - for GAs, epidurals, dehydration, etc.

DH is such a wuss he had vasectomy under local because he was scared of having a canula.

Al1son · 05/08/2010 20:32

OMG how could you PREFER a vasectomy under local to a canula?????

huddspur · 05/08/2010 20:39

YANBU I hate them also

BusyMissIzzy · 05/08/2010 20:45

YANBU, they terrify me too and my veins are rubbish so usually take more than one attempt.

Had to have lots during pregnancy, and canula during childbirth. Logically, I know they're not that bad, but that doesn't stop me feeling woozy at the thought.

chandellina · 05/08/2010 20:46

YABU and are a big baby. it's a needle and it barely hurts you.

clayre · 05/08/2010 20:47

YANBU I hate them too, my veins collapse when a needle goes near them, when i was pg with no2 my lovely midwife came to my house to take all my bloods as she thought i woulod be more relaxed and it would be easier, but no my veins still collapsed and i passed out! After having dd i had a PPH and had to get blood taken every morning from the dr and my veins were so bad that they had to get go into my feet to get blood!

diddl · 05/08/2010 21:47

"OMG how could you PREFER a vasectomy under local to a canula?????"

Vasectomy usually only involves a local, doesn´t it?

expatinscotland · 05/08/2010 22:00

Yes, diddl, it's usually done under local. DH was offered a choice, but took the local.

Why not?

Women's torn vaginas after childbirth are often stitched up under local.

quaere · 05/08/2010 22:05

YANBU, I have only had one and I puked. Then I fainted. It was charming. Injections I'm OK with, but there's something about the delicate bit in the corner of your elbow...urgh... I don't even like anyone touching it with their finger

diddl · 05/08/2010 22:17

I didn´t know there was a choice Expat-I know my husband had a local-I thought that that was all there was.

TotalChaos · 05/08/2010 22:28

yanbu. but if you can find a sympathetic health professional try and talk through how anxious it makes you feel. I'm lucky that I don't have a phobia really, as I have naff veins so it's a bit of a lottery whether the first needle in will be productive....

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