General Discussion Triathlon Talk » HTFU … and the tetanus shot Rss Feed  
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2009-08-12 10:07 AM

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Subject: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

So I went back to my doctor this morning for my regular blood work follow up (HBP, cholesterol).  When the nurse took my vitals, my blood pressure was up 40 points.  My pulse was up 30 points.  Why?  I went ahead and admitted I needed a tetanus shot.  After my Sunday bike accident, it seemed appropriate. 

I hate shots.  I have a 40+ years of phobia to get over.  I was just a mess.  I couldn’t string together coherent sentences.  The nurses laughed at me.  My doctor looked at my healing legs and suggested I think about how much less the shot would hurt than what I did to myself in the first place.  It was over in a blink.

And I got a “Backyardigans” sticker out of it.  Sigh.  I am such a pansy.  Just needed to come here and admit it.



2009-08-12 10:39 AM
in reply to: #2343679

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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
KarmannGhia - 2009-08-12 10:07 AM

So I went back to my doctor this morning for my regular blood work follow up (HBP, cholesterol).  When the nurse took my vitals, my blood pressure was up 40 points.  My pulse was up 30 points.  Why?  I went ahead and admitted I needed a tetanus shot.  After my Sunday bike accident, it seemed appropriate. 

I hate shots.  I have a 40+ years of phobia to get over.  I was just a mess.  I couldn’t string together coherent sentences.  The nurses laughed at me.  My doctor looked at my healing legs and suggested I think about how much less the shot would hurt than what I did to myself in the first place.  It was over in a blink.

And I got a “Backyardigans” sticker out of it.  Sigh.  I am such a pansy.  Just needed to come here and admit it.



Isn't Tetanus the one that hurts for days afterwards?  I'd have been whining too.  Not over the shot...just how much it would make me hurt for days!

But as a person who has had a *lot* of shots...including anthrax, typhoid, smallpox, and cortisone (I had a cortisone to the bottom of my heel...try that without wanting to scream)...they do just suck.  I'm not that phobic, but I don't typically like to look.  I don't look when someone takes blood from me either.  Luckily the folks are pretty quick.  Oh, I've even had docs stick big needles in my knee (with me watching!) to drain fluid.

Acupuncture helped me get over it a bit.  Maybe not worth it if you don't need too many more shots in your life.  But if you ever need to get over the phobia, having someone stick a bunch of needles in you might help.
2009-08-12 10:45 AM
in reply to: #2343679

Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

Yeah, the tetanus shot will make your arm sore for a few days afterwards. It's not terrible. Had the first one when I was 15 and then the next one last summer (at age 27 - supposed to get it every 10 years if you don't step on any rusty nails), and that one didn't hurt so much, but I also got sick from a whooping cough booster they gave me at the same time, so I guess the chills, aches and fever numbed the soreness... :-/

I hate needles too - absolutely hate them. I even hate scenes in Grey's Anatomy where they give someone an injection. And I hate getting blood drawn, because no matter what, no matter how good the nurse is, it ALWAYS hurts. It hurts when they stick me and it hurts the entire time the needle is in there. So yeah, just HTFU

2009-08-12 10:47 AM
in reply to: #2343776

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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

I got a tetanus shot on Monday night. The shot itself wasn't bad. I woke up Tuesday morning feeling fine. But by the end of the work day on Tuesday (yesterday), I was in sooo much pain. LOL - I went to the bathroom and couldn't even use my right arm to pull up my pants. It's awful! Good luck, tomorrow might be a rough day.

I don't ever have pain relievers, but I stopped by my parents' last night and grabbed some Excedrin back & body (it's all they had). It seems to have helped a little. I took some this AM after it took me forever to get into a running top this morning. (Had to try a few tops and/or sports bras before I came across one I could get on.) It's awful.

I wish the nurse would've warned me about this, so I could have gotten the shot in my left arm (I'm right handed). Writing was brutal yesterday afternoon. I was supposed to ride last night, but didn't. I will see how I feel later today and if I can handle aero...or even pumping up the tires .

2009-08-12 10:50 AM
in reply to: #2343679

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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
Dude, I feel you, I really do.  I had a nasty needle phobia for years - got the "Nurses laughing at me" bit and all that.

What cured it?  Developing a thyroid condition which requires bloodwork four times a year.  Sigh.

