Fear of Needles.

[per_solo]

So, I have a fear of needles.

You wouldn't know it, normally, and especially not lately. I've donated blood several times this year. Well, at Dad's urging this last time, I had them do a platelet count.

Got the call today, I have an "EXTREMELY" nice platelet count, so they would like me to come in, in two weeks, and donate platelets this time.

So I get to marvel at the fact that yes, I'm scared of needles. I have to be distracted when a needle is near me. And yet, I still donate. July 2005 was the first time, July this year was the second, and twice more since then.

But, it saves lives, so if it works, then yay rah. :-P

Comments

Hats off to you!

[desidera.livejournal.com]

I'm not afraid of needles. But I don't donate. I've tried to, but my veins can be difficult (small). And the needles that need to be used are usually larger then my veins can handle. It ends up being a pretty painful experience with a huge bruise as a souvenier. Especially since my veins have a tendency to roll a lot. This makes me a "hard stick."
But I still think I should be doing it.

I just have to work up the courage. I mean, a large bruise isn't going to be the death of me.

Re: Hats off to you!

[per_solo]

I have smallish issues when seeing needles on screen. First time I noticed it was during the movie candyman, where I squirmed a bit..yeah, massive amounts of bloodletting in the movie didn't faze me, yet what got to me the most was a little needle being inserted. :-P

I apparently have a vein in my right arm that is the mother lode for them. :-) 6 minutes, and I'm done, well, maybe just a tad more time, but not much more.

The bruise goes away fairly quickly, at least mine has. I would recommend the downtown location. They seem to have the nicest setup for donations. I'll be learning about their platelet system soon. Apparently, they "treat their platelet donors very nicely". I know the backpack I'm currently using for school was given to me by dad, and it has the IBC logo on it.

But, much like others who have done this, I feel I'm actually contributing/helping someone else. I'll never know who, but hey, every little bit.

Re: Hats off to you!

[goldstep.livejournal.com]

I have vasavagal syncopye realated to needles... once in college I saw a clip from Bram Stoker's Dracula and my friends thought I had a tiny siezure -- I stopped breathing and without blinking fell forward out of a chair. Later I found out I had passed out and it was due to the vasavagal.

Basically, when I get afraid I have a sudden burst in heart rate and ehrn I no longer am afraid I have a major drop. Big fear for me is also needles. Last time I tried to give blood the monitor when from a normal 70 beat/minute to about 160 in a few seconds as soon as I saw the needle. Unable to take blood when the rate is that high due to the pressure that causes, the nurse put down the needle and went to find a doctor. Much to my shagrin, as soon as she put the needle down, out of my sight, my heart rate dropped. They tell me I was at about 50. Of course, that much of a drop and you pass out. And when I come to, I am fine... close to 70, until we see a needle...

So I want to give blood, but can't. And so thank you for doing it in my stead.