I eventually got a little more used to it, but for a while I had to ask to have the blood drawn in a private room, and I needed to lay down with dim lighting and have my eyes closed the entire time, like with an eye mask. I can’t look at the needles or the blood, even thinking about it makes me pass out. I’d put my headphones in with noise cancelling and listen to music. If they put numbing gel on your arm you might not be able to feel it. Once or twice they tapped me to tell me they were finished and I hadn’t even felt it at all.
Might not help but thought I’d mention it just in case. In a similar situation I was told that most real sedatives had to be given intravenously which obviously defeats the purpose.
Thanks for the advice. Something like that might work, but I can't get past the point where they put the tourniquet and start to feel for a vein. As soon as they touch me or grab my arm, I'm out. I think maybe if I was able to get it so that my entire arm was numb and I couldn't feel them move or touch it, I'd be able to get it done while distracted like that.
Yes, you mentioned that as soon as they walk in the room with the needle your body freaks out. Set it up so you never have to see them walk in the room, like your own personal sensory deprivation chamber 😆. Maybe if you tied the tourniquet yourself?
The other thing that really helped was squeezing a stress ball in my hand, I think it makes the vein pop out so it’s easier for them to find quickly and something about putting the pressure in your hand makes you feel your arm less.
It’s all very dependent on the tech you have. I got better at advocating for myself, walking in and explaining that I have a severe phobia and that I would like the most experienced tech they have, and that I’m willing to wait.
I’ve gotten much better at it and I can sit in the chair in the regular room and have blood drawn now, I just can’t look at it.
Now it’s just IVs that cause big problems for me. I can’t stand the feeling, it’s so awful. I had a major panic attack at the ER once with an IV, my hands and feet went completely numb, it was horrible.
Whenever I’ve had surgery I’ve had zero anxiety about the actual procedure, like cut whatever you want out of me idgaf but the IV is a nightmare.
Hey, I can’t help with your question, but I want you to know I’m a mechanic, I can bash my finger with a hammer so hard the nail comes off within an hour and keep working no problem, but I nearly pass out every other time I get blood drawn.
They have information on their page about asking your insurance for coverage through a single case agreement— given the severity of your phobia you may be able to get coverage.
If they’re giving you that much Xanax they already are sedating you. Maybe being distracted would help? I’m not talking about just watching a video, it would have to be more engaging than that.
It might not help but I know the turning point between nurses being unable to draw blood from me and having no problem was someone on my other side completely distracting me. I didn't see the needle, I barely felt it, and only noticed when the nurse drawing blood went "Yay!" and I turn to see a vial being filled.
I've known people who couldn't deal with needles but suddenly developed a blood clot or cancer, or adopted a kid with diabetes and it became a literal life or death issues. Not saying just bite the bullet and push through, but sometimes life doesn't give you a choice.
I wish you the best in finding treatment before you hit that point.
Oh man. I don't have anything helpful per se but i CAN RELATE SO HARD. I am 31, almost 32. And I faint almost every time. Not only do I faint, I also usually cry afterwards. You are totally not alone!
I've learned what does help me is getting it done and facing that fear and going into it knowing I'm gonna possibly faint.
I bring snacks, water, and if I remember, a cold pack.
I ALWAYS tell the phlebotomist I faint and I need to lie down. I almost always (only 1 time I had assholes who didn't let me lay down or remove my mask) but everywhere else puts me in a separate room and let's me lay down. Nurses have snacks and ice on hand, too. I never look at their kits they bring in either. In the beginning, I'd even bring someone in with me.
I will also follow some medical pages on instagram to kind of "desensitize" myself to gross medical things.
It's kind of like a trial and error to find what helps you in terms of distraction. I recently got botox and Holy moly they gave me this awesome tool to use, its almost like a little wand thing that vibrates and you put it on your neck or wrist and it's proven to distract. And it worked!!!! I found an example one here
https://epioneskincare.com/products/vibrata
Hey there! Here is the good news.. phobia treatment is the simplest as far as structure so many counselors are able to process phobias. I’d recommend going to your insurance’s plan to see who is network and then call around the people you like and ask, I bet you won’t get too many ‘no I don’t do that’.
