Are You Scared of Needles?

An extreme fear of needles is called Trypanophobia.

When I was in the beginning stages of being diagnosed with lung cancer, I recognized right away that my future was going to be full of needles. From blood draws to injections to finger pricks, I was going to be a human pin cushion. I thought about keeping a count of how many times I was “poked” but eventually stopped as the number continued to climb. In my experience, there are a few things to take into consideration if you fear needles even if it is just a slight fear.

What is your comfort level?

Figure out your comfort level. It always helped me to watch. A lack of control is an issue with me and if I was able to at least watch I felt a bit more comfortable. If that is not your jam, look away! Figuring this out early will help calm the nerves a bit. Bring something with you to distract you such as music, videos or if possible, someone to talk to.

Before you are expected to have your blood draw or injection take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes, inhale and exhale. If it helps, try to picture yourself at the beach or wherever your “happy place” is. My happy place is the front row at my favorite artists' concerts. (Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, look them up!)

Ask about alternatives

Ask your medical team if there is an alternative way to receive medication instead of an injection. Some things are unavoidable such as blood draws or IVs. However, if you are having a fear of injection, ask if they have a different way to receive the drug. I wish I had asked about an alternative to the blood thinner injection that I was receiving a lot sooner than I did! I was able to go from a twice-a-day injection down to once a day and then eventually was switched to a pill.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If your fear of needles is hindering your care and you find yourself missing/skipping appointments because of it, you may want to consider counseling. Speaking with a mental health professional can help make your appointments easier to handle. They can also prescribe medications that will help as well.

Finally, you can ask to have the pain managed. Speak with your care team about creams, sprays, or other medications that will numb the skin. When I had my port I was prescribed a cream that was placed onto the port area 30 minutes before the port was to be accessed. I found that this helped a lot in the beginning. I had my port for a few years and after a while, I did not need the cream.

Tell us about your experience

If I had to guess, I would say that I have been through over 500 blood draws, IVs and injections. I have been living with lung cancer for over 8 years and while my pokes have lessened over the years I only see this number getting bigger and bigger.

Let me know in the comments how you have handled your fear of needles. Do you have a tip to share with the community?