Please congratulate me! Needle phobe is boosted!

[hamsterjill]

Got my booster just now. It’s a BIG thing for needle phobes to face. I was having to wait because of a medical situation that was done last week.

So, I made the booster appointment and got it done this morning.

Please never make fun of people with specific phobias. We work hard to face the fear. It’s much more than a “little sting” for us.

Thanks for letting me say this. Just wanted to share.

[XanaDUer2]

1. Good for you

[hamsterjill]

9. Thank you my friend!

I hope you’re doing well. Know you understand.

[Walleye]

2. Congratulations. It's facing our real fears that takes courage

[hamsterjill]

10. Yes it is.

With a little help from our friends, etc. I am fortunate to have an understanding GP who believes it’s absurd to try to face this without help. She prescribes me, literally, a couple of Xanax each time and that helps me get beyond the irrational fear. Those of us with this issue KNOW it is irrational, but we can’t make our minds accept that.

I am grateful to have it done. Thank you for your post!

[Phoenix61]

3. WooHoo!!! Congratulations! nt

[hamsterjill]

12. Thanks much!

Glad it is DONE!

[Beachnutt]

4. Congrats and

Thank you...

[hamsterjill]

13. Appreciate that.

Yes, I really feel that it’s a duty to do the best we can to get this all behind us. A responsibility to one another.

Knowing that and feeling that way is a big inducement to try to get the shots. It’s just finding a way to work through it.

[Cracklin Charlie]

5. Great job!

You have done your patriotic duty.

Thank you.

[hamsterjill]

15. Thanks!

As stated up thread, I do believe we have a responsibility to one another and I wanted very much to do this. Grateful to have an understanding doctor AND a clinic staff this morning who were all kind and understanding!

[MLAA]

6. Way to go!

[hamsterjill]

23. Thank you.

Appreciate it.

[okaawhatever]

7. Good job! I'm so proud of you! My two favorite acronyms

For fear:

False Evidence Appearing Real

And

F Everything And Run

I’m glad you didn’t do the second one. 😀

[hamsterjill]

16. Mine is

Face everything and rise!!!!

Sometimes it’s really hard. Various people have various triggers. As Democrats, we need to understand that and be supportive. I am grateful to have had much support to get through this!

[okaawhatever]

21. 👍

[Clash City Rocker]

8. Nicely done! Facing your fears is always a good thing

I know phobias aren’t rational, and trying to fight them with logic doesn’t work. We have a family friend with a phobia to cats. She saw one once when I was with her, and completely panicked. It was an ordinary housecat, but she was terrified. I felt really bad for her.

I would say for people like myself who just don’t like pain, the new thinner needles they use are great. The shot doesn’t even hurt now. But I get that it’s a deeper issue for you.

[hamsterjill]

19. No, phobias are NOT rational.

I get so mad at myself for not just being able to “suck it up”. But we are all different and have different triggers. A fear of spiders? No problem for me while it may send someone else running scared.

Thank you for having a good understanding of how these things work. It’s not about just dealing with it. It’s about finding ways to cope. Thankfully, there are people like you who are supportive and that is appreciated.

[LeftInTX]

74. My biggest fear is roaches!

It is not NOT rational and makes me afraid to kill them, which of course, makes it worse.

[hamsterjill]

78. You've got your work cut out for you this year in Texas!!!

I think we have a record crop or something!!!

Hope you are safe and well! Thanks for all you do for us down here.

[LeftInTX]

87. My phobia is horrible and totally irrational

I was gonna try therapy for it, but they laughed off my fear of roaches.

A few months ago, I was at my easement gate checking on some things at night. The easement is on a steep bank. I had already opened the gate and was stepping onto the easement, when all of a sudden bunch of roaches crawled up the gate. I practically sprained my hip trying to get safely back into my yard...

[StarryNite]

11. I'm glad you did it.

Now it is behind you and that is one stress you can put aside.

[hamsterjill]

17. Thank you my friend!

You’ve been a great inspiration and I appreciate you!

[bluestarone]

14. Well done hamsterjill!!

CONGRATS, and welcome to the BOOSTER CLUB!!

[hamsterjill]

22. Thank you so much.

Appreciate the support for those of us with this fear.

[niyad]

18. Hugggggs. I am also a needle phobe, so I have some small idea of what you

went through. Got mine last month, after several delays. Fortunately, no reaction, so I hope that your experience is similar. Take a deep, slow breath, and try to relax. You did it!