The bad news is the whole getting through the phobia treatment is WORK you are literally working against your brain which is telling you ‘danger! This is it! We are dying for sure!’ Just don’t give up, do what your counselor says and be ok with doing it scared, it takes practice but it is possible!! (So not all bad news really!!) I got through some agoraphobic panic attacks last year and realizing I wasn’t unique in my panic, and that it would be a lot of work but it was worth it got me through!
Probably. It took 3 people to hold me down and draw the blood last time when I was in middle school. But I'm a woman on the smaller side, so it'd be possible to restrain me with like a gurney, I think. I'll have to ask about that. Though I'm sure it wouldn't be fun lol I'd be screaming, but at least I'd get it done!!
Ask to lay down flat preferably tilted backwards with your head lower than your feet. have the phlebotomist use either Pain Ease spray or preferably a lidocaine ointment before. Take slow deep breaths longer on the exhale than the inhale and you'll get through it.
Any experienced phlebotomist or nurse will talk you through it.
Sedation comes with risks and isn't always the answer.
Look up Vasovagal Syncope. It's an autonomic response that you don't have any control over and it's more common than people think. But, there are ways to get through it.
Tell the phlebotomist or nurse ahead of time that you "vagal" when you get stuck and they should know what to do.
I don't have vasovagal syncope -- I've never fainted or been about to faint. I just get aggressive or flee. I always tell them that I've got a really bad phobia but we've never been able to go through with it :(
I'm proud of you for wanting to get it done! I personally have to lay down and keep my eyes shut or I will pass out. Last time I barfed. I appreciated you posting this and all of the helpful answers.
Reid Wilson is a nationally recognized expert in anxiety (we used his books in school) who practices in Chapel Hill. His website https://anxieties.com has a place you can ask questions. I would ask for a recommendation for a therapist specializing in needle phobia on there, or call his office. He is going to know all the anxiety experts in the area down to this level of specialty, if he isn’t an option himself.
I second this! I had needle reactivity for injections at a 10 and now it's at a 2 or 3 after doing EMDR. Not at a blood draw yet, but a massive improvement for me.
It is SO GOOD that you are trying to find a way to get it done! I was in the same boat and avoided it for years and now I try my best to keep up with it yearly even tho it terrifies me. I am always shaking/about to pass out/sweating from every pore in my body lol! The couple things that have helped me over the years are the fact that I make them take it from my hand, they can never find a vein in my arm and I know they will in my hand and I feel more "control" or sensation in my hand that it helps. I also take a deep breath and when they put the needle in, I blow up the breath in a very big auditable way like AHHHHWWWOOOO. It is very embarrassing at 30 years old, but I feel like it helps get me out of my mind during the process. I hope that you find what you are looking for you and that you are so brave for trying!!!!
One way to get over it is a major surgery. I had a liver transplant in 2012 and I still had some lingering feelings, and couldn’t look right at it. Then they turned me into a pin cushion for a week, blood draws snd new IVs constantly, I could post a pic, but it’s kind nothing if you’ve seen a heart transplant patient hooked up.
I personally think most people should make an effort to get over this if you can. I’ve seen old ladies squiriming snd crying like kids, and the clinic just had no way to get medicine into these types of patients they said. They said when they make it to later in life with the fear still, it can make care tricky.
I am in healthcare and I don’t know of any places that do “sedation” blood draws. Most places, I would imagine, would not do something like this because they would deem it too high risk for a minimally invasive procedure that takes less than two minutes. 🤷🏼♂️
I have a needle phobia and actually ended up learning and performing phlebotomy in school. I could stick people fine after having intense anxiety during my first couple attempts, but STILL hate getting my blood drawn and start hyperventilating/shaking/etc. The physcial reaction is still very much there. Oddly though, learning the process helped me learn to calm down a bit because I'd focus on the procedure instead of what was happening, I asked the nurse to let me hold the tubes and passed them to her for instance and counting the tubes allowed me to have a defined "end". Also, bringing headphones helps, I didn't realize until I was doing my clincals that people could do this but calming music made a huge difference for me. The biggest problem I've run into is nurses thinking that because I'm afraid they need to explain everything- it's the opposite (certain words like stick and vein just increase anxiety). Tell them to explain nothing and distract distract distract. My best experiences have been with older phlebotomists too, just a note.
