scared

[elaine1961]

i have to have a angiogram and im extremly terrified, not so much about the procedure but i am NEEDLE PHOBIC so that is the only thing on my mind, i havent seen a doctor yet to discuss this, it was the nurse that told me i need the angiogram after i did a treadmill test, and having chest pain.
Is there anything that they can do so i dont need a NEEDLE?

[elaine1961]

Thank you everyone for your comments, i will ask about freezing the area first, when i have blood test they use emla cream which numbs the skin,

[ireneo]

They can numb the area for the IV. I had that done during my last surgery because I knew from experience, it's very difficult to put an IV into my arm. The needle used for numbing is probably a 27 gauge which is teeny weeny, smaller than a sewing needle for sure.

As for the groin punctures, again, during all of my ablations, they numbed the areas first before inserting the catheters. Never felt a thing.

[prariegal]

I had an angiogram in January and the very nice nuurse in the hospital suggested that she freeze the spot where she was going to put the IV.  She said I'd never feel the freezing needle go in (true) and not the IV needle either.  How right she was!  I would in future ask for that freezing first.  Good luck and I hope you don't have anything too serious.

[ChatterAlly]

Once you're past the IV insertion you are past the worst part.  I have had 6 or 7 angiograms and only once did I even know they were numbing my groin.  I never had any discomfort with these.  I hate the table they put my on.  My frame is tiny but I still felt like I was falling off the table. LOL  Trust me, I do not know of anyone that is okay with a needle, but the IV was the worst part of it for me anyway.  Take care!!!   Ally