What would you do, or words of advice (Full Version)

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worthlesstrash -> What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:08:57 AM)

I have an issue in my life and I am just stuck as to what to do. I know that no one else can make the decision for me, but I am hoping for some views on how to deal with it, or to even find peace in the decision I might have to make.

I am in college and I love it, I getting my degree in the medical field. When I started at this college I went in going to take billing and coding, which although I didn't have a passion for I felt was a good steady job. After I got there and started talking to the admissions person, she told me about another degree program and thought I might be interested. The only problem with this was as soon as I saw I would have to learn to take blood, I immediately asked if we practiced on each other. She said they did..I informed her that I couldn't take this major because I have a horrible needle phobia. I can do them to others, I have in the past, it's having it done to me. I told her it is a very real problem and I literally get sick when I have to have it done. She and I talked about it and she said that if it's a real problem, that I wouldn't have to have it done on myself during the classes.

Well, the time has come for me to take this course and all heck is breaking loose. They say I have to let it be done to me also, no matter what I was told in the beginning. The thing is, I do agree with them that it's not fair to others for me to not have to do it, I don't argue with that fact. I even met with the instructor who seems really great and told her my fears/phobia. She said she understands and would take things slow..blah, blah.. don't get me wrong, I really appreciate what she said, but it's all null and void when it comes to me and needles.

I have had this phobia since I can remember. I have had a lot of things done with them, so it's not that I am a stranger to what they really feel like. I have had so many IV's and so much bloodwork this year alone that I can almost still feel the dang little things going into my arms. When I know I am going to be stuck, I literally get sick.. my stomach starts hurting, my skin starts tingling, my breathing changes, and I have tears start coming out of my eyes..nothing short of a panic/anxiety attack. I literally almost got out of the bed at the hospital before my operation because of a disagreement about where the IV should go. They said hand, I said arm...if it hadn't been life or death, I would have dressed and walked out.

I can either go ahead and start class which after 5 weeks will turn into basically being stuck for the next 6 or 7 weeks or I can change over to the other major of billing and coding. The thing is, doing the blood probably won't be a big part of the job I end up getting. It's just a requirement that you learn how to do it.

M says I will be with a friend of mine in the class and that should make things easier. Yes, in theory..but no in fact. She will be the one sticking me and she HATES sticking people and is scared to death. I know that this all seems silly, but it's sort of serious to me. I hate to let everyone down by changing majors, including myself..but I also know that I have limits (though like most, I hate to admit it). I am just stuck, stuck, ,stuck. (crap, that looks like a pun, but I assure you it isn't [;)])




mnottertail -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:13:18 AM)

Beg your Master command it done.........solves the dilemma in one way, divorces you from the act......and talk to him, and friends........the phobia is only going to last a little time in your life, and then it will be like Marilyn Chambers swallowing Johnny the Wad Holmes seal clubber in deep throat........'Hey', she said, 'it's just another act'.

R



LadyHibiscus -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:14:05 AM)

Welcome to reality.  Give it a go, and see if you can deal in real time, when you have a GOAL to achieve.  You owe that much to yourself, to at least try and overcome.  I feel for you---me and IV's are NOT pals, and I would have  a rough time in a similar situation!  But, your knowledge of the feeling will give you EMPATHY, a useful thing when dealing with patients. 

If it's not successful, then hey!  Cut your losses and move on.



VirginPotty -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:17:55 AM)

I'm almost in the same boat you are, WT. I just started a Paramedic Program after deciding that being an EMT wasn't enough. It took me 5 years to even CONSIDER taking this class due to my fear of needles. I say we're almost alike because unlike you I can't stand the thought of practicing on others in addition to them practicing on me.
Maybe instead of having your friend practice on you, whom you KNOW hates needles too, you can have the Instructor do the deed the first few times.
I bit the bullet & rec'd 2 shots last month (Hep A & B) for class and was ALMOST able to look, but that was an IM shot which I don't have as many issues with, but IV's............................[:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]

On Wed of this week, our class visited the ME's office in Baltimore & proceeded to watch them perform autopsies. After seeing that horrific sight I've come to the conclusion that needles are the LEAST of my problems..............but then again we haven't started that portion yet. I'll let you know how I do once it begins........[:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]



worthlesstrash -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:22:02 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: VirginPotty

