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Hypochondria about Needles (please help)

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Posted Yesterday 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, my anxiety may seem ridiculous to many, but I can't get it out of my head. I am a hypochondriac, but I lead a safe life, no risky behavior, no drugs, very limited drinking, no romantic relations, etc. I was for some years "worried" about maybe getting some infections diseases from going to the Barber Shop (Hep C, HIV, etc.). I finally went to the lab to get tested (Quest Diagnostics). Of course, everything was negative, but right after getting those results an anxiety got hold of me that is it possible during the blood test they used an infected needle? All it takes is a crazy nurse. I know Quest Diagnostics has a very good reputation, everything there was very clean. I didn't look at that direction during the moment of drawing my blood, so can't say from where the nurse got the needle, I was too nervous to notice. I even made sure I was the first one in the lab early in the morning, to lower the risk of using someone else's used needle.

I know my anxiety is unfounded, and may sound crazy to many, but just wanted any advice or support, please?

Thank you very much.

Post Edited (metuchen) : 11/27/2017 8:09:13 PM (GMT-7)

Posted Yesterday 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

I am really sorry to hear of your current fears. I understand how challenging an irrational, but persistent thought can be. That is one of the trickiest parts of anxiety...because most people don't understand and are often not supportive.

What thus far if anything have you done for an attempt at anxiety management? Therapy, medication...self help?

These are the usual options that people explore. You can talk to your doctor about the first two...

...and check our Resources at the top of the main page for the latter. The Therapy Worksheets could be especially helpful in working through the worrisome thoughts you are experiencing.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted Yesterday 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
M, I have to have labs done quite frequently & I use Quest because they are next door to my drs office. I do watch the entire process. The equipment used is disposable, needles especially. I watch the tech take everything out of new sterile packaging & when finished it goes into the red box. The name of that box escapes me, however, they are picked up by a company for proper disposal.

I hope this will help settle your fears somewhat.
Posted Yesterday 5:46 PM (GMT 0)

Scaredy Cat said...
Hello and welcome!

I am really sorry to hear of your current fears. I understand how challenging an irrational, but persistent thought can be. That is one of the trickiest parts of anxiety...because most people don't understand and are often not supportive.

What thus far if anything have you done for an attempt at anxiety management? Therapy, medication...self help?

These are the usual options that people explore. You can talk to your doctor about the first two...

...and check our Resources at the top of the main page for the latter. The Therapy Worksheets could be especially helpful in working through the worrisome thoughts you are experiencing.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!

Scaredy Cat

Thank you for the response and welcome, I haven't done anything for the anxiety management, it comes and goes to be honest, and just been trying to deal with it by myself. I am trying to be as logical as possible about it in order to mitigate my irrational hypochondriac anxiety.

straydog said...
M, I have to have labs done quite frequently & I use Quest because they are next door to my drs office. I do watch the entire process. The equipment used is disposable, needles especially. I watch the tech take everything out of new sterile packaging & when finished it goes into the red box. The name of that box escapes me, however, they are picked up by a company for proper disposal.

I hope this will help settle your fears somewhat.

I am suppose the same was done during my test, the thing is I don't like to watch when they do the blood draw, so I was looking away, plus just being nervous in general for the test.
Posted Yesterday 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, well check out our Resources for self help material...and consider talking to your doctor if you feel your QOL is being affected.

Keep posting too for encouragement and support!

S.C.
Posted Yesterday 10:31 PM (GMT 0)

Scaredy Cat said...
Okay, well check out our Resources for self help material...and consider talking to your doctor if you feel your QOL is being affected.

Keep posting too for encouragement and support!

S.C.

Are my concerns founded? Or I shouldn't even worry? I fall into a cycle of self-doubt.
Posted Today 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
M.,

I can tell you every way possible...everyday, 24/7...that your fear is not rational, however we both know that this will only help temporarily if at all.

What you need for reassurance is to learn how to change the negative/fearful thinking patterns that feed the anxiety.

I really encourage you to consider therapy for the best recovery...and to get started with the self help as soon as possible...it will help! smile

S.C.
Posted Today 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
You need not worry.

Honestly that would take one STUPID nurse who would need her license taken away if you were poked with a dirty needle.

The chances of that happening are slim to none. When you work with sharps in any science setting, the rule is to DISPOSE of the needle immediately after it is used.

Even the clean needles must go through autoclave or other sterilization processes. The packaging that contains the needles are subject to heavy government regulations requiring the packaging not to be a source of contamination (all must be sterile).

In a clinical laboratory there is no use EVER to reuse a needle.
Posted Today 9:05 PM (GMT 0)

Anxious Scientist said...
You need not worry.

Honestly that would take one STUPID nurse who would need her license taken away if you were poked with a dirty needle.

The chances of that happening are slim to none. When you work with sharps in any science setting, the rule is to DISPOSE of the needle immediately after it is used.

Even the clean needles must go through autoclave or other sterilization processes. The packaging that contains the needles are subject to heavy government regulations requiring the packaging not to be a source of contamination (all must be sterile).

In a clinical laboratory there is no use EVER to reuse a needle.

Yes I agree, I am not sure why I even have that anxiety, during the test I should have simply paid closer attention just to have peace of mind, but I was nervous and looking away. It's not something debilitating, but a constant weight in the back of my mind. It's like my mind keeps trying to worry about something, and I can't just live in peace...
Posted 12/1/2017 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
M,

You sure it's just not needle anxiety in general?

For myself, I started out as a kid absolutely a basket case about needles. They had to have nurses pin me down, I'll cry, hyperventilate, etc. As I got older (it was actually after I got my first tattoo) I was able to handle injections. To this day, I'm still a huge baby about blood tests or IV placements. Now I have panic attacks and nearly vomit or pass out each time.

It is very likely that just a needle anxiety, could trigger you to think about things that are worse (like a really unlikely contamination event). We all know how the spiraling affect comes in when we start to have some anxiety. Think that may be possible?
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