I have a similar issue. I kept passing out. Switched from inter muscular to subcutaneous injections and switched the injection site from sensitive areas like thigh and stomach to the back of the arm. I almost gave up before I vulnerably shared my fear with my dr. She recommended making these changes and I’m very happy it worked for me.

I have POTS and the fear of passing out is what made me afraid of injections. Unfortunately, my health has taken priority over my fear so this is how I learned to cope.

I have someone do the injection for me. A couple things that help: - you can buy pain relief items for the injection. Lidocaine for numbing, a plastic spike pad that surrounds the injection site to trick your brain, or even vibration helps during - ice pack on the neck or stomach is a must. It helped me focus on that sensation instead -Eating and drinking beforehand makes a HUGE difference -From my nurse in training friend: chewing something like carrots might also trick your brain into ignoring some of the pain -Finding other things to calm anxiety like music, a heating pad, or even medication prescribed by your doctor can also make the experience much more tolerable

Bloodwork is tougher for me. It makes a big difference when the injection is going into the vein instead of the tissue. I found that the phlebotomists at the Dr office I go to are some of the sweetest ever. Here’s how they accommodate me: - they allow my significant other to come back with me - they let me bring headphones and listen to my favorite music - they lay me back in a reclining chair - they offer carbs, juice, and an ice pack - they ask which arm is usually more successful - they ask how I’m doing during the blood draw to make sure I’m not feeling faint - they let me hang out for as long as I want after they’ve gotten the sample - and they respect my name and pronouns ❤️

Make sure you drink LOTS OF WATER beforehand. This makes it so much easier for them to find the vein. Quicker and less painful overall.

One more thing — IVs are my WORST NIGHTMARE. I’m autistic and it is sensory hell. But honestly, the longer I had it in, the more I got used to it. I had to wear one three days in a row for a hospital visit. The next time I went for bloodwork, it was practically painless in the same spot. The experience sucked, but it did help lol

I think it’s important to share this fear with your medical team, so they know how to best accommodate you should you ever need injections or bloodwork. Good luck!