Just my luck that my laptop has to die on the day the residence network goes online, taking with it all of my files and MP3s and leaving me with mild disgruntlement
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Does anyone have any tips for enduring blood tests?
Ask to have them done as quickly as possible - eg. so you don't spend a week worrying about them before you have the appointment.
Take a friend with you for hand holding purposes.
Ask to lie down - if lying down will make you feel more relaxed.
Then practice mind control over body - go and float in some clouds/imagine yourself on a warm sunny beach drinking cocktails. The more relaxed you are the less it will hurt.
Don't try to talk yourself into believing that it won't hurt at all, because it will hurt a little* - it's hard to describe really, but it feels kind of sharp and not nice for about ten seconds, then it stops hurting.
*ask for some EMLA cream - this is a topical local anasethetic they put on the area where they're going to take the blood from. It numbs the skin and a certain distance down, making blood tests more or less painless. It's prescription only, so you'll have to ask the doctor for it when s/he orders the blood tests. You have to apply it 30-45 mins before hand and cover it with a very sticky plaster.
I'm one of these weird people - I've absolutely no fear of blood tests, but I have strenuous objections to being covered with plasters because I *hate* removing them.
Ask to have them done as quickly as possible - eg. so you don't spend a week worrying about them before you have the appointment.
Take a friend with you for hand holding purposes.
Ask to lie down - if lying down will make you feel more relaxed.
Then practice mind control over body - go and float in some clouds/imagine yourself on a warm sunny beach drinking cocktails. The more relaxed you are the less it will hurt.
Don't try to talk yourself into believing that it won't hurt at all, because it will hurt a little* - it's hard to describe really, but it feels kind of sharp and not nice for about ten seconds, then it stops hurting.
*ask for some EMLA cream - this is a topical local anasethetic they put on the area where they're going to take the blood from. It numbs the skin and a certain distance down, making blood tests more or less painless. It's prescription only, so you'll have to ask the doctor for it when s/he orders the blood tests. You have to apply it 30-45 mins before hand and cover it with a very sticky plaster.
I'm one of these weird people - I've absolutely no fear of blood tests, but I have strenuous objections to being covered with plasters because I *hate* removing them.
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