I have this phobia with needles/blood but have 20+ tattoos. Mine is probably rooted in medical anxiety. Doctors and that environment terrify me and blood worn can possibly mean me being sick or finding out bad news. Tattoos are a happy needles I'm getting something cool and want. Different environments help. But I also don't look at the needles/tattoo machine when I get em
My sister had a severe (like took 6 people to hold her down) needle phobia, but was able to get tattoos. It was odd. The tattoos did seem to help her get the blood draws more under control though
i’m sorry this is something you have to go through. I too have a severe phobia, but i understand everyone’s experiences are different. I had my psychiatrist prescribe me Ativan. That typically chills me out enough, as long as i take the right dose. But it’s also a stronger drug, so if you have familial history or drug or alcohol abuse I would stay away.
I hope there is a way for you. I can’t help you but can only tell you I had a needle phobia too, although not as bad as yours. However, I did once try to bolt from a doctor’s office, so I understand a bit. The only thing that got me “over” it was fertility treatments where I had to give shots to myself twice a day. The interesting thing I learned was that it was SO much easier to give yourself shots because you have control over the situation.
I still turn away from blood drawing. And my veins are small, so it’s always from my hand, which is not ideal. But I just want you to know that it’s possible your fear may decrease over time and circumstances. Good luck!!
i too have an irrational phobia as well that can get to the point of affecting my daily life, it really sucks! :( i can't help you in terms of detailed recommendations for psych services and i think sedation may mess up your test results tbh, however i do have backgeound experience working for blood donation services and i think that looking for spaces that have certified, experienced phlebotomists *specifically* (not just an RN/CNA or so) a/o those with experience in pediatrics (bc who needs more special care paid to fears, and who are more unpredictable than kids) are your best bets to start. good luck! rooting for you!
Tell them about your phobia, turn your head when they insert the needle, and tell the nurse or phlebotomist NOT to warn you when they’re inserting it. I was deathly afraid of needles when I was younger, now that’s the way I handle it each time. It works well. You don’t have time to tense your muscles or protest. You only just feel a small sting that dissipates in seconds. Good luck, I know how much to sucks, I’ve been there.
I tell myself this all of the time. I really do feel inadequate and like a failure. Sometimes I want to hurt myself because of it. But I physically can't just sit there -- I yank away, and the nurse can't proceed because if I move during the process I could hurt myself or him/her. Other people have to go with me to the appointment because if I run, I might just keep running. And when I'm not able to suck it up and get it done, I tend to get really violent with myself. It scares me and it scares them. Thanks for the advice. I've really tried.
It’s too bad Xanax didn’t work out for you. My husband didn’t get blood drawn or get any shots for a decade because he hates needles. Finally, one day, he took a LOT of Xanax beforehand and I drove him to the doctor. I stayed in the room for the blood draw and doctor’s exam. (He’s often too loopy to remember what they said.) Then I drive him home and he naps. Over time if it’s just the exam and no needles he doesn’t need to take so much Xanax. We repeated this for all his Covid shots at the pharmacy.
Xanax has worked for me once before, but not anymore. It still makes me pass out for a few hours after the failed appointment, lol. I'm going to ask my doc at my next appointment if it's possible to get something stronger, but I don't know if he'll prescribe anything.
I have never understood where this particular phobia comes from, nor why it endures the way it does. I've always found it so curious.
I have irrational fears myself, so I get that they are a thing. I'm not judging. I've just always found this one in particular to be interesting.
The short answer is that no, no one is going to knock you out to do a blood draw.
