Tips on Preventing Pain after Shots?

Getting my blood drawn and getting shots ranks right up there with – well, having my teeth pulled without pain medication.  I GET STRESSED OUT! I count down the days and then on the day I plan to get the shots, I wake up hoping I have the flu.  My blood pressure skyrockets because all I can think of is the PAIN I’ll feel when the needle goes into my arm.  I’m a complete wreck until I mastermind a way to successfully miss the appointment.  Then I take a deep breath until my denial fades and I have to make another appointment.

Well, about 10 years ago, a nurse promised me that the TDAP wouldn’t hurt because she had a special technique to reduce the swelling and pain.  I didn’t really believe her because nobody knows that I FEEL PAIN MORE THAN OTHERS and that I’m such a baby about needles.  But, what happened that day was amazing.  The nurse massaged my arm before she gave me the injection.  Then, she immediately massaged my arm after the injection for about a minute or two.  I was happy that the shot didn’t hurt the way I was anticipating it to, but the really surprising part was that the next day, my arm didn’t hurt at all.  Phew!

It’s been 10 years, and I just got notification that I’m due for my TDAP.  I inquired about the new “massage technique” at my last doctor’s appointment and the nurse looked at me like I was crazy.  Back to my old tricks, I told her that I was going to find that nurse and have her give me the injection.  Again – I’m sure the nurse and the doctor think I’m a lunatic.  So I called my old doctor’s office but nobody knew anything about this “technique.”  I even went online but couldn’t find anything that resembled this pain-free way to give the TDAP.

So I have decided that I am going to be my own nurse and guinea pig. I will massage my left upper arm for 5 minutes before I get the TDAP and again for 5 minutes afterwards.  I also plan to do arm rotations and comfort the area with a heating pad throughout the day and in the evening. 

If you have any tips, I’m all ears!  I’ll let you know if this technique works.