Re: Tranquilizer for pelvic exam??
From: Kelly Shanahan, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 29 Jul 2000 00:09:23 -0500 (CDT)
What incredibly wonderful advice that can apply to all of us in one
situation or another. Thank you for taking hte time to share it with
us.
At Fri, 28 Jul 2000, Debbie wrote:
>
>Hi,
>
>I used to be this way to, but I learned how to manage this by simply
>changing the way I think. It is a long process, but if it is applied,
>it does work;)
>
>First, ask yourself what is the main reason you get so anxious having a
>pap/pelvic exam done? Fear of what may be found perhaps? Discomfort? The
>main fear I had was the fear of just what the doctor would tell me, not
>of the exam itself. I stay on top of my health, and figure, well, if
>something IS found, I will handle it and it will be okay because I go
>for regular exams and he would catch anything in the early stages, when
>it is most treatable.
>
>I go in premedicated on xanax to ALL doctors. I have/had a doctor and
>hospital phobia that started when I was just 5 and my grandparent's
>died. They took my Grandmother away one day in an ambulance and to this
>day I shudder when I hear the sirens of an ambulance because for years I
>associated ambulances with my Grandmother and her death. I was at the
>hospital when my Grandpa died at 5 and I associated hospitals with death
>from that point on. I even take my own children to hospitals now to
>visit people so they never ever have this problem as it has become a
>life long problem and hard to break. It makes it harder on me to go to
>the doctor, and surgery...wow..they almost need to give me verced to get
>me there! I try to assoicate doctors and hospitals now as helping, not
>hurting, not death. How long have you had this fear? Is it just of the
>pelvic exams, or all doctor appointments too? I relate and it is not
>easy to break, but again, it can be done. Deep breathing, relaxation
>tapes, writing the fears down and writing a postive statement after the
>negative thought process seem to really get me to feel comfortable. When
>having a pap/pelvic exam, the best thing one can do is relax those
>muscles as it makes the exam sooo much easier on us, and the doctor
>too;) If tense and scared, of course that is hard. Maybe say to
>yourself, "Okay, I am going to relax these muscles now so I will not
>have any pain. I may have some discomfort, but that is totally normal
>and no big deal. This will pass and I will feel better and proud of
>myself for doing it, and doing it in a relaxed state verses a nervous
>tensed state." Just little positive affirmations daily really do retrain
>the subconscious mind to believing that and having it become a reality.
>Fake it til' you make it. If you don't really believe what you are
>saying at first..that is so normal and okay...but if you keep at it
>anyway and don't give up...soon those feelings of being scared will go
>away and not have the hold on you they once did. I hope this makes
>sense, I am someone that has had an anxiety disorder for years on and
>off now, and when I work hard at it..it does go away and I am a calmer,
>more positive relaxed person, and you will be too:)
>
>Best wishes;)
>
--
M. Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. LAke Tahoe, CA
This post is for educational purposes only and does not construe a doctor-patient relationship. It does not take the place of a consultation with your own doctor.
***private e-mails will NOT be answered -- or even read. Please do NOT send a private e-mail as it interferes with the very limited time I have with my own family!!***
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