Help I am needle phobic

[8d6e91]

Help!!! I am needle phobic. I can just about manage to have a blood test. Having to put numbing cream on my arm before I have the blood test done. I have just been told that I have low B12 and that I will need to have 3 injections a week for a fortnight and then 1 injection every 3 months. It is my worst nightmare ever. I don't know how I am going to get through this. Can anyone advise me.

[Penni]

Try b12 patches, they are not always as effective as the injections but maybe a good way to start

[fbirder]

Talk to somebody at your medical practice. They must have lots of patients with the same problem.

If you are deficient because you don;t get enough B12 in your diet then you can probably build up your B12 levels using oral supplements.

Unfortunately, if you have a serious absorption problem then the only way to get B12 into your body is injections. No other forms of administration, pills, lozenges, sprays or patches will work because the B12 molecule is too large to get across biological membranes.

The injections will not be as bad as the blood test. They use a smaller needle and it goes in a less sensitive part of your arm. If you discuss the problem with a doctor or nurse beforehand they may agree to use an even smaller needle. It will take a little longer but it should be far less painful going in.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

you could also ask about the possibility of some therapy to help with needle phobia - there are CBT programmes out there to help patients with needle phobia though whether or not they are available in your area.

Being B12 deficient can have psychological effects so could be part of what is going on with the phobia so there is a possibility that the injections might help ease the phobia ... one can but hope

[ThatEnglishRose]

I was in the same boat, horrific needle fear (to the point when I didnt have some vaccines!- I have them now however) the blood test(s) I nearly fainted, and the first load of injections were a nightmare. The first one hurt because I was so tense no matter how hard I tried to relax I just couldnt. Even so the pain only lasted for an hour or so. Once you get the first one out of the way it does get A LOT easier. I still cant look at them but the feeling doesnt bother me much. Some nurses are better than others at it, funnily enough the best one I've had was done by a student nurse!

I've been having my injections for a year and a half now, my needle phobia has certainly gotten MUCH better. Dont LIKE them but they're much easier to tolerate and dont set off my anxiety nearly as much as they used to. Besides, they really only take a few seconds. A few seconds of anxiety and discomfort is very much worth how much better they can make you feel. (I was anaemic for a few years before getting diagnosed. Rather unknowingly. If you've been undiagnosed for not as long, then you may not experience as much of a difference. But if you dont go through with the injections and have an absorption problem as opposed to a dietary one, you may find you experience progressively serious issues. Ones that can cause even more injections in the future.)

[Blundermum]

Hi

Like you I was also extremedy needle phobic and when pregnant fainted constantly when taking bloods.

I was diagnosed with PA last year and can say even though I hate the injections (and they sting like fury) I'm getting used to them.

I literally sobbed through the first set of injections as the feeling of dread of 2 weeks worth plus the pain had me in such a state.

My nurses tell me to relax (yeah right) and to almost give myself a hug with the arm getting injected.

I've found popping the vial of hydroxycobalmin my bra to heat it up takes some of the sting away as it's awful when cold.

My nurse is also a PA sufferer and is now recommending injections in the bum as far less painful in her opinion.

You will get through the first set and it's really worth it as you do feel better.

[merpit349]

I don’t have a solution but I really relate to your struggle. I have a vasovagal response to needles: I vomit and/or pass out even seeing needles in other people. Maybe the frequency of shots will help you (and hopefully me since I was also recently diagnosed) with our needle problems. Best of luck!

[8d6e91]

Thank you to every one for your advice. I managed to dodge injections for most of my life and now the powers to be have caught up with me!!!