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How to get a needle into a needlephobe??

81 replies

Rowenasemolina · 31/01/2021 01:14

Any suggestions? My brother has been called for the vaccine twice, and badly wants it, but had to leave without it last time.

He survived cancer 30 years ago, and no one has ever got a needle into him for anything since.

We are going to try half a bottle of wine before the next appointment, but really not sure if this is a terrible idea.

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
NoIDontLikeTrains · 31/01/2021 01:15

Will they accept his consent if he's clearly under the influence?

Rowenasemolina · 31/01/2021 01:22

I dont think it will be obvious.

OP posts:
MuchTooTired · 31/01/2021 01:22

Admittedly this was for ivf, but when I just couldn’t cope with the injections any more I’d ice the area, have my headphones on playing happy songs loudly and weirdly something over my eyes so I couldn’t see whilst DH did it.

Alternatively, could he ask his Dr to give him a pill to help relax him? When I had the embryos put back in they gave me a couple which made me feel all warm and fuzzy like I was drunk!

I appreciate this was for ivf and not a vaccine, and I wish him the best of luck getting it done.

VampireTheBuffetSlayer · 31/01/2021 01:22

I don't think you are supposed to drink before having the vaccine, it makes it less effective. Maybe speak to his GP about having a sedative? I say this as a needle phobe who has had to take diazepam before and dreading my turn on the list.

Rowenasemolina · 31/01/2021 01:24

Great. Thanks. Some ideas to look into already x

OP posts:
Doyouwantanothercuppa · 31/01/2021 01:26

Has he tried numbing cream? Available from the chemist. Needs applying an hour beforehand.

jimmyhill · 31/01/2021 02:26

Show him an intubation video and see which procedure he's more phobic of

Totallydefeated · 31/01/2021 02:30

Get him to see a hypnotherapist. Should only take one or two sessions to be completely free of his phobia.

toodleloooo · 31/01/2021 02:51

I know how debilitating the phobia can be. I suspect for him it's probably not the pain, but if it is even a small comfort my DF said the needle was extremely sharp and for him it was effectively painless - in a way other vaccines have not been. Like being tapped on the arm. I hope your DB can have it Flowers

Ponoka7 · 31/01/2021 03:04

I also found the vaccine painless. Unlike my Vit B and other vaccinations. There were very frail people getting it and none of them winced etc.

He needs a distraction. I think it would help if he didn't choose a clinical setting.

NiceGerbil · 31/01/2021 03:18

I spent many years in children's hosps and jabs all over the shop.

A nurse when I was young said never look at the tray, needle etc. Just totally look away. Cough when it goes in. Distracts you.

Also tbh having a drink won't affect the vaccine. I had some vodka before my first tattoo! Not advised...

Alcohol thins the blood. No issues for a quick vaccine jab. It won't be bleeding at all. So if it gets him in s few drinks sounds fine. Have a mint before he goes on.

Good luck!

NiceGerbil · 31/01/2021 03:19

'Show him an intubation video and see which procedure he's more phobic of'

Is this a piss take? Fucking hell. What a nasty comment.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:12

To be honest I don't think there's much time to start mucking about with hypnotherapy. I am sympathetic to phobias I'm not just being callous here. He's a grown man, he's been offered a vaccine that people are absolutely desperate for. If you really must, ask the GP for some diazepam but I don't know that they'd really do that.

I'm afraid whilst I'm sure I will get shouted down because .. phobias are real..I get that though, but he just needs to go. Someone needs to go with him and he needs to be as adult about this as possible. We are in a pandemic that we are all sodding fed up with and has been going on for nearly a year. The only thing that's going to get us out of this is vaccinating people who can and need to be vaccinated. I assume if your brother has been called he is vulnerable.

I've been called to have it - I can't, I have very severe allergies. There are others like me, there are CEV children by the bucket load who can't be vaccinated as it isn't for children - and they, and all the adults who can't have it , rely on everyone else having it for their protection.

It's your brothers choice whether he has it or not, and my above point I've only made because you said he does want it. If he wants it I'm afraid he is going to need to walk in there and let someone stick a two seconds needle that isn't going to hurt, into his arm.

I'm sorry for being blunt, but he wants it, and the more people who have it, the less the risk of serious illness and hospitalisations is, and this ends quicker.

I'm not going to call him silly for having a phobia, but unfortunately my only answer is just go and get it done.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:15

I also do understand phobias or trauma surrounding past experience - I get it, he will have been through such a horrible time with the cancer treatment that he now can't face this. And that's understandable.

Thing is though this is life and I do genuinely get it - again not being harsh. I'm currently in hospital with a flare of a chronic illness. I hate it. I was severely traumatised in this building because it's here that I had to hold, and say goodbye to my dead child. It's unbelievably difficult for me to come in here, truly traumatic, but I'm unwell and I need treatment, so I have to.

He wants the vaccine he needs to deal with the few seconds that it takes. Mind over matter - he can.