[hamsterjill]

20. There are a lot of us.

The panic and anxiety are very real. I’m glad you were able to face yours. If you ever need to commiserate, don’t hesitate to PM me. I’ve been lucky to find a great GP who is very interested in supporting positive steps to get through this fear.

Part of my hope is to stop the posts which I see periodically on DU that are shaming people who have this fear. I call them out every time because the lack of empathy those types of posters express means that they have absolutely no ideas what this truly is and how strong it is to overcome.

[moonscape]

44. I truly get it. The only time I have fainted was

because of a needle. So many stories. When I was in the hosp 6 years ago and they came to my bedside to draw blood, I had to put a pillow over my face so I could yell into it.

In the last 6 years I have had many IV’s, surgeries, ongoing/current chemo injection every 2 weeks, needle in eye for macular degeneration every 6 wks, monthly blood work … and it has been a remarkably grueling journey. But, just last year I =finally= started feeling free from the phobia but look what it has taken!

Lots of people don’t understand because too many try to impress that ‘it doesn’t hurt’ which completely misses the point. Has zero to do with pain.

Anyway, huge congrats on your booster. I do know what it took for you to do that!

[hamsterjill]

51. Thank you so much.

Man, you have had quite a journey. I’m so sorry. You’re absolutely right in that lost people think they are “helping” by sharing that it doesn’t hurt that much. And that does (as you say) completely miss the point.

I’m glad you were able to get through your own journey however bad it must’ve been, and I wish you only calm and peace going forward.

[Javaman]

24. Good job! phobia's suck. I hate heights. :) nt

[hamsterjill]

27. Then you understand.

Thank you for sharing that. Phobias do suck!!! Your rational mind wants SO badly for you to just be "normal" (if there is such a thing), and yet you can't control the reaction. Different triggers affect different people.

Thanks for "getting it"!

[LoisB]

25. Congratulations!

[hamsterjill]

28. Thanks much.

n/t

[KS Toronado]

26. Welcome to the Booster Club!

No dues necessary.

[hamsterjill]

30. A club I've been hoping to join for a while!

I'm in Texas and I read yesterday that there are less than 11% of staffed hospital beds available. It is my great hope to do my part NOT to contribute to the surge. I know there are no guarantees, and Omicron is spreading like wild fire regardless of vaccination status. But I hope to be on the "helpful" side instead of the detrimental side of this equation.

I will continue to mask, limit leaving my house unless absolutely necessary, and social distance if I have to be out. Our poor health care workers are pushed beyond their limits and stressed.

Stay safe yourself! Thank you!

[KS Toronado]

49. Hope you're using the N95 masks since they are the safest.

[hamsterjill]

52. I am.

I hate them, but that’s okay!

[Aristus]

29. Well done!

[hamsterjill]

31. Thanks much, Aristus.

n/t

[Picaro]

32. Congratulations!

[hamsterjill]

33. Thank you, Picaro.

n/t

[orleans]

34. an idea for "next time" -- if we need a next time....

while i'm not freaked out from needles (phobic), i was very concerned about getting a reaction from the booster like i had from my original shot--j&j.

so...

my adult daughter took me to my walgreens/booster appointment, came in the little booth with me and held my hand. (she also has a great sense of humor and quietly joked around and kept me amused and fairly calm while we waited to go into the booth)

that helped me a lot. holding her hand reinforced the fact that i was getting this shot to help her as much as myself and her standing there was reassuring and comforting--her love, her strength, her support.

just for future reference--maybe doing something like that would help.

glad you got boosted.
hope you continue to stay safe.

[hamsterjill]

36. Thank you.

My daughter actually drove to to the appointment when I first got the vaccine, and as you indicate, it helped a lot. My sister drove me today but wasn’t able to go in with me.

The bottom line is - do whatever it takes to get yourself through this because it’s the right thing to do. And do NOT ever be ashamed of the fact that we might need a little extra help getting through it. As I mentioned earlier on the thread, I call out every post that shames anyone fearful of getting the vaccine. There is a big percentage of the population who have issues with this, and Democrats need to be compassionate for those of us trying to work through our fears. We are not the same as anti-vaxxers.

[Half-step]

35. You did well...!

And now you are boosted! Great job!

[hamsterjill]

37. Thanks!

I’ll feel better in the next couple of weeks when I think the booster has had time to do its thing. Until then and beyond, I’ll continue to mask, sanitize and keep my distance. I work from home the majority of the time and I know to be grateful for that. I go out as little as possible

One day, this will all be a bad memory!

