Forum Discussion
Needle anxiety
I've never really had a problem with needles before. Even the daily multiple needles through IVF, while unpleasant, was basically okay. But my first chemo treatment was on Tuesday and we had a lot of ...
Hi Sevenbe
I never had needle anxiety before my first chemo - it took ages to find a vein and the pain and anxiety each time they tried only got worse - to the point that I wanted to get up and leave! So I know how you feel. I felt so traumatised after the first chemo that I phoned the oncologist to say that I was done with treatment. I have since has a port inserted (more anxiety about another needle for the anaesthetic) - I tried to breathe through it and look the other way but even so am not looking forward to future sessions - I find that breathing exercises and meditation are helping with the anxiety. Also the advice from others to focus somewhere else in the room while they do their thing is something I will definitely try!
I never had needle anxiety before my first chemo - it took ages to find a vein and the pain and anxiety each time they tried only got worse - to the point that I wanted to get up and leave! So I know how you feel. I felt so traumatised after the first chemo that I phoned the oncologist to say that I was done with treatment. I have since has a port inserted (more anxiety about another needle for the anaesthetic) - I tried to breathe through it and look the other way but even so am not looking forward to future sessions - I find that breathing exercises and meditation are helping with the anxiety. Also the advice from others to focus somewhere else in the room while they do their thing is something I will definitely try!