Donating 'blood - phobia of needles

Stheno

Just wondering if anyone here has ever donated blood despite having a phobia of needles?

It's something I'd like to do, but I've such a severe phobia of blood tests, that I get physically ill, and the thoughts of donating blood, getting the needle inserted, then sitting there until it's all withdrawn makes me ill, but I'd like to do it, if the blood transfusion board people have some sort of process to make you feel better/spend the time putting up with your nerves.

Any experience?

I know this is AH but I'd appreciate genuine experience, otherwise I'll ask for it to be moved to Health Sciences, posted it here as it's a massive audience, and it's something I'd like to do as I genuinely feel it's a way to help someone in dire need.

frozenfrozen

I had to deal with this recently, there was blood donations going on in my college, but I couldn't physically get myself to do it. I had to get 5 blood tests done within a few months earlier this year and the thought of maybe having to get more blood tests done was making me feel worse than my actual illness. Become an organ donor that way you're doing your bit and you won't be alive enough to have a phobia

Stheno

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I had to deal with this recently, there was blood donations going on in my college, but I couldn't physically get myself to do it. I had to get 5 blood tests done within a few months earlier this year and the thought of maybe having to get more blood tests done was making me feel worse than my actual illness. Become an organ donor that way you're doing your bit and you won't be alive enough to have a phobia

There's the small part of me that says "ffs, grow up and go in, you could help save a life" that is stopping me from just being an organ donor

I was excluded until recently as I'd hep A as a child, but am now able to do so, and just think it's something I should consider.

vektarman

I know the feeling, I've given over 100 blood donations and I still hate getting that needle, as I get the needle I just think of it as a little prick and it's over before you know it.

HeidiHeidi

A guy I trained with did this.... He was terrified (and unfortunately got slagged as a result) but did it anyway, and lived to tell the tale.

They're brilliant in the blood bank, go in and talk to them, they won't let you donate if they think you might actually die of it

And they'll put your mind at ease.

Seriously, just go in and talk to them for starters.

Hellrazer

I'm the same can't get blood tests,can't give blood yet despite that I have probably 50 hours plus of tattooing on me!!!

Ihatecuddles-old

I give blood every 3 months, and I love the needle part, I hate the finger prick though

As another poster said, become an organ donor

Stheno

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

A guy I trained with did this.... He was terrified (and unfortunately got slagged as a result) but did it anyway, and lived to tell the tale.

They're brilliant in the blood bank, go in and talk to them, they won't let you donate if they think you might actually die of it

And they'll put your mind at ease.

Seriously, just go in and talk to them for starters.

I definitely won't die of it, I've a very high red blood cell count compared to normal counts.

/shudder just the thoughts of going in makes me feel unwell, I think I'll give them a ring first

Good to know they are good to deal with though

Thanks too vetkarman, are they patient with you? One thing about me is I've rubbish veins so it takes a while to find a good one (which caused the phobia in the first place ) and that's what freaks me out, once the needle is in, I'm a happy child.

The Backwards Man

Just don't think about the needle. Honestly, it is the tiniest most insignificant prick you will ever experience in your whole life.:)

Stheno

Hellrazer wrote: »

I'm the same can't get blood tests,can't give blood yet despite that I have probably 50 hours plus of tattooing on me!!!

I don't mind any other type of needle apart from intravenous ones!

Ihatecuddles wrote: »

I give blood every 3 months, and I love the needle part, I hate the finger prick though

As another poster said, become an organ donor

Finger prick is fine it's the vein thing that makes me ick.

When I was a kid, I had a severe allergic reaction to medicine and ended up swollen up like the michellin man, and it took a few nurses and doctors holding me down and prodding every vein in my arm to get a needle in, hence the phobia.

Last few times have been ok for tests, so maybe I should just bite the bullet, I assume if I have a freak out they will just stop?

I've gotten over a dentist phobia in the past...

