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Original poster

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:
Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 05:00

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 !!

Haha, I've had one of those too, but coincidentally it was my aunt (mother of cousin with diabetes) who was my birthing partner and she was so good with keeping me calm and just getting me to breathe.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 05:01

@Asthesayinggoes

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.

You won't be a nightmare patient. It's stressful being in hospital and you often end up reacting to things a lot worse than you would do usually because you're feeling so unwell at the time. It's normal. I spend a lot of time here and I always hear so many people getting upset and nurses trying to persuade them to let them take bloods and stuff. It's not a natural environment and it can just make you feel more on edge so stuff is more tricky. I'm just used to it so I don't easily get fussed by stuff these days
RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 05:03

Anyway. This has derailed the original point of the thread a bit
OP your brother won't like it for sure, but I think it's a matter of just getting through it. If he really wants it then, he's just going to have to force himself. Worth asking the gp for diazepam I'm just not sure, with the pretty stringent triaging at the moment that they would allow that appt, but it's worth asking I guess.

Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 05:04

When I came out of the coma, I had scars on both sides of my inner thighs and a bandage over my neck. Thank Christ I was in a coma for that shit. I think I drew the line when they suggested going into my feet haha so they put me to sleep

I think the more you've had needles etc., with difficulty, pain and repeated tries, you just get more afraid of the pain.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 05:05

@Asthesayinggoes

When I came out of the coma, I had scars on both sides of my inner thighs and a bandage over my neck. Thank Christ I was in a coma for that shit. I think I drew the line when they suggested going into my feet haha so they put me to sleep

I think the more you've had needles etc., with difficulty, pain and repeated tries, you just get more afraid of the pain.

Maybe or like me you just kind of resign yourself to it. But then I have a lifetime of this ahead so if I was to start getting upset it wouldn't do me any favours really.
Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 05:06

An injection I don't really have fear of, but I can certainly understand how you could. Numbing spray? That worked on me!

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 05:08

@Asthesayinggoes

An injection I don't really have fear of, but I can certainly understand how you could. Numbing spray? That worked on me!
There is one yes Also actually OP you could buy some Emla cream from the chemist. I think you can buy it over the counter. You need to rub it into the area about half hour before and it is supposed to numb it a little. They use that in hospitals
Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 05:09

Maybe or like me you just kind of resign yourself to it. But then I have a lifetime of this ahead so if I was to start getting upset it wouldn't do me any favours really.

I genuinely think that some people can take shit easier than I can. Different logic, calmer personality maybe. Sorry to hear that you have a lifetime of this.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 05:13

@Asthesayinggoes

Maybe or like me you just kind of resign yourself to it. But then I have a lifetime of this ahead so if I was to start getting upset it wouldn't do me any favours really.

I genuinely think that some people can take shit easier than I can. Different logic, calmer personality maybe. Sorry to hear that you have a lifetime of this.

As I said, your hospital experiences sound high stress so you won't react that calmly if you're in that situation. I don't always, I do a lot of the time, yeah it's personality sure but then Again I have ptsd from having a stillbirth so, some things in hospitals do bother me. Having a lifetime of it, well it sucks but again it is what it is, I just make the best of the time that I'm not unwell, try do things with my kids, work hard etc. It's just life. Shit happens isn't it. The only thing I don't include in that is losing a child, that isn't shit happens...but hey I have chronic illnesses, I deal with it. Not much more I can do
Crumpledmess · 31/01/2021 05:24

My sister is prescribed diazepam for blood tests and injections. It works well for her.

Asthesayinggoes · 31/01/2021 05:52

gain I have ptsd from having a stillbirth so, some things in hospitals do bother me.

My poor little cousin's first baby was stillborn. I was so excited to have a little playmate for my dc soon to be born. | was devastated. I don't know how you survive such a loss as a mother.

So sorry OP that I have gone off topic.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 07:12

@Asthesayinggoes

gain I have ptsd from having a stillbirth so, some things in hospitals do bother me.

My poor little cousin's first baby was stillborn. I was so excited to have a little playmate for my dc soon to be born. | was devastated. I don't know how you survive such a loss as a mother.

