Blood tests. Awkward.

[Palmolive]

Hi guys.

So I wanted some general advice. Basically due to blood loss I became anemic and was put on iron tablets. My psych now wants me to have blood tests re-done to see if I need to carry on with the tablets or whether my iron levels are now okay.

My arms are badly scared, on both and from my shoulder to my wrist and I've had a few issues with self harming recently so I now have fresh cuts to and this makes me really anxious and paranoid. I don't like people seeing them. I never show anyone them. And I am suppose to be going to my doctors in the morning but I can't decide whether or not to go. I can't cover them with make-up because they're to deep and I can't have bracelets all the way up my arm and I just feel lost about what to do.

Any advice or support, or something is appreciated.
Thank you

Jessie

[Illuminate]

You should still go lovely. Maybe you could see a doctor you know, or someone that knows about how you struggle with self harm.

Also, picking the arm with less scars might make you feel more comfortable. You can still wear bracelets over some of your scars/ cuts as long as they can get a blood sample.

Just remember that they have to keep everything confidential, and you don't have to say anything if they ask, just say you'd prefer not to talk about it.

It's worth going now. Better to go sooner than later.

Wear a cardigan which you can roll your sleeves up on, so you don't have to reveal your whole arm too.

I hope it goes well lovely xxxxxxx

[EmisaurusRex]

You could also see if they could draw blood from your hand, so that you wouldn't have to roll up your sleeves at all. I don't know if they'd be willing to do that, though. Just an idea
But like Charli said, you should definitely go. You don't have to be ashamed.
Love you!

[Dr.Bobby]

Hi Jessie,

I understand how vulnerable you feel here. But, if your blood loss was due to your cutting, that would indicate some serious self injury, it takes a lot of blood loss (and therefore cutting) to cause anemia. So, without hesitation, you should absolutely, positively go to the doctor. It's always important to take care of yourself, and when there's some physical problem (or potential problem), you follow thru, you should do this automatically, too, regardless of anxiety, etc. The goal is to take better care of yourself, keep repeating that!

However, you should also be aware that sometimes doing so exposes a part of you that is naturally uncomfortable. So, you still go ahead with the recommendations of your psych/doc, but you also find ways of making it less uncomfortable for yourself. And in this case, that would be to explain your vulnerability to your psych, and ask him/her to call the doc in advance and give them the heads up about the situation, as well as a direct request to NOT mention or discuss it with you. That way, you get to achieve your main objective here (taking better care of yourself), while also practicing other ways of expressing yourself and getting what you need!

[Le bonheur*]

Jessie, I know how awkward this may turn out to be for you and I understand how you'd not want to go. But you should go to make sure your iron levels are all settled out. They have to keep your self-harm confidential and you can even say you prefer not to talk about it. There are ways around it. Or as someone else suggested, see if you can get it drawn from your hand. I know they've done that for me once. I hope it goes well. I am here if you need to chat. I know you can get through this. I love you. xx

[Discombobulated]

Jess,

I can see how awkward and hard this can be for you right now but i think you should go still hun. If you don't want to talk about it to them you don't have to but it might be a good idea? Chose the arm with less scarring that you feel more comfortable with or see if you can get it taken from your hand.
You don't have to be ashamed hun.
You know i'm always here if you ever want to talk,

Stay strong,
Charli <3