[40RatRod]

38. I'm so glad you got it!

I guess I am fortunate because in my early childhood in the 40sanad 50s it was just automatic to get the shots for whatever was available. My little sister got polio before polio shots were available. Later in the military we got them for everything as we could be deployed anywhere. Later, I got more shots when I started working for Hospice I finally got my grandson to get his. He had claimed he was immune but slowly he realized he was not and changed his mind .

[hamsterjill]

39. Thanks.

I sincerely believe that my phobia stems from a childhood trauma. It’s not logical and it’s frustrating to be a reasonably logical human being about most things, and not be able to be rational about this fear. But that’s the way phobias work.

I’m grateful to have it behind me. Thanks for your post.

[ancianita]

40. Good for you! Now that you've survived you're technically out of the phobe world!

[hamsterjill]

41. I wish that were true.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t go away for most of us. It’s all about learning the strategies that work. When I got the COVID vaccine, I remember being so happy that it was over and done. I was hopeful that was going to be ALL there was. Then, boosters became a reality and it was facing the fear once again. I am elated that there is research and development - some of it very promising - for nasal vaccines!

[ancianita]

50. You just proved it is true. You'll have pills pretty soon, too, so problem solved.

[hamsterjill]

53. Here's hoping!

For pills, for nasal vaccine - anything that doesn’t require a needle!!!!

Have a great weekend!

[area51]

42. Congrats!

[hamsterjill]

43. Thank you!

n/t

[momta]

45. Congrats!

My son has a serious needle phobia. It has subsided a little since he's gotten older (he's 25 now) but as a child it was hell trying to get his vaccinations and flu shots. I do NOT make fun. It's serious.

[hamsterjill]

54. Thank you for understanding.

I think “the guys” probably get the taunting worse than women do. It’s no different for them. It’s still something that we all (regardless of gender) want so badly to be able to control, and yet cannot control. I’m glad your son has your support.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. You go girl!!!!!

[hamsterjill]

55. Made it!!! Finally!

Thank you. Are you better now?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. Still getting over the worst cold ever. But better yes.

Kind of envious of you! I know you stayed careful and waited awhile. But the bright side is that you've got a full 10 weeks of protection while the rest of us who jumped immediately have passed our 10 weeks.

[hamsterjill]

59. Glad you are improving!

I’ve read about that ten weeks and I am SO hoping it’s an underestimate.

As unpopular as it may be to say this - the reality is that people are going to get sick of getting boosters and I don’t think it’s sustainable to continue with all of the walk in clinics, etc. Something’s got to give!!

Yes, I know - many say that it’ll get to be like a yearly flu shot. But statistics show that less than half the population gets the flu shot.

So I’m hoping for some MAJOR advancements (i.e., the vaccine the Army/Walter Reed has developed) that will end this once and for all. We are all tired and weary and ready for life to get back to some semblance of normal.

Til then -stay safe and take care of yourself. Wishing you continued improvement and full return to great health.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

62. Spot on. I forgot about that army vaccine. It sounded

Great. Have they announced it yet? Plans to roll out?

I know it was hard for you with the needle phobia. But for those of us who don't have it, I swear it was the simplest thing I've ever done. Going into CVS anyway, getting a shot, and then staring at the greeting cards where they dumped me to wait for 15 min, was the simplest, easiest thing I've done in ages . Found the best cards too for future reference LOL

[hamsterjill]

64. I so admire those who can do it easily!!!!

I wish this was not a big deal for me and others like me.

I’ve not heard any further confirmation on the army vaccine. But I feel like there is SOMeTHiNG to it because it actually was picked up by some major media outlets - Forbes being one example. It would have huge implications!

As you know, I’m heavily involved in cat rescue and there is a coronavirus specific to cats that is a death sentence. It’s a harmless bug to some, but it mutates in certain cats (becomes FIP) and after that mutation, it turns deadly.


Right before COVID, some researchers at UC Davis discovered a “treatment” protocol that is having some success with affected felines. It is unfortunately very expensive and most cat owners can’t afford it. BUT…there are some lucky cats who have been treated and are living - whereas before, every single one infected died. In my mind, we have got to be close to figuring out something!!!

I know the research being done on the cat situation was reviewed during all of the initial research into COVID, and my hope is that one day, we will have something that will kill all coronavirus. I believe in mankind enough to know that there are researchers out there working day and night to find the answers.

And boy do we need answers!!!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

65. Great point. When we feel hopeless and feeling like it's never going to end

We need to remember that there are probably many scientists worldwide who are at this moment trying to figure out how to help people and our beloved animals.

[mgardener]

47. Congratulations!

[hamsterjill]

56. Appreciate it!

Thank you.