I'm almost in the same boat you are, WT. I just started a Paramedic Program after deciding that being an EMT wasn't enough. It took me 5 years to even CONSIDER taking this class due to my fear of needles. I say we're almost alike because unlike you I can't stand the thought of practicing on others in addition to them practicing on me.
Maybe instead of having your friend practice on you, whom you KNOW hates needles too, you can have the Instructor do the deed the first few times.
I bit the bullet & rec'd 2 shots last month (Hep A & B) for class and was ALMOST able to look, but that was an IM shot which I don't have as many issues with, but IV's............................[:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]

On Wed of this week, our class visited the ME's office in Baltimore & proceeded to watch them perform autopsies. After seeing that horrific sight I've come to the conclusion that needles are the LEAST of my problems..............but then again we haven't started that portion yet. I'll let you know how I do once it begins........[:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]


haha..I would much rather watch an autopsy than be stuck with a needle, but that's just me [;)]

I have given shots to others and I am able to disassociate myself from the person in order to do it. I have had this phobia since I was a child..I remember kicking and screaming at the dr office and begging to not have shots when I was very young.

I am like you in that I know the other part of my job is something I want to do, I am just not sure if I can get there or not.



sirsholly -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:25:45 AM)

quote:

M says I will be with a friend of mine in the class and that should make things easier. Yes, in theory..but no in fact. She will be the one sticking me and she HATES sticking people and is scared to death.


when it comes to choosing lab partners, i suggest you two stay the hell away from each other.

I understand a phobia and how debilitating it can be. Your fear of needles is not going to be willed away no matter what you tell yourself or how many pep talks are given to you.

Therefore...can you possibly accept the phobia for what it is, but also accept that you are stronger than your worst fear? At no other time in your life will you have as much support as you will in that room when it is time for the blood draw. Your classmates and instructors are all there to support you and get you through it.

You do not have to attempt this with steady knees. You are not expected to have dry eyes and/or armpits. You are going to be scared, and that is where your courage comes into play. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather moving forward despite the fear. And you DO have the courage...just allow yourself to use it.





worthlesstrash -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:26:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyHibiscus

Welcome to reality.  Give it a go, and see if you can deal in real time, when you have a GOAL to achieve.  You owe that much to yourself, to at least try and overcome.  I feel for you---me and IV's are NOT pals, and I would have  a rough time in a similar situation!  But, your knowledge of the feeling will give you EMPATHY, a useful thing when dealing with patients. 

If it's not successful, then hey!  Cut your losses and move on.



I do agree with you for the most part, maybe having something I am striving for will help..but I have my doubts. I went to the class the other day to just watch and I had a freaking panic attack..it's so embarrassing.

I can't just cut my losses though if the class doesn't work, that's the problem. I don't get any financial aide..we are paying for all of my schooling so every class counts. If I start the class and can't finish..that's hundreds of dollars we will be out, and that would be a horrid thought.

I do think I will have empathy, but I also know I can't have empathy..if that makes sense. While I would understand what they felt, I would have to shut that part off in order to do my job. I mean..I will have a little 9yr old freaking out from being near a needle, I can't let that get to me. It's a fine line I suppose and one that I am coming to learn as I gave shots to a family member not long ago. Of course that lil poop jumped and acted like it hurt when it didn't..and I starting crying. haha..maybe I am just still traumatized .



VirginPotty -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:26:38 AM)

Ok, WT I'm going to give you a  piece of advice. One that's not known about here on the Boards so I'm risking the smoke screen I hide behind to appear ignorant but this is above & beyond the call of being a genius that I feel I must share w/a fellow needle phob, when you know the needle's coming your way after the turniqit's been tied................................... <drum roll>  DON"T LOOK.
 
 



worthlesstrash -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:28:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mnottertail

Beg your Master command it done.........solves the dilemma in one way, divorces you from the act......and talk to him, and friends........the phobia is only going to last a little time in your life, and then it will be like Marilyn Chambers swallowing Johnny the Wad Holmes seal clubber in deep throat........'Hey', she said, 'it's just another act'.

