Are you scared of needles?

Tori_Scope

I've got my second coronavirus vaccination tomorrow. Although I'm excited to be double vaxxed, and feel lucky that I'm able to get the vaccination, I'm terrified of needles. 

My first appointment went really well, despite my panic beforehand. This has made me feel a little better about my appointment tomorrow, but I'm still a bit nervous.

Some things I find helpful are:

• having someone I trust with me who can talk to me while it happens
• not looking!
• planning the rest of my day so that I have other things to look forward to 
• making sure I know exactly how to get to the venue, and what time I'm meant to be there
• wearing comfortable clothing
• letting the person administering my vaccine know that I'm feeling nervous
• bringing a snack and drink with me for afterwards

I'd like to know: are you scared of needles? Do you have any tips for others who are scared of needles? 

janer1967

Having to inject insulin 3 times a day and test blood sugars I have no fear of needles 

Saying that though I am always nervous prior to and during the injections I have in my eye but that is just another level 

I squeeze the hand of the poor theatre nurse and talking to others in the waiting room helps 

vikingqueen

Yes, I'm scared of needles

    Petrified and not ashamed to admit it. I should be use to them as I inject medication twice a week and have blood tests every 3 months. I know it's phycological and it isn't going to hurt but I still go into panic mode.  My nurse has all but given up trying to take my blood pressure at the same time as my blood test 

leeCal

No, I'm not scared of needles

I have regular injections too so no I’m not bothered by needles. I would be if I had to have an injection in my eye though! Poor Janer.

Tori_Scope

Yes, I'm scared of needles

 I know it's phycological and it isn't going to hurt but I still go into panic mode.  

That's exactly it @vikingqueen! It's not really about the pain for me, just an irrational level of fear over the concept itself.

Yes, that's definitely another level @janer1967. I think most people would feel at least a bit nervous!

MarkM88

No, I'm not scared of needles

I'm the same as @janer1967

I have to inject insulin 3 to 4 times per day,, as well as test blood sugar levels. On top of getting my flu jab every year and the regular blood tests, I've become used to it. 

Cress

No, I'm not scared of needles

Needles don't bother me at all but I think it would be a whole different thing if I had to inject myself....don't think I'd be able to 

[Deleted User]

I'm somewhere in the middle

It depends where the needle is going...

chiarieds

No, I'm not scared of needles

I've never been scared of needles, & do watch when getting jabs & blood tests out of interest. I also had to do some self injections in the abdomen after fracturing my hip. Despite all the years of watching, it took me a few attempts to get it right! My eldest grandchild used to pass out when blood samples were taken to check, as he has coeliac disease. Strange to say he's had both his Covid jabs without any issues or dramas. You'll be fine, Tori. 

AZF

I'm somewhere in the middle

I just look away. Moment's **** but pain goes away. 
All over. If near I'd probably come and support but as I'm probably not...
Getting an injection from NHS? Fine

Offering an injection to put my ear to sleep?
Oh! Is that the time?

Tori_Scope

Yes, I'm scared of needles

Blood tests are a whole other kettle of fish for many people I think @chiarieds! And thanks

Grinchy

I'm somewhere in the middle

i've never liked needles, i still get panicky,as a child my father would force household sewing needles under my fingernails as punishment for imagined bad things i had done but i just crack on with it these days, with all the blood tests i've had you would think i would be used to them by now, i am not as bad as i used to be

chiarieds

No, I'm not scared of needles

Oh @Grinchy - I can't believe a parent would do that; I'm so sorry. Good for you in partly getting over this....no wonder it's been difficult. Don't know what to say, other than if I say, 'Take care,' I mean more than this.

Grinchy

I'm somewhere in the middle

Hey @chiarieds, its ok, my father was a drunk sadistic scumbag, they both were really, he abused me for years, sorry didn't mean to derail the thread thank you means a lot

OverlyAnxious

Yes, I'm scared of needles

This was NOT the ideal thread to read for someone with a considerable fear of needles... 

In fact, I didn't even make it past 3 posts!    The fear is a little different for me though.  It's actually around anything entering my body at all.  That includes 'contaminated air' as well as all food and water.  It's always a challenge to get those things in, there seems to be no 'getting used to it' as time goes on.  If anything it's just getting worse.  There's no chance of me having the Covid jab (but now I can't get out, that's largely irrelevant for the forseeable anyway), but I also need dental work and a couple of hospital ops that all require needles, plus some diagnostic blood tests...some of those should have been done 10 years ago...  Can't see that I'll ever be in a position to deal with them.

I hope your second jab goes well today, Tori. 

Grinchy

I'm somewhere in the middle

@Cressida, thank you, yeah he had his evil ways about him, long dead now thank goodness,

WestHam06

No, I'm not scared of needles

I'm incredibly fortunate not to be fearful of needles as I know many people are. Thank you.

Sandy_123

No, I'm not scared of needles

@Grinchy sorry you had to go through that in your childhood. 
@Tori_Scope you will be ok be over before you know it.
I'm not afraid of needles I have to have too many blood tests every 3 months. My worst one was having a needle injected into my elbow right to the bone ? was painful but did the trick for me. Saying that I would do it again.

idontlikeliving

No, I'm not scared of needles

I’m not scared of needles even tho they do hurt. But then again, I tend not to look at them while they are going in lol 

easy

I am not at all scared of needles. My husband was and insisted on looking whenever he had an injection.
I never look so never get nervous or scared of them.

Tori_Scope

Yes, I'm scared of needles

Thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts and experiences Mine went completely fine as expected, despite me refusing to go in at one point beforehand