# I pit patients with tattoos from head to toe (including swastikas) who whine over getting shots **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 18, 2013, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115 "2013-09-18T01:57:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/41 "2013-09-18T17:33:24Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > So what \*does \*get traded for favors there these days? Whatcha got? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/42 "2013-09-18T17:44:18Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I have a bad needle phobia and I can see the difference. Tattoo needles don’t jab deep into the muscle. While I’d never get a tattoo either it makes sense to me to fear shots and blood draws more. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think getting tattooed hurts much either (it’s a similar sensation to being scratched by a cat-- more burny than anything, with a few bits of mild stabby pain), but getting tattooed hurts more than any shot I’ve ever had by a long shot (heh). I’ve had some pretty intense, burny, uncomfortable shots from the doctor, too— they just aren’t as bad as any of my tattoos (which, as I said, didn’t really hurt much either). Long story short: people need to stop being sissy lalas. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/43 "2013-09-18T18:25:39Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > But these are Wisconsin Nazis. Different breed. Creamier. Cheesier. They squeak a little when you bite them, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/44 "2013-09-18T19:04:05Z")
I’m fairly heavily tattooed (including a few sensitive spots) and get very nervous when I get shots (including my upcoming flu shot). Shit, I’m getting butterflies now just thinking about it. It’s not the pain, it’s…I don’t know. I imagine the needle plunging in, bursting cells, separating muscle fibers, penetrating blood vessels. It’s almost worse for me that it doesn’t hurt. Like if you broke a bone while your arm was asleep or something. Hard to explain I guess. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/45 "2013-09-18T19:26:09Z")
> [@Mooch](#): > > Shit, I’m getting butterflies now just thinking about it. It’s not the pain, it’s…I don’t know. I imagine the needle plunging in, bursting cells, separating muscle fibers, penetrating blood vessels. The only time it bothers me is when they plunge it in and it hits a bone. I swear it makes an audible thunk and it probably dulls the point some so that it’s dragging tissue and stuff when they pull it out and it’s dull when they try and jab you again. _That’s_ kind of a bummer. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/46 "2013-09-18T19:36:22Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think getting tattooed hurts much either (it’s a similar sensation to being scratched by a cat-- more burny than anything, with a few bits of mild stabby pain), but getting tattooed hurts more than any shot I’ve ever had by a long shot (heh). > > I’ve had some pretty intense, burny, uncomfortable shots from the doctor, too— they just aren’t as bad as any of my tattoos (which, as I said, didn’t really hurt much either). Long story short: people need to stop being sissy lalas. I’ve had some shots that I just about didn’t feel. Other shots, though… The difference is partially because of the skill level of the person giving the shots, but a large part is also the TYPE of shot. When I was getting shots for anemia, those things HURT. I THINK it was iron and B1 shots that I was getting, but I’m not sure. I just know that they were deep shots, in the butt, and they hurt. Flu shots are barely noticeable, IME. My arm is a bit sore today, but it’s not even as sore as a moderate bruise. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/47 "2013-09-18T19:41:02Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > They squeak a little when you bite them, too. Only the fresh ones. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/48 "2013-09-18T19:41:05Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > The difference is partially because of the skill level of the person giving the shots, but a large part is also the TYPE of shot. Yes, aren’t the ones for the HPV vaccine supposed to be very painful? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/49 "2013-09-18T20:16:53Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > it wasn’t going into his muscle. > > It was going into his joint. The ones for arthritis? Those are not fun. Even with the swab-on local, those hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/50 "2013-09-18T20:25:40Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Yes, aren’t the ones for the HPV vaccine supposed to be very painful? Dunno personally, as I’m too old to have gotten that, but anything with the tetanus vaccine (single or combo shot) hurts like hell. Last time I had it, they suggested I make sure to move, flex, and massage the arm muscle, and it still ached for a couple days. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/51 "2013-09-18T21:09:12Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > it wasn’t going into his muscle. > > It was going into his joint. Ouch! I would have had a little more sympathy for the guy if you had included that little factiod in your OP. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/52 "2013-09-18T21:21:08Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Yes, aren’t the ones for the HPV vaccine supposed to be very painful? My eldest got it recently, whined for a few seconds and then was completely happy after we promised her ice cream. As a friend of mine says, the real profiteers on vaccines are toy companies and candy stores. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/53 "2013-09-18T21:27:06Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > As a friend of mine says, the real profiteers on vaccines are toy companies and candy stores. I’ve never heard that one before, but it did definitely make me laugh. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/54 "2013-09-18T23:35:00Z")
