Needle anxiety

Hi Sevenbe. The exact same thing happened to me. I was hospitalised with neutropenia and an infection during chemo. Had to have lots of needles for blood tests and then cannula for fluids and medication. I came to be terrified of needles. On one particular day I was stuck six times to get one cannula in. I couldn't take it in the end. I would cry when a nurse came near me and even went to punch one out on one particularly bad day - thank goodness my husband was there to stop me! I felt like a pin cushion and was covered in bruises. I ended up begging for a port which was good because I too was having Herceptin for 12months. I had a few problems with my port and even needed another operation on it after it flipped but I don't regret having it one bit as I now am totally relaxed when I get the Herceptin and never feel a thing thanks to emla patches. I have 3 more treatments left but will keep my port for a year afterwards because I have a high chance of recurrence. All the best with it. Nadine

Hi,  I just wanted to say how much your post sounded like what I felt. I had never had a fear of needles but on my second chemo it just hit me and then even getting blood taken the tears would just start rolling down my cheeks. I decided on getting a ports cath because I also had Herceptin for 12 months and it the anxiety I felt was overwhelming. I recently finished and had the ports cath out last month and I don't regret it at all. Sending love

I also found that the weekly blood tests were not so much fun - but once I found someone that was really good and I explained to her how difficult it was - after that just asked for her by name each week - never had to have a trainee digging around ever again, and she used the needle that they use for babies and then put it into the tubes from there - so much easier and less painful.

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!

Don't feel bad, it's ok to be anxious.  The chemo makes some of us much more anxious than normal.  Ativan is an excellent medication for anxiety.  I took it before five of my chemo cycles.  It definitely helped.  My chemo nurse said kindly "sometimes a chocolate biscuit helps, sometimes you need Ativan!"  You will need a prescription from your doctor.  It's addictive so you can't take it all the time, but it is excellent on a short term basis.  It also stops you feeling nausea.  Once this is over you may become fine about injections again.  Good luck.  Karen 

Thanks. It's good to know I'm not the only one and there are things we can do.

It's  the anxiety pushing that fear  up. Definitely talk with you Dr about it. I had a port put in and used emla beforehand so no pain. Talk to the anesthesiologist before surgery about this as might give you a sedative. As to nausea and chemo. There are many drugs that don't  require an injection. One is ondasetron which is a wafer...so no matter how sick most absorbed through the mouth (I used to suck a mint with mine) The secret is to keep on top of the medications. Tell your oncoligist and they can change many things to help. I needed additional steroid days, stemitil and ondasetron. ..which made it quite okay.

If I didn't take an anti-anxiety before my sessions I was a complete mess. I thought I was totally in control and didn't even feel nervous until the nurse was hooking me in, then suddenly it was panic city. Twice I ended up in tears. *hug* I think it's a normal reaction, but it's worth letting someone know how distressing it is for you.

Thanks. I'm doing my best to relax when I get them, but I've never experienced this level of anxiety before. I'll ask about the Emula Cream.

Oh Sevenhe it is horrible I agree when they have trouble getting our cannulas in they had to opt for a PIca line for me due to my allergies. Its ok to cry and sob girl we all get put on a rollercoaster ride we dont choose to go on.... 
they had the "specialist Cannula man have to come over from another section to try to get mine in. the Pica Line was so much easier after it was in ....  Please talk to your doctor or BC nurse tell them how anxious you have become about the needles. Our team is there to help us with our ride not just the planning but also the practical stuff. like our anxieties that flare up or begin due to the rollercoaster ride. I found taking my Ipod with my fav Music playing with one  ear plug in and trying to focus elsewhere helped me, but we are all different so You know yourself what helps you relax? ask for Emula Cream .... MY kids called it magic cream
Hugs and peace as you go forward 
Alice xxx