I've just been posting a comment on Bionic Pony's blog about feeling light-headed today before my blood tests and my fear of blood – my own blood, that is! Yes, despite the fact that I cope with needles just fine, the thought of my own blood is a problem for me.
It all started in high school when I had the brilliant idea to donate blood. A friend decided to come along, and as we waited, she started getting really nervous. I was like, "It'll be fine!" But when we got in, they got about a 1/2 pint out of me when I started feeling faint, and they had to stop. Meanwhile my friend was absolutely fine – go figure!
Now, every time I see my blood (note I say "my" not "somebody else's"!) my brain starts screaming, "Emergency, emergency!"
I've been known to feel faint when I get a nosebleed. It's something I hate about myself. It feels so, well, weak and illogical. I mean, I know I'm not going to die when I get a nosebleed. But somehow, some primeval part of my brain isn't convinced of that fact.
And I am OK with other people's blood (so egotistical, no? haha!). Although I've never been around masses of blood, I have been at five births (my two nieces, nephew and the two kids of a friend), and seen various nosebleeds, minor cuts, etc.
What to do, what to do?
P.S. Actually, despite my comment on Bionic Pony's blog, blood tests usually aren't a problem for me; I just look away. But today I was just feeling particularly hard done by: Yesterday I had a dentist appointment to prepare a tooth for a crown. And while there wasn't any pain involved (the tooth in question has no nerves), it was exhausting (I ask myself, How can lying in a dentist's chair for four hours be exhausting? But it was – I was wiped by the end). And, so, today, I was just fed up with being poked at and prodded, was feeling sorry for myself, and my brain started getting the better of me. Mind over matter, I swear, mind over matter – in this case, to my detriment.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Laurie, there is nothing wrong with you, I think that is normal for most people. I, on the other hand, tend to get queasy at the sight of someone else's blood. I have been hurt so many times, I am more comfortable with seeing my own.
ReplyDeleteI don't like going to the dentist, it's one of those necessary evil's. The stress from being in the chair at the dentist for 4 hours would wear me out to.
You're certainly allowed to be fed up with being poked and prodded - I think we all feel that way sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAnd we all have fears we know are irrational but can't quite shake. In my case, no matter how much I trust my nurses and doctors, I always feel I need to be able to see everything they're doing to me. I was even prepared to watch my ICD implant surgery, until - surprise! - the sedative put me to sleep. :)
I hope you get to take a break from the dentist/doctor for a while now. You certainly deserve it.
Thanks, Tharr & Helen. Oh, the things we have to put up with! But having people like you around makes it easier :) L
ReplyDeleteI like being able to see, too, Helen! I find it much less scary, lol!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good day, Laurie :)
Hey "Pony"! Funny re the seeing – I always joke with my dentist about him trying to hide those great big needles they use to freeze you. I don't think he believes me when I tell him they don't scare me...
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great day, too! :)