best distractions when getting bloodwork

I count backwards from 100 and listen to really loud dubstep. I don’t wanna be calm. I wanna be feral and fearless. I also don’t look.

Tell the nurse that you are prone to anxiety around the issue and liable to faint, and the best remedy is a few kind words and conversation from them. If they're even vaguely good at their jobs they'll be able to comply and even the ones that you think are "starey" you should see they shift to a different manner very quickly for you. They don't want someone to faint, but it's also up to you to let them know how to help you. You can also steal some tricks from tattooists: make sure your blood sugars are well prepped for the visit by eating/drinking properly - a good sports drink can usually do it or a non-diet soda.

After years of anguish, it suddenly dawned on me that it was the SIGHT of the hypo and such that was making me *"swim."* So now, when I walk into the blood lab and meet my pleb, I immediately say "I can't see anything, please hide it all" or something like that. They all know what that means, and when I sit down in their little cubicle, I tell them I'm closing my eyes right then, and they can move my arms or hands however they need to get the job done. I haven't had a problem since.

I always ask them to let me lie down with my feet elevated, hold a stress ball in the hand that is not being drawn from, avert my eyes, and talk about literally anything other than blood. I also have shy veins so they always have to draw from my hand. If you ask in advance they will let you lie down. Once when getting blood drawn, the plebotomist said "your blood is very slow." I promptly passed out, fell from the chair onto the floor, and wet myself. Lesson learned.

I’m the same way with blood draws, so I get it. One thing that helps a lot is just not looking at it at all, like fully turning your head away and focusing on something else. Music or a podcast in one ear can be a good distraction too. Also, taking slow, steady breaths helps more than you’d think. Some people even chat the whole time just to keep their mind off it. And if you already know you get lightheaded, letting them know upfront usually helps so they can have you lie down or take it slower. You’re definitely not alone in that though, it’s way more common than people think.

I ask to lie down where possible. I bring headphones and listen to music. I just keep one ear uncovered or use one earbud and focus on the beat or lyrics. I also go for appointments in the morning when I'm tired so it feels less real and I'm less alert. I drink juice afterwards to help with lightheadedness.

I scroll listnook, actually. Each post is different enough to keep me interested.

if you've passed out and tend to get lightheaded you should tell them and ask to lie down. you can still stay alert and distract yourself while lying down but at least 9x out of 10 the lightheadedness is a vasovagal reaction which drops your blood pressure. it is absolutely involuntary so can happen even if you mind over matter yourself into not being nervous. if you are lying down your head is level with your heart and it cuts out the vasovagal reaction and if your blood pressure does drop it is less likely you will pass out because your head is still getting blood. if you don't mind talking (just don't want to talk about blood or veins) talk to them about your pets, your weekend, your hobbies, where you like to go on holidays, etc. pets are a good one especially if you have more than one because there is usually a lot to say about your pets

I just look away and close my eyes after the nurse gets the needle ready. I don't play music or anything distracting since the process only takes about a minute. Instead I go into a zen-like state and wait for the poke. Fasting probably helps with that, haha. So I'm probably not a S member but I hope this helps :)

last time i fainted was when she mentioned something about my veins, maybe a idea to tell them before hand to say nothing about what's going on

In some people it’s a reflex to faint or come near it. I don’t know why there isn’t always a lying down option for blood draws. Wear headphones, lie down, wiggle your feet, pinch your skin, do anything distracting.

I found it helpful to listen to music or podcasts or to have a conversation with someone sitting by my 'non-affected' side. I've also encountered staff encouraging you to bring a support person, thus making life easier both for you and themselves.

dont look for sure, i also play 2048 which really helps. its simple but requires me to think about something else