fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

I am having my blood test tomorrow and I have always been VERY afraid of needles to the point where I have a panic attack. I am starting it now. I am obsessed about tomorrow and I can feel my stomach getting queesy and all the other signs of a panic attack. Anyone else have this? How do you get through it? Any help would be comforting! My mom tells me just to "grow up and get over it!" She doesn't realize that it's beyone my control! I just wish I could face it like a big girl, but I totally shut down and become another person that I don't like or want to be. I am practically in tears now with the thought of tomorrow! My DH had to hold me down for a PPD test a few months ago and I bit him really hard that left a mark. Yep, I know it's wacky, but like I said, it's totally beyond my control!

Please help!!!!!!

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

can you bring an ipod or something with relaxing music? Listen to it - close your eyes...

I find that if I dont look - I almost don't even feel it.

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

Oh boy can I relate! When I was 9 my doctor thought I had diabetes so they made me do that all day diabetes test where they draw blood every hour with the scariest looking needle. From that point forth, everytime I came even close to a needle I went into a panic attack and would pass out and start going into little convulsions from all the stress! Finally my Dr. refused to take blood and would send me to the hospital for stupid little blood draws. I eventually did biofeedback, which taught me how to control my anxiety right before going to the Dr. But that was 15 years ago. I still have an overwhelming fear of needles, so when I got pregnant, miscarried and pregnant again, I had a LOT of needles to deal with. A few suggestions - tell the nurse at the outset that you have this problem and ask to have your blood drawn in a private room, while lying down. Make sure you drink or eat something with sugar right before, so your blood sugar doesn't drop too low because of the anxiety. Look away while they are taking blood and ask the nurse to keep talking to you to distract you.

With that said, after months and months of this, I've almost gotten used to it. And, to be honest, for the first time in my life, fear and concern for my baby took priority over my fear of needles, and I just seemed to deal with it better. Hopefully you'll find the same... just try to keep thinking about the little baby that you're going through this for. It all seems so much more worth it when there's something like that in the back of your mind.

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

I TOTALLY agree!!!!! I have passed out on many occasions when getting blood taken .
So far, I've gotten blood drawn three times (and a finger prick) for this pregnancy and to tell you the truth, it really doesn't bother me too much anymore(although of course I would rather not have it done).

I have found what works for me is (1) DEFINATELY don't think about what they are doing. Have your DH talk to you about something happy, like your baby. (2) LAY DOWN! I don't know why but this has helped me tremendously. For some reason EVERY time I would sit while having it done, I would get the pass out feeling (didn't always actually pass out, just got the feeling)......now when I lay down - nothing! (3) After they are finished, lay there for a few minutes...let the nurse or whoever leave and just lay there. This has helped me as well. Like I said, I used to be terrible at this but now I'm a pro


What I'm starting to freak out about is the IV but like everyone said, it's all for the best cause, your little baby

Hope this helps a little

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

Posted by betty

What I'm starting to freak out about is the IV but like everyone said, it's all for the best cause, your little baby

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

I always pass out too.

I always tell them when I get there that I need to lie down and I never look. I also have dh come with me.

I really hate it- but since getting preggo I have been to the lab so many times. I know how you feel- good luck!

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

ask if they can use a baby needle on you...they are much thinner and you can't feel them. My best friend did this because of her fear

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

You shoudl ask your dr if theres anything you can take while PG to calm your nerves. When I was PG I needed an MRI and I was having contractions and I had a horrible panis attack, we tried two times and Icouldnt do it. Finally the dr gave me something, like valium but safe for pregnancy in order to get it done. Talk to your Dr..maybe not able to do it by tommorow but if you need it in the future. There are a lot of meds these days that are perfectly safe to take while PG.

When your there, just remember to breath, And the second you start to panic, TALK...talk about anything but your fear, if you keep talking, your body has to produce oxygen more evenly and will prevent you for hyperventilating which leads you to feel more panic like. Also, try telling the lab if you have to wait you have panic attacks and feel faint, they will maybe get you in first so you dont have to wait and let the fear take over.

Good luck !!!!

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

Are you just very AFRAID of needles, like what's going on or does it actually HURT?

For me, it was the thought of what was going on, I just wanted it over with as soon as possible.

What you have to remember with the butterfly needle is that yes, it is smaller but realize it will definatly take longer to get what they need. The nurse gave me this option too but I decided to go for the regular one b/c I just wanted it OVER!!!!!

Re: fear of needles... please help repost from TTC!

So, how did it go today? I hope it wasn't as bad as you thought!