Unreasonable fear: Needles. Anyone else have this and how did you overcome it?

carrieharry79

I'm really afraid of needles. I always have been. My mother is a nurse and I used to pass out at the clinic as a child. I was and am such an embarrassment. I always have to lay down for bloodwork and I kind of go crazy during the whole process.

Now here I am, about to be shoving all sorts of needles into myself. The idea of giving myself a shot is bizarre to me. I freak when someone else even does it and they know what they are doing. I am obviously going to get over it and go through with IVF, but I'm concerned that getting comfortable with needles (especially the ones in the muscle) is going to be really difficult.

Anyone else have a similar fear they had to conquer? How did it go?

bears1011

i didn't have a fear of needles or shots before having to do injections on myself but i remember the first time i did it, i probably stood there for 15 minutes, legs like jelly, before i got the nerve to stick it in. now it's no big deal. so you WILL get used to it...after a few times you will feel more confident and it will be easier. my DH is like you...gets really nervous and has passed out getting blood drawn etc, and he has had to do my HCG shot since it's IM in the butt (i do the subq ones). the first time he did it, he actually almost passed out afterwards...the next few times it was much easier for him. so just get through the first couple times and then you'll be good! try not to fixate on the needle or over think it...just get it done!

Jzyla

I don't share the same fear (which I don't think is unreasonable, by the way) but there are a ton of programs for fears/phobias online, in print or with mental health counselors. If you look up CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) there are some do-it-yourself programs for needle phobia. Part of it is understanding your physical responses (heart pounding, sweating, rapid breath), understanding your self-talk ("It's going to hurt so bad!" or "I'm going to faint!") and changing your response to retrain your brain. I'm not sure if you have enough time to complete a full program, but I'm pretty sure you'd find the information helpful. Like I said, I can't say I know how you feel, but I know many needle-phobic ladies have managed to complete IVF with help. Best of luck!

ronniesgirl1981

I don't have any advice, but you'll be a pro by the end. 

As for the IM injections, I only had my trigger shot IM and I was terrified of it!  My nurse marked the spot on we knew EXACTLY where to put it. 

I'm also a big fan of these videos (and this nurse!):
ETA: the 1st one is IM and the 2nd is subcutaneous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-EY_4P67Hs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF3uO67x9kw&list=UUvTuES1gi2IQ3Xlf30fxQKg

saratrying

I completely understand your fear. I was afraid to move to injectables for this very reason. I begged my doctor for another round of clomid, rather than trying Follistim. For me, I practices on a tennis ball for about an hour before my first injection. Then I just held my breath and did it. Once i realized it wasn't so bad, it became easier. I dont love it, but I'm no longer afraid.

You can do it! Good luck

ky29

I was always afraid of needles.. shots and blood draws almost made me pass out.  But after this whole process, I've gotten used to them and they don't bother me one bit.

I found it easier for my husband (or anyone else) to do the shots.  I even drove to my MILs one night when he couldn't be home.  The idea of giving it to myself freaks me out.  But I know others trust themselves a lot more so it's easier for them to do it. 

They really aren't bad, even the IM shots.  And I'm pretty sure you'll do quite a few subq before moving onto an IM shot, so it'll give you some time to adjust.  I watched a lot of videos ( like @ronniesgirl1981 ) posted, and that helped.   

Good luck!

LynnLee7

I'm in the same boat, soon to start my injections for IVF and I am a nervous wreck. I should have gotten over my fear long ago when I worked on ambulance crews, and my mother in law is a phlebotomist (I think she secretly LOVED sticking me every month for progesterone tests). And to top it off my doctor changed my protocol to a micro dose flare (smaller dose, more often) meaning more injections. Aaahhh!! I know Im not going to be able to do it myself and have luckily enlisted family to assist me. My hubby can do them at home in the evenings but my MIL works a block from me so Im going to have her give me my morning and afternoon injections. Your fear is not unreasonable, the price is well worth it, we can be scaredy cats together. My secret is to ice the area, lay down, close my eyes and put my ipod on with a calming song, when I have my ear buds in, Im in my own world and its over before I know it.

amyalbert

You can do it! 

Compared to a blood test, I think the IVF injections are much less painful. And they're over pretty quickly. I promise you, it really does look worse than it feels. But I hear you...it's really daunting and unnatural to see a bunch of needles that have your body as their destination!

