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Re: Tranquilizer for pelvic exam??
From: PC (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 31 Jul 2000 07:46:06 -0500 (CDT)
At Sat, 29 Jul 2000, Kelly Shanahan, MD wrote:
>I, too, am extremely nervous with doctors and especially hospitals. Luckily I have found a gyn that is gentle, reassuring, non-alarmist and gives me as much time as I need. My fear stems from bone graft surgery that I had when I was only seven years old. My hospital stay was two weeks long and although it was 33 years ago, the memory is as clear as yesterday.
I am facing a breast biopsy (outpatient) in two weeks and I am trying to
apply all of that positive thinking to this procedure. I have already
had a FNA that was negative and the doctors believe it is a benign
fibroadenoma. So, all signs are good.
However, I am still very nervous. I'm trying my best to be calm and
know that this is precautionary surgery and I will back home the same
day. Debbie, thanks for the inspiring advice. I will be using it over
the next two weeks.
>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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