Vaccine coming up

[medhelpbatman]

I didn't know where to post this so that's why it may be out of place.

I have a very low pain tolerance especially to sharp pain.

Last time I had a vaccine, actually let's not go into that - except to say it was an unpleasant experience and someone got scratched with my nails.

The problem is I need a booster vaccine as it is a requirement for a program I am entering. However, I don't want to freak out like last time. Is there an over the counter painkiller I can rub on the area before to try to numb the area or should i just file down my nails?

Thanks, and I know it sounds ridiculous. Any help is much appreciated.

[who_is_this]

If you're seriously and uncontrollably freaked out, you can ask for EMLA cream to be applied an hour beforehand, but I doubt it'll do much good.  It will numb the skin, but you might still feel the sting of the medicine going in and stuff.

[JJety]

Maybe it's just me not understanding the severity of your fear, but it's just one tiny shot.  I would think you could just look away and take it like an adult.  Scratching the nurse is completely unacceptable.

It helps me when the nurse does not say "okay, here it comes".  I ask them to just please do it and not say anything.  I would look into something of that nature, or headphones like suggested above to occupy your mind.

[Mertek]

Ask the nurse to punch you out first. That will take your attention off the shot. :)

[medhelpbatman]

I didn't mean to scratch the nurse. I don't know how to explain it except that I freaked out and well tried to bat at the nurse just like my cat bats at flies. She doesn't mean to hurt them, but it just happens.

[medhelpbatman]

well some of the confidence suggestions are making me feel better and that story about your brave son is truly touching. I'm hoping I'll just find a patient nurse which will take the time to make sure I'm calm. Is there anywhere else that the injection can take place that might hurt less?

Quite ironically, the reason I have to get this vaccine is because I'm entering med school, nursing actually. And the irony lives on...

[marymk]

My husband used to have extreme needle phobia, and he needed vaccines for college. I can understand your fears, as I had years of dealing with this from him - he actually had Dr. phobia also -  it was a real chore whenever he needed to go.

Anyway - a smart nurse who picked up on how bad this was for him (I think she may have feared getting hurt - so I understand the scratching also). She had him lay down on the examining table, and had another nurse in the room who talked to him - facing away from the needle. This worked great - they didn't even tell him when it was happening. All three just started chatting, and the 'shot' nurse did her thing, and he didn't even notice it.

This may sound extreme, but it worked. After that, he only needed to lie down and look away -  no extra nurse needed.
Funny thing, he has since had a brain tumor and major surgery, and has been poked and prodded so much, that it doesn't even phase him anymore - but he was able to get through the rough time and I'm sure you will too.

I think the key is not to dwell on it, or think about it too much.

Good Luck.

[princessbut]

dont beat yourself up about it. we all have our peculiarities. try asking your gp for a couple of valium to take an hour before you go. it will make your heart not speed up as fast which causes the jump that made you scratch the nurse. it all depends on how serious a problem this is for you. this is no different to me that when the doc gives valium tio people who have a fear of flying or when you get a pre med to calm you before surgery. it just slows the reaction down rnough for it all to happen before you have time to react to it.
princessbut

[monkeyflower]

You are seriously going to have to get over this fear. A couple of therapy sessions will go a LONG way to helping you out :-)

I'll just add that a friend of mine in high school was deathly afraid of needles. She had to sit in the hallway, with her head between her knees, when they just *talked* about the blood drive. Seriously. Well, she went on to med school and is now not only a doctor, but specialized in the ickiest body part (she's an opthamologist). You'll be okay. Just get some help :-)

[who_is_this]

You think opthamology is the ickiest specialty in medicine????

I think proctology is.

[monkeyflower]

Oh yeah, eyes are way ooky.

As for proctology, a friend of mine went to an anal workshop, where they inserted a clear butt plug in someone's anus and then let everyone come up to see. Turns out it's all soft and pink in there... not gross at all ;-) Of course, I'm sure they deal with plenty of grossness, but nothing like *eyes*. lol.

[monkeyflower]

Oh yeah, eyes are way ooky.

As for proctology, a friend of mine went to an anal workshop, where they inserted a clear butt plug in someone's anus and then let everyone come up to see. Turns out it's all soft and pink in there... not gross at all ;-) Of course, I'm sure they deal with plenty of grossness, but nothing like *eyes*. lol.

[Mertek]

And to think, this whole thread started because someone had a fear of needles!