Needle phobia just got worse

[Seryn]

I have a horrific needle phobia. I mentions in previous posts about my bloods I needed today and how I cancelled twice. Let's start with the positives. I went!! I did it! I walked away twice but made myself go in. I used the Emla numbing cream. Omg that stuff is fantastic I barely felt it. So there are some positives. Bad things. She couldn't find my vein. She tried twice which felt like forever. She also said exactly the same as the last nurse. "Someone should of told me so I had more time that you were phobic". I felt like a idiot. I specifically told the receptionist to note I'm phobic. She tried a third time. Nope couldn't do it. I did go white as a sheet. The room was spinning and I think I cried twice I was in such a panic by then I can't remember. I have to go back next week to try again. She doesn't want me to use the cream because she said it's suppressing my veins. I told her I can't do it without it. She was understanding and she's booked me in with her again, she's triple booked time for me and said if I have to use the cream do both arms and less time leaving it on. (very nice of her you don't get that luxury usually with the NHS, you get whoever turns up and 5min time slot max)

I felt SO sick and like I was going to pass out but the cream massively helped. This phobia is ridiculous and it's getting worse the older I get. I can't even look at my arm to take the bandage off now (despite not getting a vein I bled like mad). Health anxiety is awful but with a needle phobia as well it's just horrific. I just want this nightmare sorted as I still have to put up and cope with finding out what's causing my pitting edema. Feel so down and scared.

How do I get over this fear!

 

[Seryn]

Great. I just googled ways to help with compressed veins when using the cream and a stupid stupid thing popped up saying if the cream gets into your blood it can be fatal....so now I'm on heigh alert that I'm just going to suddenly die. I honestly cannot stand this phobia and it seems like there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. My health anxiety and fear is absolutely ruining my life right now and on top of all this I might actually have something seriously wrong with me causing my edema. I have no family left for support I just feel so down and I know my mind is making everything so much worse but I just have no control over how I think.

 

[Chrissyjo]

Hello how awful you poor thing. I don’t have much advice sorry just wanted to leave a comment for support. I don’t mind needles but my sister is terrified of them. She has a tablet just before she needs to have a needle. Not sure what it’s called, it’s similar to Xanax. She said it helps her relax. She will do anything to avoid getting a needle. She used to run from the doctors when we were kids.
I have a vomit phobia, I will do anything to avoid it. It’s a nightmare to have a huge fear of something isn’t it.
Most people don’t understand when you tell them.
Also is it the pain of the needle or just the needle you are scared of? I’ve never heard of using numbing cream before getting one.

 

[Seryn]

Thank you I appreciate you commenting. The Dr has mentioned taking something to calm me but because I have to drive myself there and back I can't. I'm going to use the cream again next week and I'd she has to spend half an hour finding a vein then so be in but I just can't do it when I feel it going in! So cruel that I've found something that makes a huge difference for bloods but it stops my veins being as visible! Just why!! My anxiety is horrendous this week. Constantly feeling shakey, my body aches and my legs feel inflamed swollen and stiff. Just so petrified I'm very ill!

 

[Chrissyjo]

I know what you’re saying I’m the same. The past 6 weeks I’ve had lots of stomach issues, feeling very strange with new symptoms and very unwell. I was convinced I had an ulcer, h plyori or cancer. I had a gastrocopy last week and it was fine. I’m waiting on a biopsy for celiac disease but doc thinks it will be negative. My HA has spiralled the past few years. I feel like I’m full of diseases it’s horrible. I constantly hold my breath and my lungs feel like the size of a tennis ball it’s a nightmare. I watch tv gasping for air. It’s so hard to find immediate help to speak to someone too. A few days ago I had had enough. ! I decided to change my thinking as it was always negative. I stop and take deep breaths to fix myself. It’s working so far. Im so sick of being scared all the time

 

[Seryn]

I know what you’re saying I’m the same. The past 6 weeks I’ve had lots of stomach issues, feeling very strange with new symptoms and very unwell. I was convinced I had an ulcer, h plyori or cancer. I had a gastrocopy last week and it was fine. I’m waiting on a biopsy for celiac disease but doc thinks it will be negative. My HA has spiralled the past few years. I feel like I’m full of diseases it’s horrible. I constantly hold my breath and my lungs feel like the size of a tennis ball it’s a nightmare. I watch tv gasping for air. It’s so hard to find immediate help to speak to someone too. A few days ago I had had enough. ! I decided to change my thinking as it was always negative. I stop and take deep breaths to fix myself. It’s working so far. Im so sick of being scared all the time

Totally understand. I'm just so scared something is wrong. I think I've been triggered by a family friend who is only 39, she's been convinced the whole time something was wrong and drs told her it was anxiety. She's has been diagnosed with an awful illness that has got worse because of the time taken to diagnose. I'm not going to be specific because it will be triggering for people but it's sent me down a spiral. She's had an op and looks like she will pull through. But I'm terrified I've had this for 5months now. The gasping for air is very common with anxiety unfortunately. I get it where I constantly feel wheezy. However if you can do the breathing work and do get positive results from it then that's amazing and you can be assured it's anxiety. If it was something awful like C breathing would make no difference!!!

I'm waking in the morning gasping with a flood of anxiety and it just stays all day. I just need to know this inflammation in my legs (which isn't in my mind I have physical pitting edema) isn't anything serious and hopefully I can have a anxiety break and especially a break from constantly thinking about having needle work which makes me feel physically sick with worry

 

[Sweet T]

Have you considered putting an ice back on the area where they will stick in the needle? It will numb the area.

you should celebrate your victory today. You went. And you survived. Good on you

 

[Seryn]

Have you considered putting an ice back on the area where they will stick in the needle? It will numb the area.

you should celebrate your victory today. You went. And you survived. Good on you

Thank you. I went back yesterday and forced myself to go again with a different numbing cream and she got blood first time and with the cream it was totally pain free! Only went a bit wobbly and I was shaking so bad after but just adrenaline. I can cope with that. That cream is literally a game changer for me and bloods in the future.

I am now absolutely terrified waiting for the results. I think this is another reason why I avoid bloods because I cope with burrying my head in the sand so I don't have to face feelings like this. Such a silly way of dealing with things I no!

 

[Chrissyjo]

Try not to worry. I know it’s hard but at least the needle bit is over and it will give you confidence next time if you need one.

 

[Sweet T]

Thank you. I went back yesterday and forced myself to go again with a different numbing cream and she got blood first time and with the cream it was totally pain free! Only went a bit wobbly and I was shaking so bad after but just adrenaline. I can cope with that. That cream is literally a game changer for me and bloods in the future.

I am now absolutely terrified waiting for the results. I think this is another reason why I avoid bloods because I cope with burrying my head in the sand so I don't have to face feelings like this. Such a silly way of dealing with things I no!

I completely understand. I have catastrophic thinking too. But celebrate what you did. Do something kind for yourself.

 

[Seryn]

Try not to worry. I know it’s hard but at least the needle bit is over and it will give you confidence next time if you need one.

Yea this is true. I won't put off bloods for years now which is a big achievement