Blood taken, Do you handle it ok?

[mattp]

Originally Posted by XD ESP! XELR8

I suffered from a PE (preliminary embolism)

G'day Dave,
The P stands for pulmonary, so basically a pulmonary embolism is a clot (embolus) that has shot off to the lungs (pulmonary), which I'm sure you know but just thought I'd chime in in case.

In terms of all the responses to needles, the needle phobia is often a conditioned response, but the physical part with the going pale, feeling nauseated or faint etc is called a vasovagal response and is not uncommon at all. It's a bit like an overwhelming of one component of the nervous system, and doesn't mean you're a big sook, it's just how you're wired. Mostly those affected go deathly white, feel nauseated and every now and then faint for a few seconds, and every now and then someone will pee themselves when they pass out, which is unlucky. It's always good to warn whoever's taking the blood or doing the procedure etc, so they can lie you down first and save you (and them) the fall!
Cheers,
Matt