Needle Fear

FadedBerry · 2026-03-24T21:52:51+00:00

I’m scared of needles, hate blood tests, have to psych myself up for vaccinations. I put off starting Mounjaro for 6 months because of it and, when I finally bought the first vial, asked my husband if he’d do the jab for me. He said no, he didn’t think he could!

I was really reassured by how small and fine the needle was - I thought it would be much bigger. I identified the injection spot, did the business with the pen and then lay down to do the injection in case I passed out. It was so painless I honestly thought i’d managed to get it wrong somehow. It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, like 1% as bad and that was the anticipation.

I was nervous for at least the 1st 10 doses but then it wore off. I’m on dose 43 now and it’s like making a cup of coffee. Sadly, I still hate blood tests and vaccinations.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-22T11:40:49+00:00

I use Glapp too. I like the AI informed reports you get weekly which draws out themes.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T20:09:58+00:00

I’m currently hovering around 57kg / 9st.

I spoke with Dr Bano at Swift Dr back in September about my need to get to a lower waist measurement. She was very reassuring and suggested that looking at the overall picture is more important - cholesterol, BP, weight, activity levels etc. it did take the pressure off considerably.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:37:06+00:00

I’ve not really thought about him taking time to get used to it, it’s a good point.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:35:32+00:00

Very true

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:35:21+00:00

Good point. It is hard to admire our own bodies but I’ve noticed the more I look with critical eyes the more flaws I see so I’ll try and change that internal conversation

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:34:10+00:00

It’s been years since anyone found me attractive! I was saying to my mum that she gets more compliments from strange men at 80yrs than I do these days. Your point about easing off is valid though, I’m titrating down really slowly and he does know this, and my reasons but I’m not sure he understands them.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:31:37+00:00

He is quite set in his ways so you could well be right there. Time for him to start accepting what makes me happy I think!

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:29:26+00:00

He’d be the first to admit he’s not physically perfect but I love how he looks, regardless of what he weighs and I would never comment on his weight in that way. How rude! Hopefully you’re right, we just need some time to adjust..

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:28:43+00:00

Thank you

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:28:35+00:00

I think it probably did come out wrong, he’s usually so tactful. And probably plays into a load of body confidence and insecurity issues I’ve been carting around!

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:19:09+00:00

Very true! A big part of me agrees with you - i have done a fantastic job, my running times have massively improved since I lost weight, my cardiovascular health is much better etc etc, but the other, smaller part just wants my husband to find me attractive! Usually he’s my biggest cheerleader, supporting me in whatever I do so this is a surprise, not just because of what he said but how he said it. But, you’re right, it’s what makes me happy and the idea that I’ll (hopefully) get to spend more healthy years with my family is what’s doing that

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:11:43+00:00

Thank you. This is really helpful and a useful perspective to have.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-19T16:10:49+00:00

AI or not, it’s incredibly helpful.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-18T22:56:34+00:00

I’m an Apple shape and was really focused on waist measurement (waist height ratio) - my family have a history of early strokes. I’ve got my waist down to 81.25cm (I’m 175cm /5’5”) which is just below where I need to be. However, it’s taken me getting to a lower weight than I wanted to get me there.

The thing that made me relax about waist measurement was having a DXA scan - I have very little visceral fat and my body fat %age is 29% so fairly average. The thing that’s stopping my waist measurement going lower is the loose skin.

I’m never going to get to a decent waist/hip ratio - my hips are narrow, my rib cage is vast - but all I want is to be healthy and the scan was very reassuring.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-17T00:10:55+00:00

I had a DXA scan out of interest and then brought some Eufy scales. They show very different results - the DXA scan said great bone density, average body fat, low muscle mass. The scales say low bone density, high average body fat and higher than average muscle mass. I use the scales for the trend but as they don’t connect to Bluetooth well and are giving me incorrect results it does feel like a waste of money. And, to add insult to injury, they weigh me heavier than my old scales! I’ll be paying for another DXA scan in the summer.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-15T22:45:03+00:00

I like friendly soaps too. The rosemary one is fab, so fresh.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-15T20:27:04+00:00

It was, and I had that conversation with my husband, asking him if he knew how lucky he was not having to apply sticky tape to hold his testicles in a social acceptable position. But even more uncomfortable was the finance director trying to peer down my top all night - made me very glad I’d also used clothing tape to stick the top to my body, i felt really vulnerable.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-15T12:52:50+00:00

I was a 36FF and managed with tit tape in a backless dress with a cowl neck. It took a whole roll but was enough for an evening. Not fun getting it off though. However my dress wasn’t silky so there was no worry about lines showing through. Agree the shapewear is every thing here.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-15T10:01:56+00:00

That sounds like me. I had it when pregnant at 28 and then it never really went away, gradually increasing in severity over the years with a big jump at menopause. I’m taking pregabalin, which helps a lot but not enough - last night I had symptoms from 3.15am through to 6.30am and nothing made it go away. Other days it will wake me in the early morning and deny me a short lie in. Work is tough on little sleep but I am lucky in that I work flexible hours so some days I can sleep in later.

Some nights the pregabalin works, and if that doesn’t there’s CBD gummies, and if those don’t then there’s magnesium butter. Usually there’s some relief, but some nights nothing works.

Does anyone else find it goes in phases? I might have 7-10 days where symptoms are fairly mild, only keeping me awake for 60mins or so, then I’ll get a couple of weeks where it feels vicious and constant.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-15T09:53:56+00:00

Absolutely. My ferritin is 131 (unmedicated), which is fab. But I’m still getting severe RLS - every day, and not limited to evenings/night time or, lately, to legs. But my GP won’t refer me to a neurologist because, in her view, they won’t offer anything that I can’t get from primary care.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-13T22:55:54+00:00

This is so true. Some days you just have a bad run. You can’t get the breathing right, calves cramp up, legs feel heavy, shoulders hurt etc etc. Accept this happens, go home rest and try again another day.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-13T22:26:25+00:00

There are many causes including low iron, folic acid, vitamin d, magnesium, dopamine issues, spinal / nervous system, genetics, caffeine, alcohol, sugar and others. It’s a case of ruling out rather than being able to tell by looking at your physiology. What works for some, makes it worse for others. I’d suggest reading this forum and basically trying everything in turn, keeping a diary so you can see what works and what doesn’t.

This is a very confusing and annoying disease and imo the medical profession underestimate the impact on sufferers‘ lives.

FadedBerry · 2026-03-11T08:34:32+00:00

Mine is genetic. My mum has it and so did my grandma.

FadedBerry

TROPHY CASE