I'm having a similar reaction with surgeries if I don't eat or drink correctly. I have to be careful.
I said I assisted in the surgery. I'm having mixed feelings about it. I'm not the biggest fan of declaws by any stretch of the imagination either. At the same time, it was my first surgery. I can't help but feel positive about it. I'm not sure if I'm making an sense here.
Anxiety attacks.
Makes sense to me-it's exciting to be learning about new things,
especially when it comes to a certain surgery that you may not have the opportunity to ever see again (declaws are going out of style, obviously). I once mentioned that I was excited that I hit a cardiac stick on my first try (to euthanize an animal). Got the response of "Well I don't understand how you could possibly be happy that you euthanized an animal today." Like okay, that's one way to interpret what I said....but anyways, yes, I too felt excitement about one part of my situation even though the other part wasn't exactly positive (although I argue that euthanasia actually can be positive, but I'm going wayyyyy off topic here). Side note-don't let someone make you feel that you might be in the wrong for observing something they don't agree with (and being excited about it), especially when they sound like they may not have even witnessed the procedure themselves.
I have no issues drawing blood and I actually have a pretty darn good success rate (not that it matters). I'm comfortable with all of it. Placing catheters on the other hand is a very different feeling. I think the idea that I'm leaving something in a vein is weird, plus I've had bad experiences with catheters being place in me and I know it can be quite painful. Like others suggested, desensitize yourself. I'd start at home on Youtube so you can do it at your own pace.