Needle Phobia
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: East Anglia.
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When I was at school the jabs were done with a scaffold pole, now, the needles are so fine they are hardly felt. No problem with them....my phobia is with dentists...evil ogres.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
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Avitor... watch what you say about toothwrights. I suggested that mine was a witch so she stuffed that air-blower gadget in my ear and nearly blew my head off. Her recommendation was to always stay friendly with police and your dentist!!!
Oh Shazbat!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Leeds, UK
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I've fainted a few times when I've had needles (which is potentially stopping me from getting my class 1 according to the caa till i can prove I've over come the problem)
Other than "getting balls" (frankly it takes some balls to sit there with someone getting ready with a needle trying not to think about it all), does anyone know of a course of action here that has helped anyone else?
Thanks
Psychophysiological entity
I have a pal-40+ years flying, and he fairly swooooooons as the needle approaches. Funny the meds should think this odd.
DON'T READ THIS IF YOU'RE SQUEAMISH
I past colleague had a recurring inflammation of the eye. He had to sit in a chair while a nurse approached with the cortisone loaded needle. Yep, right into the middle of the eye.
He said to her, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to let you do this." But it seems he must have plucked up courage.
DON'T READ THIS IF YOU'RE SQUEAMISH
I past colleague had a recurring inflammation of the eye. He had to sit in a chair while a nurse approached with the cortisone loaded needle. Yep, right into the middle of the eye.
He said to her, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to let you do this." But it seems he must have plucked up courage.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In the boot of my car!
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It is not just needles some people are petrified of having their BP taken or other tests done and the Doctor finding something wrong.
In the case of pilots it could be fear of loosing a licence and hence job or income.
In non pilots fear of loosing their health or fear that they have something wrong and the doctor confirming those buried fears.
Many of these fears go back to childhood. So needles, a blood pressure cuff, an ECG even a hospital smell can drive the fear of god into many.
Pace
In the case of pilots it could be fear of loosing a licence and hence job or income.
In non pilots fear of loosing their health or fear that they have something wrong and the doctor confirming those buried fears.
Many of these fears go back to childhood. So needles, a blood pressure cuff, an ECG even a hospital smell can drive the fear of god into many.
Pace
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: australia
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If it's the thought of the injection then you are going to have to see a therapist (if it's become that much of a phobia).
Otherwise, grab yourself some Emla cream (pharmacist only medication). Just apply a nice layer, leave for sixty mins or so under an occlusive dressing and hey presto- you won't feel a thing (unless its a very large needle
)
I use it all the time, especially on the "little ones", as long as it's not an emergency presentation
Enjoy!
Otherwise, grab yourself some Emla cream (pharmacist only medication). Just apply a nice layer, leave for sixty mins or so under an occlusive dressing and hey presto- you won't feel a thing (unless its a very large needle
)I use it all the time, especially on the "little ones", as long as it's not an emergency presentation
Enjoy!
I am SLF
I have had a serious Needle phobia sinse childhood.
Mainly due to Dental problems combined with heavy Bleeding, so every extraction needing Stiches as well.
I dont mind the sight of blood mine or anybody elses.
The problem became worst while in the RAF.
On one occasion I had to have 7 injections to remove one tooth,
Dentist stopped half way through sent me back to the waiting room , tooth half out .while he finised with other Patients!!!!
Got so bad I had to take Tranqualisers to even sit in the chair for an Examination.
The Navy came to my rescue while stationed in Gibraltar, they set up a
full blown exercise and did a full extraction,I was knocked out for three days!!
Boy was it worth it though.
Many years have passed and I still have a great fear of the needle
I recently had to have a small Biopsy on a "Place" on my finger, I was panicked.
I told the staff of my Phobia at my local Surgery where they were going to do it.
TAKE HEART ALL YE WHO FEAR!!!!!
They were fantastic. went through the whole deal and hardly felt the needle for the "Local" .
Chatting to the Doc afterwards I mentioned I have come to the Conclusion that the main problem is the ANTICIPATION of a repeat of earlier problems.
(My cat has drawn blood on quite a few occasions with Claws/Teeth, doesn't bother me at all, !!!!!)