[Mr.Bill]

48. Former needle phobe here.

It took years of coaching from my wife, a retired RN to get rid of my phobia. Now I'm a proud pin cushion.

My wife is on meds that she has to inject into herself. I don't know if I could cross that line yet.

[hamsterjill]

57. Glad you found a way to cope.

I can’t imagine people who are able to self-inject.

[Mr.Bill]

60. Here's what did it for me.

Have you ever taken a pet to the vet to get a shot? And they stuck the needle in and the dog or cat never felt it? That's because they didn't know it was coming and didn't go through days of anxiety worrying about and get all tensed up when it was about to happen. Relaxation of the the injection site will eliminate almost all the pain. Needles these days are so small I really don't feel anything.

Now, if you're like I was when I was younger, it probably pained you just to read that but work on that relaxation thing and it will really help.

[hamsterjill]

63. This the small dose of Xanax

I typically would either faint or vomit. I’ve found that taking a very small dose of Xanax alleviates the anxiety enough to keep me from going into vasovagel syncope.

I also make sure to hydrate well before the appointment and I take with me wet wipes in case I start to perspire, and a bag just in case I need to throw up. There’s nothing worse than fainting or puking in front of a large crowd of people waiting to get their shot. What if there’s not a restroom or trash can (at least) close by!!! Just having the bag available gives me a degree of control and comfort. I also take a potent menthol inhaler since I’ve never been able to buy smelling salts.

Coping methods give added confidence and control.

[ProfessorGAC]

61. Congrats!

I got mine on October 30. But, I don't have the phobia over needles that gets you. Much easier for me.
My wife had a similar issue to your phobia. But, it was more about blood tests than a simple injection.
She got over that, but I honestly don't know why.

[hamsterjill]

66. Thank you.

I’m glad your wife is over her fear. One day, I’d love to be free of mine.

Have a great weekend!

[Demovictory9]

67. congrats

[hamsterjill]

70. Appreciate it.

Thank you.

[BlackSkimmer]

68. I was terrified of needles as a kid. Also accident prone, so I kept having to deal with them.

In London, in a wading pool, I stepped on a nasty broken bottle, which almost severed my toe.

My parents were not with me, I was with grandpa, and by the time mom arrived at the hospital, she could hear me screeching. The doctor assured her they’d not even touched me yet…I was horrified at the needle they were going to use to numb my foot to stitch me up.

I survived. Funny thing, later that year diagnosed with asthma….shots prescribed twice a week. Terrified, but somehow my dad talked me through the first one. A British family lol, and he played me bagpipes for bravery. It worked.

I never blink an eye with a needle now. I understand and glad you got through it!

That big toe still doesn’t bend.

[hamsterjill]

71. You are tough!!!

I’m not sure I could handle a needle to the toe! Bet you had an AMAZING childhood!

[BlackSkimmer]

75. I was NOT tough.

I screamed the entire time. My parents essentially told me to suck it up lol.

I screamed for the measles vaccine too. Mom had no patience with me, but when it came time for the allergy shots they were so wonderful. I don’t remember much about getting through the first week of shots…but I remember the bagpipes. Too funny. Outgrew asthma so the shots ended eventually.

After that it never bothered me much.

That being said, I’m still not wild about needles. Truly, for me, it was mind over matter.

[Phentex]

69. Yay! Congratulations!

You owe no one an explanation but you should be very proud of yourself for taking this step. Happy for you!

[hamsterjill]

72. Thanks.

As I’ve said upthread, part of my hope is to stop some of the language I see periodically on DU about “just suck it up and get the shot”. Sometimes, there’s a lot more involved and compassion goes a long way.

Have a great weekend!

[LeftInTX]

73. Glad you "got it done"

The more you fear, the more you tense
The more you tense, the more it hurts..
vicious cycle

[hamsterjill]

79. Me, too.

Thanks much!

[EleanorR]

77. Well done!

And thank you.

[hamsterjill]

80. Appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Scrivener7]

81. Congratulations! I have the same phobia, and I'm doing shingles vaccines now too.

So that's 5 needles in a short time.

We are so brave!

[hamsterjill]

84. Oh you ARE brave!!!

I need to do shingles. I will work on it.

It’s hard to face, isn’t it?

[Scrivener7]

85. It really is. My doctor knows me and is good about it, but it is the same sweaty palm

racing heart nonsense every time.

[AmBlue]

82. Yay!! So happy for you!

You got it done.... BRAVO!!!

[Meowmee]

83. Yay congrats 👏🏻

[electric_blue68]

86. Great news! You took your extra brave pill!

I've had a phobia here and there so I know.