+- oFear - Anxiety and Phobia Forum (http://www.ofear.com)
+-- Forum: List of Phobias (/f-list-of-phobias)
+--- Forum: Needle Phobia (/f-needle-phobia)
+--- Thread: Please help me!!!! (/t-please-help-me--4505)
Pages: 1 2
Please help me!!!! - kj3152 - 06-07-2007 02:51 AM
Hello, my name is Kirsty and i need some advice or info, I'm a needle phobic
i have to have a lumbar puncture and i can not even put into words how scared i am, i have no idea what the procedure involves, other than the fact that there is a needle involved.
Please if anyone has any advice i would be most grateful, thanks.
Kirsty x
Re: Please help me!!!! - Ana - 06-07-2007 03:07 AM
kj3152 Wrote:Hello, my name is Kirsty and i need some advice or info, I'm a needle phobic
i have to have a lumbar puncture and i can not even put into words how scared i am, i have no idea what the procedure involves, other than the fact that there is a needle involved.
Please if anyone has any advice i would be most grateful, thanks.
Kirsty x
Hi Kirsty.
First off maybe you should read a little about Lumbar Punctures/Spinal Taps. By knowing more about it, you'll understand and know what to expect.
Here's a page that explains Lumbar Punctures well...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbar_puncture">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbar_puncture</a><!-- m -->
Once you have read this I'm sure you'll feel a little better.
My brother, who is also has a needle phobia, had a spinal tap a few years back. He was terrified and ended up trying to excape the room. In the end, once it was over and done with, he told me it wasn't as bad as he'd expected. Just remeber when we're afraid of something we make it seem worse than it is going to be. So, it probably won't be as bad as you expect it to be.
The only other thing is suggest is read the information and post your concerns here. Then, hopefully you can discus them here before you go to the doctors. Hopefully talking about your fear will make it easier on you!
Take care and try not to worry about it!
- Jonnyjonny_uk - 06-07-2007 04:04 AM
Hi Kirsty,
I am still in the process of getting the needle phobia specialist to come online and answer questions and this would be an excellent oppurtunity for you to find answers to your questions. Unfortunately his email inbox is not accepting emails at present and this is holding things up but hopefully soon I can get in contact with him and you can get some valuable information.
Welcome to the forums
John
- Issy - 06-09-2007 06:26 AM
Can't you be sedated ?
I know that will involve a Needle - but u can have Numbing Cream,so u won't feel it going in.
Also could u have numbing cream on ur back,before they inject the Local Anesthetic ?
? - Rick61701 - 06-09-2007 02:31 PM
kj3152,
This seems to be the question I ask everyone on this forum, but I'll ask you too. Have you considered hypnotherapy to help you get over this fear, and make the procedure as quick and painless as possible?
Rick
- kj3152 - 06-10-2007 01:27 AM
Thank you all so much for your help!
The problem i face is not necessarily the pain but the needle itself, i tried numbing creams when i went to have blood taken, but i still freaked out!
I am seriously considering hypnotherapy for the future, but i don't think i have enough time before i have the procedure next week for it to be beneficial.
I'm really afraid, just typing about it makes my stomach turn!!!
- Issy - 06-10-2007 02:59 AM
kj3152 Wrote:Thank you all so much for your help!
The problem i face is not necessarily the pain but the needle itself, i tried numbing creams when i went to have blood taken, but i still freaked out!
I am seriously considering hypnotherapy for the future, but i don't think i have enough time before i have the procedure next week for it to be beneficial.
I'm really afraid, just typing about it makes my stomach turn!!!
Aww i feel for you. I am the same way with Blood Tests - even with numbing cream i get hysterical.
I had hypnotherapy 2 days before my driving test ( 2 hour session ) & i passed. So it can work amazingly well
I know that was different, but maybe you'd only need 1 session ?
Have u considered being 'put to sleep' ?
kj3152 - Rick61701 - 06-10-2007 06:25 AM
Where do you live? If you can find a local certified hypnotherapist, and they can fit you into their schedule, it will help you alot. Sometimes you can have a session right before your apt. and everything will be fine.
Rick
- kj3152 - 06-13-2007 08:56 AM
Just thought i would let you know, that i have booked a session with a hypnotherapist tomorrow and my appointment is FRIDAY (AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!!); I need to do something, i couldn't sleep.
