When the tables are turned (nurse on the receiving end of care, acted like a fool)

mamamerlee, LPN · Dec 9, 2009

As a diabetic, you can't count all the needles and fingersticks I've had. But when I go to the doctor, I take my own lancing device with me. I hate the fingerstick devices the offices and hospitals use, and I won't let someone else stick my fingers.

When I had a cardiac cath recently, I had a terrible time due to my herniated disc/sciatica. I was in extreme pain, cried thru part of the procedure. But the procedure itself was not bad. I kept apologizing, but my back and leg hurt so bad that I felt I was being tortured.

We are all human, we all have our foibles. Next time, have someone hold your hand, close your eyes, take some deep breaths! Best wishes!

rholman · Dec 9, 2009

I have always been afraid of needles and would cry. I am still very scared of them so I make sure not to look when I get injections and silently talk to myself to come down.

htrn · Dec 9, 2009

Love starting IV's, have two tattoo's, gonna get my nose pierced, have had multiple surgeries... and yet, the infection control nurse had to feed me chocolate one piece at a time while I was getting my flu shot and ppd skin test. The lab tech thought I was kidding when I said I didn't like needles - he wasn't laughing when he had to holler for someone to come keep me from falling out of the chair when I turned white as a ghost just from the alcohol swab. My supervisor almost got her fingers broke because I made her hold my hand for the H1N1 vaccine. Your not alone and should not be ashamed at all :-)

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2009

When I had a cardiac cath recently, I had a terrible time due to my herniated disc/sciatica. I was in extreme pain, cried thru part of the procedure. But the procedure itself was not bad. I kept apologizing, but my back and leg hurt so bad that I felt I was being tortured.

Having pulled my share of femoral artery sheaths, I can honestly say that the people that don't feel like they're being tortured truly amaze me. You had nothing to apologize for! I hope your results were good!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2009

Whenever I talk a needle phobe through an IV stick, one of the biggest pieces of advice is DO NOT LOOK at the needle!!!!! Find a spot on the wall, look out a window, count the holes in the ceiling tiles, whatever. Just don't look at the needle. Second, breathe. Focus on your breath and keep taking nice, slow, even breaths in and out. Third, feel the pain and don't try to escape it or deny it, but ask yourself "If this is the worst it gets, can I handle it?" Usually the answer is "Yes", because often it's the fear that the pain will get worse that really worries people.

rngolfer53 · Dec 9, 2009

In the years I've been a nurse I've never taken the Hepatitis B vaccine, but the NP program I am in requires it now with no if's and's or but's. They gave me the shot at work today and I acted like a total idiot. I don't know how many IM injections I've given in my career as a registered nurse, but I've given MANY. However, when the needle was pointed at me today I freaked out. The DON drew up the injection and after chasing me around the office for several minutes another nurse finally came in and grabbed my other arm and tried to hold me still. By the time it was over I was drenched in sweat and my heart was racing. Looking back, it was kind of funny because while all this was going on a jazz band was in the activity room playing, "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas."
I'm so ashamed and embarrassed. I would like to know I'm not the only one who freaks out when a needle comes at them.

You're not the first to freak over needles, so there's nothing to be ashamed of. Embarrassed? Sure, just like all of us at various times.

Remember the song "Everybody Plays The Fool Sometime?" Truer words were never written.

My way of handling the aftermath would be to waylay the humorists by beating them to the punch with a little self-deprecation.

Just remember this is a better thing to be embarrassed over than harming a Pt with a boo-boo.

AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 9, 2009

Well, I used to be terrified of needles, but after about age 11, I got over it. Heck, I give my OWN shots now (flu, what have you). But my DH is exactly like you. We had to have the insurance adjuster come to our house so that I could draw his blood for the exam.

If it makes you feel any better, I fainted dead away when I GAVE my first shot in nursing school. We were doing a flu clinic, and the patient caught me. Turns out, HE was afraid of needles, but after that, he didn't really notice.

In clinicals, I ordered an injection for a young man, and about 10 minutes later, the whole clinic responded to what sounded like a mass murder in that room. Big, strapping guy, full grown, Mama holding him down for his shot.

You are most definitely not the only one, never fear.

Hope you're OK now.