Blood test phobia

[plebble]

I have a little phobia of blood tests.
When I was about 13/14 I had a blood test and I panicked so much that I passed out. They took 3 samples of my blood from my arms for some reason. I'm not sure why I panicked so much, I think it was the pain.

Since then,when I was about 15 I had a vaccination and that was totally fine and didn't really hurt.

I might be having another blood test soon and I'm a little frightened even though I know I shouldn't be.

Is there anything I can do to make myself panic less? Will looking away or humming or listen to music distract me enough to be unaware that there is a needle in me?

To the people who are basically adults now, do you find blood tests painful? Do you find them less or more painful than when you were younger?

Which hurt more, blood tests or vaccinations?

If you're going to answer a question, please don't lie to comfort me or whatever, please be truthful :)

[Mynick]

Hello (ok not quite an adult but still hope you don't mind my answer)
Personally a blood test hurts a bit more but the pain lasts less. Hard to explain.
Before you go to take blood, listen to music and try to distract yourself, when you're in the room with the doctor, DON'T look at the syringe it's the worst you can do.
It will hurt a bit, kinda of an acute pain but then it's painless.

[plebble]

Hello (ok not quite an adult but still hope you don't mind my answer)
Personally a blood test hurts a bit more but the pain lasts less. Hard to explain.
Before you go to take blood, listen to music and try to distract yourself, when you're in the room with the doctor, DON'T look at the syringe it's the worst you can do.
It will hurt a bit, kinda of an acute pain but then it's painless.

Thanks for the answer :)

Yeah I know it hurts for a short amount of time, but it's that amount of time I'm scared of. Vaccinations are quick, the Doctor or nurse shoves it in, pushes the button thingy and pulls out. Blood tests last longer because it's sucking blood out of your arm and sometimes they do that multiple times in a session whereas a vaccination can just be one time.

[Mynick]

Thanks for the answer :)

Yeah I know it hurts for a short amount of time, but it's that amount of time I'm scared of. Vaccinations are quick, the Doctor or nurse shoves it in, pushes the button thingy and pulls out. Blood tests last longer because it's sucking blood out of your arm and sometimes they do that multiple times in a session whereas a vaccination can just be one time.
That's true but, at least for me, the only thing that hurts is the 'shoving in' so to speak. When the syringe (or the 'thing') is there and when they take i feel no pain at all.
Really try not to look at it, it helps.

[Pepito]

Blood tests are not my favourite thing, but i try to manage them. From my experience I know that before a blood test you should've had enough sleep and enough food. I know it sound stupid, but I went in for a blood test once in the afternoon, having had only breakfast and 5 hours of sleep and I almost passed out. Also try not to think about what the nurse is doing. Hope it helps :)

[Mynick]

Blood tests are not my favourite thing, but i try to manage them. From my experience I know that before a blood test you should've had enough sleep and enough food. I know it sound stupid, but I went in for a blood test once in the afternoon, having had only breakfast and 5 hours of sleep and I almost passed out. Also try not to think about what the nurse is doing. Hope it helps :)
That's strange, the doctor always tells me not to eat 12h before the test.
But follow your doctor's orders.

[plebble]

Blood tests are not my favourite thing, but i try to manage them. From my experience I know that before a blood test you should've had enough sleep and enough food. I know it sound stupid, but I went in for a blood test once in the afternoon, having had only breakfast and 5 hours of sleep and I almost passed out. Also try not to think about what the nurse is doing. Hope it helps :)

Yeah I think I knew that. But with my current condition (gerd/ acid reflux) I find it incredibly difficult to sleep anyway.

I know that you must drink plenty of water before a blood test as water dilates the veins.

[Pepito]

That's strange, the doctor always tells me not to eat 12h before the test. But follow your doctor's orders.

It does sound a little strange, but the blood test was done just as an additional part of the appointment, and no-one has said anything to me about eating/not eating, but i agree - follow your doctor's orders