What I found also helped was to clench my fist so hard to create a "counter pain" during the actual injection.
Bit long winded I know, but hope it might help.
I have had a serious Needle phobia sinse childhood.
Mainly due to Dental problems combined with heavy Bleeding, so every extraction needing Stiches as well.
I dont mind the sight of blood mine or anybody elses.
The problem became worst while in the RAF.
On one occasion I had to have 7 injections to remove one tooth,
Dentist stopped half way through sent me back to the waiting room , tooth half out .while he finised with other Patients!!!!
Got so bad I had to take Tranqualisers to even sit in the chair for an Examination.
The Navy came to my rescue while stationed in Gibraltar, they set up a
full blown exercise and did a full extraction,I was knocked out for three days!!
Boy was it worth it though.
Many years have passed and I still have a great fear of the needle
I recently had to have a small Biopsy on a "Place" on my finger, I was panicked.
I told the staff of my Phobia at my local Surgery where they were going to do it.
TAKE HEART ALL YE WHO FEAR!!!!!
They were fantastic. went through the whole deal and hardly felt the needle for the "Local" .
Chatting to the Doc afterwards I mentioned I have come to the Conclusion that the main problem is the ANTICIPATION of a repeat of earlier problems.
(My cat has drawn blood on quite a few occasions with Claws/Teeth, doesn't bother me at all, !!!!!)
What I found also helped was to clench my fist so hard to create a "counter pain" during the actual injection.
Bit long winded I know, but hope it might help.
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needle phobias arent trivial but are usually solved.
Try deep breathing, and dont think about the needle at all piror to the appointment, use distraction techniques. That is think about anything other than the needle.
If the matter is so serious that you are likely to be in deep anxiety prior to the test, then try some chinese remedies... (dont knock mit they work) for anxiety. If the anxiety is still incapacitating your doctor can prescribe some valium in small doses which should do the trick
Try deep breathing, and dont think about the needle at all piror to the appointment, use distraction techniques. That is think about anything other than the needle.
If the matter is so serious that you are likely to be in deep anxiety prior to the test, then try some chinese remedies... (dont knock mit they work) for anxiety. If the anxiety is still incapacitating your doctor can prescribe some valium in small doses which should do the trick
I'm very interested to see if the idea of holding a pin in the other hand would distract the focus of your attention, anyone have experience with this?
When going through secondary school I wanted to be a doctor, I used to be fascinated by all things medical and gore wasn't a problem. I used to donate blood and chat with the nurse as she put the needle in and I would watch, when I had an operation on my ankle I asked to a local to be able to observe the procedure. Over years I've become more and more squeamish (through no apparent trauma or event, strangely) to the point where I feel very nervous sat waiting for an injection and would think twice about giving blood again. Quite glad I'm on the way to commercial avaition now, [hopefully!] no blood and guts involved.
I like Loose Rivets' idea, I might focus on that when I have the final part of my root canal filling done on Tuesday
When going through secondary school I wanted to be a doctor, I used to be fascinated by all things medical and gore wasn't a problem. I used to donate blood and chat with the nurse as she put the needle in and I would watch, when I had an operation on my ankle I asked to a local to be able to observe the procedure. Over years I've become more and more squeamish (through no apparent trauma or event, strangely) to the point where I feel very nervous sat waiting for an injection and would think twice about giving blood again. Quite glad I'm on the way to commercial avaition now, [hopefully!] no blood and guts involved.
I like Loose Rivets' idea, I might focus on that when I have the final part of my root canal filling done on Tuesday
Here's one for the phobics....you want to try some sub-conjunctival injections.
Had about six or seven in total over a ten year period into the white of the eye. Unfortunately not possible to "look the other way" (for obvious reasons).
I can't tell you what a lot of fun that was.
Can someone pick Nathaniel up off the floor please?
Had about six or seven in total over a ten year period into the white of the eye. Unfortunately not possible to "look the other way" (for obvious reasons).
I can't tell you what a lot of fun that was.
Can someone pick Nathaniel up off the floor please?