@LynnLee7 has solid advice. Ice for a few minutes, lie down (if it helps), put on the TV or some music. Just distract yourself. I look at my puppy and, as ridiculous as this sounds, I think of him being brave at the vet when he has to get shots. You can look at him too! Hoping this image comes through...

daydreamernyc

Do you have someone that can do them for you? I'm petrified of needles. I'm a clammy mess after blood draws. I had to have my DH give me all my shots, I just couldn't do them myself (he did an excellent job). I always lied down, closed my eyes and he did the rest. I tried ice but it didn't help me personally. I rather just get it over with. 

Also, you might have the option of doing progesterone as an oral pill and suppository. I was really afraid of the IM progesterone shots, especially for how long you have to take them. Once I mentioned that they said no problem, you can do this alternative. RE said there is no disadvantage medically just that it's a lot to do everyday and messier. I will take messy (it's really not bad at all) over the shots.

blueeyes233

Even those of us who don't have severe issues with needles freak about the shots at first.  It took me 45 min to do my first shot.  After that I was like "that was nothing..why was I afraid?"

For me, its easier to give myself the shot than to have someone else do it.  I get nervous when DH does the IM shots because I don't know what he is doing ("oh my god it's going to hurt!!!", it never does but that is what I think every time).  When I have control of it I am more comfortable.  

Some people prefer the dart method, I don't.  I found it traumatic to try to "stab" myself so I put the needle to my skin and slowly press the needle in.  It doesn't hurt for me and I don't have any mental stress over the process.  

Practice on a tennis ball or an orange at first to get comfortable with the process.  The pharmacy will ship you plenty of syringes and needles.  Videos are very helpful, I love the ones that were posted earlier in this thread, the nurse is so calm and relaxed about the process. 

carrieharry79

@daydreamernyc No luck on the daily help... my husband travels 80% of the time for work. I'm going to have to suck it up!!

Thanks to everyone for the tips! I have a month to mentally prepare....

beachbum913

Just wanted to let you know that I was absolutely terrified of the injections, too. I was having nightmares about them leading up to my start date. Honestly, it's worse in your head than actuality doing it. I started shots this past Saturday, shook uncontrollably after the first one, and by the next morning, it just seemed like routine. I built it up in my head to be way worse than it was. Just take deep breaths and calm yourself the best you can, then go for it. Hope it goes well for you.

runforcookies

I didn't have a debilitating fear of needles, but they frightened me quite a bit. When we discussed the plan for how the shots would go down, I said I wanted to do it myself, but my DH said he was willing to step in and do it if I changed my mind.

Well the first night, I sat there holding the needle and started to cry and said I couldn't do it, and DH looked at me and said "I can't do it either" WTF?? So, I ever so slowly stabbed myself. I then laid down on the couch because I thought I was going to faint lol.

You get it done.

Kcheese

I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I'm in the same boat as you & petrified of needles & plan to follow this thread.

starlightgator

I know you've already received a lot of advice but I wanted to chime in if it's ok. I was the exact same way before IVF. As a matter of fact, I'll tell you a little story.

I also have rheumatoid arthritis and it was very severe for the first 8 years. It was so painful and debilitating that I learned to overcome my fear of needles for the benefit and pain relief. (I had no choice- there were days I couldn't move.) I learned how to do self injections for the experimental meds for about 2 years with no problems. Then, they switched me to a 6 hour infusion every other month. Helped the RA and it went into remission for several years.

Then, when we started TTC I had to cancel all my RA meds. Starting traditional TTC for 3 years with no luck and of course RA symptoms started up. My RA doctor was pressuring me to take some type of meds to slow the disease progression. I decided to try the injectables again. I did my first injection at home with a bit of anxiety but figured I did it in the past and it would be ok. Within seconds after the injection, I had a vasovagal reaction. Passed out cold and DH had to carry me to the couch. It was horrible. Next day, went to RA nurse and she decided to "teach me how to do it right." Within minutes of her demo with a fake needle and pin cushion, I had another vasovagal reaction and they had to carry me to the exam table. Horrible!

Needless to say, I never got the benefit of that RA med again and switched to a very low dose prednisone.

When we learned how to do the IVF injections in the RE nurse's office, I felt very woozy but held it together. A good friend gave me some advice. Since she's a big yogi, she told me to envision the fear when I felt it and embrace it. Accept it and keep going. I don't know how but it worked.

For my first injection, I spread everything out on the table, had a cold Gatorade nearby, and a cool fan blowing next to me. After I did the injection, I felt so proud! That energy helped me through the entire cycle. Now, it's the end of our 2nd cycle and they quadrupled the number of injections. By some miracle, I survived. You can too. Please feel free to PM me if I can give you any more support.

I'm sorry for the challenges you're facing. Thought it is cliche, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

carrieharry79

starlightgator Thank you for sharing your story! I hope IVF goes smoothly this month and you get  a BFP!