I Can't Look (at the needle)
@RonElFran (1214)
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
November 21, 2021 2:39pm CST
A couple of days ago I wrote about getting my COVID booster and flu vaccine shots. I mentioned that it was almost painless. But as I thought about it, “almost” is not “totally”! There is at least a little prick that you feel. And the anticipation of getting jabbed is almost worse than the needle itself.
So, I was wondering—when you get an injection, are you afraid of the needle? And what do you do to distract yourself from focusing on that needle as it enters your tender skin?
What I do is to look away and focus on something else in the room. I’ve seen photos of people who seem to be looking intently at the needle as it goes in. That’s not me!
What about you? Are you a look-at-the-needle kind of person, or a look away-er?
9 people like this
11 responses
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
21 Nov 21
I used to watch the needle going in but then fainted once so now I look anywhere but at the needle or the person giving me the shot or drawing blood. (When I fainted, three small ladies were trying to pick my 200 lbs body up off the floor when I woke up. I started laughing... I'd rather not have that happen again.)
3 people like this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
I fainted once giving blood decades ago. I haven't given blood since.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
21 Nov 21
@RonElFran I can't give blood anymore. I've had cancer twice. They won't accept my blood now.
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
21 Nov 21
It does not bother me to get an injection. I can look or look away either one.
2 people like this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
You're braver than I am!
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13034)
• Ireland
21 Nov 21
@roneifran Anyone who looks needs psychiatric help! I dread needles even though I know that vaccination is painless. It’s not the pain that worries me, it’s the thought of a shard of metal tearing through my lovely flesh that gets me. Got both Covids - felt zero and now going for booster
1 person likes this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
That's great. I hope the booster is as pain free as the first two.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41444)
• United States
21 Nov 21
I absolutely never look at the needle! I just try to relax my arm and look the other way.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41444)
• United States
21 Nov 21
@RonElFran I don't look whether it's a shot or having blood drawn.
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
That's exactly what I do.
2 people like this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
I've never had to have a lot of injections, so I feel for you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37569)
•
21 Nov 21
I didn't even feel the Covid shots at all. They gave them in the very top of my arm, I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I have had many surgeries in life, a pinprick is the least of my worries. Physical pain is terrible sometimes. Pain in the heart is a million times worse. I guess I am not afraid of needles. I usually don't watch, but I have watched and I guess I am fortunate that it doesn't bother me.
1 person likes this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
I'm sorry you've had to have so many surgeries. I hope you won't need any more. I'll be having one myself soon.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37569)
•
21 Nov 21
@RonElFran Thank you, and I hope your surgery is successful and you heal quickly.
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
21 Nov 21
I always look away. I can't watch a need going in.
1 person likes this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Nov 21
I think that for most people looking away is wise!
2 people like this
@VictorFrankenstein (243)
• United Kingdom
21 Nov 21
Relaxation's always been a bit of a problem for me, and as it happens I'm currently going through a course of treatment that involves getting needles stuck in me to draw out blood on a regular basis. I've taken meditation lessons at a local Buddhist centre in the past, so I've learned to relax by focusing on my breathing and letting my mind drift.