Here's hoping it's a long time before your next shot/bloodwork.
2009-08-12 11:22 AM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
Yup tetanus sucks - I think you have to get one every 10 years - I just got mine a few months ago - totally worth not getting some nasty infection tho!


2009-08-12 11:23 AM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
KarmannGhia - 2009-08-12 10:07 AM

So I went back to my doctor this morning for my regular blood work follow up (HBP, cholesterol).  When the nurse took my vitals, my blood pressure was up 40 points.  My pulse was up 30 points.  Why?  I went ahead and admitted I needed a tetanus shot.  After my Sunday bike accident, it seemed appropriate. 

I hate shots.  I have a 40+ years of phobia to get over.  I was just a mess.  I couldn’t string together coherent sentences.  The nurses laughed at me.  My doctor looked at my healing legs and suggested I think about how much less the shot would hurt than what I did to myself in the first place.  It was over in a blink.

And I got a “Backyardigans” sticker out of it.  Sigh.  I am such a pansy.  Just needed to come here and admit it.



I use to have a HUGE fear of needles. So I made myself face my fear. I gave blood and plasma whenever I could to get over it. I got over my fear.

Face your fears.

2009-08-12 5:13 PM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
Hate needles...kept my eyes closed the entire root canal today...didn't want to see them "coming at me" with the sharp, pointy things!
2009-08-12 5:16 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
After my June bike crash I had to get a tetanus shot as well. It was just a bit sore after, like a bruise. The other injuries made me quickly forget the shot.
2009-08-12 5:39 PM
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Pro
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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

I don't have a fear of needles, but whenever blood is draw from me, I faint. It happens if I accidentally bleed a lot too. Yuck.

I can take shots no problem, just don't take anything out.

2009-08-12 8:35 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
Dude.   Be thankful it's just a fear of needles.  I've got the full white-coat syndrome.  Blood?  No problem.  Blood that requires a doctor visit?  Boom.  on the floor.   Eye doctor?  woozy, nauseous.  Dentist?  I've nearly ripped the arms off of the exam chair, and I've bitten two hygenists. (not hard, but I just slowly clamped down on their fingers.  They were both like "you want to let go?")  Physical?  high pulse, high systolic pressure.  

BUT.  I did sit in the room for both of my wife's Csections.  Was fine, until I happened to catch some blood flowing through the clear suction line near my foot.  Survived.  Even stood up to look over the curtain to see my boy doing the "Alien" from my wife's abdomen.

And a BUTTload of shots before travelling to China to get my daughter.

HTFU indeed!


2009-08-12 10:01 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

I am the exact same way!!!! I freak out, I can't even handle getting my blood drawn! I can do it to other people though with no problem! 

And I'm IN medical school!

2009-08-13 8:14 AM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
I used to not be scared of needles. in fact, I used to give blood and plasma quite a bit...until i got someone that didn't know what they were doing once. they stuck the needle in, then dug around to "find" the vein. that hurt and left alot of bruising.

that's the last time i gave blood or plasma...and now, i don't look when i have to have bloodwork.
2009-08-13 8:47 AM
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Master
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Ferndale, MI
Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

Be glad you don't need allergy shots.  A shot every 2 weeks until maintenance level is reached + one every 4-6 weeks after will cure your fear of shots very quickly.

2009-08-13 8:53 AM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
hehe, I've got diabetes...my whole life has been nothing but needles since I was 9. There is a secret to these things, and that is EXHALE. Just as they're about to jab you, take a long exhale. It forces you to relax and you barely feel the needle. Trust me.
2009-08-13 6:46 PM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
I can't look when they give me a shot or take blood.  I look away, relax and do OK.  I also can't look when they do that to anyone else.

A real operation on TV/movie/health class - can't take it at all and I usually pass out.
Oddly, in a real emergency, I'm your man, a little agitated, but good to go and handle the blood, but after the emergency is over, there's no reason for me to see your stitches, wounds or whatnot.

And the funny part:  I'm a personal injury attorney, and I have to look at pix of bad injuries for my cases.  Usually just a quick glance unless more is really needed.


2009-08-13 11:19 PM
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Master
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The Whites, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
phoenixazul - 2009-08-13 9:53 AM hehe, I've got diabetes...my whole life has been nothing but needles since I was 9. There is a secret to these things, and that is EXHALE. Just as they're about to jab you, take a long exhale. It forces you to relax and you barely feel the needle. Trust me.

Hey, nice tip! I might be going on daily shots (sub-q), I'll keep this in mind.

