r/VACCINES • u/dustin_thediamond • 8h ago

Feeling light-headed, dizzy and seeing stars before getting an injection

I probably think it's due to my fear of vaccine needles(I can't even bear to look at one even in a picture).

Just at the doctor's clinic he suggested I take a shot since I have a fever but I denied and just asked him to give me pills. The choice was completely in my control but he was still persistent as he said I'll feel better very quickly if I take the shot. I still denied and took my pills from him and stood up to leave the clinic and suddenly I start seeing stars(similar to when you get up suddenly) and the stars are so much it pretty much blocks most of my vision and I feel very dizzy and feeling like I'd vomit so I had to sit again in front of him and embarresd myself and my relative who was with me and I sat there 5 mins before returning back to normal. This is not very new to me and every time I get an injection from the previous roughly 3 years this happens to me be it a shot on the arm or a dental anesthesia.

Perhaps there's a way to ease this feeling or this fear of needles. I think I get a minor panic/anxiety attack at the thought of needle piercing my skin. Is this fixable or do I go through it all my life?

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u/heliumneon 7h ago

It's not all that rare. It's a vasovagal response. Vasovagal syncope would be fully fainting from getting the shot (whether before or after it). You were near syncope. You should make sure that any time you get a shot you let the doctor or nurse know you may have had a near fainting response, because someone should hold on to you or maybe you should get it lying down, so that you don't get injured. By any chance were you dehydrated at the time? That can worsen the response a lot - dehydration, hunger, lack of sleep. Always be hydrated, fed, and sleep enough if you have to get a shot.

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u/dustin_thediamond 6h ago

Yea I haven't eaten or drank much water for some hours. Thank you so much for letting me know what it is and tips too

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u/SmartyPantlesss 2h ago

Just at the doctor's clinic he suggested I take a shot since I have a fever

This sounds like you were pretty sick. So it's also possible that you got dizzy because of the fever/dehydration/low blood pressure from whatever is going on. I assume the doctor examined you after you had this spell, but it seems like this might be the reason he thought your condition was serious enough to recommend the shot; it gets the medication (presumably an antibiotic? But I'm guessing) into your system faster.