hiv & blood drawn

[stupidsick]

hi everyone

6 days ago i had a rapid hiv test done. they drew blood out of me. thankfully it was negative but i keep thinking that the needle she used was dirty. i think i remember her opening the plastic cap on it, and the needle wasn't on the table when i first walked in and she threw it away when she was finished with me.

i don't know why i keep thinking this, most people would just be happy with a negative result. when she was sticking the needle in me, it looked absolutely clean.

i just can't get this out of my head and its starting to be an issue. i've never been to a psychologist or anything and i really don't want to tell my parents about this, they'll think i'm nuts. and i know i have anxiety issues but nothing ever this bad

[Gina2Westies]

Your story made me think of a time when I freaked after having a blood sugar test done at a pharmacy.  It was part of a help fair and I had it tested for the heck of it and afterwards I was freaking out thinking that the same pin was used on another person.  I think I may have even called and asked about it for reassurance.  My boyfriend told me that although it was POSSIBLE it is not PROBABLE.  I tend to remind myself of these things  - in this suituaiton or others alike.  

[stupidsick]

i called the clinic back today and the nurse reassured me and said "no we don't use clean needles, we use sterile ones". made me laugh for a bit and i got over it. next time i have to get blood drawn, i'm going to make sure i see the needle being opened!

and i'm 19 and the only kind of real anxiety/ocd issues i've had is with getting back test results in school. i get more nervous getting scores back than taking a test. i guess i've been like this for a little bit more than a year. i always thought it was kind of normal, i have to maintain as high as a GPA as i can get.

i spoke with my closest friends today about the whole mess and they really reassured me about things. if i start feeling worse im going to visit and get some counseling

[RubyWitch]

I wasn't there, so it's POSSIBLE she had been using that same needle all day long...maybe all week, so why would she bother to throw it out after she drew YOUR blood is a mystery! Sheesh, at 2 cents a syringe, she must really save that clinic gobs of cash!

I'm pulling your leg, dude. That needle was brand new. I'd bet your life on it.
She is a professional phlebotomist who has had to go thru a lot of education, and trust me when I say that they take patient safety VERY seriously. She would NEVER use a "dirty" needle on you. It would cost her her license and she's not about to do that. So stop this paranoid thinking right now! The next time you have your blood drawn.......watch much more carefully. They are very quick. They draw hundreds of labs a day. That you missed her actually opening the new needle, well, that's just how it went. If you are THAT paranoid, as soon as you walk in next time, say loud and clear "I want to see you open the new needle!" Most will be happy to accomodate your fear. I don't know why there seems to be a rash of this particular fear on the fourm lately. Did I miss some breaking news story about the use of dirty needles?
This sounds more like a phobia than an "anxiety issue," but call it what you want. And where and why does going to a psychologist come into this saga? And unless you and your parents are on the "outs," I think it would be a very good idea to discuss your fear with them. If they think your nuts, well, shame on them for not offering reassurance rather than riducule.
Don't worry. That needle was brand spanking new!
Now go out and celebrate your negative result and don't indulge in behavior where you need to get tested for HIV.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[cj29]

Unfortunately, anxiety can be very hard to deal with; especially health anxiety.  Remember, first of all it is extremely hard to catch HIV and the fact that you had a test done in a clinic by trained professionals should alleviate your fears, but anxiety/panic can really take control and really snowball if not confronted.  You said you have had anxiety issues...how long have you had them?  Have you ever sought counseling?  Quite often a little knowledge about this can go a very long way...keep us posted!