What do you think: "vaccine caution" or an embarassing fear of needles?

[goofyernmost]

It's just a shot, folks!

People I have talked to who have had either Pfizer or Moderna have reported only a sore arm the first day. With mine (Pfizer), I didn't even know I'd had a shot the second day.

Nobody I know wakes up in the morning saying, "You know, what I'd REALLY like to do today is get a shot!"

But it's only a shot.

Same here. When I went in the service I don't think a single square inch of my being wasn't used as an injection site. I tried giving blood when I was first in the service mostly to get out of some chore that I didn't want to do. I don't think the guy that was doing the needle stick ever did it before. He tried about 6 different spots and when he couldn't find the vain he started moving the thing around in my arm. All I can say is Ouch. It took me a few years before I ever tried again but that experience only happened once. After that it was a piece of cake. I was a regular double donor with the Red Cross for years. Just as soon as my waiting time was done I'd be back. Then I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and they wouldn't take it anymore. Just a precaution I guess, but I imagine that I gave blood for quite a while before the diagnosis. I feel kind of bad about that because it was my way of trying to help those that needed the blood. I was stopped from doing my good deeds, now I don't know how I will ever get to heaven based on my younger years.

 

[JimMIA]

Same here. When I went in the service I don't think a single square inch of my being wasn't used as an injection site.

When I went in the Army, my buddies and I had it all figured out. We were all Army brats, so we made sure to have every single one of our shots up to date. We even took some shots at Ft. Bragg that we didn't need, but we knew we'd get them in basic training. We went to basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC with our official US Army shot records in hand.

At basic, they took one look at our shot records, said, "That's nice" and told us to get in line! We had to take every single shot everybody else had to take, even though we'd had them all just a couple of weeks prior!

 

[yoopermom]

I hate i.v.s the most, then blood draws, then shots.

I've only had the first one, but I truly didn't feel it past the first poke.

I've a much greater fear of being alone in the ICU, and god forbid, intubated.

 

[North of Mouse]

I have always had a fear of needles, but in this case my fear of catching Covid is so much greater that I can't wait for them to call my name. The main thing, I've been told over and over, is to relax your arm completely and it won't hurt. I try to do that, and it's really true.

 

[DL55]

For plasma and platelets there is a process where they remove whole blood, remove a portion of plasma and return the rest to the donor. I believe they use a machine similar to dialysis, out one arm and back in the other. I worked in a blood bank but never donated plasma or platelets, just processed them. I know that they could donate more often than once every 6 weeks.

Don't want to question your story, but you can't give plasma (blood) 2 or 3 times a week. There is usually a required 4 to 6 weeks between donations. Take to much out to often it ceases to be a problem, permanently.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Don't want to question your story, but you can't give plasma (blood) 2 or 3 times a week. There is usually a required 4 to 6 weeks between donations. Take to much out to often it ceases to be a problem, permanently.

In 1991, you could donate plasma 3x a week, every other day. They were more lax back then.

Now, the rule is no more than 2x a week, at least one day between them.

You are talking about donating blood.



https://www.cslplasma.com/faqs
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations state that the maximum frequency you can donate plasma is once in a two-day period – and, no more than twice in a seven-day period.

 

[goofyernmost]

When I went in the Army, my buddies and I had it all figured out. We were all Army brats, so we made sure to have every single one of our shots up to date. We even took some shots at Ft. Bragg that we didn't need, but we knew we'd get them in basic training. We went to basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC with our official US Army shot records in hand.

At basic, they took one look at our shot records, said, "That's nice" and told us to get in line! We had to take every single shot everybody else had to take, even though we'd had them all just a couple of weeks prior!

When I first went in they used the power injection "guns" that forced the stuff through the skin with no needle. Those were pleasant. I heard of a couple of guys that moved their arms just when the literal shot was given. Tore a neat hole in their upper arms. Didn't actually see that happen so take it for what it's worth.

 

[goofyernmost]

For plasma and platelets there is a process where they remove whole blood, remove a portion of plasma and return the rest to the donor. I believe they use a machine similar to dialysis, out one arm and back in the other. I worked in a blood bank but never donated plasma or platelets, just processed them. I know that they could donate more often than once every 6 weeks.

The first process you mentioned was known as Double Donor. Platelets were similar but took a lot longer. Took longer to separate I guess. However both require an accurate in vein, first time needle placement. If they missed and possible hit the vein but not correctly, that was it, you were done for that visit. Since they take blood out, process it and then pump the remainder back in there can only be one puncture wound. Otherwise, they could do serious damage to the vein. At least that is what they told me. The double donor procedure might well have been taking just the plasma. I don't really remember. The American Red Cross only allows individuals to donate plasma once every 28 days, private plasma donation companies may allow individuals to make donations multiple times a week. I only donated at the Red Cross facilities so that what my experience. I never would have done 2 or 3 times a week. Must be one of those places that pays for the donation.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

nm

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm just jumping on here to say thanks to those of you who have donated plasma. It's helping to keep me alive. My weekly infusions are made up of mostly plasma. It pretty much acts as a coating around my lungs because my liver doesn't make the protein that it should be. So thanks. :

Oh and btw........I still won't watched them insert that big ole IV needle in me!!