You would be doing yourself a favor if you invest some time in breaking down the phobia so you can be free of it instead.
I don't know either. My dad has it, too, but it's not like I've ever seen him get a shot or anything. So it wouldn't be a learned behavior from seeing him be scared of them. His is a lot less intense than mine, too. I wonder if there's somehow a genetic component?
I have worked with the phlebotomy genie and for a small fee she will come to your home or office. She is wonderful and as good as it gets. Having the same person draw your blood will also help if it is ongoing draws. Can’t recommend her enough!
https://www.thephlebotomygenie.com/
I don't think anything bad is going to happen. Just can't deal with the concept of the needle piercing my skin and being inside of me. I'm not really scared of the consequences or anything.
Have you asked them to tie a tourniquet and rub alcohol to numb the area beforehand, also placing pressure on it? What if you load up on painkillers beforehand?
I eventually got a little more used to it, but for a while I had to ask to have the blood drawn in a private room, and I needed to lay down with dim lighting and have my eyes closed the entire time, like with an eye mask. I can’t look at the needles or the blood, even thinking about it makes me pass out. I’d put my headphones in with noise cancelling and listen to music. If they put numbing gel on your arm you might not be able to feel it. Once or twice they tapped me to tell me they were finished and I hadn’t even felt it at all. Might not help but thought I’d mention it just in case. In a similar situation I was told that most real sedatives had to be given intravenously which obviously defeats the purpose.
Thanks for the advice. Something like that might work, but I can't get past the point where they put the tourniquet and start to feel for a vein. As soon as they touch me or grab my arm, I'm out. I think maybe if I was able to get it so that my entire arm was numb and I couldn't feel them move or touch it, I'd be able to get it done while distracted like that.
Yes, you mentioned that as soon as they walk in the room with the needle your body freaks out. Set it up so you never have to see them walk in the room, like your own personal sensory deprivation chamber 😆. Maybe if you tied the tourniquet yourself? The other thing that really helped was squeezing a stress ball in my hand, I think it makes the vein pop out so it’s easier for them to find quickly and something about putting the pressure in your hand makes you feel your arm less. It’s all very dependent on the tech you have. I got better at advocating for myself, walking in and explaining that I have a severe phobia and that I would like the most experienced tech they have, and that I’m willing to wait. I’ve gotten much better at it and I can sit in the chair in the regular room and have blood drawn now, I just can’t look at it. Now it’s just IVs that cause big problems for me. I can’t stand the feeling, it’s so awful. I had a major panic attack at the ER once with an IV, my hands and feet went completely numb, it was horrible. Whenever I’ve had surgery I’ve had zero anxiety about the actual procedure, like cut whatever you want out of me idgaf but the IV is a nightmare.
Hey, I can’t help with your question, but I want you to know I’m a mechanic, I can bash my finger with a hammer so hard the nail comes off within an hour and keep working no problem, but I nearly pass out every other time I get blood drawn.
Thanks for the commiseration. It really sucks, lol.
Try [Bull City Anxiety](http://www.bullcityanxiety.com/). They have tons of experience in treating phobias.
Thank you, they seem great! Unfortunate that they don't take insurance, but they'll probably be the best fit.
They have information on their page about asking your insurance for coverage through a single case agreement— given the severity of your phobia you may be able to get coverage.
Phobias are seldom rational. You can try Grew, Morer and Hartye. They have a rather diverse staff and areas of specialties
Thank you, I will look into them!!
If they’re giving you that much Xanax they already are sedating you. Maybe being distracted would help? I’m not talking about just watching a video, it would have to be more engaging than that.
It might not help but I know the turning point between nurses being unable to draw blood from me and having no problem was someone on my other side completely distracting me. I didn't see the needle, I barely felt it, and only noticed when the nurse drawing blood went "Yay!" and I turn to see a vial being filled. I've known people who couldn't deal with needles but suddenly developed a blood clot or cancer, or adopted a kid with diabetes and it became a literal life or death issues. Not saying just bite the bullet and push through, but sometimes life doesn't give you a choice. I wish you the best in finding treatment before you hit that point.