I have had many shots and many non-shot needles (platelet donation) and I’ve had two tattoos. I’m not afraid of needles of the medical or artistic variety. However, I’ll be very happy if I never have to get another shot in a joint again. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/55 "2013-09-18T23:37:03Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Dunno personally, as I’m too old to have gotten that, but anything with the tetanus vaccine (single or combo shot) hurts like hell. Last time I had it, they suggested I make sure to move, flex, and massage the arm muscle, and it still ached for a couple days. Same here. Had to get a tetanus shot last month for a dog bite. My arm ached for days. Much longer than the top of my foot hurt after getting my tattoo. But still the “being afraid of needles” excuse when you have tattoos is just being a great big cry baby. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/56 "2013-09-18T23:40:58Z")
I’ve never had a problem with tetanus shots. When I had my rabies vaccines (to be an animal handler, I wasn’t exposed), I had no problems. The only shot I’ve had recently (the cortisone wasn’t recent) that really bothered me was my MMR booster. That sucker hurt for 3 days. I had a TDAP shot the same day in the other arm and it didn’t hurt at all. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/57 "2013-09-19T02:55:24Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > it wasn’t going into his muscle. > > It was going into his joint. But he’s already in the joint. 😕 > [@lieu](#): > > Yes, aren’t the ones for the HPV vaccine supposed to be very painful? That’ll teach the little future whores the wages of sin. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/58 "2013-09-19T03:35:34Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > The difference is partially because of the skill level of the person giving the shots, but a large part is also the TYPE of shot. When I was getting shots for anemia, those things HURT. I THINK it was iron and B1 shots that I was getting, but I’m not sure. I just know that they were deep shots, in the butt, and they hurt. B12, perhaps? That one stings like a bitch…and the nurse was being nice to you. It \*can \*be given subcutaneous, like insulin, only it burns even more. If you ever get a B12 subq, be nicer to your nurse, you done pissed her off. 😃 And yes, it’s cause of the solution, it’s just owie, no matter what you do. > [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Dunno personally, as I’m too old to have gotten that, but anything with the tetanus vaccine (single or combo shot) hurts like hell. Last time I had it, they suggested I make sure to move, flex, and massage the arm muscle, and it still ached for a couple days. That one was pretty ow, and lingered for a surprisingly long time as a little knot in my arm. Like, a couple of weeks long. The Hep B made my whole arm ache. Oddly, the second one I got was a combo A and B, and it didn’t ache nearly as badly. But none of those was a bad as a good ol’ fashioned penicillin shot. Doc gave me a choice of 2 weeks oral or one big honkin’ gob of anitiobiotic spooge in my arm. Gawldurn_damn_, that thing hurt. None of my tattoos hurt much. Tickled and itched, oh yes, but the pain was stinging and burning like a bad sunburn, not “holy crap, you just shot El Diablo’s sperm into my deltoid!” ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/59 "2013-09-19T05:29:41Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > They squeak a little when you bite them, too. Doesn’t everyone? 😉 > [@Joey\_P](#): > > It’s pretty common for people that are afraid of needles/shots to have tattoos. I actually got my first tattoo BECAUSE I was afraid of needles/shots, and I wanted to get that fear down to a manageable level. Now, I can watch the shot go in and not have a panic attack. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > Then there’s having blood drawn which, I think, bothers people on a whole different level. This, I still cannot handle well. Some of it has to do with the fact that in college, I developed mono (how typical), and it took the on-campus health clinic weeks to figure it out, with me having to have blood draws several times a week for that entire period. I think they ended up drawing my blood 17 or 18 times, and since it was a campus clinic, a lot of the phlebotomists were in training. I spent a lot of time looking like a heroin addict, and in pain. > [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Dunno personally, as I’m too old to have gotten that, but anything with the tetanus vaccine (single or combo shot) hurts like hell. Last time I had it, they suggested I make sure to move, flex, and massage the arm muscle, and it still ached for a couple days. Yep, had my TDaP booster last year, and that hurt for a week. Have a flu shot every year, and it aches for only about 24 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115/60 "2013-09-19T09:47:49Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > But none of those was a bad as a good ol’ fashioned penicillin shot. Doc gave me a choice of 2 weeks oral or one big honkin’ gob of anitiobiotic spooge in my arm. Gawldurn_damn_, that thing hurt." I had an antibiotic shot in my ass before my vasectomy. I’m sitting there, keeping a cool head about the procedure being “no big deal”, going with a local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia because it’s pretty minor. Then step one is a little antibiotic, and it HURT, this throbbing knot in my ass 20 minutes before going in for the snip and I suddenly think “what is step two going to feel like?” Thankfully, steps 2-100 were no more painful than plucking a single hair from your head. I could have used a lollipop, a teddy bear, or a paper bag for the hyperventilating. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-patients-with-tattoos-from-head-to-toe-including-swastikas-who-whine-over-getting-shots/669115.md?page=4)