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Re: GENERAL: painful exam
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:25:32 -0600 (CST)
Thank you for your suggestions. I have been in a transient situation
for the last few years, moving from place to place for graduate school,
an internship, and now a fellowship. So no consistency and no benefit
of having the same doctor every time. I never know who to choose. When
I get there, the doctor does not always talk to me for very long. I
hate talking during an exam. It's so embarrassing to begin with when
you are showing everything to a complete stranger. Of course I think
this is the doctor's responsibility to help talk you through it,
although I often decline their attempts to make conversation. I know a
sedative seems extreme to many people, but I've had such bad experiences
that I wonder if that is the only thing that can work for me. I am
still a virgin at 31, and I always tell the doctor this, but I don't
always know if they really take that into consideration. It does not
seem that they do. Don't get me wrong, there have actually been 2 times
out of the last 10 or so that have not hurt, but that is rare. In one
case, a small speculum was used, but most doctors go right for the big
one, even knowing that I'm a virgin with a history of painful exams. I
don't know what to do.
>I do not know if giving a sedative prior to the exam is something that
>is normally done, but I have a few thoughts and ideas for you....
>
>Do you see the same GYN provider each time, or do you see someone
>different each time? Seeing the same provider can make the exam easier.
>This is not to say it isn't uncomfortable for you, both psychologically
>and physically, but it can make it somewhat easier. That said, meeting
>with the GYN prior to the exam and just talking and becoming comfortable
>with that person can make the exam go much easier. Even if this means
>making an appt. to just talk. When you have the exam, let the MD know
>if it is hurts and where it is hurting. Ask them to use a speculum that
>is small. I do not know if you are a virgin, but if you are, maybe they
>are using a speculum that is too large and this is causing your pain.
>While it is difficult to come up with conversation when you are having
>an exam, try talking with your MD or the nurse about something other
>than the exam so that you can try and get your mind focused on something
>other than what is going on at that moment. While that may sound silly,
>it does work!!! I just had surgery (Hysterectomy). I had to have the
>first vaginal exam three weeks post op. I was a little worried about it
>causing discomfort even though my GYN is awesome and is incredibly
>gentle. So, the nurse and I, along with the MD started talking about
>things other than the actual exam to keep my mind focused on something
>else....it did work!!
>
>I do hope this has helped!! Call your GYN and ask his/her nurse if they
>use medication prior to exams. That said, maybe trying what I wrote
>above is worth trying first!
>
>Good luck to you!!!
>
>--
>Robin
>
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