In need of some help

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Alan221

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Type 1
Hello folks,

I've been visiting the site but not posting recently. I thought things were going OK until my blood test for my HbA1c this morning. I'm needle-phobic (oh the irony) and I find it traumatic to have to go through the procedure, but I know it has to be done. Anyway, this morning was not good. The nurse couldn't get any blood. She dug around for ages and I felt it all. My wife was there as always and I was in tears asking for her to make it stop. It's taken me about an hour to calm down. Does anyone else have this problem, or know of any way I can make it easier?
 
hi Alan i am the exact same as you , The nurse actually cant take bloods from me the GP has to do it , no idea why as he always manages to get it whereas she does not, one time she even sent me to the local hospital with 2 test tubes and i had to have it done there by the Phlebotomist which was a pain , The strategy i use is simple before i take my coat off i say right im terrified of this and i ask one thing of you , will you keep me talking and that then takes my mind of it, or maybe just close your eyes and think of kittens...or whatever makes you go to a happy place.. taking your wife must be of comfort it is always better to have some one there to hold your hand then being alone x
 
Hi Alan

At my hospital the diabetic clinic give you a small bottle for HBA1C that only requires finger prick blood. Is it worth checking whether this is available at your hospital?
 
I try that, the ladies there are all specialists and very understanding. I've been there a few times and always tell them what a 'big girl' I am. Cheryl always holds my hand (and I squeeze it to death) and talks to me. She watches and tells me it's nearly over etc - but I still find it so very very frightening. There really is nothing more terrifying for me and it doesn't get easier the more I do it. After this morning the likelihood of me trying again is fast approaching zero.
 
Hi Alan

Sorry to hear about your experiences this morning.

I work in a place where blood is taken from research volunteers (not started doing it myself yet), and have been on the receiving end of research and clincial blood tests. There is a general understanding that the blood taker tries not more than 3 times and then stops, before handing over to someone more experienced. What site was the nurse using? Your dominant arm elbow is usually the easiest site to access. If anyone does identify a good vein, then remember its location and point it out to anyone who takes blood from you in the future. What needle was she using? Short "butterfly" needles are usually the least painful. Finally, it is possible to use local anaesthetic, either EMLA cream (which takes some time to take effect) or injected (which is sore when going in, but if put in the right place, will prevent pain when the vein needle is inserted.) Even with anaesthetic, you will still feel pushing / pulling type sensations, but not pain. Finally, you can express your opinion about frequency of blood taking - and request that if anyone does get a needle in, they take all possible samples at the time. Taking blood for HbA1c one week, then cholesterol next week, for example, would not be good practice.
 
AJL, i'll ask when i see the consultant next week. The reason for the 'full' blood test is, i think, because he is checking the liver and kidney functions (i was on dialysis when diagnosed).
 
yeah Alan it can make us feel very dispondant stress levle go through the roof and they always so to me dont be so tense im like er your about to stick something in my arm or where ever that terrifes me how do you expect me to feel.

i found these suggested things that people have mentioned on other forums

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) ? both similar ?talking? therapies that help a person to think differently whilst using behavioural exposure to the fear.

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) ?that involves the person thinking of their fear whilst tapping on meridian points on their body. Although this sounds quite unusual it is very effective in treating fears and phobias.

Hypnosis ? despite how hypnosis is presented in the media, it is a very safe therapy where the client has full control throughout the session. This therapy is once again very helpful in treating phobias quite rapidly

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) has developed several techniques that have been found to be very successful in treat phobias. Sometimes these techniques maybe used in combination with more formal hypnosis however they can also be used separately.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another therapy that has proven to be very successful in treating phobias. A person is asked to thinking about a specific aspect of their fear whilst using bi-lateral stimulation. This may involve the client moving their eyes back and forth or the use of alternate taps on the back of the hand or listening to alternate sounds played through head phones. This helps the brain to reprocess their fear and helps the person to feel relaxed when confronted by the fear.
 
Copepod, this shows how much i dislike the process - just reading your reply made me feel light-headed and quesy. I have no idea what needles they use as i can't even look at them. I use the Emla cream and it helps a little. I felt her try 4 times (Cheryl confirmed it). I don't blame the nurse at all, it's me that's the problem and i'm sure it's all physcological.
 
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I have to scoot to work now, I'll try and log on again there. Thank you for your advice.
 
Hi Alan

Sorry, wasn't trying to make you feel queezy, just give practical advice. As you reckon it's a psychological issue, then definitely worth asking your GP about psychological therapies, as listed by Steff (not all may be available in your area, and some may have long waiting lists) and / or prescribing a tablet to take the night before or on the morning of a planned blood test. If you do find someone or a specific blod taking technique that works for you, then worth remembering and insisting for future blood tests - and make you you have a few "insertions" as possible, with as many blood tubes taken as possible / appropriate each time. But don't look to count, not that it sounds like you would!
 
