Needles and Hospital Visits

Those who know me know that a couple of years ago, I had a serious needle phobia. The thought of needles used to make me feel faint, and I used to get so worked up before having a blood test that it made things worse than they were. I have gotten much better in the past year. Being on mercaptopurine means that I have to have blood tests every 2-4 weeks. I think I must have had nearly 100 blood tests in the past year alone.  Needles no longer phase me as much as they used to.  I still can't watch the nurses/phlebotomists/HCAs take my blood, but I can stand them now without feeling faint.

I was in the hospital on Saturday for my second colonoscopy in the past year.  The result of the colonoscopy is the difference between better medication and staying on the medication I'm on.  I had a cannula inserted into my arm and was fine until I looked at it.  The blue dots and faintness of my previous needle experiences returned.  I'm not sure if it was looking at the cannula or the blood that was under the bandage (the cap wasn't on properly).

Other than hardly remembering the procedure, it went quite well.  I just hope the results are what I need for new medication.

Exciting Times

I got incredibly fed up with my gastroenterologist (as you may have noticed from an earlier post), so after talking it through with my parents and boyfriend, we have decided that it would be best for a second opinion.  I  saw my GP and he referred me to a clinic in London who my best friend's dad (who has had Crohn's for about 30 years) is under.  My original appointment wasn't until the end of the month, but the hospital rang me and my doctor had referred me to the wrong clinic, and the next appointment available was tomorrow!  So it looks like I'll be on the train home tonight, and the train to London tomorrow morning!  Here's hoping that my second doctor is more helpful in the everything department.