[dadathome]

I'm not sure if that came with a dose of snark attached...

No, absolutely no snark intended - the comment was more that we tried to guide him towards visualisation today (it works for me), but he couldn't get there.

[emlis22]

I have a really strong needle phobia. My arm is aching and I'm literally twitching at the thought. I remember through uni I would BAWL (yes I was 20 haha) in the doctors office. I'm a little better now. NEVER look at the needle, get the nurse to keep talking to you and it's over before you know it. I also get really really, light headed afterwards, so maybe a really good meal before you go might help (coax him with his favourite perhaps).

[librablonde]

I have a huge needle phobia which is very unfortunate when undergoing IVF
I can highly recommend Emla cream patches for your DS (rather than just buying a whole tube of the cream). They're expensive but so-o-o worth it. Leave the cream on under the patch for 30 mins and he'll be fine. Ring your local pharmacies and see who stocks it near you.

[dadathome]

Thanks everyone for your help - I'll talk with him later , and also with the nurse etc. Too much emotion to the fore at present. His decision and my reaction are making me a little nauseous at present.

As for the dentist, I'll also raise that with him, although I don't expect any needles.

[neyrie]

My daughter has some dramas with needles (thanks to an idiot ED nurse and her thoughtless father and grandmother) but she has anxiety issues in general. It may seem odd advice but it has worked with us, but don't tell him until the last second. Seriously a psychologist suggested this to us. She said the more notice we gave the longer she had time to get herself worked up about it and it really was more the thinking about it than the actual pain. We thought we were doing the right thing about talking about it and getting her used to the idea, nope the complete opposite worked. But get the Dr surgery on board, no mucking, have everything ready but out of sight, get in and just do it before they get a chance to work up. My dr lays her down with the arm hanging out of site and I sit facing her very close and just talk and make her focus on me. Lots of hugs and kisses and a special bakery treat after

Good luck and have a great holiday

[~sydblue~]

I think as much as you are upset, you need to be a bit more understanding. Needle phobias(as with many phobias) can be crippling for some. DH's only needles in 20yrs consisted of the ones he had so he could go to singapore, and a series of needles he had after attending a fire and breathing in toxic fumes.
I actually feel sorry for your son that you bargained with him for money. He is 9yrs old.
I would go with the emla cream, it is a godsend when DD13 has to have blood tests.

[30bt]

HI My DD has needle phobia after having meningitis and multiple hospitalisations last year. She is in yr 7 and needs to have her immunizations this year. The play therapist at the children's hospital we attend has given her a buzzy to try. the website is buzzy4shots.com. It works by buzzing on her arm for up to 1 minute before the needle and then when the needle is about to happen it gets moved up higher and the mind follows the buzz and concentrates less on the needle.
There are studies that have been done on this marvellous invention and I'm hoping it will work for her!
I am a seconder for emla- try some at home, when he is not stressed, put on his hand or arm and then after 15-20 minutes make him touch it or use a pin to show him that he has no feeling.
All the best

[Escapin]

It may seem odd advice but it has worked with us, but don't tell him until the last second. Seriously a psychologist suggested this to us. She said the more notice we gave the longer she had time to get herself worked up about it and it really was more the thinking about it than the actual pain. We thought we were doing the right thing about talking about it and getting her used to the idea, nope the complete opposite worked. But get the Dr surgery on board, no mucking, have everything ready but out of sight, get in and just do it before they get a chance to work up. My dr lays her down with the arm hanging out of site and I sit facing her very close and just talk and make her focus on me. Lots of hugs and kisses and a special bakery treat after

Good luck and have a great holiday

As someone with a terrible phobia of needles, I would agree with the above. As an adult I like to count down from 10 to 1, out loud. Gives me something else to think about. Maybe that would help too.

[MissingInAction]

I really struggle with needles.
I lie down for them, I tell them straight up that I'm not keen and will probably need to lie there for a bit afterwards (I usually dry reach a bit afterwards and go all dizzy like). During the actual needle I will focus on something like my toes, for example, and try to be very very aware of my toes. Or, another method that works really well for me is imagining a "happy time" in my life in as much detail as possible. Eg: I'll imagine my most recent birthday party, I'll try to remember exactly who was there, what they were wearing, what they brought with them what we talked bout, what happened, etc.