So, I am on the spectrum and have recently had to start using a medication that requires periodic intramuscular injections. I’m fine with the little bit of pain and the rest of the process, but there is an intense hesitation to do the initial jab. If I don’t use enough force to penetrate the muscle, I have to push again or start over and that is way worse of a sensation and pain.
No matter how many times I’ve done it, I can’t get over that intense hesitation. My brain just won’t let me do it. It’s not the pain since I have a really high pain tolerance. It’s just some inability to intentionally use force to injure myself or something like that.
So, anyone else had similar issues or have any tips for tricking my mind into allowing me to do the jab?
Thanks!
I’m diabetic so not IM but I’ve always had a problem with needles. A few things helped over the years, by far the most helpful thing was simply not watching; pick a spot and raise the syringe up a few inches look away and let gravity drop it home.
At times I found it helpful to use more distance or more force.
I used to do something to distract myself like literally screaming while doing it.
I used to do something like taking a few quick breaths and then holding the last one as long as possible and then doing the jab on the inhale. Or the opposite (while exhaling).
I’ve never tried this, but there was a syringe design that covered the needle in a retractable sleeve. I imagine something similar could be rigged up with paper and tape… just be careful that it slides up the barrel rather than crushing. It’s probably a good idea to test whatever design you choose on some fruit or another object before trying it yourself.
Good luck :-)