How can my son get his Covid jab if he is scared of needles? DR ELLIE CANNON answers your questions

My son is very afraid of needles and wants to get vaccinated against Covid. 

It’s odd, because he works in the emergency services and isn’t squeamish about blood, but jabs really get to him. 

Are there any other suggestions? Therapy would take too long because he’d like to be jabbed as soon as possible.

Not everyone is affected by needle phobia. And unfortunately, in the rush to get everyone vaccinated, there hasn’t been enough time to help the thousands of people who suffer to overcome it.

Support is offered for allergy sufferers, but not for those suffering from needlephobia.

If you find yourself in this position, consult your doctor or local pharmacist to see if booster jabs are available. These people may be able and willing to assist.

It is common to suffer from needle phobia. And unfortunately, in the rush to get everyone vaccinated, there hasn’t been enough time to help the thousands of people who suffer to overcome it

You might arrange to have the vaccine administered at a quiet time during the day so that the vaccine assistants and patients can get one-on-1 time.

A GP who is well versed in the patient’s medical history might decide to prescribe a one-off medicine to quell anxiety, with the sort of pills used to help people who have a fear of flying or a fear of the dentist.

While patients should not be vaccinated at all, it is important that they are more vigilant with their other protection measures, such as wearing a medical grade facemask and social distancing.

In November of last year I was diagnosed with Covid, which caused severe stomach problems. Even though I have been suffering for a year, my stomach is still aching and diarrhoea persists. 

I’ve tried taking codeine, loperamide and Buscopan for the pain, and I eat a low-FODMAP diet. 

My doctor can’t get me in to have a scan until the New Year, which worries me. It could be something more serious.

One of the most frequent health problems I treat is bowel issues. 

Patients can become paralysed and afraid of being in an accident.

These types of symptoms can be caused by a range of common conditions – such as irritable bowel syndrome, which affects one in five Britons – but also some very serious conditions, including cancer.

One of the most frequent health problems I treat is bowel issues. Bowel problems can make it difficult to get out of the house and cause anxiety. [File image]

Long Covid could cause the symptoms. This substance is well-known for causing digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and reduced appetite.

Viral infections can also trigger dietary intolerances and autoimmune conditions such as ulcerative colitis, and it’s not uncommon for patients to develop irritable bowel syndrome after a period of serious illness, because of the stress of being sick, or as a side effect of the treatment they’ve been having.

IBS is characterized by pain and diarrhoea.

No matter their risk factors or age, patients should seek medical attention if they have suffered from stomach pains, bloating, and incontinence for more than a year.

I have an embarrassing problem – every time I go to have sex with my partner, I clamp up. 

The internet has a lot of information about me, and I discovered that my condition is called Vaginismus. It was caused by an unpleasant smear test I underwent a decade ago. 

My GP told me there’s nothing the NHS can do for me. Could you please help me? It makes me so embarrassed about my body.

Vaginismus, a little-known disorder that can cause severe emotional distress for sufferers, is incredibly common. And it’s not as uncommon as you might think. 

It can affect up to 17% of the women who go to see a doctor for sexual problems.

Vaginismus refers to a condition in which a woman cannot have a penetrative intercourse because of pain or tightness in her muscles.

We call it primary vaginismus if a patient is unable to have sexual contact with others because of the problem. 

It’s not surprising that a traumatic cervical screening test would trigger the condition.

Another common cause is generalized anxiety and fear of sex.

This is not a one-size fits all problem. Some people can use tampons while other women may find it too overwhelming.

Problem likely arises from the reflex reaction of your pelvic-floor muscles to anxiety. They suddenly tighten and tension in an attempt to calm you down.

Unfortunately, there is not much scientific evidence to support the claims that remedies are effective.

Talking to a compassionate GP or sexual worker can help patients feel more comfortable discussing their problems.

It is worth looking into both psychological and physical treatment options. For vaginismus, the NHS offers psychosexual therapy which explores your fears and feelings about sex.

It is extremely distressing for people who have it. It can affect up to 17% of female patients with sexual problems who go to the doctor. [File picture]

The vaginal muscles can be relaxed by touching and relaxation exercises.

There are also training objects called dilators – tampon-shaped devices in different sizes which help the muscles to gradually expand – which can be effective with the help of a specialist therapist. 

Vaginitis sufferers find dilation very beneficial.

Alarm bells sound for the 4th jab 

Readers have written to tell me of their struggle getting hold of a fourth vaccine – given to those with health conditions that mean vaccines don’t work as well as they do for the rest of us.

These patients were supposed to have three doses as a primary course of vaccine – when healthy people had two – and their fourth is essentially their booster, given three months after the third. 

Readers have written to tell me of their struggle getting hold of a fourth vaccine – given to those with health conditions that mean vaccines don’t work as well as they do for the rest of us

But I’m hearing that doctors and vaccinators seem clueless about the fourth jab, so are denying the UK’s most vulnerable their vital top-up. 

The MoS was among the first to raise the alarm about patients struggling to get a third primary jab, so it doesn’t surprise me that there’s now a problem with the fourth. 

If you can’t get a fourth dose – and you’re eligible – write and tell me.

The woman I think would be perfect as a women’s health advisor is me!

HURRAH! 

The Government is finally addressing women’s health issues by appointing a tsar responsible for fixing the frankly shameful inequalities in provisions between genders. 

The announcement comes as 100,000 women shared stories of NHS treatment, some of which were described as ‘shocking’. 

Ministers often give roles like this to someone woefully unqualified, either with no experience of working with patients or they have expertise in just one area of health – and there are countless areas of medicine that need addressing, from gynaecological cancers to postnatal injuries, eating disorders and more. 

Dr Ellie Cannon

But, I’m sure someone is perfect for the job: me! 

I’m a practising doctor who helps women grapple with complex, varied health problems. 

I am a rich, experienced person with over 20 years of NHS experience. Boris, if you’re reading…