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Behind a dusty desk, and in some really hot, dusty, wet and cold places subject to who is paying the bill. But mostly Gods own land.
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I was fortunate enough many years to meet a sympathetic medic who got me over my fear of injection… I fell over at the sight of them, not so good.
He suggested,
1st, tell the medic/doctor etc that you are frightened of needles, most will then treat you with a little more care as it is not in their interest to pick people off the floor.
What they will normally do then is hold the bottle of “stuff” in their hands for a few moments more, part of the fear process is that because the liquid is fridge cold you can feel the temperature difference as the liquid goes in, not so much the needle.
2nd, make a little teapot position and face away from you torturer…ok for those of you who don’t follow, place the injection arm hand on your waist, it stops you from tensing your arm and face away from the nice person with the sharp needle, this helps you not get anxious about being stabbed as you cant see it coming.
3rd, the, hopefully helpful doc/medic will not touch you, part of the apprehension is that people expect to be injected when they are touched, so a good medical person will not touch you, but using a highly skilled technique somewhat similar to a darts wrist action will jab you quickly.
It helped me I hope it helps others.
Miles
He suggested,
1st, tell the medic/doctor etc that you are frightened of needles, most will then treat you with a little more care as it is not in their interest to pick people off the floor.
What they will normally do then is hold the bottle of “stuff” in their hands for a few moments more, part of the fear process is that because the liquid is fridge cold you can feel the temperature difference as the liquid goes in, not so much the needle.
2nd, make a little teapot position and face away from you torturer…ok for those of you who don’t follow, place the injection arm hand on your waist, it stops you from tensing your arm and face away from the nice person with the sharp needle, this helps you not get anxious about being stabbed as you cant see it coming.
3rd, the, hopefully helpful doc/medic will not touch you, part of the apprehension is that people expect to be injected when they are touched, so a good medical person will not touch you, but using a highly skilled technique somewhat similar to a darts wrist action will jab you quickly.
It helped me I hope it helps others.
Miles
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I developed a fear of needles when I was about 13 when I had to have regular blood tests due to some pills I had to take for my eczema which back in those days was quite bad. They gave me Emla cream to put on my arm which acts like a local anaesthetic and numbs the area they want to take blood from. 11yrs on and I still use it when i'm having a blood test. 
Dan:
I don't think I have a 'phobia' about needles, but I hate the darn things. I dread having fluids either withdrawn from me or stuck into me.
I have spent most of my career flying in war relief, and most wars take place in rat hole countries that require a zillion vaccinations prior to entry. I'm also over 40, and maintain a JAA medical, which means that every time I show up for a renewal, they draw blood.
I've come to an understanding with the staff at the medical center - the deal is this: I get to lie down (rather than sit down) when they do their stuff with the needle, and they keep the needle out of sight both before and after they do their business. The staff at the medical center are very gracious about this, although they do get a chuckle out of the fact that I have, during my career, been shot down with a missile, hijacked, shelled, taxied over a land mine, and all sorts of other stuff like that - and don't seem to mind it, and keep going back to work in such environments - but can't stand the needles at the medical center every 6 months.
So, don't worry about it. As you have already discovered from reading earlier responses, you are not the only person out there who dislikes needles.
I don't think I have a 'phobia' about needles, but I hate the darn things. I dread having fluids either withdrawn from me or stuck into me.
I have spent most of my career flying in war relief, and most wars take place in rat hole countries that require a zillion vaccinations prior to entry. I'm also over 40, and maintain a JAA medical, which means that every time I show up for a renewal, they draw blood.
I've come to an understanding with the staff at the medical center - the deal is this: I get to lie down (rather than sit down) when they do their stuff with the needle, and they keep the needle out of sight both before and after they do their business. The staff at the medical center are very gracious about this, although they do get a chuckle out of the fact that I have, during my career, been shot down with a missile, hijacked, shelled, taxied over a land mine, and all sorts of other stuff like that - and don't seem to mind it, and keep going back to work in such environments - but can't stand the needles at the medical center every 6 months.
So, don't worry about it. As you have already discovered from reading earlier responses, you are not the only person out there who dislikes needles.
