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I am going in for my blood tests (so I can start T! 4laugh ) in about three weeks, and am nervous.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice for someone who is stricken with a flight-or-fight response when it comes to their fear of needles?

sweatdrop ninja sweatdrop

You lucky little man! I always feel warm and fuzzy inside when a trans person starts hormones. They get so happy, even reading about it over the internet, the happiness is so damn contagious. Then I tend to get obnoxiously cheerful when, if they're FtM, I should be jealous, but I'm too busy irritating my friends with my cheerfulness.

Anyway, I had a blood test once... for something not as much fun stare .

I'm a wimpy little man, scared to death of needles and everything else. I went with my mom, who gets zillions of blood tests, and she told me the amount of pain depends on who you get: Some nurses aren't good at it and it hurts like hell, some are very good and it's virtually painless.

Mine was pretty good. I got to look away, and hold (hold=squeeze the hell out of) my mom's hand. The needle went in, didn't hurt at all, and they just took the blood out. Lots of blood. It was a weird feeling, I felt a little bit of pressure, but no actual pain.

I think they had a tv in the room, but I don't remember. But if they do, ask if they can turn it on. If you're focused on something else, it actually hurts less. Having a parent or something/someone for moral support helps, too.

Really, though, this is a really simple procedure. There's not exactly any advice or tricks that'll make it more enjoyable. It's really simple, ends pretty quick, just don't look at your arm, don't suddenly pull your arm away while the needle's in your skin and cut yourself, and even if you get a bad nurse, within a minute you'll be fine smile .

I actually had blood work done today, but not for the same reason.
I've never had a fear of needles though, so I just watch to make sure they're not screwing up or anything.
Just don't watch and tell the nurse to do it quietly and you should probably be fine. They don't lie when they tell you it's just a pinch, and before you know it, it should be over since blood flows pretty quickly into those test tubes.
oh, and drink a bottle of water or two, it'll make it easier and quicker for them to get the blood for the tests. =]

I hope you can get on T soon. I remember the blood tests, then when I started. That is -great-!

Just think of something, in your head, count to 50 or whatever.. or try to sing a song.. and look away.. I don't know, I'm not scared of needles. But think positive; you must do it for the sake of T!

Don't look.


I was afraid too. Now I do it myself.

Also, it helps that the girl that works in the bloodlab is hot. You kind of want to man up and not look like a p***y in front of her.

I used to be terrified of needles..then I had to get a lot of blood taken because I managed to get mono. Just look away, after the needle is in I actually stared at it and was like "oooo blood, and it's coming out of meeeee"

yea, okay I'm a bit of a weirdo, but they used to have to hold me down. The only negative thing I've gotten for needle type stuff was when I ODed on some medication I was on. The main reason why it was scary was that the nurse couldn't find a good vein for awhile and uh...I could see and understand what was going on to some extent but I couldn't move or control any of my muscles. That's about the worst because I needed that IV pretty fast and it wasn't going in too easily.

I'm terrified of needles (not sewing ones, though), and I tighten up really bad. It helps when I close my eyes, turn the other way, breathe in and out, and "listen" to a soft song in my head.

My therapist actually asked if I wanted her to recommend the endo guy to give me patches or gel, and I was like "No, needles only for me, please."

The thought of holding a needle myself and sticking it is a lot less terrifying.