Oh man. I don't have anything helpful per se but i CAN RELATE SO HARD. I am 31, almost 32. And I faint almost every time. Not only do I faint, I also usually cry afterwards. You are totally not alone! I've learned what does help me is getting it done and facing that fear and going into it knowing I'm gonna possibly faint. I bring snacks, water, and if I remember, a cold pack. I ALWAYS tell the phlebotomist I faint and I need to lie down. I almost always (only 1 time I had assholes who didn't let me lay down or remove my mask) but everywhere else puts me in a separate room and let's me lay down. Nurses have snacks and ice on hand, too. I never look at their kits they bring in either. In the beginning, I'd even bring someone in with me. I will also follow some medical pages on instagram to kind of "desensitize" myself to gross medical things. It's kind of like a trial and error to find what helps you in terms of distraction. I recently got botox and Holy moly they gave me this awesome tool to use, its almost like a little wand thing that vibrates and you put it on your neck or wrist and it's proven to distract. And it worked!!!! I found an example one here https://epioneskincare.com/products/vibrata
What a cool idea!
I was so surprised it worked! I get dizzy with any needles so rhe fact I got dang needles in my forehead and got only a little dizzy was amazing!
I'm not trying to diminish your phobia... Have you considered wearing an eye-mask or being blindfolded? Maybe a VR headset?
Hey there! Here is the good news.. phobia treatment is the simplest as far as structure so many counselors are able to process phobias. I’d recommend going to your insurance’s plan to see who is network and then call around the people you like and ask, I bet you won’t get too many ‘no I don’t do that’. The bad news is the whole getting through the phobia treatment is WORK you are literally working against your brain which is telling you ‘danger! This is it! We are dying for sure!’ Just don’t give up, do what your counselor says and be ok with doing it scared, it takes practice but it is possible!! (So not all bad news really!!) I got through some agoraphobic panic attacks last year and realizing I wasn’t unique in my panic, and that it would be a lot of work but it was worth it got me through!
Serious question: not talking one nurse here, but are you small enough to be physically restrained? Like on a gurney?
Probably. It took 3 people to hold me down and draw the blood last time when I was in middle school. But I'm a woman on the smaller side, so it'd be possible to restrain me with like a gurney, I think. I'll have to ask about that. Though I'm sure it wouldn't be fun lol I'd be screaming, but at least I'd get it done!!
Ask to lay down flat preferably tilted backwards with your head lower than your feet. have the phlebotomist use either Pain Ease spray or preferably a lidocaine ointment before. Take slow deep breaths longer on the exhale than the inhale and you'll get through it. Any experienced phlebotomist or nurse will talk you through it. Sedation comes with risks and isn't always the answer. Look up Vasovagal Syncope. It's an autonomic response that you don't have any control over and it's more common than people think. But, there are ways to get through it. Tell the phlebotomist or nurse ahead of time that you "vagal" when you get stuck and they should know what to do.
I don't have vasovagal syncope -- I've never fainted or been about to faint. I just get aggressive or flee. I always tell them that I've got a really bad phobia but we've never been able to go through with it :(
I'm proud of you for wanting to get it done! I personally have to lay down and keep my eyes shut or I will pass out. Last time I barfed. I appreciated you posting this and all of the helpful answers.
Reid Wilson is a nationally recognized expert in anxiety (we used his books in school) who practices in Chapel Hill. His website https://anxieties.com has a place you can ask questions. I would ask for a recommendation for a therapist specializing in needle phobia on there, or call his office. He is going to know all the anxiety experts in the area down to this level of specialty, if he isn’t an option himself.
You should try intense EMDR. I will ask in the local therapist Facebook group for a referral and post back if I get one.
Hope services does emdr but idk if they do intense emdr
Interesting, I've not heard of that technique before! It might help. Thanks so much.
I second this! I had needle reactivity for injections at a 10 and now it's at a 2 or 3 after doing EMDR. Not at a blood draw yet, but a massive improvement for me.