Thanks again for the advice folks. I'm seeing the consultant next Thursday. I'll tell him what happened - he already knows about my needle issues, and see what he says.
 
Alan, this may be way off base and I know you didn't really ask about this...But I do know that one of the youngsters -- Mand's son? -- was partly placed on the pump because of a real problem with needles. Does your phobia cause problems with injections or are you already on a pump?

Cognitive behavioural therapy can work *really* well. This may be worth a go because this is obviously so distressing for you and affecting your quality of life -- and ultimately, your health.

You have my sympathies.
 
One of the things that got me through was having children. I hated taking the eldest for injections, but realised if he could cope with it, so could I.

I know it is difficult if you have a real phobia but can't offer any more suggestions than those already offered. You are not alone, I have another friend who can't even use a glucose meter because he has a terror of needles.
 
Caroline Wilson said:
One of the things that got me through was having children. I hated taking the eldest for injections, but realised if he could cope with it, so could I.

I know it is difficult if you have a real phobia but can't offer any more suggestions than those already offered. You are not alone, I have another friend who can't even use a glucose meter because he has a terror of needles.
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thats A REALLY good point caroline i never even looked at it that way if my 8 yr old can sit there and get through it why cant i.
 
Hi Alan ...

I'm sorry to hear you have had such a traumatic experience this morning .. Nathan was/is still very much needle phobic on a massive scale ... to the point about 12 mths before his diagnosis he was admitted to hospital for strep - meningitis and it took the hospital team 5 hrs to take blood and insert a canula...

Fortunately the clinic when taking HbA1c only need a finger prick sample of blood .. But for the annual test that need significantly more, they use a freezing spray on the arm site before hand ... they have also used a combination of spray and EMLA cream .. which I do believe can be bought from chemists or given on prescription .. When Nathan requires his flu vaccination I have to make sure we have a bag of ice ready to take and he will sit with it on his arm before hand.

Heidi
xx🙂
 
Oops sorry Heidi I was confusing you with Mand for a minute! It's Nathan who is similar to Alan at the mo' -- how difficult and upsetting! How do you manage injections, or is it not the same?
 
Hi Alan,

Really sorry to hear about your experience - I had a nurse manage to collapse a vein once poking around - YIKES!!! 😱

The breakthrough for me was when they stopped pretending I would not feel anything & started saying "sharp scratch" just as the needle went in - I was prepared & not taken by surprise. I also find having the arm properly supported & focussing carefully on whatever drawings / pictures I can see (on the opposite side!!) helps...not sure if that's much help to you?!

You have my sympathy though - when I was in hospital with pre eclampsia I'd swollen so much even the professional vampires were having trouble finding veins - I went home from hospital black & blue! :( Not fun. Hope your consultant can help! 🙂
 
Patricia said:
Oops sorry Heidi I was confusing you with Mand for a minute! It's Nathan who is similar to Alan at the mo' -- how difficult and upsetting! How do you manage injections, or is it not the same?
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Hi Patricia ..

Yes it can be difficult .. because Nathan goes hysterical .. his veins collapse making it virtually impossible for the drawing of blood ... 😡 ... However what I cannot understand is he has no problem taking his insulin ... :confused: ... parlty I think it is because he is in control of the situation and as Nathan says its not the same feeling as it is'nt going in where it hurts ..

Heidi
xx🙂
 
sasha1 said:
... parlty I think it is because he is in control of the situation and as Nathan says its not the same feeling as it is'nt going in where it hurts ..
xx🙂
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I can relate to that! I will quite happily (well, you know what I mean!) jab myself up to 10 times a day as necessary, but tell me I'm due a flu jab....😱 I'm fairly convinced most diabetics are (have to be?!) control freaks to some degree! (I'm also a really bad passenger, but that's another story! :D)
 
Hi Alan. I know exactly how you feel as I am the same - I hate the 6 monthly ones as they always take a lot and I mostly pass out.....

However, after my last traumatic experience at the local hospital I asked my GP's if I could go elswehere to have it done (the nurse who did it told me that at the other hospital she works at they have leather recliners and music playing....) and I'm sure half my problem is a) the conditions at my local hospital and b) the fact that I manage to wind myself up about it days beforehand so by the time I'm actually there I'm almost passing out at the thought of it. Anyhow, my practice nurse said she would do it this time which she did. She knows what I am like (I always tell anyone who comes near me with a sharp pointy thing that I'm phobic) and I have to say it was quick and painless. I had no sharp scratch (whether she used a smaller needle I have no idea) and I even managed to get up from the bed straightaway and stand up - which for me is no mean feat!

Sorry for rambling - I guess what I am suggesting is that you maybe go somewhere different for your next one and try and get an appointment for first thing in the morning - I find that helps too - less chance of having to wait when they run behind. It certainly worked for me.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.
 
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