I've NEVER had a problem with needles, or for that matter, any medical procedure for the most part. It's just never bothered me in the least. In fact, I used to donate blood regularly. BUT ... nowadays, I get totally creeped out by needles ... especially blood tests (which I have to do on a monthly basis these days).
While in the hospital it was NON-STOP poking, prodding, slicing and dicing. I'd have blood taken a minimum of twice/day ... many times more. To make matters worse, it was a training hospital so I was a "guinea pig" so to speak. Young nurses would sometimes have to poke me numerous times to take blood. Toward the end, I'd request certain nurses and many times would be told something like, "Oh, she's working on the 3rd floor tonight". My reply was, "Then go down and get her"! They took blood so often my veins finally "collapsed" and they now have to go in at weird places to take blood ... the back of my hand, my forearm, even my neck at times!
Between the never-ending blood tests, IV's (which had to be changed/moved constantly to prevent infection), catheters, feeding tubes, trach tubes, etc. etc. etc. I've become a total wimp when it comes to needles and/or sharp objects or minor medical procedures these days.
I'm ready to head to the dentist right now to have a (wisdom) tooth pulled. I've never had a tooth pulled before and everyone has told me it's a piece of cake ... but I can already feel the anxiety building. I've never, EVER thought twice about anything like this before, but these days I get freaked out simply going in for something as simple as a dang flu shot! I know it's silly, but I think I've developed a case of PTSD from being in the frigging hospital!
I know I'll get through today and then I can look forward to more back surgery next month ... I'll get through that just fine also because I simply "suck it up" and don't really show my anxiety ... but that doesn't change how I feel "inside".
Anyway, it sucks feeling like some wimp-wussy, but I figured I'd just spill my guts to youse dufes before I head out to get cut on. I can already feel my heart rate kicking into high gear and am starting to feel clammy already. I'm not looking forward to this. I love the thought of sticking needles in my gums with the cutting and digging to follow. Can't wait!