Is this a bother to you guys?

[u/Mayywolf2754]

For the post requirement- 22F although i am not sure if that is pertinent info for my question haha.

I came across a post from the hospitalist subreddit which is for people who work at a hospital i assume? The op asked what is something patients do that you know is going to make them a “problematic patient”. I was curious and wanted to know if there was something i could improve on for myself to ease healthcare workers stress. A lot of the answers were things like dyed hair, multiple allergies, being a women ages 16-40, having a hyphenated name, bringing a family member as an adult, wearing pajamas and bringing stuffed animals.

To preface i have an anxiety disorder, needle phobia, and IBS D and C. When i have to go to the hospital, which is rare, i typically wear my soft pajamas and bring a stuffed animal since whenever i go there is bound to be needles. It gives my other hand something to fidget with and brings me comfort. My mom is also with me since i cant drive that far and also have a tendency to be faint, even after all is said and done. Someone in the comments said they do the same things. They were downvoted a lot, told they were crazy, and told to “sybau” which means shut your bitch ass up :( i was unaware that these things are a problem

One of the answers that confused me as well was “asking to lie down and have a cool towel during iv’s.” I unfortunately faint if i am not laying down with ivs. I wasn’t aware that asking for this makes me a problem patient. Should i stop asking for those things? Does it make you guys uncomfortable when i wear comfy clothes and bring a small stuffed animal or ask to lie down for needles? I don’t want to make medical professionals uncomfortable or to make their job difficult or be a bother. Thanks for any responses :)

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[u/Lookingideal]

God no, all those people complaining about that suck. The hard patients are belligerent, rude, unappreciative, or the ones who don't understand triage and having to wait for a stubbed toe, for example. Any healthcare worker worth their while will understand you wanting to have a comfort object there, or laying down for an IV. As long as you're kind, respectful, let them do their jobs etc I see no reason why any of the things you mentioned(or the other commenters you talked about) would be an issue.

If for whatever reason, you holding a stuffed animal is an issue, or they can't give you a cold towel that moment, I would hope they would communicate that with you.

[u/Mayywolf2754 → u/Lookingideal]

Thanks! So far no one has told me outright i couldnt. Its not like im bringing a jumbo sized plush or anything haha. I wish i didnt have a needle phobia or could just do things the normal way 🥲 i suppose some of those comments just hit me in the feels. Thank you for your response and kindness :)

[u/peentiss → u/Mayywolf2754]

Hi, friend. You’re not a bother. I’m actually the bother - I’m your friendly phlebotomist, and unfortunately, I do present with some scary, sharp tools. It’s not to hurt you, I promise I’ll be quick.

Bloodwork is SOOO important. It gives the doctors a little blueprint of what your body is up to. I know it seems like torture, but it’s our quickest way to the truth and a solution.

I love that you brought a stuffed friend to support you. I don’t care how old someone is, that’s not weird or annoying or even a thought in my head, truly. It actually would bring me a little joy to know that someone thought about their medical visit so thoroughly - shows a lot of awareness and emotion.

You’re not a bother, and thank you for worrying about us, but we’re here for YOU, love. I’ve been kicked and spit on and called every name in the book, you can’t offend me.

I just wanna see you feel better. 🫂

[u/Mayywolf2754 → u/peentiss]

Thank you :) I feel much better about those things now. I appreciate all that you do! ☺️

[u/peentiss → u/Mayywolf2754]

You are NOT an inconvenience. You’re a lovely patient, I’d be delighted to care for you 🥰

[u/peentiss → u/Mayywolf2754]

One more comment to say that needles are kind of my thing! I’m a pokey pro. If you think it would help if I explained a bit about how it works and why we do things a certain way, I’m happy to :)

I’m also a prior military medic, I’ve had plenty of grown men in uniforms, crying over needles. Shit is scary when you don’t know!!

[u/MullberryBoy → u/Mayywolf2754]

Have you ever tried looking away and asking the person giving you an injection not to tell you when they actually stick the needle in? Only some medications hurt and people can be very gentle with a syringe. I also think about something pleasant. Music can help with too. I used to be scared of needles but needed so many blood tests that I got over it. The fear is the worst part!

[u/Mayywolf2754 → u/MullberryBoy]

Yes! I look away but ask them to announce when they poke me so i dont flinch. I sometimes talk to my mom to distract me but sometimes only get halfway through a conversation before vasovagal syncope happens and i can no longer respond.

[u/WayTooManyBooks]

Try not to let internet strangers gaslight you. Being kind and not rude to healthcare providers gets you much further than feeling like you can’t hold a stuffed animal. Unfortunately, prejudice is a thing in any area of society so it’s hard to speak for every single encounter you’ll experience, but for where I work, people might notice an adult holding a stuffed animal but really won’t care

Also, if you have a history of fainting when getting an IV sitting up, then you requesting to lie down for a needle is better for everyone (obviously you as the patient, and for the healthcare providers who won’t have to now work through a patient who has fallen and potentially injured themselves)

[u/Mayywolf2754 → u/WayTooManyBooks]

I now always ask to lie down when needles are involved and have only had one time where they wouldnt let me for some reason. I fainted on the chair and slumped foreward but thankfully didnt smack my head on the floor xD. I figured it would be easier if fainters would lie down so they dont fall so i guess the comments confused me. Thank you for the insight :)

[u/zeatherz]

It’s not that those things themselves are bothersome to healthcare workers.

It’s that those things are common among patients with significant psychiatric and personality disorders who often are needy and demanding.

If you’re not excessively needy or demanding, no one will care that you have a teddy bear and pajamas

[u/Mayywolf2754 → u/zeatherz]

The only thing i ever “demand” is to lay down for things like blood draws, is that ok? I have only ever had that request been denied once out of the many times. Is it a bothersome request or is it ok? I often have trouble with taking things too literally so maybe that is the case😅