I got my bloodwork done this morning. I usually watch to make sure they use a new needle but I forgot to watch this morning. Now I am worried they reused a needle and I will get HIV. 😔. I hate myself for not watching.
Don't hate yourself. Celebrate the fact that you forgot. In that moment of "forgetting" your mind behaved rationally in not creating a highly improbable threat.
@BrownBunE That’s actually a very good way to look at it. Thank you for that.
Thank you so much for giving an alternate way to look at it.
@Catlove9 Your OCD may not let you believe it but act in a way that you are celebrating to reinforce the idea. Tell people who know of your struggle and will feel happy for you, get yourself a treat or throw yourself a party do something that makes you feel good and chalk it up to the fact that you didnt look.
@BrownBunE That is such a good idea! And you’re right! For once I was just in the moment with my OCD keeping me “safe.”
Personally I get blood drawn regularly for different reasons and I make a point not to watch the needle insertion . Whenever possible I request the same phlebotomist each time whom has a excellent work ethic .
@777Q The place I go only has one lady but it’s the same one every time.
@Catlove9 That is good it shows continuity. It is more relaxing to focus on a painting on the wall or a pleasant thought than watching a needle go in me . A fresh needle goes in a patient each time whether they are watched or not , too much liability if they didn’t.
@777Q That’s a good point! Thank you!
I will share this further with you. Over many years of blood tests I have had only two negative experiences neither had to do with a used needle . 1- someone inexperienced had a hard time finding appropriate place of exactly where to stick the needle. 2 - another person very experienced with their job had a very condescending personality towards the interaction.
@777Q Oh yah. I had a few bad experiences myself. One time they stuck me so hard that blood just spouted out of me. It was horrifying!
@Catlove9 It is interesting that you mentioned that , the first experience with the person being inexperienced that is what also happened to me , blood splatter everywhere, LOL !
@777Q It was so awful! And then she blamed me for it! And I was just sitting there!
Omg i had the exact same problem recently and It is too hard to not think about that but really the possibilities are almost 0% (I calculated it while ruminating) you really don’t need to worry ❤️ you are not alone I know the struggle if you ever need to talk I’m here for you my dms are open!
@blp99 Thank you so much! The thought hit me like a ton of bricks when I walked out of Labcorp.
I’m anxious about HIV. What if I get it? That’s a scary thought to me. And then I’m scared/worried about giving it to others, not knowing if I have it, etc.
So everything has been going well recently. The only thing pressing is for peace of mind I am getting STD tested on Wednesday morning and I am pretty anxious about what the result will say. I go to certain massage parlors that offer extras. And I have made a point to not engage in intercourse but other non-intercourse things I have done. I was afraid that since those women do other things with people that maybe virtual things were left on the beds I would lay down on or something. I told this to a doctor I saw recently and they said it was highly unlikely. But I still have the health worry. But we will see come Wednesday. The only reason I am going is because I went to the urologist and they wanted me to rule things out since I had what seemed like a UTI but it turned out to not be the case. What's a good way to not focus on catastrophizing the situation. I keep worrying that my life is over if I am diagnosed with something and my future relationships will be tainted or I'll put someones health in jeopardy
This fear keeps coming back and it’s to the point I cry and what to panic. I no longer talk to the man simply because I wanted to move on and find something meaningful to have with someone (relationship wise). I still keep fearing I need to go get my blood checked. Thoughts like “what if I have it and don’t know it and give to someone?” “What if that urine test I took months ago didn’t work” I got tested for stds but it came back negative. They took a urine test but google says you have to have your blood drawn!! I’m so scared. My mind tells me “you have HIV” and then a sense of peace comes and scares me even more!!!
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