Can anyone share with me how they deal with the fills (with having a needle phobia?) I watched Big Medicine this week and it showed a lady getting her first fill and you would have thought I was getting stuck. I hate this phobia because I feel so embarrassed. It has affected many parts of my life.

I did hear someone saw they wanted to know if the doc used ultra violet lights to locate the port...cause they had a doctor that was using them for a pin cushion. I KNOW I COULDN'T HANDLE THIS.

I checked with the Nutritionist with Dr Weaver and she stated if Dr Weaver can't locate the port she gets the light.

At 56...want to overcome such terror.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sharon/Memphis:think

Hi Sharon,

I completely sympathize with your needhe-phobia; I suffered for years until I got pregnant the first time. All I can say is DON'T LOOK. The fill doctor will numb the area first so after the first tiny pinprick for the anaesthesia you don't feel anything. Even though I'm used to it now, thinking too much about what they're doing can still freak me out, so I do my best to look away and think about something else entirely.

Good luck!!

Alexandra

Thanks for the quick reply.

So you are saying they numb the area with anesthesia...I didn't see that happen on Big Medicine. I plan on asking the doctor about the procedure...so I won't get caught off guard.

Being a therapist, I am learning to help myself, so when I have a client with the same I can tell them from experience.

I am going to try EMDR with a friend to see if this will help. The biggest problem...is the embarrassment.

Sharon

I also have a needle phobia. I agree - Do NOT look around the room. There may be needles in plain sight. Just keep your eyes on your feet, get on the table and close your eyes.

My doctor does fills under flouroscope only. I get to watch my insides on the monitor or look out the window. First there is a pin prick that feels very much like an ant bite. Then just some pressure from the fill needle. No pain but pain isn't my fear - seeing the giant needle is my fear.

If I see the needles = :faint:

Yes, the doctors does numb it. the numbness does come quickly because doc. just do it!!! there is a prick but nothing major. look away, have some conversation and before you know it, its done!!

Tell the Dr. or nurse which ever does the fills that you are scared. I felt the same as you to the point I thought I was going to pass out the first time. The nurse said they have several people like that. She was very good, placed a cloth over my face so I couldn't see the needle, sat me up with the needle in me and I didn't feel a thing. I felt sort of stupid over feeling this way but couldn't help it. Second fill was no issue, just the first one.

Alexandra

Thanks for the quick reply.

So you are saying they numb the area with anesthesia...I didn't see that happen on Big Medicine. Sharon

Most doctors do not numb the place because the needle for the numbing is exactly the SAME thing as the needle going into the port! (So why get stuck twice?) I asked about that too, the first time, being a little antsy. I don't LIKE needles and I DO NOT WATCH anything. Makes a big difference for me. It really is a non-issue.

I do think I will take your suggestion. I will talk to the Dr about my phobia just to inform them of my feelings. I know my body is doing this for a reason, and attempting to comfront the fear...otherwise I think I wouldn't even do this surgery...knowing I had to have a needle ever so often.

Thanks ya'll for the feedback,

I will keep you informed what the doctor says when I see her.

I did not even feel it when i got my fills. I have had two. Just try not to look. Good luck, Donna

I was absolutely terrified for my first fill. I hate needles so much that thinking about needles was the only thing that I was scared of when I got pregnant. I wasn't worried about pushing out a baby, but I was worried about having an IV. Anyway...the needle used to numb the area is much smaller than the actual fill needle (at least it is at my doctor's office). I thought that I was going to throw up prior to my first fill. I have now had three fills and there really is nothing to it. You'll be fine.