Some moral support for a 'scaredy cat' required

[afleitch]

I'm off to the doctors tomorrow for a likely blood test. Needles are not my best friend I look away but often feel light headed even though I go into the doctors surgery with a rational head on my shoulders. So some crumbs of comfort please If you want to point and laugh i'm not stoping you!

[Gabu]

YOU
CAN
DO
IT
!!!11

[Hash]

I'm off to the doctors tomorrow for a likely blood test. Needles are not my best friend I look away but often feel light headed even though I go into the doctors surgery with a rational head on my shoulders. So some crumbs of comfort please If you want to point and laugh i'm not stoping you!

You are not alone. I hate needles as much as you probably do. Best of luck

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Bring some garlic.

[Hash]

Think about something fun and interesting, in my case when I think of elections I get over stress from school

[Filuwaúrdjan]

In all seriousness; don't look at the needle.

[Hash]

In all seriousness; don't look at the needle.

[John Dibble]

Clench the fist opposite of the arm they take the blood from - it helps a little.

[Democratic Hawk]

From personal experience, the only time I ever had a blood test, I fainted. I made the mistake of looking at the needle, so don't do it. Seriously, nothing to worry about . More importantly, hope all is well with the results

Dave

[Gabu]

Seriously though, I find the best thing for me is to just close my eyes when they're about to do it.  Often you'll barely even feel anything at all.  Whatever you do, even more than not looking at the needle, do not look at the blood being removed.  You'll want to faint for sure if you see that.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Getting allergy shots for a number of years pretty much cured me of needle squeamishness, at the cost of a bald spot on each of my upper arms where they stuck the needles in each time.

[ilikeverin]

I gave blood last week, and I looked at the needle and the blood (it was cool! ).  If I'm man enough to give blood like that, YOU CAN HANDLE A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST

[Gabu]

I'm man stupid enough to give blood like that

Fixed your post.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I acutally have a pretty bad needle phobia myself.  My solution is one valium before any and all needle encounters.  Levels you out real nice, and takes a bit of pain out of it too.

Not that there's any pain at all, really.  Most of the needle phobia issues people have are based on painful innoculation experiences as children (usually, the "this won't hurt" lie).  It helps to understand that the pain involved in a blood test is usually quite minimal and often negligable.

I also advise letting the phlebotomist know that you have a fear of needles.  They can't really be more "gentle," but they can certainly approach the manner with more tact and give you the time you need to prepare yourself for the prick.

[AkSaber]

I'm scared to death of needles too. I shut my eyes and look away. That makes it much easier.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Afleitch, Think of Happy thoughts, Think of Happy thoughts.

[Hash]

I have a kind of needle phobia and start shaking a lot, the "bad part" is fast, but since I share hard-to-find veins with my mother, it lasts a little longer.

[minionofmidas]

Can't empathize with needle phobia. Sorry.

What's the blood test for, though?

[afleitch]

Can't empathize with needle phobia. Sorry.

What's the blood test for, though?

It was for a lymph node problem :/ Luckily I didn't have to get a test done as the doctor put it down to a week long flare-up.

[WalterMitty]

it is kind of odd for me...i dont really have a fear of needles because shots dont really bother me at all.

however, blood tests scare the living daylights out of me.  just thinking about it typing this makes my palms sweat.

i think my fear of blood tests is due in large part to the strap they tie around your arm.  i hate that feeling.  i even dislike having my blood pressure taken/

[© tweed]

I always found giving blood entertaining.