I'm severely tryphanophobic, and it's severely affecting my ability to get HRT. My doctor won't prescribe hormones without checking a blood test. There were at least 10 attempts today at drawing blood between two different labs, and I failed to avoid a panic attack every time. I feel like such a failure, considering pretty much my life rides on this blood test.

The traditional methods ("look the other way," "think happy thoughts") don't work so well when you're convulsing in a panic attack. Neither does squeezing someone's hand, my arm still shakes like crazy.

I'm willing to try just about anything to calm me. Ideally, I'd prefer to be unconscious during the procedure, but unfortunately most general anesthetics are introduced intravenously these days, making the whole point moot, on top of potential legal ramifications. I understand that certain anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed, however I only recieved the side effects from clonazepam when I was given that back in October for a blood test then, none of the calming effects, and getting a prescription would require yet another visit to the doctor.

Does anyone ever have similar experiences, and/or know of any way to prevent panic attacks when caused by needles?

I think one reason you're having trouble being able to relax and take your mind off the needle is because what you're attempting to do is reactive rather than proactive. So it's almost certainly doomed to failure.

It's like saying to someone "okay, don't think of a giant, purple, striped rhino". The mind has to think about something first to get a frame of reference in order to know what it is that it's not supposed to think of. And thinking about the needle is going to evoke all the sensations of anxiety you feel about them.

Cognitive behavioural therapy can sometimes help, but I'm guessing you're not all that keen on wanting to go through another form of therapy.

What I would suggest, at least as a starting point, is to learn how to relax yourself and give yourself a "safe space" to visualise, in times where you're not actively stressed or anxious. It's a little like training your mind. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Think of it as a form of autohypnosis. Once you can do this, then you can evoke those feelings of relaxation and taking yourself almost outside yourself pretty much on command, no matter what you're faced with. There are literally hundreds of relaxation techniques out there, hon. A quick google search will likely turn up several which are useful to you. But the key is practice, and to recognise the feelings of being relaxed and at ease. And to not wait until you need to use them, but learn how to use them beforehand.

CBT seems like it could take weeks or months to take effect, not to mention the issues it could have with insurance.

As for that autohypnosis thing, it also seems like it could take a while. Of course I may be wrong, I don't know anything about it. I need this to be done much much sooner than later, so I can start functioning again, something that I've not been able to do due to extreme dysphoria. I'll take a look at it nonetheless.

How about talking to someone while you're there? Like, on the phone or something. Would that be possible? Someone who can take your mind off where you are and what's happening?

Lauren5 I can bearly read your post right now or write this without wanting to curl up I understand what your going through. I'm getting my levels checked again on Wednesday something not I"m not looking forward to. Due to epilepsy I've had to have blood tests every year (torture! I can't even stand a canular) these are somethings that have helped me whenever needles are involved.
1) Tell your doctor make sure they understand
2) Find a good lab. A decent pathologist will see the the fear on you and take extra precautions
3) Have a friend and a paper bag handy. im yet to hyperventilate but have had to be dragged there up one floor and they can talk for you if you faint
4) A muscle relaxant can sometimes help I grab the strongest over the counter headache tablets I can find. NOT ALCOHOL
5) Shopping aftewards gives you something to look forward to
I belive me it is hard to get over this fear and others to actually to understand (its just a needle!). If you get over this please let me know how

Oh and I was so distracted I forgot to say this good luck it's a evil we have to do I know it will be very scary but the rewards will be worth it

I totally understand you. Panic attacks were something that I used to get from just seeing syringes. Needles alone don't bother me, it's really the idea I think that I am getting stabbed and having my blood stolen. I'm getting better because I need HRT and I knew without that test the doc would never give it to me. So for me it is thinking about is this 45 seconds of being uncomfortable worth (hopefully) 50+ more years of hating myself? It wasn't. I had a panic attack the first test of the 5 I've had over the past 7 months. Each time I've gotten better. I have super low blood pressure to so the after effects aren't good. Also I realized it was the build up that gave me the worst trouble I still get it now. Deep breaths and future happiness get me past it.

