Last edited Tue Dec 1, 2020, 10:13 AM - Edit history (1)

It started as an infant. Pediatrician used the same needle on countless "patients" as it was the late 50s. (He sterilized them I'm sure, but the tip became blunter with each use -- and that hurt.) As I became a young child, my doctor tried to fool me into injections by giving them a euphemistic name as a "click-click." It didn't fool me or my nerve endings. It got so bad that during one visit, I grabbed my mother's purse, ran through the waiting room, out the door, to the car, and locked it. My mother couldn't extract me as I had her car keys. (She enticed me out by offering me a nickel and I sold out.)

Later, as an adolescent, I developed cystic acne, which on occasion required a numbing shot of an agent prior to another injection of cortisone to reduce the size of the cyst. The injection was in my upper face, lower than and to the side of my eye. I practically had to be tied down to the table. My dermatologist first sprayed something that I was told would somewhat reduce the pain of the first injection by "freezing" the nerve endings. It didn't completely work. I'm guessing this happened at least 10 times. The cyst was painful enough without an injection.

2020: I now extend my arm without blinking for flu shots, blood work, etc. Fortunately for me, I guess that there has been progress in training phlebotomists, doctors' assistants, and pharmacists. When I reflect on my past, I know I'm accurately remembering the pain and the trauma. It WAS bad. But -- as I've been a "player" during my decades and have had experienced incredible pain relative to the injection pains, the shots really aren't that bad IMO.

I start to scream before the needle touches me.

I used to have trouble with injections and blood draws. I'd get nauseous and either pass out or have to lower my head to keep from passing out.

But nowadays, it doesn't bother me. I honestly think it's the smaller needles and well train nurses and lab techs. When to doc the other day, had three injections and a long blood draw. Barely felt them, even had to ask if that was it.

There is actually a reaction that may be responsible, and your mother's condition could have something to do with it --

"However, needle-phobes aren't keeling over because they're wimps or scardey-cats. "They've inherited a genetic predisposition to fainting combined with a negative experience that triggers the fear," explains Antony."

"A majority of needle-phobes have a parent, sibling or child with the condition, and many have inherited what's called a vasovagal reflex in response to fear. When they see a needle or get a shot, this triggers the vagus nerve, which widens blood vessels, slows heart rate, and drops blood pressure. Ultimately, they may lose consciousness often for a couple of seconds."

https://www.nbcnews.com/healthmain/afraid-needles-why-some-faint-very-sight-1C6437247

Sorry for the "needle-phobes" characterization, because I know it is real.

Just like those drawing blood from me scare me.

I want them vaccinated immediately.

It sounds like it could be trypanophobia. Here’s a write-up on it that includes possible solutions. I hope it helps.

https://www.healthline.com/health/trypanophobia

Phobias are hard for other people to understand. Others may try to use logic to convince you it’s not real, but if it’s real to you, it’s real. The first person I met with a phobia had a fear of cats, and if she even saw one, she flew into a blind panic. At first, I thought she was irrational, but I learned that it’s a medical condition, and telling someone not to be phobic is about as effective as telling someone in a wheelchair to get up and walk.

Please look into solutions. Don’t just try to grit your teeth and bear it. Good luck.

Vasovagal syncope is the real issue. But I’ve never figured out how to DEAL with it. I mean, you faint and fall on the floor and THEN they take you seriously? The desensitization doesn’t seem to work for me.

I had a colonoscopy several months ago and the young woman who put the IV in my arm was astounded by the fact that I almost blacked out. Shouldn’t that be medical knowledge 1.01?

Can't even watch when it is shown in movies!

But I used to let my wife practice inserting IVs when we were a young couple and she was moving about the hospital in different RN roles. She got really good really fast!

I’m 61 years old and my whole life I’ve been waiting for medical science to address this. Microderm needles, etc. ARE possible, and there has been advancement in transdermal patches.

Wouldn’t it make sense to seriously consider these types of delivery with the massive need for COVID?

Love her dearly.....BUT...

Growing up, we spent literally thousands of extra dollars for dentistry because she was terrified of the novocaine injection. Vaccinations were a nightmare!

Fast forward to her 18th birthday.

First stop?

Tattoo Parlor for some "ink"!

Grrrrrr....

I’ve used sedation (halcion) for a root canal. Worked great and was two pills less than $10.