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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to give blood to get over my needle phobia?

17 replies

mccccaw · 15/01/2020 22:50

I have always been terrified of needles - even avoiding B12 injections!

I have a nephew who is picking up on my phobia and it's got me thinking that I will pass the phobia to him or even my own child one day!

AIBU to think giving blood would be a good way to conquer my fear? Because I am choosing to do it for such an important cause?!

OP posts:

hazeydays14 · 15/01/2020 22:54

They’re really lovely when you give and help to ease anxiety
Are you anaemic if you receive B12 injections? This could stop you donating but you’ll need to check the conditions for your blood service.

MsVestibule · 15/01/2020 22:56

I really can't imagine, if you do have a genuine phobia (rather than just an aversion) of needles that this will help!! I've given blood over 30 times and I still find the process uncomfortable and have to look the other way.

Fujexa · 15/01/2020 22:58

Hmm not sure about this. It depends exactly how likely you are to have a huge meltdown. The people who work for the transfusion service are lovely, but they are busy and doing an important job. Not sure they'll appreciate you'r 'selflessness' at using them to coach you through your phobia... sorry if that sounds harsh!!

Fujexa · 15/01/2020 22:58

Your

notanotherjigsawpiece · 15/01/2020 22:58

If you need B12 injections you might not be a suitable blood donor. The needle used for B12 is absolutely tiny compared to that used for do sting blood. Though I have to say, I have terrible veins and find the blood service staff incredibly gentle and reassuring when I donate.

Elouera · 15/01/2020 23:05

Its great that you are trying to get over the phobia, but unless you are discussing it all the time when you see him, why would this affect your nephew? Its far from an uncommon problem, so you certainly arent in the minority. I too wonder about your HB levels if you should be having B12 injections? I used to work in a clinic taking blood, and would often come across people who decided having blood taken was the key to them getting over their fears/fainting/anxieties. Unfortunately, this often had the opposite effect and they still had issues, if not more so because they'd worked themselves up so much! It obviously depends on the person, but getting therapy, learning relaxation techniques or using a numbing cream can often help far more than just taking more blood 'to get over it'!
Have you ever tried emla cream or ametop? They are local anaesthetic creams which are put on the skin about 1hr before an injection or blood test and numb the skin. You need a plastic, protective dressing on the top to keep the cream on the skin, and you can buy the cream and dressings from a chemist (or order online). You need a blob of the cream, not just rubbed into the skin and the white blob absorbs into the skin over the hour.
As a result of an extreme hospital stay after a major car accident, my mother developed a severe needle phobia. She now confidently puts the cream on herself and can have blood tests once again.

Elouera · 15/01/2020 23:08

I should clarify, I didnt work at a blood donor site, and certainly don't think rocking up there will help 'get over the fear' of needles.

Murraygoldberg · 15/01/2020 23:12

The needle for giving blood is quite large, not sure it would be the best way for you.
There is often a lot of queuing when you give blood so not always the most relaxing time. Maybe going with someone first

sofaandchoc · 15/01/2020 23:17

I wouldn't say I had a phobia but anytime I had needles I would come over all faint (although never actually fainted) when I was pregnant I had so many blood tests I didn't bat an eyelid towards the end. I decided to give blood and when I did I came over all faint again. I think that's because it was about a year after my last needle.

I think if it's an aversion rather than a phobia than a phobia you can get used to them but you would need to be doing it quite regularly and I think it's about 4 months between blood donations you can do it.

That being said, if you can handle giving blood (as in it makes you feel squiffy and not anything more serious) then 10 mins of discomfort and donating blood can only be a good thing.

sofaandchoc · 15/01/2020 23:18

@Murraygoldberg when I went I booked an appointment so was in and out in about 30 minutes and most of that was having a tea and a biscuit after. I know some places are on a drop in basis but others you can book an appointment

Retroflex · 15/01/2020 23:30

So as soon as they've located a vein, the needle will be removed and a cannula (small piece of plastic) will remain in place until they have collected your donation.

So the needle will only be there in the beginning for a minute or two, then it will be disposed of in the sharps bin. So technically, you don't even need to see the needle itself.

However, if it's the idea of the cannula in your arm that is where your phobia really lies, it will be harder...

(for some time reason people assume that when you have a venflon in, it's a needle, but it's not)

brittabot · 15/01/2020 23:37

I echo sofaandchoc

For me it was the sight of blood rather than the needle, but I would pass out every time to the point I broke my own foot by falling on it because I had cut my finger 🙄

Pregnancy cured me. I had highly medicalised pregnancies after 2 miscarriages. Got used to giving blood - I would lie down/eat properly/ asked not to know when it happened. Probably helped being on iron and vitamins too.

Good luck! Can be done! 💪

ItsGoingTibiaK · 15/01/2020 23:42

Problem is, if you faint during the session, the staff have to leave what they’re doing and come and look after you. Then when you come round, with your feet elevated and a friendly nurse wafting your face with a bit of cardboard, they might explain that, because they just quickly cut the tube that takes the blood so they could sort you out, and it’s the blood in the tube that they use for all the tests on your donation, they can’t actually use any of the nearly full bag you’ve given.

Ask me how I know...! 😉

MumW · 15/01/2020 23:42

I would suggest that you get some help first. You have 2 very good reasons for wanting to deal with your phobia and that is a great start but going "cold turkey" could potentially make things worse.

My advice would be to go to your gp and explain your phobia and ask for help.

My DD has a needle phobia, but with support and counselling she is now able to manage to have blood tests etc.

Good luck.

WarrenNicole · 15/01/2020 23:56

Mmm, I don’t think donating blood would help with your needle phobia. It could potentially make it worse. It is a great thing to do though. I would love to give blood but can barely give a routine blood sample. I know my limitations!

Chocolatemice · 15/01/2020 23:56

It worked for me.

CeriBerry · 16/01/2020 20:17

It worked for me. Well, sort of.

I’d always been terrified of the idea of Giving Blood but really wanted to.

Then my cousin died at the age of thirty. It was a tragic time and it got me thinking that if she could go what she went through, the least I could do was put up with a needle.

I’ve got to say, I always have such a lovely experience when I go! The nurses are always so friendly and it’s not as scary as a blood test because if they couldn’t find a vein, you could just get up and go. They wouldn’t keep forcing the issue just to get a blood sample.

Doesn’t hurt at all. I’ve now done 15 donations and genuinely enjoy going.

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