I always thought I had a fear of the actual needle itself but now I'm starting to think that I don't, and that I just associate needles with these other not-really-related fears I have. I'm posting this because I'm curious to know whether other people have these fears and if they do I hope my solution helps them (and me too when I try it out).

I am due to get blood work tomorrow and have been freaking out, so I was trying to think of WHY I am afraid, and what could possibly make the situation better.

So why am I afraid? I am afraid because I don't like having to keep still for so long. I am never still, always moving or twitching, and the thought of someone else holding my arm while I have to keep it still is terrifying only because I am anticipating how I have re-acted to it in the past. Last time I had bloodwork done I just couldn't relax, was twitching and squirming and had real bad urges to just move my arm, twitch it, anything.

I also have a fear of my forearm being exposed. It feels like I have to protect my arm. Again I don't know why. Even simulating the movements of getting bloodwork done I can't do (lying down, arm outstretched, imagining the situation, etc). I don't like my arm being stuck out there, exposed to dangers.

So I thought: what would need to change to make the situation of having my arm stuck out, in someone elses control, feel better? The answer was simple. I needed my arm to feel protected and under my control. So I came up with the idea of bandaging up my forearm except for the part at the top that needs to be exposed. Well, off came the toes of old socks and on my arm they went. Instantly I felt better about holding my arm out. It felt protected.

I am really hoping this works tomorrow! And hoping they will let me keep the bandages on.

Hi moomin

moomin Wrote:...off came the toes of old socks and on my arm they went. Instantly I felt better about holding my arm out. It felt protected.

I am really hoping this works tomorrow! And hoping they will let me keep the bandages on.

That is a very interesting idea moomin. I would like to know how you get on today if that is okay with you. _cheesygrin::

By the way if it works you might want to invest in a tubular bandage just in case someone has a 'problem' with your socks. =D

Well that wasn't so bad! I went in and stated that I'm not very good with needles and the nurse was very nice and I asked if it was okay that I kept the sock bandage on my arm :lol:, which was fine with her. The bandage DID help a little bit, as it made my arm feel a bit less vulnerable.

However, there was one thing that really helped MUCH more, and that was the nurse clamping my forearm between her thighs! I never in a million years thought that something like that would have helped, because it just sounds like it wouldn't (sounds like restraining by force). But it really helped because it felt like the bandage on my arm, except MUCH more secure. The actual needle part was uncomfortable but not too bad. I had to lie down and I wasn't exactly relaxed, but no panic attacks this time!! She kept talking to me and before I knew it, it was over.

So if there is anyone else with this problem of not liking their arm being exposed, I would suggest asking if the nurse could hold your arm securely for you!

Hi Moomin and sorry its taken so long for a welcome as I had missed this post here but welcome to Ofear

Quote:However, there was one thing that really helped MUCH more, and that was the nurse clamping my forearm between her thighs!

This sounds a lot like a thing called a hug machine. They use it to calm autistic (not saying that you're autistic) people, but a lot of people with touch/exposure phobias (which are actually microautisms) really like them. I forget quite what, but the application of pressure helps calm people down. As someone with a fear of hugs, being in one of these was just great.

Hug machine link-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug_machine

Or, if you want to build one...
http://hugmachine.org/

Hey dude I have something similar, I had a Cyst under my arm when I was really young. They drained it and the pain was incredible that i blocked out of memory for years. Any way I have been afraid of needles after that, and I wasn't able to put that arm over my head for years (mid twenties). Any time some one touched me under my arm i would have a jerking reflex as to not expose my under arm.

Yeah, I hate haveing my upper arm exposed. It just makes me cringe and be afraid.