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Cured of phobia?!

tigerlily72

tigerlily72

Well-Known Member
Messages
517
Location
South West, England UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Anyone that's read any of my posts will most likely know I'm needle phobic which is really not a good thing to be when you have diabetes!

Anyway, as I'm diet only I have to pay for test strips etc but bought a Codefree meter some time ago. I have had to get hubby to do my finger prickings as I've not been able to do it myself. However, I managed to do it for myself for the very first time on Xmas day to the relief of hubby who has been nagging me for some time! He's just been diagnosed as Type 2 as well and has bought the Accu Chek Mobile. We had a spare Fastclix pen so I've been using that which does seem easier and less painful!

I'd recommend the Fastclix, especially if like me you don't like self inflicting!
 
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Phobias are such a pain and as a claustrophobia sufferer have real fear of even being in a train with those driver controlled locks. Yesterday on my way back from town on a bus we reached someones stop to find the doors firmly locked AAAHHHHHGGG but to my suprise I managed to contain my rising panic until rescued so like you Tigerlily am very pleased with myself:eek:
 
Well done Tigerlily, I used to have this same problem, but diabetes soon ended it. However, I still do not relish going onto insulin
 
Well done! :) I think I got over the idea that I couldn't prick or inject myself quite quickly. To be honest when I first started insulin I held onto the pen for the first injection when they were watching me at the clinic and I sat there a while. The diabetic educators there just said when you're ready, when you're ready. It was a mind over matter thing definitely. But then I got home and had to do my very first injection without any help... again it took me a while. Funnily enough as soon as I got it done I thought what was my problem? So I haven't had a problem with injecting at all after that... just becomes second nature along with the finger pricking. But yes I still have a phobia, I don't like any water I can't stand up in and refuse to go in. lol.... so I can understand.
 
Have you tried exposure therapy? I have/had extreme needle phobia and it helped an incredible amount. Blood tests are a lot easier. It was 3 months of weekly meetings, with a few hours each evening going through exercises. I attended after GP referral. The process is really easy just time consuming.
 
John309 said:
Have you tried exposure therapy? I have/had extreme needle phobia and it helped an incredible amount. Blood tests are a lot easier. It was 3 months of weekly meetings, with a few hours each evening going through exercises. I attended after GP referral. The process is really easy just time consuming.
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I'd heard of something very similar. But, I guess with the regular blood tests you have to "get on with it". I'm not cured but I'd say it's definitely so much easier and far less stressful than what it's previously been. I usually ask for the same healthcare assistant when I need a blood test as she gets the vein and I barely feel it. She's fab in my opinion!
 
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