Dizziness during blood draw

@maezee (41985)
United States
August 30, 2020 3:05pm CST
How's it going? It's Sunday and I just wanted to check in quick. I had a doctor's appointment last week - the first appointment I have had in a LONG time - where they had to draw blood. I have been WEIRD about blood draws ever since I was a kid, getting dizzy and woozy, sometimes feeling faint-y when I would get blood drawn. It's funny though, because I never felt that way about receiving shots, getting piercings, or tattoos. This time it was for a TB test on a potential part-time job I have applied for. I kind of figured if they did a TB test - it would be the mantoux test. But it was a blood draw.... I tend to avoid doctors and have not had a primary care physician in a long time. And I still don't. I need to set that up, but I am not quite ready for that level of "adulting" yet. Plus now I have a whole new set of anxiety over anxiety that I didn't realize would still be "a thing" after so many years of not having it done. But, lo and behold, after the needle was in, and during the "waiting" period for blood to come out..I started to see camera flashes, feel very dizzy, and very sweaty. They got the blood they needed, and started fanning me to cool me down and gave me apple juice. They said they see it pretty frequently, and that not eating that morning probably didn't help. I kind of lied to them and said "This has never happened before, so sorry!" but in truth - this is EVERY experience when I go to get my blood drawn. And it's so embarrassing. For a grown adult to be given apple juice to "come to". When I cooled off, the needle was out of my arm, and I drank my apple juice, I felt fine again - but it took a good 15 minutes. Does anyone else experience this type of anxiety or experience with blood draws (or anything else similarly)? And what worked for you? Any technique to share? I have had excessive phobias of the dentist, which I have gotten over by repeated exposure and going to a very nice dentist. THIS experience is psychosomatic, as in creating physical symptoms (such as almost fainting) and that worries me more.
2 people like this
2 responses
@ShyBear88 (59342)
• Sterling, Virginia
31 Aug 20
It doesn’t bother me. Probably because I’ve done it so much in my adult life when I was pregnant. Also my husband works medical and he doesn’t like every day taking blood. He doesn’t like a lot of blood but working with people and taking blood as helped with that . Large amount of blood makes me stomach flip now that I have kids. Other wise I’m good. I usually don’t watch till the needle is in. I also take deeps breaths and talk or have them keep talking.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41985)
• United States
5 Sep 20
Thank you! Maybe repetition will help me. But for now I am going to avoid getting it taken again for a little while, while I figure out a game plan. Hehe. I bet working with blood a lot would help you become desensitized to it for sure.
@ShyBear88 (59342)
• Sterling, Virginia
6 Sep 20
@maezee nah! I’m more sensitive to it because I have kids and my hormones to the sight of blood makes my stomach turn. This only after having three kids. My husband isn’t bothered by it but he is by vomit
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
30 Aug 20
I am so used to getting my blood drawn it's old hat for me. I remember it was once took a woman seven tries on my arms and hands before they could get a vein to cooperate with them. I have seen people who donate blood get a cookie when they do it so they won't get woozy. Definitely eat before you go, unless the test calls for fasting. My last blood draw a week ago I couldn't eat anything before having it done.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41985)
• United States
5 Sep 20
seven tries! Oh my god. I would NOT be ok with that. Did that bother you? I am sure it bothers everyone. I was lucky on this one that they found the vein right away at least. Ugh! I will DEFINITELY eat breakfast before hand although I don't know if it was psychosomatic or blood-sugar-related. Probably a mix of both. lol. Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
5 Sep 20
@maezee The seven tries didn't bother me, it was how long it took. My back hurt, and I just wanted to leave.