Distraction Techniques?

[lollyone]

Hi all. My friend has a huge needle phobia and had a contraceptive implant 3 and half years ago. This was a complete fiasco for her and she ended up passing out in the Drs surgery when they put it in and she was a mess for a while after. She hasn't even touched the thing in her arm over the years as it makes her feel like fainting. So, the time has come (and gone actually) for her to have the thing removed. Apparently she can't "just leave it in" even if you beg the nurse! So I'm going with her on Thursday for the big removal. I'm thinking that the best way to handle it is to keep her talking and try to distract her completely? I'm going to try to have a big list of things to talk to her about and ask her. Any advance on this? Or should I have a plan b? Can anyone give me a heads up on how long it takes etc?
TIA :)

[woofgang]

she could ask for some valium to get her through it. Doctors will prescribe one off doses for such things.

[Nibble]

She needs to let the surgery know that she has needle phobia beforehand, not just turn up in a state of panic - it could be they could give her a light tranquilliser but it would all need to be sorted out beforehand (and I don't know, just surmising). Ask her to ring the practice nurse today so she's aware of the situation.

[mccfluff]

i used to stick headphones on, look away (ask the nurse not to tell you what they are doing and when) and chew gum

I'm not as bad as your friend though

[boxtops]

Sometimes just having a hand to hold onto really tightly is all that's needed - if you keep talking, it'll just wash over her, IMO. She won't give you coherent replies if she's in a panic. The nurse will be used to dealing with people with needle phobia, too.

[jno]

ask the nurse not to tell you what they are doing and when

but to definitely say the minute it's over.

Chatting's good. iPod on, maybe, if she's got music she can get lost in?

Plus what others have said. And lying down presumably goes without saying?

[lollyone]

Ah. Ok thank you. I hadn't thought of anything like that.

[jno]

oh and try to keep the room cool - fan on or window open if possible; too hot makes you (I mean me, of course) feel fainty.

[rockyracoon]

I second jno's iPod suggestion, some loud music could be a great distraction.

[lollyone]

Thanks for all the advice. Turned out that nothing was going to distract her enough and sure enough a passing out and running in of half the clinic staff ensued. Don't think she'll be doing it again :)