Any advice on getting over my fear of needles?

Dont like needles never have. Just the thought of getting a shot or seeing someone get a shot sets me off. I have to take yet another EMG (electromyography). Doc tells me I may have Lou Gehrig's Disease. (ALS) Had one test almost made it thru till I had a panic attack and started to pass out. I really need some help here so please no smartass answers. Just the thought of another test makes me freak out! HELP PLEASE!

Doctor knows about the prolbem. The test takes like 1 hour and they stick needles in the muscles of your arms and legs and they go deep and jiggle them around and such. I can only stay in my happy place so long till I pass out on them. Test over you have to be awake and alert to get the right readings.

This is serious. You need medical attention yet are afraid of one of the procedures? Discuss this with your doctor. I am sure he can accomodate you. Perhaps he will let you relax with your eyes closed so you don't know when you are getting the shot nor will you see the needle going in. The most important thing is to discuss this with your doctor. Chances are he has dealt with your phobia before and may have an effective strategy to help you get the medical care you need.

ask for gas to relax you

Your not the only one who's afraid of needles, was that way myself and still don't care for them but have realized that they can't help you medically if you don't give into it.
My suggestion is to do what I do. Turn your head away from the person giving you a shot or taking blood and think of something else while they're doing their job. All you feel is the sting of the needle and once that's done the rest is history and it's over in nothing flat.

maybe if your understand that the needle for a shot is either going into sub-q tissue which is fatty tissue or I'm which is inter muscular tissue and and the nurse will pull back on plunger to make sure she is not in a vein so you can be at ease they do know what they are doing !and if its a blood draw of course it goes into a vein .you spend more time worrying than any little needle can hurt you its over before you know it !im not making fun of you i just want you to know they only do it for your well-being and this is a free country you must agree to any medical treatment.

I would suggest Valium or a mild sedative first - however, these might interfere with the test. Ask you doctor if there is anything they can give you first so that you can relax during the procedure. They have to sedate some people before having an MRI because quite a few people have panic attacks in the enclosed space during the procedure. If this is not an option, you need to do something else to be distracted before and during the procedure. I do not know if headphones and music would help along with keeping your eyes closed - but it would probably be the best I can come up with. Also - some deep breathing exercises. Can you enlist someone to come with you to help distract you - maybe read you funny stories or a book?
When my daughter was little she had to have an IVP. We sang "Everybody hates me nobody loves me guess I'll go eat worms..."
You are not alone - I hope your test comes out OK!