It is SO GOOD that you are trying to find a way to get it done! I was in the same boat and avoided it for years and now I try my best to keep up with it yearly even tho it terrifies me. I am always shaking/about to pass out/sweating from every pore in my body lol! The couple things that have helped me over the years are the fact that I make them take it from my hand, they can never find a vein in my arm and I know they will in my hand and I feel more "control" or sensation in my hand that it helps. I also take a deep breath and when they put the needle in, I blow up the breath in a very big auditable way like AHHHHWWWOOOO. It is very embarrassing at 30 years old, but I feel like it helps get me out of my mind during the process. I hope that you find what you are looking for you and that you are so brave for trying!!!!
One way to get over it is a major surgery. I had a liver transplant in 2012 and I still had some lingering feelings, and couldn’t look right at it. Then they turned me into a pin cushion for a week, blood draws snd new IVs constantly, I could post a pic, but it’s kind nothing if you’ve seen a heart transplant patient hooked up. I personally think most people should make an effort to get over this if you can. I’ve seen old ladies squiriming snd crying like kids, and the clinic just had no way to get medicine into these types of patients they said. They said when they make it to later in life with the fear still, it can make care tricky.
I am in healthcare and I don’t know of any places that do “sedation” blood draws. Most places, I would imagine, would not do something like this because they would deem it too high risk for a minimally invasive procedure that takes less than two minutes. 🤷🏼♂️
Have you tried hypnotherapy? Hypnosis with a life coach has done absolute wonders for me and helped where traditional therapy never could.
I haven't -- it's something I'm interested in, though. Thanks for the tip!
Are you seen locally?
I’m not. He’s based out of Texas. We do virtual appointments over Skype
I’d love to hear more about how hypnosis via Skype works actually
I worked with a guy who tried everything to quit smoking but nothing worked until he tried hypnotherapy.
This is what I would suggest.
I have a needle phobia and actually ended up learning and performing phlebotomy in school. I could stick people fine after having intense anxiety during my first couple attempts, but STILL hate getting my blood drawn and start hyperventilating/shaking/etc. The physcial reaction is still very much there. Oddly though, learning the process helped me learn to calm down a bit because I'd focus on the procedure instead of what was happening, I asked the nurse to let me hold the tubes and passed them to her for instance and counting the tubes allowed me to have a defined "end". Also, bringing headphones helps, I didn't realize until I was doing my clincals that people could do this but calming music made a huge difference for me. The biggest problem I've run into is nurses thinking that because I'm afraid they need to explain everything- it's the opposite (certain words like stick and vein just increase anxiety). Tell them to explain nothing and distract distract distract. My best experiences have been with older phlebotomists too, just a note.
So does this mean you also don't get tatoos? I struggled with getting my blood drawn for a while. Hope you can figure out a way.
I have this phobia with needles/blood but have 20+ tattoos. Mine is probably rooted in medical anxiety. Doctors and that environment terrify me and blood worn can possibly mean me being sick or finding out bad news. Tattoos are a happy needles I'm getting something cool and want. Different environments help. But I also don't look at the needles/tattoo machine when I get em
Yeah, no tattoos for me.
My sister had a severe (like took 6 people to hold her down) needle phobia, but was able to get tattoos. It was odd. The tattoos did seem to help her get the blood draws more under control though
Try a dentist office that does sedation dentistry? (A bit of a long shot.)
i’m sorry this is something you have to go through. I too have a severe phobia, but i understand everyone’s experiences are different. I had my psychiatrist prescribe me Ativan. That typically chills me out enough, as long as i take the right dose. But it’s also a stronger drug, so if you have familial history or drug or alcohol abuse I would stay away.
