Needle anxiety

[November Fox]

Hi guys!

I switched from gel to sustanon. Today my doc gave me my first injection and showed me how to administer the shots myself. The idea is that I administer the shots from now on.

Only I´m a bit nervous about it. I´m cringy around needles. The shot today did not hurt, but I was quite tense and immediately after the shot I felt sick and had to lay down for a while (blood pressure dropped too much).

Any of you that have had the same problem? Does the anxiety get better with some practice? And have you developed any techniques to calm yourself before doing the shot?

Thanks!

[Devlyn]

I wish I had a nickel for every time I've fainted after a blood draw. I definitely feel your needle anxiety. Best wishes, and I'm sure someone will stop by to say something more helpful than "Me, too" 

Hugs, Devlyn

[JayBlue]

Any of you that have had the same problem? Does the anxiety get better with some practice? And have you developed any techniques to calm yourself before doing the shot?

I just gave myself my 2nd injection. I feel your pain- my BP always drops when I get shots. When I did my first one at the doctor's office, they made me do it myself so when I did this one at home at least I knew I had done it once before.   

What I've been doing all week to try to calm myself is to keep visualizing the process over and over and see myself just doing it without stalling. I also did it where I knew I wouldn't be distracted. One of my dogs is constantly near me so I wanted to make sure I was in a secluded place where I wouldn't be disturbed. I got everything ready according to my visualization, and it went pretty well. I was still nervous, and I still felt my BP drop so I laid down right after to calm down.

I will say that the worst part really is the apprehension. The injection itself is not bad.  I was going to count to 3, but ended up counting to 5. LOL. My goal would be that it becomes 2nd nature so I'm not so nervous.

I would think it has to get easier over time. My injections are once a week, which may be standard now, but I think that is better for practice than every other week.

Let me know how it goes for you!

[November Fox]

It´s appreciated, Devlyn! For some reason though, I am (sort of) okay when blood is drawn. When stuff has to go in... well... 

What I've been doing all week to try to calm myself is to keep visualizing the process over and over and see myself just doing it without stalling.

I guess creating an image in my mind where it´s not a big deal (to contradict the voice in my mind which says it is) could help. I´ve got three weeks to build a convincing mental image