 

[ronandannette]

I'm just jumping on here to say thanks to those of you who have donated plasma. It's helping to keep me alive. My weekly infusions are made up of mostly plasma. It pretty much acts as a coating around my lungs because my liver doesn't make the protein that it should be. So thanks. :

Oh and btw........I still won't watched them insert that big ole IV needle in me!!

Just curious...are your IV’s administered by a phlebotomist? When I donate blood or go for blood tests I’m always so impressed with how gently and easily the highly trained personnel get it done. The few times I’ve had an IV or a blood draw in a hospital setting, the RN’s aren’t near as good. I’ve got a friend taking chemo right now and she has a port to minimize the pokes. Do you?

 

[goofyernmost]

I'm just jumping on here to say thanks to those of you who have donated plasma. It's helping to keep me alive. My weekly infusions are made up of mostly plasma. It pretty much acts as a coating around my lungs because my liver doesn't make the protein that it should be. So thanks. :

Oh and btw........I still won't watched them insert that big ole IV needle in me!!

I only wish I still could. I have never been declared cancer free, but over the last year and a half they have been unable to find the tumor either with a biopsy or an MRI. We are still up in the air about what is going on. I have had no surgery and no chemical process or radiation at all. Being that I am starting to get pretty long in the tooth, I am approaching the age when they just shrug their collective shoulders and say.. Oh, well we all gotta die of something. But as of right now except for a high PSA I have no other symptoms at all. If I can figure out how I am keeping it at bay, I will continue to keep it there.

 

[Kitty 34]

Just curious...are your IV’s administered by a phlebotomist? When I donate blood or go for blood tests I’m always so impressed with how gently and easily the highly trained personnel get it done. The few times I’ve had an IV or a blood draw in a hospital setting, the RN’s aren’t near as good. I’ve got a friend taking chemo right now and she has a port to minimize the pokes. Do you?

I go to the surgical ward in a local hospital and have one of three RNs that inject me and set me up with my Meds. It will be 5 years this May I was introduced to my "girls". I love them with all my heart and over the years have come to know them as true friends. In this pandemic I have seen them wayyyyy more than I have seen my family members and BFFs.

They would laugh about the Port question. They know I love my V-necks in the summer way too much to deal with a port. I am fortunate to still have pretty good veins even though I have been double poked many times as a valve gets in the way or the needle accidentally goes through the vein. I love my hands and wrists the best for the IV.....some good veins usually there.

 

[momz]

I may get flamed for this. But don’t care.

regarding irrational fear of vaccines...get over yourself.

having administered countless injections in all manors. Be it vaccines or medications. Seeing people carry on about getting a shot is the singular most annoying thing ever. It is not “cute” to act all scared, to pretend the nurse is trying to harm you, to take pictures of getting your shot, and to delay care being provided to someone else becasue you’re carrying on about a shot.

It’s entirely narcissistic and self-serving. Roll up your sleeve, take a deep breath and then say “thank you”.

done.

seriously, it’s not cute. I have compassion for kids and people who are not neuro typical. But if you are a normal, rational, functioning adult, it’s just annoying to have to deal with people acting like their being gutted.

 

[Jennasis]

If it helps...and I understand it may not. I am NOT a fan of needles. The needle they used was very small and I literally felt nothing. The flu shot I get every year hurts like a muthah. It feels like being stabbed with hot glass and then having snake venom pushed through. The Covid vacc literally felt like nothing.

 

[HeatherC]

I may get flamed for this. But don’t care.

regarding irrational fear of vaccines...get over yourself.

having administered countless injections in all manors. Be it vaccines or medications. Seeing people carry on about getting a shot is the singular most annoying thing ever. It is not “cute” to act all scared, to pretend the nurse is trying to harm you, to take pictures of getting your shot, and to delay care being provided to someone else becasue you’re carrying on about a shot.

It’s entirely narcissistic and self-serving. Roll up your sleeve, take a deep breath and then say “thank you”.

done.

seriously, it’s not cute. I have compassion for kids and people who are not neuro typical. But if you are a normal, rational, functioning adult, it’s just annoying to have to deal with people acting like their being gutted.

I get what you are saying, but your bedside manner could possibly use a little improvement.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

From a sample size of 1 - I've had both shots - Moderna. I barely felt the first one, and didn't feel the second one at all. Last shot was this afternoon.

 

[Lilsia]

I had to inject myself when I was on fertility treatments. It's no big deal. I can't imagine what people with this phobia would do if the became diabetic and needed it to survive. I imagine you would get over it pretty quick or be dead.

 

[momz]

I get what you are saying, but your bedside manner could possibly use a little improvement.

What I say on the disboards is not what I would say to my patients. There is nothing to worry about there. My point is, it’s annoying. But I wouldn’t say as much. I have better decorum than these people who act this way.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I will admit, I am terrified of needles. I have thought of every excuse in the world not to get a flu shot. However, I plan on getting the covid vaccination when it becomes available.