Good for you just getting it done and overwith. I HATE it when nurses/docs laugh at people - I had an ER doc joking around outside a guy's room who's patella was a good four inches out of place that he's "a big baby." Mmm-hmmm. That made me think really highly of her. Grrr...
2009-08-14 12:39 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
U R Not alone.  I was the only kid to faint in junior high school when we got our shots. Many fights after that.

I did ok on a few of the last shots so I thought it was getting better but then my last blood work I really tried to hold on but ended up going out and banging my head on the outcropped wall border waking up to 3 nurses and a doctor trying to hold me up. So next time I'm just giving up and will request to be lying down when they do it and save us all the grief.

Oddly enough dentist needles don't bother me much.

Ah well, c'est la vie.

2009-08-14 1:01 PM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
For my work we have to get a regular (read as often as they can stick us, like every few years) Tdap shot (Tetanus, Diptherea and purtusis) because of working with Immuno Comprimised patients. The nurse who gives the shot had a great recommendation for getting rid of the pain. I did not believe her at first, and she said it only works for about 60% of people, but it worked for me.

Do pushups right after you get the shot, and later that day. I also go home and us a freeweight to do a few bicep/tricep curls. You know what? Barely hurt at all the following day and by evening (maybe 30 hours later) could not even tell I had had a shot there.

Next time give that a try for the pain. For the shot itself well...HTFU and who cares about needles. The only thing I hate is that stupid little fingerprick if they only need a really tiny amount of blood, my finger hurts for 2-3 days after that with how much typing I do at my job.
2009-08-14 1:27 PM
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Elite
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Cheesehead, WI
Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
I just got a tetanus shot last Thursday too! Duuuuuude! Those suckers HURT! My deltoid was sore for days!!!!! I mean the muscle was sore like I'd been lifting weights for hours.
But I didn't get a sticker
2009-08-14 1:50 PM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

As an adult, I don't like it and I get a little nervous, but I can deal. 

As a child, I once crawled under the exam table (which was in a corner of the room w/ only two sides exposed) screaming and holding on the the table legs while my mother and three nurses tried to drag me out.  I was very young (maybe 4-ish), so it was some vaccine given in the butt.  They eventually pulled me out and got me back on the table with my butt exposed.  The doctor flat out refused to come into the room, so my mom and two of the nurses held me down while the third nurse gave me the shot.  It was quite tramatic.  To this day my mother says that is the most embarrassed she has ever felt in her life. 

On another note, after a crazy happening with a co-worker, I now always watch the needle like a hawk even though it makes the experience more stressful. 

An old employer used to offer free flu shots.  On a particular day in the fall they would have some medical service come in and everyone who was interested would line up into something of a flu shot assembly line...wipe, stick w/ a pre-filled syringe, bandaid...down the line of people.  So, the one year, this co-worker of mine was maybe 4th or 5th in line.  The guy wipes her arm w/ alcohol (or whatever it is that they use to clean it), sticks her with the needle, and says, "oops!"  The co-worker says (panicked), "What do you mean, oops?"  The guy stutters a bit and says, "Oh, that one was empty."  So she starts freaking out (rightly so!) and asking him if it was empty b/c he had already used it on one of the people in front of her.  He said not, but she was really scared that he was lying to cover his @ss!  She went to her own doctor immediately and started on anti-virals and whatever other preventative drugs they give you for dirty needle sticks.  She had to get all these tests done over several months to make sure she hadn't gotten HIV or hepatitis or anything from the double-stick.  I had left the company by then, but I think that was the last year of the free flu shot clinic!



2009-08-14 3:44 PM
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Arlington, VA
Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot

Thanks for all the responses.  The arm/shoulder does hurt like hell right now, but I'll get over it.  Tomorrow, I'm going to hop back on the bike.  I owe the tri-gods a good ride after the weekend debacle.

2009-08-14 5:12 PM
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Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
In college I stepped on broken beer bottle and needed a tetanus shot. I ended up with high fever and in the college infirmary for a few days which shows how sick I was. Now I was very concerned when I needed another one and discussed it at length with my doc. We considered the options and I ended up just getting it and this time I was fine.
2009-08-14 5:46 PM
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Master
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Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: HTFU … and the tetanus shot
I got the tetanus shot a week ago - and it's still tender.  Not as bad as the finger sliced that necessitated it, though!  AND no sticker - what's up with that?!?
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