Hmmm........ Maybe I should just do it?

vektarman

Stheno wrote: »

Thanks too vetkarman, are they patient with you? One thing about me is I've rubbish veins so it takes a while to find a good one (which caused the phobia in the first place ) and that's what freaks me out, once the needle is in, I'm a happy child.

You won't even know you're getting it, they'll be chatting away so much to you that you won't even realise you've got the needle.

HeidiHeidi

Just do it!

Seriously, they won't .let you go ahead if they think you'll flake out on them! Go in and suss it out, you can bail at any point if it's really not for you.

But I bet you'll be absolutely fine !

Stheno

vektarman wrote: »

You won't even know you're getting it, they'll be chatting away so much to you that you won't even realise you've got the needle.

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Just do it!

Seriously, they won't .let you go ahead if they think you'll flake out on them! Go in and suss it out, you can bail at any point if it's really not for you.

But I bet you'll be absolutely fine !

I just sent them a mail indicating I'm interested in being a donor and explaining my phobia.

You've hit the nail on the head there vektarman, if something distracts me, I always end up asking " have you done it yet" and they laugh at me as the needle is in

Same as my dentist, once I found a patient one, he did an extraction, and I did the same, and he was done!

Ok will take it from here, been thinking about it for ages, and really wanted to do it, I worked with a chap once who had one of those really rare blood types, and admired him for how often he was called on at all hours of day and night, and I'd like to contribute just a little, it's free, just a bit of my time, and a bit of discomfort

Muise...

phobia of homophobia. :mad:

cherryghost

I feel faint.

April O Neill

Stheno wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone here has ever donated blood despite having a phobia of needles?

It's something I'd like to do, but I've such a severe phobia of blood tests, that I get physically ill, and the thoughts of donating blood, getting the needle inserted, then sitting there until it's all withdrawn makes me ill, but I'd like to do it, if the blood transfusion board people have some sort of process to make you feel better/spend the time putting up with your nerves.

Any experience?

I know this is AH but I'd appreciate genuine experience, otherwise I'll ask for it to be moved to Health Sciences, posted it here as it's a massive audience, and it's something I'd like to do as I genuinely feel it's a way to help someone in dire need.

My sis has the same issue so I shall read this thread with interest myself, as she would love to give blood but has never managed to. Maybe I can pass some useful advice on to her.

Stheno

April O Neill wrote: »

My sis has the same issue so I shall read this thread with interest myself, as she would love to give blood but has never managed to. Maybe I can pass some useful advice on to her.

I'm half wondering if this might be a small fundraiser for Santa Strike Force, it it was approved by mods/admin etc.

It's coming to a time of year when blood supplies run low, I remember my colleague with the rare blood being collected from work by the cops on occasion to donate.

Imagine a small fundraiser for SSF due to people donating blood?
Do good twice in one go?

Dunno, just a random thought I had.

Ace Attorney

I was the same as yourself i hated needles going into the vein in me arm, i was always making a fist with my hand on the arm they were putting the needle in and that actually was causing it to hurt more then it actually did, let your hand and arm go loose and look the other way, i had to get blood taken a lot earlier this year because i was ill and have gotten used to it now, i still cant quite watch them put the needle in and look the other way tho but still it doesnt bother me as much. Im actually going with me dad to the blood donation bank that visits the town from time to time when its here next to donate blood for the first time. You will be fine

Stheno

Thatdoesnt looksafe tome AHHHHHHH wrote: »

I was the same as yourself i hated needles going into the vein in me arm, i was always making a fist with my hand on the arm they were putting the needle in and that actually was causing it to hurt more then it actually did, let your hand and arm go loose and look the other way, i had to get blood taken a lot earlier this year because i was ill and have gotten used to it now, i still cant quite watch them put the needle in and look the other way tho but still it doesnt bother me as much. Im actually going with me dad to the blood donation bank that visits the town from time to time when its here next to donate blood for the first time. You will be fine

THank you!

