Tips for Dealing with IV Insertion Anxiety?

Hi, everyone! I had a colonoscopy last Tuesday. Everything went well, thankfully, but the worst part for me was the butterfly insert for the IV line. I have always been terrified of those, and I get really anxious about them. Generally, I tend to want to practice exposure therapy with things like these, but I don’t think it’s feasible with this particular issue. Does anyone have any tricks or tips for getting through one of these? Thank you so much! 🙏🏼💖

Your answer

Jen82

2y ago

Maybe put some earbuds in and listen to soothing music?

Phoenix.Afrodita

2y ago

Worth a try. Thank you! 😊

ProfessorPlum

2y ago

I struggle a lot with needles. I used to always pass out any time I had to give a simple blood sample. What I've learned to do is first I tell the nurse I have an anxiety issue and that I need to lay down. I dont know why laying down helps, but even if we're in a room with just a chair, they will always find me a room where I can lay down, even if it's on an x-ray table. Then, I tell the nurse he/she has to talk to me. I don't look at my arm, and I let the conversation distract me from what they're doing. Having someone ask me questions that I have to think about and reply to distracts me more than listening. Even my kids have learned to ask me random questions when I'm having an anxiety attack!

Phoenix.Afrodita

2y ago

Thank you! This is what I do as well, but I forget about having people asking me questions. Thank you for that! 🙏🏼💖 BTW: the reason being horizontal helps is because our blood pressure drops; it’s called vasovagal reaction, and when we faint due to it, vasovagal syncope. The reason we faint is so our brain doesn’t lose blood-flow - and therefore oxygen - so being horizontal keeps us from fainting because our brain is not losing blood-flow even though our blood pressure is dropping. Bringing our own stress ball with us and constantly moving our fingers and toes also helps by keeping our blood pressure up. I hope this helps clarify some things. And thank you again for the tip about having people ask me questions! 😊 Now I just have to practice remembering it!! 🙈

ProfessorPlum

2y ago

And for an IV that stays in your arm, I always put a blanket or something over it so I don't notice it's there.

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