"Sharp Scratch"

[Ediswan]

The standard medical patter when giving an injection is 'sharp scratch'. Does anybody feel that ?

To me, sharp scratches are what you get from a rose bush or a displeased cat. Injections don't feel anything like that. If anything, they feel like a minor bone fracture, such as a finger.

 

[Segedunum]

I'd describe them as more of a firm nip. Other than my first covid jab - which was like a sharp stab! It seemed to get halfway in then shoved in further.

 

[dangie]

I'd describe them as more of a firm nip. Other than my first covid jab - which was like a sharp stab! It seemed to get halfway in then shoved in further.

The nurse said ‘you’ll feel a little prick’ which I thought was quite personal……

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

The nurse said ‘you’ll feel a little prick’ which I thought was quite personal……

When I was doing my secondment in a General Hospital in the 1970's this is what I heard:
Nurse 'Just a little prick'
Patient 'What have I got?' (as he sits bolt upright in bed)

Ok, seems straight out of 'Carry on Nurse/Doctor' ...but this one was true.

 

[Busaholic]

When I was doing my secondment in a General Hospital in the 1970's this is what I heard:
Nurse 'Just a little prick'
Patient 'What have I got?' (as he sits bolt upright in bed)

Ok, seems straight out of 'Carry on Nurse/Doctor' ...but this one was true.

One that did occur in a film of that era was the following exchange;

Male doctor : big breath

Female patient, lisping : yeth, and I'm only thirteen

Questions would be asked in Parliament should such a thing be broadcast now!

 

[John Webb]

The 'Sharp Scratch' is also used for a range of other medical needlework including taking blood samples, inserting canula for giving drugs, fluids etc. I have to have my bloods done every 3 months and the range of feelings experienced varies from feeling nothing from the best phlebotomists to indeed a 'sharp scratch' from those less practised!

 

[LowLevel]

The 'Sharp Scratch' is also used for a range of other medical needlework including taking blood samples, inserting canula for giving drugs, fluids etc. I have to have my bloods done every 3 months and the range of feelings experienced varies from feeling nothing from the best phlebotomists to indeed a 'sharp scratch' from those less practised!

I have also been a regular customer for blood tests of late. The regular nurse at my GP's practice is superb. There's a quick scratch, generally at the first attempt, the blood comes out, happy days.

I recently however had an agency nurse do it. Well. Arm 1 took 2 stabs before she declared my veins keep collapsing and she couldn't get anything out and she'd have to try the other arm. I offered to jump up and down a bit which she accepted. Arm 2 went in with almost a crunch but delivered the requisite.

I then spent the next week looking like a heroin addict with bruising and holes all over both arms *sigh*

 

[Crossover]

Its funny that this has come up as I had a blood test only yesterday - it was just a momentary mild scratch this time.

As a T1 diabetic, I have a sensor attached to my arm to allow for glucose readings without having to keep doing finger pricks. The sensor applicator inserts a small needle to place a small "antenna" under the skin, before the needle retracts again. This goes on the back of my arm. The first time I inserted one, I didn't know what to expect, but I have never felt a thing. It may be that there are less nerves at that location, though

 

[D6130]

In my experience, the best and least painful insertions are done by a professional plebotomist (as you would expect) and the worst by junior doctors. Other types of nurse come somewhere in between.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Its funny that this has come up as I had a blood test only yesterday - it was just a momentary mild scratch this time.

As a T1 diabetic, I have a sensor attached to my arm to allow for glucose readings without having to keep doing finger pricks. The sensor applicator inserts a small needle to place a small "antenna" under the skin, before the needle retracts again. This goes on the back of my arm. The first time I inserted one, I didn't know what to expect, but I have never felt a thing. It may be that there are less nerves at that location, though

I started on that system about three months ago, it's been revolutionary in terms of improving my control. Like yourself I was a bit nervous about applying the sensor, but it barely registered. The only downside is that it's another thing that makes me dependent on my smartphone!

 

[Benters]

I've been a blood donor for over 25 years and every time I've donated the nurse has said "Sharp Scratch" before inserting the needle into the vein. The phrase was also used when I had my Covid-19 and flu jabs.
I would describe the momentary pain as more of a jab than a scratch.

 

[Strathclyder]

Strange that this thread should pop up now, as I had my second HPV & HEP vaccines the day before last (Wednesday 21st June) at my local sexual health clinic, one in each upper arm. The jabs themselves do always feel like a sharp scratch or a very small/sharp bite, but it's the side/after-effects that have more of a effect on me than the needles getting stuck in me. My right upper arm is particularly achy right now, but that is a matter of course.

 

[Crossover]

I started on that system about three months ago, it's been revolutionary in terms of improving my control. Like yourself I was a bit nervous about applying the sensor, but it barely registered. The only downside is that it's another thing that makes me dependent on my smartphone!

Slightly OT, I know - I am relatively new to it all having started on insulin last August. I "only" had about 9 weeks of purely finger pricking (can be downright painful, to have something on topic!) before I got the Libre and my fingers were glad of it. Had my first ever sensor issue this week but it was but a minor blot and I have no desire to do away with this particular piece of tech!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Slightly OT, I know - I am relatively new to it all having started on insulin last August. I "only" had about 9 weeks of purely finger pricking (can be downright painful, to have something on topic!) before I got the Libre and my fingers were glad of it. Had my first ever sensor issue this week but it was but a minor blot and I have no desire to do away with this particular piece of tech!

Me neither... I had just shy of 32 years with the finger-pricking, which wasn't as bad as it sounds (it was the only way, for a while at least)... but it sounds bad when you see it black and white like that!

Fingertips were slightly calloused, but already seems to be lessening since I stopped regularly pricking.

 

[alxndr]

I don't really notice the needle piercing the skin, just the pressure of the injection building (I have large intramuscular injections regularly). Nurses always comment how they don't know how I can be so fine with it, I don't know if that's another part of their standard patter or if other people genuinely do make more of a fuss.

Covid vaccines felt barely registered to me, beyond the stiff arm and weird taste afterwards.

 

[d9009alycidon]

Okay (okay, okay, okay)
Just a little pinprick
There'll be no more, ah
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working, good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go

 

[Benters]

I have become...
Comfortably Numb.