Quote from: Sephirah on March 15, 2014, 05:13:11 AMHow about talking to someone while you're there? Like, on the phone or something. Would that be possible? Someone who can take your mind off where you are and what's happening?

Both times they brought a second phlebotomist in to talk to me and (literally) hold my hand, but that wasn't so useful, I was still having panic attacks.

Quote from: immortal gypsy on March 15, 2014, 06:38:28 AMLauren5 I can bearly read your post right now or write this without wanting to curl up I understand what your going through. I'm getting my levels checked again on Wednesday something not I"m not looking forward to. Due to epilepsy I've had to have blood tests every year (torture! I can't even stand a canular) these are somethings that have helped me whenever needles are involved.
1) Tell your doctor make sure they understand
2) Find a good lab. A decent pathologist will see the the fear on you and take extra precautions
3) Have a friend and a paper bag handy. im yet to hyperventilate but have had to be dragged there up one floor and they can talk for you if you faint
4) A muscle relaxant can sometimes help I grab the strongest over the counter headache tablets I can find. NOT ALCOHOL
5) Shopping aftewards gives you something to look forward to
I belive me it is hard to get over this fear and others to actually to understand (its just a needle!). If you get over this please let me know how

Same here, even the talk can sometimes trigger an attack.
1. Something I did, told my doctor and every phlebotomist I saw.
2. I've been to a total of three since moving here, all ended up the same: no blood taken.
3. I barely have friends, and they have class. I'd hate to take time out of their day for them to come and help me. What exactly is the paper bag for? And I'm yet to faint before actually getting the blood out (wish I could, that way I'd be unconcious and unaware of my surroundings) only after, a few times, and I envy those who do.
4. Like what types? And I know about alcohol, it breaks the required fasting.
5. Would be great if I had money to do so.

Quote from: Hayley on March 15, 2014, 06:50:48 AMI totally understand you. Panic attacks were something that I used to get from just seeing syringes. Needles alone don't bother me, it's really the idea I think that I am getting stabbed and having my blood stolen. I'm getting better because I need HRT and I knew without that test the doc would never give it to me. So for me it is thinking about is this 45 seconds of being uncomfortable worth (hopefully) 50+ more years of hating myself? It wasn't. I had a panic attack the first test of the 5 I've had over the past 7 months. Each time I've gotten better. I have super low blood pressure to so the after effects aren't good. Also I realized it was the build up that gave me the worst trouble I still get it now. Deep breaths and future happiness get me past it.

Interesting that it's the syringe that does it for you. Every type of needle does it for me. I had issues sewing a button back onto my coat.
Quite honestly I'd rather die than not have estrogen right now. Death vs repeated panic attacks drawing out time making me unhappier and unhappier?

Hopefully within the next year Theranos will open a facility in your part of the country, then you can get a much less intimidating blood test. They use a pin (or possibly even a small blade) to take a few drops of blood from the finger.
They plan to open facilities in Walgreens throughout the country over the next year.
I plan to try out their first facility in CA this year and I will make a post about it when I do. I don't have a fear of needles per se, but I can't stand the actual injection or drawing sensation when fluids flow.
Good luck finding a coping mechanism in the meantime!

Quote from: xponentialshift on March 15, 2014, 12:28:31 PMHopefully within the next year Theranos will open a facility in your part of the country, then you can get a much less intimidating blood test. They use a pin (or possibly even a small blade) to take a few drops of blood from the finger.
They plan to open facilities in Walgreens throughout the country over the next year.
I plan to try out their first facility in CA this year and I will make a post about it when I do. I don't have a fear of needles per se, but I can't stand the actual injection or drawing sensation when fluids flow.
Good luck finding a coping mechanism in the meantime!

