help please! getting blood drawn later for the first time.

[Cailey]

so I sound like a wimp, but whatever.
I have a crazy fear of needles (and blood kind of) and yet I have a half sleeve tattoo which I did fine with.. why cailey why

but I need advice/tips or just in general wanna know how bad it really is...
I'm just really nervous.

I went into urgent care yesterday after experiencing some symptoms for a few days and to spare you all the details, they think I have either anemia or diabetes (awesome) which is why I need some "lab work" done...

* I get some people do these things a lot and it's a piece of cake but you have to understand I've always been fairly healthy and am very afraid of needles so this is strange and nerve racking for me.​

 

[reyy]

its not that bad unless the doctors are bad!!
i have a condition that makes me go to the doctors every half year to make sure im not like
Dying (TM)
and they draw blood and stuff
the nurses are great and i never feel a thing, and you probably wont either
but if i end up in the hospital and its bc my condition is kicking up
god, 8 year old me was right to thrash and scream because it felt like Sat an it self was digging a knife into my arm

itll be fine tho! dont squirm, thatll make it worse and think about happy stuff i guess lmao

 

[tae]

i used to have this problem, until i join the medical field and we have to use our own bodies / friends to practice on.
tell them you're a little uncomfortable and they'll explain the procedure and it'll be over before you know it.

+ i suggest bringing in headphones to listen to music.
+ don't look at the needle. while they prep the station, just look around the room, or at something on your phone.
+ just breathe. :') you'll be okay.

i'm sure your phlebotomist will be skilled and even if they're taking a full rainbow it'll go by quick.

 

[reyy]

i used to have this problem, until i join the medical field and we have to use our own bodies / friends to practice on.
tell them you're a little uncomfortable and they'll explain the procedure and it'll be over before you know it.

+ i suggest bringing in headphones to listen to music.
+ don't look at the needle. while they prep the station, just look around the room, or at something on your phone.
+ just breathe. :') you'll be okay.

i'm sure your phlebotomist will be skilled and even if they're taking a full rainbow it'll go by quick.

what they said!!
music is really helpful :3c
you'll be okay, i know it! :3c

 

[Kittyinpink87]

oh i'm so sorry to hear that!
i just hope you get a good nurse, i think that's what makes a big difference.
good luck baby!

 

[seliph]

Eat before you go, every time I don't eat before I go I end up almost passing out

Also if someone can go with you, bring them along and just ask them to talk with you about unrelated stuff through the whole thing. I usually bring my mom and she talks with me and we look at pictures of puppies

 

[Reindeer]

Tell the aide that it's your first time and you're nervous, I'm sure they'll try to keep you talking to them. You won't be the first person to tell them that you're nervous. Don't look at what they are doing and try to keep your mind focused on something else, that's also why them talking to you would be helpful. Keep yourself as relaxed as possible, and it will be over quick.

I'm fine with needles and blood, but I'm not comfortable with the thought of my blood being drawn, so I always end up a bit lightheaded afterwards. But even so, having gone through it so often now, I don't think it's as bad as people often imagine before they go.

 

[Alienfish]

If you have low blood pressure like me and are of those passing out on the chair... Ask if you can have coffee or something to eat afterwards, usually they can offer coffee/whatever drink and maybe a sandwich for you.

Also, in general, don't look at the needle, get your thoughts elsewhere and ask if you can bring music

 

[KarlaKGB]

just close ur eyes and think about something nice

 

[tae]

If you have low blood pressure like me and are of those passing out on the chair... Ask if you can have coffee or something to eat afterwards, usually they can offer coffee/whatever drink and maybe a sandwich for you.

Also, in general, don't look at the needle, get your thoughts elsewhere and ask if you can bring music

good idea on the drink/ food afterwards but not coffee. coffee will dehydrate you more. they'll likely offer her water or orange juice. and as for foods, look towards something kinda salty. when you go for blood donations they always offer salty snacks to help you replenish the loss of the donation.

 

[tobi!]

I have donated blood a few times. I honestly just close my eyes and try my hardest not to move at all.

Also, don't forget to eat and drink.

 

[Alienfish]

good idea on the drink/ food afterwards but not coffee. coffee will dehydrate you more. they'll likely offer her water or orange juice. and as for foods, look towards something kinda salty. when you go for blood donations they always offer salty snacks to help you replenish the loss of the donation.

Good point, they asked if I wanted coffee though cause it was still kind of morning hours..But yeah I don't get dehydrated too easily so it was just so I got my bloods going again.

Also yes, salt.

 

[sej]

I have never had a blood test before, but I would say to not look at the needle, it always makes needles worse!
Good luck! I'm positive it will be fine! <3

 

[Cailey]

thank you everyone for your advice and words on this <3
I'm definitely still a bit nauseas and nervous thinking about it but you all have helped me quite a bit already ~

 

[Alienfish]

thank you everyone for your advice and words on this <3
I'm definitely still a bit nauseas and nervous thinking about it but you all have helped me quite a bit already ~

Yeah I'm always super nervous when I actually have to take 'em. I hate getting that thing tucked in (I can take shots with no problems but this is just. no no).

Good luck ^_^

 

[Mariah]

I've gotten blood tests nine times in the past year. Just hope you don't have a vasovagal response. Ask them to use a butterfly needle. You can't even feel it. It doesn't take long at all for the blood to come out, but sometimes they take many tubes. I've had up to seven.

 

[Paperboy012305]

Don't worry about everything! I had to take one last week. I was a little worried but i'm used to needles so it didn't really hurt. Just look away and think of what you like. Thinking or looking at it will just give you a horrible feeling to your belly and possibly pass out. Just think of something nice, don't look directly into your blood flowing up into the needle and you'll be all right.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Plus, after I took it I felt so relieved because of it being over and SO EASY!

 

[Contessa]

It's not as scary as it sounds! If suggest looking away from it while it's happening. It all comes down to a good nurse. I've had to have it done a couple times pretty recently. Only once have I had it take a long time due to the nurse (who was unable to find my vein) other than that it takes barley any time. I'm terrified of needles but it's not as bad as it sounds.

 

[skout]

I've had some bad experiences so I totally understand your fear. Blood tests are a part of life though and they have to be done so I just kind of dealt with it until it stopped scaring me so much. It's really not that bad if you try to think of other things while they do it.

 

[Crash]

i have a ton of medical issues (one of which being anemia actually) and food allergies, so I used to get blood drawn alllll the time. I was really nervous at first, but as long as your nurse is good, you'll be fine, it'll be over before you know it! that's the best way I can think of to get through it tbh -- it's over fast and then you'll be laughing at yourself for worrying. :>
& definitely drink water afterwards as well like everyone's said, that's very important.​