Scared of Needles

Wow! I just found this site yesterday. I am scheduled for 7/24 and am absolutely terrified. My husband and I have just begun talking about it. I don't do well with needles, blood, etc. Any suggestions for getting through that pre-op? Help!!

Yup, all I can say is do not look at it. Look the other way. Take someone in there with you to keep you talking and not thinking about it and relaxed and it will be over before you know it. Don't focus on that. Focus on being better when it is all done.

Good luck, best wishes. Keep us posted. Take care of yourself and pamper the princess.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by games4me51 Wow! I just found this site yesterday. I am scheduled for 7/24 and am absolutely terrified. My husband and I have just begun talking about it. I don't do well with needles, blood, etc. Any suggestions for getting through that pre-op? Help!!

I had the hibbie jibbies also, but the staff at the hospital made it very comfortable. Once you get the IV inserted, you will be fine, which in the beginning is just fluids. You will be alright trust me.

Prayers have already been sent up for you

It helps if you pretend your arm is a "rag doll", in other words, relax your arm muscles. Getting an IV is much easier if the needle isn't fighting through your muscles. And getting an IV is easier than breaking up with a boyfriend, having a root canal, missing a flight at the airport or loosing your luggage, or things like that. Good luck!

First of all, they should deaden the area when they are going to insert the IV. Usually this is a shot, just look away or close your eyes and put yourself in another place in your mind. Once that shot takes hold the rest is a piece of cake. Be sure to let them know that you hate needles and not to let you see it.

I hate having blood drawn! I guess it isn't really fear for me, I just don't like it. I'm one of those that likes to be distracted and I never look at it being done. Usually a nurse will talk to me one the opposite side while it's being drawn and it goes faster and easier for me.

Remember to breathe and try to relax. I hope everything goes very smoothly! Hang in there!

s, Deb

iv's really dont hurt anymore if they numb the area a bit first. just try to focus on something else while they do it and once its in, ask for something to help you relax. once you get that, you wont even have a memory of everything else.

If you have the IV area covered up that ususally helps people who are upset by the site of needles especially when they are in them. You can tell the nurse about your fears and just ask if they can cover it up with gauze and make it look like a glove is on you instead of a needle in you. You can also ask that the IV is put in your forearm and then have a sleeve cover it or again ask the nurse to loosly take a gauze cover over it so you don't have to see needles i your arm, they are used to this phobia, so I am sure they will help you. also if your IV is in your arm, it frees up your hand, is less painful and easier to cover up, not to mention you will be able to type on your laptop and NOT see the IV!
Good luck!

Boy, do I know that fear! And it's not just because it's a little sting and then it's over, not for me! I anticipate the sting, the feel of the alcohol and everything, and it really hurts, not just when it goes in, but while it's there.

It is true, though, what some of the sisters say--once the IV is in, it didn't bother me. If you can have someone there, holding your hand, and reminding you to breathe, even though you may still be terrified, it will help you get through it. Your fear may go quite a way back, and if that's true, as it is for me, what you might try to do is literally hold on to someone. Do you have a friend, or maybe your dh, anyone who is willing to do that.

I'm sending you lots of hugs, and I will be thinking of you on the 24th.

Debbie

Dont be scared. Breathe in at that moment and look the other way. I'm really afraid of needles and blood drawn too. I found it very helpful to bring my favorite Bible verse on a little index card. I kept reading it throughout the entire prep time. I'll pray that you will have peace that day.