and I gotta go get an MRA done in a couple of hours. That's an MRI where they inject dye with a big a** needle. Anyone have any idea how I get my feet to move out the door to go to this appointment? I don't have anyone to drag me kicking and screaming!

Close you eyes and think nice thoughts!

think if you dont do it you could be like me,, wind up making whats wrong worse and having to face surgery

I'm terrified of needles,too. I have no good advice but you're not alone in your fear. I hope your MRA turns out well. Good luck.

Just keep thinking, the sooner I get there, the sooner it will be all over...And don't keep thinking of what is going to happen...When u get there and are scared of that "big, thin thing....close your eyes, pick out a cloud and try to imagine floating on it..My mom taught that to me and my girls and to this day...we still use it... Works for us!!!!!!!! Good luck!

I know I GOTTA go. Been suffering with this injury for 3 months. Chiro and physical torture not working so time to find out what's going on in there. Petrified of the test itself and worried it will mean surgery. Just can't seem to get my a** moving!

Actually the needle isn't that big!! Did you explain that you are afraid of needles? They can give you something to relax..some people are afraid of small, tight places. They give them xanax...it just makes you relax and not realize whats going on. Do you have anything like that??
Obviously, you need this test done so just don't even think of the needle, think of what might happen IF you don't get it done!


Good luck

I have to agree with Thumper. Taking care of your health is the upmost purest gift you can give yourself.


Just think, after this is over with, you can stop worrying about it... you WILL be through it!


You are BRAVE!

tell yourself this over & over

don't watch the needle going in...and w/your opposite had squeeze the chair arm or just make a VERY tight fist and controled nice even breathing...i had a blood test yesterday and the nurse had to tell me she was done and i was free to leave...the tight fist things helps w/lots of painful things...good luck and don't stress...brenda

Make a good lookin guy set on your lap & give you the shot.
Or hold your hand.

How did it go, was it as bad as you anticipated? Hope you are OK

Good Luck on your MRI.I had a colonostomy last and talk about nervous.the pucker factor was so hi the had trouble inderting the camera.Bet there is good news.They gave good drugs and I slept like a baby.When I woke I had a craving for a cigarette and I don't smoke.Good luck.

if yours is anything like mine,, i have a torn rotator cuff,, and cant afford the surgery to fix it or the time off work. but the more i use it the more i tear it,, i cant lift my left arm above shoulder level. so dont be a dumbass like me,, get it done and get it over with

Thanks folks! I'll heed the wise advice.

Unsure, I thought about taking a muscle relaxer but not sure if that will screw up the test. Plus I gotta drive there and back.

Storm, unfortunately not over after this. Tuesday gotta go back for an EMG. Needles from my wrist to my neck all along the nerve pathway. I'm not even gonna start thinking about that!! Gotta get thru today first!

You can take a muscle relaxer just make sure you tell them. BUT you have to have someone drive you there and back. I take them every time I do an MRI...I sleep during the whole test!!

Keep telling yourself it's for the best:) I can't promise you it'll get easy for I had to deal with getting shot with needles nearly my whole life LOL

unsure...no can do on the driver. I'm flying solo hun. But I'll handle it.

Thumper...yup, that's what they're thinking or a ripped tendon that's not holding my shoulder in place. I too can hardly lift my arm over my head. Plus there's nerve damage somewhere.

Okay, gotta go get ready, remove all the jewelry, etc. I'll be back later and let ya know I didn't die from fear or pain! Thanks for all the kind words guys, I feel better and my a** is moving now!

Umm, I am really sorry, but I have no sympathy for people who are afraid of needles. I deal with people like that on a daily basis. I got really tired of people being babies. Its not like your giving birth or something. Get over it!! Its just a metal thing that comes right back out when they are done... and when they put in an IV... the needle dosen't stay in. Its a plastic catheter (sp) that stays in and it will not hurt you.

AND um bgeorge, she/he was NOT a nurse. she/he was a phlebotomist. Phlebotomists are often mistaken for RN's cuz people think RN's are nice and they are not... Phlebotomists are nice. please god, give some love to PHLEBOTOMISTS!!!!

I am in a pissy mood, can ya tell?

Maybe you should not post when you are in a pissy mood? I think phlebotomists are not as caring as nurses...so yep maybe the phlebotomists should learn how to be more caring??

Work with a nurse for one night, they are stupid and rude.

EDIT: I have to rephrase that. Not all nurses are stupid or rude, but god help you if you do get a stupid one. They can kill you, no, I am not kidding! They give you one pint of blood that dosen't match your type and antibodies... your screwed.... and yes, some of them are rude.