i'm phobic of needles, but strangely have to look at them. One thing that really helped me when I had to get an injection was that the doctors had a poster on the ceiling, I stared at that instead, also holding a conversation with someone else while its happening, going to a peaceful place (in my head) with these I was still so scared I just wanted to bolt, but I stuck through it to proove to myself I could, Ifelt great afterwards!
I also find whenever I think about it before hand, it really helps to totally distract myself with something else so I don't panic and refuse to go, it's often worse in my head!
Also talking to someone before I go in (usually really fast about complete garbage in my case!) helps, as well as telling the person doing the injecting how scared I am!
Although the best cure I found was laughing gas (the doc gave it to me!) I just didn't care about the injection anymore! Not sure if they do it any more, or at all wherever you are, (i'm in england), but it's worth asking, it really really helped.
Hope these tips are useful!
Hang in there, hope it goes ok
message me if you need any support at the time if you want
xxx

Ohhh. I have a huge fear of needles. I would run even before I got into the her office to poke you. That seems to to to scary. Evil needles with there poking and killing your arm. I had to get a shot and I punched the nurse and kicked my step-mom. (They were holding me down) So evil NEEDLES SHOULDN'T BE!!!

i have posted previously about a huge fear of mine with needles. well since then ive been in hospital. i had a hell of a lot of needles whilst there. i was petrified when i was told. the first was bloods. and i was crying. but i was in so much pain due to my bladder not working and urine backflowing into my kidneys. that all i could do was shake and cry and sob. i was so scared. the scratch came. and thats what i fear the most. and i started to relax. i was humming into my wool jumper covering my eyes. i was there for 2 weeks , every night i had to have clexane (sp.) in my stomach. again the first night i was nearly fitting at the thought but the woman on the ward helped me out. after that one i was fine with it although it stung about 5 mins after. i was fine if i could pick the place. hell of a long story short. for me, someone who hates needles. in 2 weeks i had 21 injections. by the end i was fine with it so i think im over my fear. i just have to have something on my forehead i have found it comforting. after i was discharged i had ended up back in a and e and had to have my bloods taken at that point. i was worried as the only injection i wasnt over was the bloods. and i was fine with it. it took a lot and i did pass out. but i think having a spinal tap may have put the rest into perspective

Thank you for posting this. I have major issues with needles, hospitals, doctors, etc. So many people perceive me as a 'wuss', not understanding how serious this problem really is for me. My problem is that I'm a fainter. Sometimes just hearing someone talk about a bloodtest will cause me to blanche. It's awful. I hate the feeling of passing out, not to mention that I have major anxiety about passing out in front of other people. Just accompanying someone to a doctor's appointment will make me queasy and feeling like a trapped animal. I get an adrenaline rush and feel like I need to run away ASAP. I'm in the process of seeking some serious counseling to help me deal with this, as well as other anxiety issues that I have (seems I have a ton of them right now!). I also just ordered a book for myself from amazon, called 'Overcoming Medical Phobias: How to conquer fear of Blood, Needles, Doctors and Dentists', by Martin M. Antony and Mark A, M.D. Watling. I'm hoping it will help. It sounds to me like you have a great counsellor who is really trying to help you. I don't blame you for being so scared though. I know I would be too! Hang in there. You are sooo brave just to be seeking help for this problem.

I have a huge fear of needles. That is really an under statement. Monday of last week I had to get the flu shot. Oh my gosh, I thought that I was going to die. The thing is that the person that had to give it to me is a very close friend of mine. I warn her that I have this phobia.
All of my life I have had this phobia. I just dont know what to do about it because I know that in the future more than likely I am going to have to more and more shots plus one day I do want to have children. Right now I am totally hopeless.

I think what that nurse is doing is wrong. She is supposed to help you, not put fear into your life. Maybe you should have someone else go with her to get her flu shot. You need to get yourself together, and ask your pdoc for something that will calm those fears. I have a fear of heights and deep water, so I know what terror is like