needle attack anxiety

[Mona234]

Last month i was at a grocery store and suddenly felt a sudden, sharp pain in right butt cheek that lasted for a minute. It felt like someone poked with something sharp like a needle. I was not quick in reacting to check back and see if anyone was there and did not properly check the place. I thought it might be some nerve in body or some weird reaction. Half an hour later, went to another grocery store and felt the same kind of pain but this time for just 30 secs. Now i was convinced its something my body was doing, so did not even bother to check back or did not check my pants or butt properly. I did notice a pink lump about 1 inch on the butt, but like i said i just ignored it thinking it might be some pimple. DId not properly check if there was a needle hole in the middle of the lump or anything like that. I had a severe headache that evening which started an hour or 2 after the incident but was gone by the next morning. 4 days later, i started having intrusive thoughts about what if i was pricked with a needle. My parents are saying that if i was actually poked with a needle, i should have a continuous pain the whole day and it would be unbearable that i will surely notice it. But i read that it depends on the needle used and with the flu shots and all, the pain is usually because of the medication in it and not the needle puncture. So now i am totally confused. I am feeling guilty for not checking myself and surroundings on time. If i have checked my butt the same day, i would have avoided all this tension and guilt now. My question is if someone is attacked with a needle, will the pain be there continuously for me to notice or will it be like a sudden pain that vanishes a minute after the needle was out of my body. Worried and confused.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello, our members have told you that this is not an HIV risk and we wish you well,
*** thread closed ***

[mike_no]

I am sure my fellow volunteers have already offered you excellent insight on the fact that your issue is psychological in nature.

One thing I would like to add to this: Hypothetically speaking, even if you were struck by a needle, there is no risk that can be associated with this event because it is not equivalent to being 'injected' with a syringe with HIV infected blood. The risk of transmission even in an accidental needle prick, occupational hazard situation from a positive sample would be calculated at 0.02%, that number is so minute that it can be well interpreted as no risk.

Please see a therapist for your irrational fear, therapy can certainly help you overcome this. Good luck.

[Mona234]

Actually thats my fear. If someone suddenly poked with me a needle and injected something with a syringe.

[AnxiousNoMore]

If you were injected it would give you intense pain. You didn't feel anything like that, so please take the advice that you have been given above and seek out anxiety relief if necessary.
Plus they would have to push a lot of fluid into you quickly compared to what your dentist would do when he gradually pumps it into you for a freezing injection and you likely are aware of the pain he gives you, so an all at once injection would have really amped up the pain level.
btw, I have some disorder that gives me little ouches (or itches) all day long; sometimes one stops and another starts in a different place, and obviously I am not being injected by strangers.

[Mona234]

The pain was very intense for a minute. But then it was gone after a minute. My question is if at all i was intected with something, will the pain be consistent atleast for a day? Or will it be a quick pain that goes off once the needle is out.

[Mona234]

And yes, i am aware of that tingling pain you are talking about in random parts of the body that comes and goes quickly. But it was not that for sure. It was really intense for a minute. Thats the reason i am panicked.

[Mona234]

I mean, if some one did inject something with such force, i should be having pain even after the incident when i am walking or sitting, right? Or is it not mandatory?

[Mona234]

Like the pain should be felt in the butt atleast may be for a few hours?

[Chima7]

People don't go around grocery stores poking people with needles. Only someone with irrational HIV phobia thinks such a thing is possible. It's an urban myth that does not happen in real life. If you find yourself unable to move on from this irrational thinking then you need to seek out a counselor. There's nothing anyone here can do to help you overcome this.

[GuitarRox]

You appear to have a phobia.  This sounds very psychological in nature and I'd seek help for hit.  The issue is mental health related and if you work on that, it may get better.  

[GuitarRox]

I'll further this by cutting to the chase to tell you a needle stick is not a risk for HIV any way.  Once exposed to air, HIV is inactivated. Being stuck by a sharp object does not put you at risk for HIV because of this.  The only risks for HIV are to have unprotected vaginal or anal sex or share IV drug needles (that are inject able).

[Paxiled]

First, how likely is it someone attacked you with a needle?  Why would anyone do that?  Second, how likely is it this would happen in two different places?  So my question is, given it's pretty much beyond probability that this happened, do you often have these kinds of fears?  (My guess would be if it were me that something sharp in my pants was poking me, but that's me).

[Mona234]

This is the first time i had such fear. I have been thinking a lot about different possibilities. Like i was wearing a short top and leggings. What if some one dropped something into my pants without me knowing?(I know not possible but still thought what if). I had the same question - if i got the pain twice then its not going to be that. But then one day my toddler bit me. I had pain at that moment for a minute but like an hour later i got like a pricking pain in the area she bit. So this made me think what if that day, the needle puncture caused the pain again when my pants rubbed off that spot or something. I know i am sounding crazy but this thing is driving me nuts. I thought the same thing for few days- why would anyone do that? But then again i saw on google and found many incidents. Recently, a maryland woman was stuck with a needle. SO yes, such incidents happen. You never know what's in people's minds these days. My only hope now is that since i did not have a consistent pain, it might not be what i am thinking. Bcoz if some one has to poke me and escape, they have to do it with force. It i was stabbed with that force, my butt should be hurting for atleast 1 day. DO you think so? But then again, i keep thinking what if my assumption is wrong. What if it doesn't hurt that much. If it was a nerve pain, it should last longer probably i guess. I don't know if it happens to people usually -- like a sudden, stabbing pain that comes and goes for no reason.THat too on the same day and never appears again.