I do the exact same, I thought it made the veins more prominent and it makes me more tense.

Really appreciate yours and all other helpful posts

Muise...

Stheno wrote: »

I'm half wondering if this might be a small fundraiser for Santa Strike Force, it it was approved by mods/admin etc.

It's coming to a time of year when blood supplies run low, I remember my colleague with the rare blood being collected from work by the cops on occasion to donate.

Imagine a small fundraiser for SSF due to people donating blood?
Do good twice in one go?

Dunno, just a random thought I had.

That would be nice, if they would only get over their ridiculous 1980s fear of gay men, and women who have had sex with bisexual men. :mad:

kowloon

I'd happily do it these days just to feel useful but my blood may as well have Ebola in it as I'm disqualified.
The very reason the needle wouldn't bother me is the reason I can't do it.

Capt'n Midnight

Oh, instead of being a negative person just be positive about it.

Meangadh

Loooong post but I hope it'll help!

I hate needles. Weirdly enough I'd much prefer get an injection than give blood (I think it's a mixture of the length of time it takes and the fact that you can see the blood). But anyway, I've donated blood a few times although not as often as I should cos I do get freaked out thinking about it. Just a few tips:

*Eat something decent beforehand. They'll do an iron test and if your iron levels are low you won't be allowed to donate. Which is a bit of a bummer if you've plucked up the courage to do it!
*Don't worry about the needle, it honestly isn't as bad as you'd think. I will confess that the first time I did it the needle wasn't put in right and it was very sore-I ended up having to tell them to take it out quickly and I ended up with a huge bruise. It wasn't in a vein at all I reckon. They were so nice and said I didn't have to continue (i.e. have a new needle put into my other arm which has way better veins) but I insisted and was glad I did.
*It takes about ten minutes or so. Try not to look at anything other than the ceiling. That way you won't see the needle going in or the blood coming out. It honestly isn't that bad but looking at it isn't going to help so why take the risk.
*They give you this little plastic bone thing to squeeze gently in your hand. I've a bad habit of gripping it way too tightly (I think it's cos of nerves) but don't do that or you'll slow down the flow of blood into the bag and prolong the time it takes.
*Wear something that's easy to roll the sleeves up on. You'd forget sometimes and the room will be full of people and no curtains so avoid having to strip off!
*I'll also confess to being a bit of a weakling in that I always get quite faint after I donate. Once I sit down and have some coke (which I normally hate but I need the sugar) and a biscuit I'm ok although I do get absolutely exhausted after it! Home to bed, take an iron tablet (which they give you) and I'm right as rain the next day though! So I would say for your first time donating, maybe have someone with you in case you get faint- most people don't though so you should be fine.
*The nurses are amazing and will take your name and number and ring you personally the next day to make sure you're ok if you do feel off after it. They make you feel like you've done an amazing thing, it's a great feeling!

I will say that one of the reasons why I donated in the first place was that my friend's sister was undergoing cancer treatment at the time and I kept thinking "She's going through hell and I'm freaking out about one tiny needle, I need to cop on" and thinking of that gave me courage. My friend's sister unfortunately has passed away since but I've decided next time the clinic is in my town I'm going to donate. It's nothing compared to what she went through. Just keep thinking of the people you are helping and you'll be fine. Go for it!

Stheno

Muise... wrote: »

That would be nice, if they would only get over their ridiculous 1980s fear of gay men, and women who have had sex with bisexual men. :mad:

My partner who is hetero cannot donate as he lived in the UK due to CJD

Just out of curiousity, if a fundraiser for SSF was done with one poster donating 1 euro for a confirmed donation would anyone go for it?

Imagine if 1000 posters donated? I know it's not as high profile as naked picks, but it's a massive boost for the blood bank at this time of year.

beertons

I always ask them for a 1, 2, 3 before the put the needle in. I look away and start breathing out when it hear 2. I've been asking them to do it like that for me since my first donation.