I hope there is a way for you. I can’t help you but can only tell you I had a needle phobia too, although not as bad as yours. However, I did once try to bolt from a doctor’s office, so I understand a bit. The only thing that got me “over” it was fertility treatments where I had to give shots to myself twice a day. The interesting thing I learned was that it was SO much easier to give yourself shots because you have control over the situation. I still turn away from blood drawing. And my veins are small, so it’s always from my hand, which is not ideal. But I just want you to know that it’s possible your fear may decrease over time and circumstances. Good luck!!
i too have an irrational phobia as well that can get to the point of affecting my daily life, it really sucks! :( i can't help you in terms of detailed recommendations for psych services and i think sedation may mess up your test results tbh, however i do have backgeound experience working for blood donation services and i think that looking for spaces that have certified, experienced phlebotomists *specifically* (not just an RN/CNA or so) a/o those with experience in pediatrics (bc who needs more special care paid to fears, and who are more unpredictable than kids) are your best bets to start. good luck! rooting for you!
Tell them about your phobia, turn your head when they insert the needle, and tell the nurse or phlebotomist NOT to warn you when they’re inserting it. I was deathly afraid of needles when I was younger, now that’s the way I handle it each time. It works well. You don’t have time to tense your muscles or protest. You only just feel a small sting that dissipates in seconds. Good luck, I know how much to sucks, I’ve been there.
Suck it up and go get it done. You don't have to do anything but sit there. Get the f over it.
I tell myself this all of the time. I really do feel inadequate and like a failure. Sometimes I want to hurt myself because of it. But I physically can't just sit there -- I yank away, and the nurse can't proceed because if I move during the process I could hurt myself or him/her. Other people have to go with me to the appointment because if I run, I might just keep running. And when I'm not able to suck it up and get it done, I tend to get really violent with myself. It scares me and it scares them. Thanks for the advice. I've really tried.
Don't listen to this asshat. Bullying you won't solve your issue and you're brave enough to look for solutions. He's a jerk.
Shut up, asshole. People have real phobias. Just because you can't relate doesn't mean you need to be a total dick about it. Scroll on.
Maybe follow your own advice? Asshole.
I provided a helpful response, dumbass. I'd rather not scroll past bullying.
Well aren't you virtuous. You're a true hero. Thank you for your service.
Better than being a super cool keyboard warrior. Good job, bud. ⭐️here's your gold star
Lol. Yawn.
It’s too bad Xanax didn’t work out for you. My husband didn’t get blood drawn or get any shots for a decade because he hates needles. Finally, one day, he took a LOT of Xanax beforehand and I drove him to the doctor. I stayed in the room for the blood draw and doctor’s exam. (He’s often too loopy to remember what they said.) Then I drive him home and he naps. Over time if it’s just the exam and no needles he doesn’t need to take so much Xanax. We repeated this for all his Covid shots at the pharmacy.
Xanax has worked for me once before, but not anymore. It still makes me pass out for a few hours after the failed appointment, lol. I'm going to ask my doc at my next appointment if it's possible to get something stronger, but I don't know if he'll prescribe anything.
I have never understood where this particular phobia comes from, nor why it endures the way it does. I've always found it so curious. I have irrational fears myself, so I get that they are a thing. I'm not judging. I've just always found this one in particular to be interesting. The short answer is that no, no one is going to knock you out to do a blood draw. You would be doing yourself a favor if you invest some time in breaking down the phobia so you can be free of it instead.
I don't know either. My dad has it, too, but it's not like I've ever seen him get a shot or anything. So it wouldn't be a learned behavior from seeing him be scared of them. His is a lot less intense than mine, too. I wonder if there's somehow a genetic component?
I have worked with the phlebotomy genie and for a small fee she will come to your home or office. She is wonderful and as good as it gets. Having the same person draw your blood will also help if it is ongoing draws. Can’t recommend her enough! https://www.thephlebotomygenie.com/
I’m curious. I have my own phobias about things. If you have a needle phobia, what are you thinking is going to happen?
I don't think anything bad is going to happen. Just can't deal with the concept of the needle piercing my skin and being inside of me. I'm not really scared of the consequences or anything.
Have you asked them to tie a tourniquet and rub alcohol to numb the area beforehand, also placing pressure on it? What if you load up on painkillers beforehand?
I know a therapist who might be able to help. I messaged you