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Blood tests
I'm getting my first blood test tomorrow.
I hate needles..
Does it hurt?
What do they do?
I heard very bad stories..
They need 2 samples from me.
Is there anyway to distract myself?
I really dislike needles/shots.. and veins. So poking me with something sharp near my veins.. makes me lightheaded.. [thinking about it]
.. I'm kinda scared.
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Don't worry, they don't hurt. They only sting for a second when the nurse pulls the needle out. First they tie this rubber thing on the top of your arm and clean where they're putting the needle in. I distract myself by just looking the other way(usually at someone else in the room) when they put the needle in. They're really not that bad, I've had several and you should be fine as long as you don't watch. good luck!
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They put this big rubber band thing around your arm, and it cuts off your circulation really bad. Then they stick the needle in at the area opposite your elbow. They usually only put the needle in once, even for two samples, because there is a separate part of the syringe they change. In my experience, it didn't hurt at all, though it was really uncomfortable. You should make sure you look away from the syringe. It'll probably take less than 5 minutes, so you don't need to distract yourself; if you want you can do math in your head.
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One of my daughters is needle phobic, so I always go with her and let her squeeze my hand. I think sharing the moment helps her in some way, as well as being a comfort that she is not alone.
The people that take the blood are also very good. Don't forget, they do this every day and see plenty of scared people. They usually talk to you about all sorts of nonsense, or ask you about yourself whilst they are taking the samples which does work in distracting you.
Don't look at what they are doing, let them know you're worried and they'll take special care of you. If you do feel faint, you'll probably be given a glass of water, and left to sit until you are feeling better.
It really doesn't hurt that much, I've had plenty of them. You will feel the initial prick of the needle, but it's not as bad as if you stab yourself if you're sewing. And it's over quite quickly too. If you drink a couple of glasses of water before you leave for the test, it makes your veins dilate a little and it's easier to take the blood. That was a tip from the phlebotomist that took my daughters blood, and the next time it was easier.
Good luck and try not to stress too much, it is over quickly.
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I'll be totally honest here. It's scary, it's annoying, and it's not fun at all. Look at your arm right now, fully extended. Can you see veins? If you can't, ask the nurse straight up to use the smallest needle she has (even if you CAN see them, it'll hurt less); it'll be less uncomfortable.
She'll put a tourniquet on your arm to make your veins bulge out a little, its not that bad and actually hurts more when they take it off.
Look away as they're putting the needle in and thin of something, ANYTHING, else. Orange flying squirrels, dancing hippos in hula skirts, etc. It'll be over before you know it. Plus, all the information is so valuable to your doctors, whether they're just checking your cholesterol or checking for a sickness. It's worth a little pinch.
Relax, and you'll be just fine =]
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