R


Now, you might think this would be a fact, but it isn't. I don't know how many times I was stuck from Dec to Feb of this year and it never got where I put my arm out and said "just do it". I have always had health problems, therefore always had blood work done..still not better. I am the same way about swallowing a man's lil tadpoles also though..so maybe it's just me[&:]



sirsholly -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:30:18 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: VirginPotty

Ok, WT I'm going to give you a  piece of advice. One that's not known about here on the Boards so I'm risking the smoke screen I hide behind to appear ignorant but this is above & beyond the call of being a genius that I feel I must share w/a fellow needle phob, when you know the needle's coming your way after the turniqit's been tied................................... <drum roll>  DON"T LOOK.
 
 
well.....yanno, sometimes it is easier if you do watch it. The level of anticipation when your eyes are averted can cause such an instant spike in your anxiety level that you will be unable to continue.



VampiresLair -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:35:40 AM)

Consider what an asset you might be to the class. I know this is a strange take on it, but how often do you think the people in this class are going to be confronted with patients who are perfectly calm and collected when they take their blood? My guess, about 20% if that. YOU are a more realistic model, and YOU will be the type they actually need to learn about. Also, repetition might make the fear lessen. I have a ridiculous fear of flying. I eman sweaty palms, light headedness, white knuckled hold on arm rests fear. I also live in Nashville and my family is in Las Vegas which means I fly at least twice a year now. I thought it was bull, but the more often I do it, the less it terrifies me. I still am far from loving it, but at least I am at the point now where I can do it without concern that I am going to pass out during the flight. Perhaps the class will be a good thing for you, in getting at least in control of if not over your fear. 



LadyHibiscus -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:37:58 AM)

There's SYMPATHY, which is feeling someone's feelings and EMPATHY which is understanding them.  If you can learn to chill and get PAST the freakout, do it.  If you can't, well, won't you be freaking out your patients as well?  I am sure you have had the phleb. who had NO FREAKIN CLUE and you wanted to just choke him or her, right?  You don't want to be that person, eh? 

Holly is right, there's no waving a magic wand to make a phobia go away.  It's up to you to get past it and get the job done. 

(its not like swallowing disgusting body fluids EW EW EW!)



windchymes -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:39:18 AM)

I went through medical lab tech school 20 some years ago, so phlebotomy was a big part of the program and we had a girl in our class just like you :)   She did manage to suck it up and got through it, and I'm sure you can, too.

You might be surprised how having it done repeatedly in that type of environment will de-sensitize you to the whole process.  Or....have a baby.  I used to laugh at the newly pregnant girls coming all squealy and squeamish at the prospect of having their blood drawn for the pre-natal workup.  I used to think (and sometimes even say) "Well, at about 9 and a half centimeters, a little needle in the arm's going to sound pretty good....."   That usually shut them up, lol.  Letting the instructor do it the first couple times is a good idea, hold someone's hand, do what you have to do.  But it's only fair that if you learn on other people's arms, they need to learn on yours.  Luckily, I have a good "teaching vein".  :)

What I will advise......if they talked you into taking a medical assisting course....you can make a lot more money doing billing and coding.  I really don't mean this as an insult, but the MA's don't start out at very much.  Where I lived then, they didn't make much more than minimum wage.

You'd be surprised how many people have the deathly fear of needles.  I wish I had a dollar for every one who sat down and announced, "I hate needles!"



pahunkboy -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:47:53 AM)

Hello.

On needles - the receiver - will have less pain is they totally relax.

I had to learn something to do with needles when I worked in group homes.  When Jim was alive he wanted me to help him inject some vit.  I was pretty nervous.   He was able to do himself when I told him to relax.

The key is to relax.  



VirginPotty -> RE: What would you do, or words of advice (9/25/2009 10:54:24 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sirsholly

quote:

ORIGINAL: VirginPotty

Ok, WT I'm going to give you a  piece of advice. One that's not known about here on the Boards so I'm risking the smoke screen I hide behind to appear ignorant but this is above & beyond the call of being a genius that I feel I must share w/a fellow needle phob, when you know the needle's coming your way after the turniqit's been tied................................... <drum roll>  DON"T LOOK.
 
 
well.....yanno, sometimes it is easier if you do watch it. The level of anticipation when your eyes are averted can cause such an instant spike in your anxiety level that you will be unable to continue.



[>:]Party pooper



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