Anyone ever afraid of getting routine bloodwork done?

[panicky]

I went for a while without even getting bloodwork, but finally last year I did.  My cholesterol was high, I started taking medicine, it's regular now, and I've had bloodwork done about three times since while getting the cholesterol to a good level.  But my next routine is next month, in March, and I'm petrified, since my HA is in full swing.  Any advice?

[momtoaprincess]

You sound like me lol, read my latest post about bloodwork.  I haven't been to my reg doc in over a year.  Going to the doc all the time I believe was contributing to my extreme HA.  I haven't had complete labwork in over 2 years.  When I had it done (altho I was having HORRIBLE symptoms) everything was totally normal.  I need to make an appt to get labwork again.  I guess look at it this way, you are being proactive about your health and your bloodwork has improved over time.  Are you worried about cholesterol being high?

[panicky]

No, I tend to only worry about life threatening things!!!!  I always wonder what else will show up in the tests.

[momtoaprincess]

Me too.  My HA started w/ fears of heart attack 3 years ago, even tho I was only 31, in apparent good health, shape, etc.  Then I started fearing cancers, and the bad ones.  Same here I only fear that I have something that will end my life prematurely (and take me away from my daughter).  So altho I faithfully go to the GYN, I now put off going to the regular doc and I'm afraid to have labwork done too

[Northeast14]

I feel the same way. I always dread getting blood work done and I panic about it until I get the results. I am due to go back to my doctor in June for my routine check up and am already getting upset
about the blood work. I am also only afraid that they will find something life threatening. Every time my cell rings after the appointment I panic because I think it is my doctor calling to tell me I'm dying.

[diana66]

I have been getting bloodwork twice per year for at least 10 years, because I have controlled high blood pressure - just part of my doc's  routine.

About 2 years ago, I started running slightly anemic.  I was a calmer person then.  It didn't set me off.  But now, for the past year or so, I live in fear of this bloodwork finding something.  I swear, it started with an episode of Grey's Anatomy, when Izzie said the routine bloodwork showed advanced cancer...

I just went 4 weeks ago and am slightly anemic again (it has gone up, down, up, down).  I have to go repeat in 2 weeks.  I hate it.  But I do it anyhow.

[JunoX]

Yes, fear of routine bloodwork kept me from going to the doctor for about four years. The reason was because the last time I had gone, they told me that my white blood cells were high and my sugar was a few points high. For some reason this freaked me out big time and I was sure that I was dying. The doctor had told me that the white blood cells were high because of a finger injury that I had and thats what had brought me to the doctor in the first place but I insisted that that wasnt so. So I was scared ever since until I finally went to the doctor some weeks ago and my blood results were perfect. All of that fear for years, for nothing.

[wowthisismetoaT]

I am always terrified...until I get the results.  I have had things come up wonky before and had to had a retest at a different time.  That always scared me...and made me dread getting another test.  However, I have never had something show up that didn't resolve by the next test!  :)  My last CBC was done a month ago and my doctor (who is a really great looking, health nut) said my labs were better than HIS.  They were spot on "perfect."

And yes...my anxiety is about the results...not the needle.  LOL  Having kids ends any fear of needles you may ever have!

[panicky]

So glad I'm not the only one with this fear.  I was scared for soooo long to go, but I finally did last year.  But that didn't end my fear.  I go again in March and I am petrified.  I keep asking my husband the lovely question, should I worry? Like if he tells me not to I won't, that's a joke.  I almost can't think about it since my anxiety has been so bad this past week, the fear starts making my stomach sick if I even think about it.  Anything you guys do to get through it?

[emma09]

Distraction is probs the best way