Muise...

Stheno wrote: »

My partner who is hetero cannot donate as he lived in the UK due to CJD

Just out of curiousity, if a fundraiser for SSF was done with one poster donating 1 euro for a confirmed donation would anyone go for it?

Imagine if 1000 posters donated? I know it's not as high profile as naked picks, but it's a massive boost for the blood bank at this time of year.

I'd rather we got the blood bank to cop the f*ck on, to be honest. I'd love to donate, but there's no way I can honestly answer their questions. How many straight women can swear that they have not had sex with a bisexual man, ffs?

Stheno

Muise... wrote: »

I'd rather we got the blood bank to cop the f*ck on, to be honest. I'd love to donate, but there's no way I can honestly answer their questions. How many straight women can swear that they have not had sex with a bisexual man, ffs?

I agree with what you are saying but imagine 1000 extra donations due to a boards fundraiser raising and extra 1000k for ssf

How many bisexual men/women don't tell people they are so on one night stands could be a very hostile rejoinder to your question?

Meangadh

Yeah the questions are a bit nuts- as you said, how can you be totally 100% sure a male partner hasn't had sex with another man? (Not that it should matter, but they're the rules as they stand). I suppose all you can do is give answers to the best of your knowledge.

Muise...

Stheno wrote: »

I agree with what you are saying but imagine 1000 extra donations due to a boards fundraiser raising and extra 1000k for ssf

How many bisexual men/women don't tell people they are so on one night stands could be a very hostile rejoinder to your question?

this is the problem - we are asked to answer prejudicial questions when we cannot know the answers.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Hey OP, I am not a big fan of needles. Don't think I class myself as having a phobia. At what point does it become a phobia? All I know is that I don't like them.

The needles in the donation stations are bigger than the standard, but once it's in, that's it. You don't really feel anything afterwards. Fair play for considering it. It's pretty important

kowloon

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Oh, instead of being a negative person just be positive about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcYppAs6ZdI

Capt'n Midnight

Stheno wrote: »

My partner who is hetero cannot donate as he lived in the UK due to CJD

He can still donate in the UK
http://www.nibts.org/canidonate.html

http://www.nibts.org/subcounty.asp?town=Newry

You could check with them if they ever do a pick up bus from down here.

Sleveile

After 34 donation the auld needle still scares the ~hite out of me. I always say "tell me when" and look away while its going in.

You're doing your little bit for others and its only every 12 weeks and a 1/2 hour ( for me anyway). It give me a great feeling that I've done something good with the least amount of effort.

For me its the best little thing you can do for someone and they wont even know it.:)

Doc Ruby

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Just don't think about the needle. Honestly, it is the tiniest most insignificant prick you will ever experience in your whole life.:)

Unless you're getting a shot in the ass, I was heading off to southeast asia a while back and it felt like the nurse had buried a pickaxe back there. The Eiffel tower had grown legs and taken a run at me.

Yes kids, it feels like the tiniest most insignificant prick you will ever experience in your whole life, until you get it in your bottom, then it feels like an enormous painful prick.

Capt'n Midnight

Lose weight, no diet, no exercise.

Rubylolz

I'm not a fan of the needles either but find just looking away an talking manically to the nurse etc works for me! I tend not to look at the blood collection either

_Redzer_

Doc Ruby wrote: »

Yes kids, it feels like the tiniest most insignificant prick you will ever experience in your whole life, until you get it in your bottom, then it feels like an enormous painful prick.

Heh :pac:

Knasher

Yeah I have a bit of a phobia of needles, but I donate platelets about once a month. So I'm stuck in the chair with a needle in my arm for an hour and a half. Yet every time I go in I feel a little bit ill right before the needle goes in, but it is just the anticipation, the actual needle is just a little pinch and you barely feel it after that.

I don't know if you are the same way, but it always helps me to remember that the anticipation I'm feeling is much worse than the needle.