Going in July 20 and scared...

and no I'm not scared of the surgery so much but I'm terrified of the needles/ IV's & PCA pump! I'm a SEVERE needle phobic, I can't even get blood work done without being on Ativan (a sedative) or I've taken swings at the phlebotomist. Thw worst part is I don't even remember doing that because I just go into 'react mode'. I've had 3 C-sections under general and each time I have woken up I've first thing torn the IV out of myself. No with this they are talking a PCA pump and IVs... there is NO WAY! I kept telling the Dr that I can't do that but she says that is how it has to be. I don't know what to do because as soon as I am conscious enough to know anything I'll be going insane to get things out of me. How do I make them seriously realize I have this much of a problem? No one ever seems to belive me when I say I'm a severe needle phobic, they just say, well everyone is alittle afraid of them. Well not everyone ends up decking the Dr and hurting themselves in the process of getting them out because the thought of a needle in me is that scary. They're talking about wanting me conscious and if that needle is there or that pump all hell will break loose. I don't know what to do! Any advice? My GYN that my urologist suggested and will work with...long story but I have a bladder fistula to my uterus that grew into my cervix...she says I can't eat after surgery so no oral meds. After my c-sections I was eating and taking oral meds fine. Can I do oral meds against her advice after a TAH? Can they just keep me totally sedated until they feel I can take oral meds? I have a call inot the hospital to ask questions but I don't know what can be done.

I would advise you to talk with your doctor and anethesologist. There may be something they can give you before they insert the IV and something thru the IV to keep you calm until the IV is removed. I don't think you will get oral meds if your doctor has advised against it. I was recently in the hospitall for a small bowel blockage, had a big NPO sign on my door, I couldn't even get some tylenol for a major headache. All meds had to be via the IV. Maybe you could print out your post here and take it in with you to discuss so your doctor will realize how serious this is for you.

Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

stinkbug

Bless your heart. Even though I don't have the same fears/phobias as you, I wanted to give you a big . I know it's hard and my heart goes out to you. All I can suggest it that you be sure and tell your doctor, anesthesiologist, nurses, etc that you do have a severe fear of needles. You aren't alone.

Another thing to remember is that with the actual IV, yes, a needle is used to insert it, but the needle is removed and all that is left in you is a very tiny pliable plastic catheter. You won't have an actual needle left in your arm while you have the IV/PCA pump.

I wish you the best and I hope everything works out well for you. Hang in there and remember to breathe!

s, Deb

It sounds to me as though what you experience is a full-blown panic around needles. I'm curious, though -- when you had the C-section, didn't you have a spinal? That involves a needle. Is is OK for you if you can't "see" the needle going in?

I guess all I can say is that I hope your doctors have some good advice for you. From what I know, I think that it will be nearly impossible to have this surgery without some sort of IV fluids or medications at some point. I don't know if it's an option to have it inserted after you're asleep for the surgery, but you're almost sure to wake up with one. Maybe you're going to require some additional medications to keep you calm after you become conscious.

Pain meds are another matter. Oral ones are of course an option, but not usually right away, as they can be very difficult on the system if you're not eating solid foods right away. It was a full 24 hours after my surgery before I was beyond clear liquids, so I couldn't have tolerated any oral pain meds until after that time.

It is not a usual occurence for hospital staff to have a patient who is so afraid of needles that he/she rips them from their body, but I'm sure it happens patients who become disoriented (for example, patients with dementia) and so they will have some experience with it.

You might also want to ask to consult with your anesthesiologist and let him/her know the anxiety you feel and what your reaction has been in the past. I am sure they will work with you to find a good solution.

Don't be embarrassed about this -- if it's beyond your control, it will just be another thing the staff deals with while you're their patient. Hope this helps.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by mjd2491 It sounds to me as though what you experience is a full-blown panic around needles. I'm curious, though -- when you had the C-section, didn't you have a spinal? That involves a needle. Is is OK for you if you can't "see" the needle going in?

mjd2491 - Thanks so much for making me feel like this isn't just me being stupid. I was under general for all 3 of my c-sections. Gas first to knock me out then they put the IV in and no I did not have a spinal because I was under full general. My IV was either already out or I removed it. It honestly doesn't matter if I see it or not I know it's there and that is a problem. If I can manage to get to it it won't be there basically.

I know this sounds insane but after my c-sections I was eating fine within 2 hours of 'waking up'. I ordered up a large order of onion rings after my second against Drs orders and had the best recovery of them all because I did it my way not theirs. So I really don't trust dr's when it comes to the no eating rules.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Crossfire Another thing to remember is that with the actual IV, yes, a needle is used to insert it, but the needle is removed and all that is left in you is a very tiny pliable plastic catheter. You won't have an actual needle left in your arm while you have the IV/PCA pump.

Crossfire - THank you for the support! I wish it was only the needle but it's also the IV plastic thingy...I can't handle anything going thru my skin something about it just puts me over the edge. belive me my husband FULLY understands and supports me and is looking out for me when it comes to this. He's a hypoglycimic and tests his blood sugars alot... I can't even be in the room when he uses the finger prick thingy or I nearly fal over from seeing it and going weak in the knees. Sad I know but true.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Kim M Maybe you could print out your post here and take it in with you to discuss so your doctor will realize how serious this is for you.

Kim M - Thank you so much for that idea I thing I will do just that. I usually try to talk to the doctor, anesthesiologist, nurses, etc and let them know I'm telling this to them because 'I don't want to hurt them much less myself' and I have hurt people in my reactions in the past and I feel terrible about it but I can't help it! I've done theraphy for needle phobia and the most I have been able to get out of it is *sometimes* if I have alot of mental prep time I can do a finger stick to check my own blood sugars (I'm pre-diabetic) but trust me it take me hours to get there!

You have to remember you are having major organs removed, this is alot different than having a baby.
I said to my Dr., this is like having a baby, he said no, 10 times worse.
I honestly didn't feel like eating after my surgery. All I wanted to do was sleep!
Good luck with everything.

mshowdy

Absolutely recruit the anesthesiologist! I'm also a severe needle phobic. The anesthetist was much, much more sympathetic, as was the head surgical nurse. They worked with my shaking and tears, and arranged for --at my request, mind you-- a big strong orderly in case I tried to deck the anesthetist.

I'll give the anesthetist was an expert. I barely felt a thing, and he'd arranged for a strong sedative to be immediately put in the IV so I was zoned almost immediately. I awoke with everything all done, and in my hospital bed.

Email me using my private email if you need reassurance. I know you'll be flipping out on Thursday night, and I'll try to stand by. I understand. You will get through this. I've been there, and I know. <<HUG>>

Lena

The advice to recruit the anesthesiologist is great advice, When I had my lap 3 years ago I was scared to death, because they have always has such a hard time getting into my veins, He was great and so sympathetic. I also tried like H E double hockey sticks to go to my happy place and stay calm. I understand that might not be easy for you to do as it sounds like you definitely have a full on phobia to needles. But for sure talk to him or her they usually have a better understanding than our Dr's.

I am worried though that you are getting extermely stressed out about right now and seem to be on the verge of having a pre-panic attack and we have both have 3 more days to wait out. I want you try and find a way to find some peace for the next few days. I know that you are scared but I know that we both are going to ok, we are strong chicks and we are going to get through this



Stephanie
TAH 7/20

When I had my LAVH they tried 4 times to start the IV and that hurt so bad I was about sick from that. Later I talked to the pre op nurse. She said from now on to request the Anest. start the iv. He can numb the area where the nurse can't. It worked so much better the next time. I know you are afraid of the needle but this would help with the pain associated with the needle.

Good Luck!

mshowdy