So sorry OP that I have gone off topic.

Well, you never really do.
PhilCornwall1 · 31/01/2021 07:21

Any other suggestions?

Tramadol or codeine, he won't give a shit then. Ok, before anyone jumps on it, probably not a good idea.

I've had to learn to inject myself and the first time I had to do it at home, I popped down a couple of codeine to well "relax" me a bit. I managed to do it and have done it so much now, I don't worry about it.

Couple of glasses and a breath freshener, he'll be in a better frame of mind.

Athinginitself · 31/01/2021 07:33

He should ask his GP for some diazepam in the short term for this vaccination. In the long term CBT is really effective for needle phobia so he could get his gp to refer him at the same time. Its important that he gets on top of it as he is going to need a blood test or another injection at somepoint in the future. It's a really common phobia but can be sorted but better now rather than when it is desperate which is when most people leave it until!

ChocOrange1 · 31/01/2021 07:34

@jimmyhill

Show him an intubation video and see which procedure he's more phobic of
Oh piss off.
Covidcorvid · 31/01/2021 07:36

I know someone who is needle phobic and had to have a blood test. We did a square breathing technique (google it), she was still sobbing but she managed to cope. She said the square breathing helped so much and she’s since had further blood tests where she’s coped a lot better.

DinosaurDiana · 31/01/2021 07:39

If you’re going to use EMLA cream do not rub it in !
It needs to be in a ‘puddle’ at the top of the arm, put a waterproof dressing over it and leave it in situ. The nurse will remove it before the vaccination.

sashh · 31/01/2021 07:44

Agree with a sedative from the GP, actually if he can get it metaxalone. Metaxalone will make him not care what is happening and it has a side effect of short term memory loss so he won't remember the actual jab.

I have a friend who is needle phobic, I have been with her when a phlebotomist has said, "I won't hurt you" and then her BP crashes, she faints and then they realise it isn't just a bit of fear but a real phobia.

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 07:44

@DinosaurDiana

If you’re going to use EMLA cream do not rub it in ! It needs to be in a ‘puddle’ at the top of the arm, put a waterproof dressing over it and leave it in situ. The nurse will remove it before the vaccination.
!!!!!!!! You're kidding me! Well obviously you're not,!

I generally don't mind about needles as I've stated but when j lost my baby I was so upset that literally everything was hurting way way way more than it actually did . They give me some of that and rubbed it really well in and it did nothing.... Now I know why!!!!!

RosesAndLemonade · 31/01/2021 07:45

@sashh

Agree with a sedative from the GP, actually if he can get it metaxalone. Metaxalone will make him not care what is happening and it has a side effect of short term memory loss so he won't remember the actual jab.

I have a friend who is needle phobic, I have been with her when a phlebotomist has said, "I won't hurt you" and then her BP crashes, she faints and then they realise it isn't just a bit of fear but a real phobia.

Based on this if there's any chance anything like this could happen your brother may want to ask to have it done laid down. They do that for bloods if you think you're going to react badly.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot1 · 31/01/2021 07:47

You can ask for a double appointment so he has time to settle, don't look at the needle at all, have someone to talk to or something to read, deep breaths, as the vaccinator not to start until he says he's ready (a few breaths to calm), squeeze someone's hand.

Also, I've used numbing cream/spray for piercings. Surprisingly helpful!

I hated needles (close to passing out!) until I needed my blood taken weekly then other year, now I'm almost able to watch - one day!

Original poster
Rowenasemolina · 31/01/2021 07:49

@Doyouwantanothercuppa

Has he tried numbing cream? Available from the chemist. Needs applying an hour beforehand.
Thanks. I will get him some of that
OP posts:
babyyodaxmas · 31/01/2021 07:50

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

This do not use wine.

Original poster
Rowenasemolina · 31/01/2021 07:51

@NiceGerbil

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!

Good to know the alcohol wouldn’t affect the vaccine
OP posts:
MsTSwift · 31/01/2021 07:53

Visualisation helps me I am pathetically squeamish and literally think through in great detail a day on a holiday. Actually did this so successfully during my c section the doctor kept saying “come back!” When decisions needed to be made!