Thanks for the advice i'll let you know how it goes.
- Rick61701 - 06-13-2007 09:48 AM
Wonderful Kj3152 !!!!!
I work with every client on proper sleep. Even if that's not why they come to me. It is soooo very important for you health. Did you get the contact info from the NGH???
Rick
- Jonnyjonny_uk - 06-13-2007 06:43 PM
kj3152 Wrote:Just thought i would let you know, that i have booked a session with a hypnotherapist tomorrow and my appointment is FRIDAY (AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!!); I need to do something, i couldn't sleep.
Thanks for the advice i'll let you know how it goes.
Thats great news you have decided to do something about it and we all hope it goes well for you. It will be nice to hear how things go.
Good luck.
- Ana - 06-14-2007 09:15 PM
kj3152 Wrote:Just thought i would let you know, that i have booked a session with a hypnotherapist tomorrow and my appointment is FRIDAY (AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!!); I need to do something, i couldn't sleep.
Thanks for the advice i'll let you know how it goes.
I'm glad to hear you made an appointment!
Let us know how it went!
- Jonnyjonny_uk - 06-16-2007 05:49 AM
Well Kj's appointment was today and im wondering how it went for her? Hopefully it went well and we hear from her soon!!
- kj3152 - 06-19-2007 11:36 PM
Well i have four words.....THANK G-D IT'S OVER!!!!!!!
I have always, until recently, been ashamed of my phobia, it has been something that i have tried to hide and is made worse by the fact that every medical treatment i have had to endure, has been by myself. Friday was no different, i hate being by myself but i just can't be with people that i know.
Here was how my day went: -
I tried the relaxation techniques that was given to me by the hypnotherapist, and it worked, i managed to walk from the park (my peaceful place, as it was called), to the hospital. As i walked into the reception area, i started to feel anxious and could feel myself getting worked up. I tried the relaxtion technique again, picturing my peaceful place, and again it worked, it worked right until i signed my name in the waiting room, and then that was it, it didn't work, i sat there shaking and nothing could take my mind away from what was about ot happen. The nurse behind the counter came to speak to me, she was lovely and told me to just take five minutes outside and collect my head and come back in a minute. I was lucky that the treatment was private, the NHS would not have done that. When i went outside, i was really considering not going back in, i tried the relaxation technique and again it worked, i slowly walked back up to the reception the nurse told me they were ready when i was. The doctor came out and asked if i was ready to go in, and after hesitation, i agreed and follwed the doctor, why are they always male and young and cute, when you know you're going to freak out. He was really understanding and said that we could take it slowly and step by step, the tears and my constant shaking must have told him that was a little afraid. He talked through what was about to happen, and gave me a robe, i got changed and lied on the bed, they moved me down the corridor into a 'pre-op' room. By now i was crying uncontrollably and couldn't stop shaking, i felt sick to my stomach. He asked me to move to my side and then came around to talk to me, he'd arranged another doctor to perform the LP, there was a nurse in there that gave me a sympathetic look, another doctor came in and i knew that this was it and it got too much for me, i asked for a bowl, and i was violently sick, i couldn't help it, the doctor, held my hand and reassured me, he put me in the faetal position and helped me with some breathing. I told him that i didn't want to know what was happening. The problem i had is that as soon as i felt them disinfecting my back i was off again, he held my hand and started to talk to me about why i was scared, i cried a little bit more, but before i knew it, the whole procedure was over. They moved me onto my back and then moved me to a ward.
Please be assured, i will still be avoiding needle procedures as much as i possibly can.
My fear is what the results will show!!!!
Thanks for the help guys
Kirsty x
- Jonnyjonny_uk - 06-21-2007 02:56 AM
Hi Kirsty,
Never be ashamed of your phobia, your certainly not alone when it comes to fear of needles thats for sure, myself included. Im so glad you managed to get through it even if you did have to suffer. It seems that the relaxation techniques did work to some extent but unfortunately not quite enough for you. The staff at the hospital sounded very caring and understanding though which is good. That was funny what you said about the good looking doctor lol!!! It wasnt George Clooney from ER was it? :lol:
I hope the results are fine and please keep us informed as to how you are. Keep positive though because you acheived a great deal.
Well done