Finally Over a Fear

Once upon a time, I had been afraid of needles. I feared having my blood drawn and even had to squeeze my mom's hand to help me get through it.

That was years ago though, and now, I'm over the fear. I still look away when they stick me with the needle and childishly look away as the blood leaves my body, but I'm used to it now.

Thanks to the medication that I'm on (Sulfasalazine, and many others), I have to go for routine lab work once a month. It's just part of my life now. I go to the doctor, I get labs done, and I take my medications.

Due to the weather being so spontaneous, it seems like I've been sicker than normal. Of course, I'm never exactly healthy anymore. Anyway, when one is sick, they have to stop taking sulfasalazine in order to get better (because the medication lowers one's immune system). Then, I had to turn around and make sure that I had my blood work done on time for my next rheumatology appointment.

Yesterday, was the appointment. I had been having a pretty bad couple of months with migraines and fatigue. And let's not forget that I strained my rib muscle while applying sunblock. So, I wasn't exactly looking forward to being examined.

Now, I'm sure that not very many people have seen/been examined by a rheumatologist. So, here's how it usually goes. We talk about my past labs and about what has happened in the past three months since my last visit. Then, comes the examination. Where my rheumy gently squeezes each of my joints and moves my limps around. Then, she goes on the squeeze my muscles. It always hurts, but hey, I'm tender, so when doesn't something hurt?

I usually don't have to do any lab work in the office, but this yesterday, I did. In order for me to be on the right medication regimen for the optimal results, I needed to be tested to see how well my body would possibly handle the new medication. Not to mention the fact that my last lab results came back pretty bad and she wanted to make sure that my organs were doing okay and that I didn't fully develop lupus or fully develop RA (right now, I have pathogens and symptoms of both).

So, I had to give a urine sample and give 12 viles of blood. I'm used to giving blood by now, but it's still a pain in the but. Especially the aftermath when I accidentally hit my arm or bump the spot where the took the blood. But, I guess it's a good thing that I'm not afraid to have my blood work drawn anymore.

Fingers crossed that everything comes back good!

**to stop from bruising after getting blood drawn, don't bend your arm once they take the need out and tell you to apply pressure**