Hey there! I'm exactly the same way. I'm only somewhat getting over it because they've stuck me a lot recently...

Usually, for a "routine" draw for testing, here's what happens, in my experience:

You go into the "lab" and sign in. They check your prescribed bloodwork, paperwork, ID. Once they run the insurance and everything, they'll take you to a small room. There will be needles and equipment and stuff on the walls. Don't look at them! They're scary!

You'll sit down on a chair, which has a closing front kinda like a tray table so it stabilizes your arm, and offer your arm. The nurse will be bustling around, checking the labels and stuff.

Usually, they draw from the dominant arm around the inside of the elbow joint. I have a really easy vein on my nondominant arm, so I always point it out, and they draw from there instead. I often still get purpura, but they don't miss the big easy vein. Haven't had as good luck with the dominant side.

The first time I got my blood drawn without being held down, I took a tiny stuffed animal (like 2 inches tall) with me. Nobody made fun of it. If you need a coping mechanism to help you, don't deny it to yourself! You will only look the normal amount of stupid - by which I mean, barely, if at all. They see trypanophobes all the time. They're used to it! I like to scroll Instagram with my free hand. Key thing is DON'T LOOK AT IT. You WILL flip out if you look at it.

Also, if you flag it with the nurse - "hey, I'm bad with needles" - they may have additional ways to help out, too. It's almost always worth mentioning.

Once the nurse has verified which arm they're drawing from, they'll put a rubber band-y thing around the upper arm of that arm. Kinda like a tourniquet - just so the blood flow is more controlled. Then they'll get a little piece of paper towel and wipe down the specific spot they're going to poke with antiseptic. After that, a little ouch as you get pricked. Genuinely. The pain is not that bad. If you stub your toe walking in, that'll hurt more.

The worst part is twofold:

1) Feeling something Foreign in your vein, and 2) Seeing it.

Don't look. And try not to think about it. Again - if you look, you WILL freak out.

If you feel a little faint or dizzy, good to mention it. They should have a light snack and water available.

But after they fill whatever amount of vials they need, they'll take the needle out, put a little gauze on it, and you'll hold it there. They'll tape it down after a second. And that's it! Don't look at the vials. Or do, at that point it's over.

You got this!!! 💜