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blood tests/needles

crystal12

Hi, my adult son seriously doesn't like needles.  He had a canula inserted after sedation at the dentist + was ok with that because of the sedation.   Our Dr wants to do some blood tests on him as "he hasn't had any in ages" (probably never).  At present he's recovering from a chesty cough which he's been taking antibiotics for but isn't fully recovered from.  Maybe it's a viral rather than a bacterial infection.  My son saw me having blood drawn years ago + nearly jumped out of his skin.  I should have prepared him better, I know.  I'm at the Drs for blood tests today so will have a word with the nurse to see if she can be any help regarding him but if anyone has any advice, please reply.  

Parents

  • Needles:

    Hiya,

    I share your sons strong aversion to needles, I am also am adult on the spectrum.

    What worked when I was younger and easier to deceive was the "get him talking approach". I got to know the family doctor well, and over many meetings I became more confident. The first time they took blood, they got me talking about an obsession and kept asking me for more and more details. In the end, the doctor was talking to me about how many cells my blood had etc.

    In calm, alert situations I have since them been okay. 

    However, the last two times my blood has been taken was during gastric emergencies.

    Before I arrived at the hospital I was not speaking and it just kinda went down hill from there. The first time they stopped attempting it as they thought it was too dangerous (they had got nothing 3 times and I was rather agitated I am told). 

    The most recent time, I was more with it (calm, but very spaced out). They were nice, explained before they did anything. My best friend was there (he was there the time before as well) and it was not to bad. I remember being scared, all the lights and noises and the sensation of the needle etc, but the one thing which caused the most upset was their language.

    They said they were going to take some blood. Explained how much (far less than 1%) and the nurses (who was called faith) name. (I don't know why that's meant to help? I now remember her name but I don't think it's important?)

    They took blood, but actually installed something in my arm. I was not expecting that and freaked out when they said they were done a giant thing was in my arm. They should have told me upfront that to take blood they were planning on fitting something that's stays in my arm.

    Hope that helps.

    Jamie + Lion

Reply

  • Needles:

    Hiya,

    I share your sons strong aversion to needles, I am also am adult on the spectrum.

    What worked when I was younger and easier to deceive was the "get him talking approach". I got to know the family doctor well, and over many meetings I became more confident. The first time they took blood, they got me talking about an obsession and kept asking me for more and more details. In the end, the doctor was talking to me about how many cells my blood had etc.

    In calm, alert situations I have since them been okay. 

    However, the last two times my blood has been taken was during gastric emergencies.

    Before I arrived at the hospital I was not speaking and it just kinda went down hill from there. The first time they stopped attempting it as they thought it was too dangerous (they had got nothing 3 times and I was rather agitated I am told). 

    The most recent time, I was more with it (calm, but very spaced out). They were nice, explained before they did anything. My best friend was there (he was there the time before as well) and it was not to bad. I remember being scared, all the lights and noises and the sensation of the needle etc, but the one thing which caused the most upset was their language.

    They said they were going to take some blood. Explained how much (far less than 1%) and the nurses (who was called faith) name. (I don't know why that's meant to help? I now remember her name but I don't think it's important?)

    They took blood, but actually installed something in my arm. I was not expecting that and freaked out when they said they were done a giant thing was in my arm. They should have told me upfront that to take blood they were planning on fitting something that's stays in my arm.

    Hope that helps.

    Jamie + Lion

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