DazedandConcerned · 31/01/2021 04:20

Can the GP give him a small dose of diazepam? Do they know about his needle phobia?

Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 04:42

I currently have arms covered in bruises from them trying to get blood from me. I have 'tiny' veins apparently. I absolutely dread hospital. When I completely refused for them to take more blood from me as they inevitably come back saying 'one of your tests coagulated' or some such shite, I point blank refused. The lovely doctor sprayed me with some sort of numbing spray. I felt nothing. The cannulas always swell up and they have had to put them in the most unusual parts of my arms. I fucking hate them. I know exactly how he feels. With me, for some reason, they don't just put needle in and then they're done, oh fucking no. They jiggle it about for a few minutes first. How I haven't punched one of them at some point is quite the miracle.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:47

@Asthesayinggoes

I currently have arms covered in bruises from them trying to get blood from me. I have 'tiny' veins apparently. I absolutely dread hospital. When I completely refused for them to take more blood from me as they inevitably come back saying 'one of your tests coagulated' or some such shite, I point blank refused. The lovely doctor sprayed me with some sort of numbing spray. I felt nothing. The cannulas always swell up and they have had to put them in the most unusual parts of my arms. I fucking hate them. I know exactly how he feels. With me, for some reason, they don't just put needle in and then they're done, oh fucking no. They jiggle it about for a few minutes first. How I haven't punched one of them at some point is quite the miracle.
Depends on your veins and how easy that are to bleed. What you're describing is not unusual. Im currently in hospital and have had over 15 cannula placements and blood draws as my veins are small and move and bust open easily. I have a bruise and track mark running from my wrist to my elbow for very very long blood draws from my wrists which all swelled up like you say. Just one of those things. I get bloods done weekly and inject myself twice weekly Just have to put up with it when it's needed I'm afraid.
Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 04:47

Ironically, I had to inject myself daily while pregnant. It's the getting the cannula in that I dread. Taking blood, I don't mind so much. Injections, again I now refuse. I think because I'm difficult to get a line into, I think the record was 8 attempts? I absolutely dread it.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:49

@Asthesayinggoes

Ironically, I had to inject myself daily while pregnant. It's the getting the cannula in that I dread. Taking blood, I don't mind so much. Injections, again I now refuse. I think because I'm difficult to get a line into, I think the record was 8 attempts? I absolutely dread it.
Well hopefully you don't need them that often then. Not much you can do . If you need it you need it. I have them put in pretty much monthly. They don't put cannulas in people if they're not needed so...If they do it then it's for a good cause.
Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 04:50

@RosesAndLemonade You poor little thing! God help you! What are you in for? It's bloody horrible.

Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 04:52

I'm actually lol as they put me into a fucking COMA when they couldn't get a line in when my bp was so low that I was about to die. Not sure whether it was to shut me up!!!

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:53

[quote Asthesayinggoes]@RosesAndLemonade You poor little thing! God help you! What are you in for? It's bloody horrible.[/quote]
Chronic illnesse flare - And cannulas and blood draws don't fuss me - I don't like them but who does, they're not meant to be fun! They're uncomfortable but it's just life isn't it. I wouldn't get better without so what can I do?
The other day they had to get a couple specialist phlebotomists to come have a go. I had three people trying! Because I have so many bloods taken for years my veins are shit.

Unfortunately, it depends what I'm wearing as to how much I am allowdd to complain (fortunately I don't complain really although I don't like them into the skinny bit of my wrists) - I'm absolutely covered thigh to neck in tattoos -- so... If people catch that I'm done for !!!

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:55

@Asthesayinggoes

I'm actually lol as they put me into a fucking COMA when they couldn't get a line in when my bp was so low that I was about to die. Not sure whether it was to shut me up!!!
Aye yes that's happened to me too. Unfortunately it was in part due to the fact that I'd had a whatsit ermmm when you have a c section. Ergh. I don't know --- spinal block, that's it. But it went too high (sadly because I was delivering a still born and one live born twin - I was crying so hysterically and they couldn't get me to stop that the block went too high). I was very very unwell anyway and my bp fell through the floor. I had a cannula in anyway, but unfortunately my last memory was projectile vomiting straight over the nurse stood next to me !!
Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 04:57

I've a cousin with Type 1 diabetes. I've never once heard him mention needles. I'd have the whole world and his mother told about my misfortune.

I think some people are just more stoic than others. I'm a nightmare patient probably. Terrified.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 04:59

Oh dear this sounds like me trying to compete for how unwell someone can be! Sorry! I'm definitely not. I kinda started writing about chucking up but then I thought that if this is a thread about needle phobias, I bet someone with emetophobia will come along and I will absolutely ruin their day..so I stopped!

Anyway I was actually only writing what I did to reassure you that being difficult to bleed and cannulate doesn't make you unusual or odd. It's just more uncomfortable for you! Plenty people are it's just a horror when they have to try a million places!