Hint for the needle phobic

[happydog]

I am a total coward when it comes to injections and even pricking my finger is a big thing for me, although I have had to get used to it. I have friend who is a dentist and she suggested that I try breathing out when pricking my finger. She says that it helps with injections too as you cannot tense up when you are breathing out. I think it helps but would be interested to hear from others who try it. 🙂

 

[pav]

Sorry can't really help on this, I now have had that many needles stuck in me, even the ones off the dentist don't bother me any longer. The more you have the more you get used to them. 😱

 

[Caroline]

we all have a fear of something, so you are not alone, although I can't offer any advice. Fears are there to help keep us safe (we wouldn't step off the pavement without looking both ways), although they do sometimes work against us as in the case of injections

 

[Copepod]

Glad to hear the tip helps you, happydog. Thanks for sharing - anything that could help needle phobic people is worth trying.

 

[trophywench]

I have always used that technique - but never for injections, not being needle phobic.

If I tell you that the tip was given to me by a nurse at the Family Planning in Kidderminster circa 1972, you'll probably get the picture!

But men can use it too quite successfully, my husbands confirms, in the matter of having prostate problems !

 

[Maryanne29]

Breathing

Breathing out definitely helps me as I am more relaxed. I hate it when I have to let someone else stick a needle in me though and no amount of breathing techniques work then. But when I'm in control of the needle breathing out really does help.

Maryanne. Type 1 for 54 years

 

[Lauras87]

I find slow breathing helps & i find that my thighs are one of the less painful places to inject.

What size needles are you using?

 

[HOBIE]

When i was about 11 & the school nurse was dishing out injections at school (prob hundereds) she was busy talking to someone else in the room & i grabed her arm & told her to do it proper like 😱 She got the shock of her life 😱 After 47yrs (T1) i tend to hold my breath if i am not happy with someone. 🙂

 

[Casper]

I am a total coward when it comes to injections and even pricking my finger is a big thing for me, although I have had to get used to it. I have friend who is a dentist and she suggested that I try breathing out when pricking my finger. She says that it helps with injections too as you cannot tense up when you are breathing out. I think it helps but would be interested to hear from others who try it. 🙂

How strange - I have been to the dentist this morning, as she injected the anaesthetic, she said calmly, breathe through your nose, deeply. Also when drilling 🙂eek🙂 she encouraged by saying to breathe slowly, but through my nose.

It worked!

 

[trophywench]

It's the breathe through the nose bit I have trouble with, because I often can't!

Must remember to use my nasal spray before I go on Friday, LOL