I don't think that will work, I was told 10ml of blood was necessary. I asked about a fingerprinted alternations and they said there's no way they're getting over even 1ml of blood that way.
Even if it would, I need the test now, not in a year.

I was under the impression blood tests were needed several time a year throughout transition. I realize this new technology won't help immediately, but it could for future tests. And it uses about 0.5 ml of blood (new lab techniques)

Quote from: xponentialshift on March 15, 2014, 12:44:25 PM
I was under the impression blood tests were needed several time a year throughout transition. I realize this new technology won't help immediately, but it could for future tests. And it uses about 0.5 ml of blood (new lab techniques)

That's true, at least once every 3 months for at least a year.
What my issue is right now, I finally have HRT within reach, no more doctors blocking me. Just phlebotomy. I havr things in my own hands, but at the same time, out of my control.

I can understand how it feels to be so close with just one more obstacle. I wish you luck in finding a solution quickly!

If you can't find anything else perhaps you could fly to CA and get the blood test in Palo Alto... If you need a full battery of tests, the low cost of the new testing might even offset the cost of the airfare. I think I mentioned in another post that an estradiol test is about $19 and glucose test is about $2.00...
If you do pick that path I would call beforehand to understand exactly what the process is to make sure you can handle it... It may be too similar to a needle.

Quote from: xponentialshift on March 15, 2014, 12:59:47 PMI can understand how it feels to be so close with just one more obstacle. I wish you luck in finding a solution quickly!

If you can't find anything else perhaps you could fly to CA and get the blood test in Palo Alto... If you need a full battery of tests, the low cost of the new testing might even offset the cost of the airfare. I think I mentioned in another post that an estradiol test is about $19 and glucose test is about $2.00...
If you do pick that path I would call beforehand to understand exactly what the process is to make sure you can handle it... It may be too similar to a needle.

That probably won't work. I don't have enough for a plane ticket any further than Chicago, let alone all the way to the west coast. Since insurance will (hopefully) cover everything, I don't think it'll work. If I had the money I'd do it right away.

This would have been so easy if I had gotten accepted to Stanford, I could have walked there from campus.

Quote from: Lauren5 on March 15, 2014, 12:23:36 PM
Both times they brought a second phlebotomist in to talk to me and (literally) hold my hand, but that wasn't so useful, I was still having panic attacks.Same here, even the talk can sometimes trigger an attack.
1. Something I did, told my doctor and every phlebotomist I saw.
2. I've been to a total of three since moving here, all ended up the same: no blood taken.
3. I barely have friends, and they have class. I'd hate to take time out of their day for them to come and help me. What exactly is the paper bag for? And I'm yet to faint before actually getting the blood out (wish I could, that way I'd be unconcious and unaware of my surroundings) only after, a few times, and I envy those who do.
4. Like what types? And I know about alcohol, it breaks the required fasting.
5. Would be great if I had money to do so.Interesting that it's the syringe that does it for you. Every type of needle does it for me. I had issues sewing a button back onto my coat.

I'm sorry I was lucky to have a doctor bully the lab take it now they wanted me to come back tomorrow so wasn't going to happen
The paperbag. When you hyperventilate your expelling to much oxygen to quickly making it harder to breathe. By breathing into a paper bag your helping your body put oxygen into the body. (We expell more oxygen then carbon dioxide from our lungs which is why you are able to perform cpr)
Not in America I don't know what's available and what they contain but I use migraine tablets or anything for server pain (mysndol day or night strength is my favorite right now).
Oh it's not just the syringes. I have my buttons sewn on by someone else. I doubt I will be able to get my ears pierced unless they let me do it seriously drunk. I can't walk past a tattoo parlor. It has had some benefits thou.



Quite honestly I'd rather die than not have estrogen right now. Death vs repeated panic attacks drawing out time making me unhappier and unhappier?

Doh! Stupid using Mobile and trying to answer from a few post back.

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