Question:
Will any surgeon accomodate me with my medical anxiety??
I have had "medical anxiety" since I was 5 years old. When I go to the doctor's office (even now at the age of 31) I get extremely anxious to the point that I faint. It starts with a racing heart beat, sweating palms then the feeling of fight or flight. I don't notice it but my breathing becomes shallow and I faint. I HATE THIS!!! I would love to have the surgery but fear that my own fear/anxiety would do me in. I am also afraid that I won't be able to find a doctor with an awesome bedside manner who is willing to accomodate me and be sympathetic to my needs. I have had so many doctors tell me to "grow up", "get over it", "don't think about it". Well don't you think if any of that would help I've already tried it? My therapist says it's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I want the surgery so badly but think this BARRIER will get in my way!!! — Jennifer B. (posted on May 21, 2005)
May 21, 2005
Hey Jennifer, you said you know of several people who have had this
surgery, so why don't you go to one of those peoples doctor visits, go and
listen what their surgeons tells them, NOT for you, but for them, get
information this way, heck I bet once you become comfortable with the
surgeon you choose it will all come to pass, I love my doctor, he is GREAT,
Dr. Kaufman USC in Los Angeles, Great bedside manner, he is even got a deep
sexy voice (sounds like Robert Wagner from Hart to Hart) but if you know
someone or several ask to go with them to their doctor visits until you
feel comfortable. Oh I am 5weeks Post Op and would do this again in a
heartbeat. Good Luck! Teresa
— dolpinette
May 21, 2005
Jennifer, Theresa has a good suggestion! It might help if you were
listening and talking about someone else to get the education you need.
But if you want info on you...be up front with the surgeon about your
disorder. Make it the first thing out of your mouth when you make an
appointment. It can only help with your decision making. If the staff is
not willing to accomodate you perhaps the surgeon won't either. Look up Dr
info on the boards here....sometimes you can get recommendations that
way....Good luck on your journey. It may be hard but it will be worth it!
Keep looking and trying.
Debbie
— dcox94
May 22, 2005
Jennifer, your profile says you have children. Did the anxiety lessen as
you went to the doctor more frequently with your pregnancy? Would it
benefit you if you visited the doctor several times during your pre-op
phase? Have you tried meditating? Good luck, Rebecca
— RebeccaP
May 22, 2005
Just a suggestion, but have you tried taking a Xanax about 30 min prior to
your office visits? It might help you tremendously in easing some of this
tension you have.
Stormy
346/302/151
— Stormy71
May 22, 2005
Ok hon, well, you need to look up your surgeon's background so you feel
absolutely safe with his treatment first. You may consider some counseling
before surgery to help you deal with it. When you feel the anxiety coming
on, take some deep breaths and exhale slowly, also close your eyes and
imagine yourself in a serene peaceful place. I know a little about this
because I took counseling for anxiety and panic attacks so I could go off
some of those meds before surgery. You could also talk to your Dr about
it.
I hope this helps
Hugs
— Angelfirewithwings
May 22, 2005
Hi,
It sounds like you have a phobia more than an anxiety. Either way, I would
advise you to seek counseling. Desensitization therapy (don't think I
spelled it right) might be a good thing for you to go through... basically,
it involves learning relaxation techniques in conjuction with gradually
being exposed to whatever produces your anxiety... for example, initially
you would be shown a picture of a doctor or a doctor's office, then you
might drive to one, then you might go in one and sit in the waiting room
but not actually see the doctor.. basically, you take little steps and
teach yourself how to relax when you are in these anxiety producing
settings... with the eventual goal being to rid you of the problem.
Some xanax or valium would be probably also be helpful before a doctor's
visit but that's only a short term problem... ya know, if you are used to
taking xanax to deal with your medical anxieties, what happens if you have
an emergency and have to see a doctor but have no xanax...
anyways, please please get some counseling. your "condition" is
100% treatable.
good luck,
sid
— mrsidknee
May 22, 2005
Hi there!
If you experience anxiety that leads to fainting, you should be taking an
anti-znxiety medication. You've mentioned that you have a therapist -
hasn't your therapist suggested medication to deal with your anxiety and
post-traumatic stress disorder?
— vitoria
May 22, 2005
Sounds like a pretty typical phobia response to me; and, phobias are
extremely treatable! The "irrational fear of ___" that manifests
as both physical and psychological responses of terror is labeled a
phobia.Perhaps your therapist can refer you to a psychologist or
psychiatrist who specializes in curing persons of their phobias. I'm
disappointed that neither MD's nor your therapist have referred you to
someone for treatment. You don't have to endure such fright.
Lovingly,
Lauralyn
— EmbodySuccess
May 25, 2005
I don't know how long you've been in therapy but if its been a while you
might check about a new therapist. Also, as bad as it sounds you have to
drag yourself to either your family doctor or a good psycharist for some
meds. It can make a major difference. I don't have a medical phobia but I
was to the place recently that I would only leave the house to go to work
and to see my therapist. Any thing else was about more than I could handle
(even familiar places like church). An adjustment to the psych meds I was
already on made a major difference. There are several good suggestions
here and I hope you will be able to find one that helps you get where you
need to be. PS. Not wanting to go places is also a reasonably common
anxiety among a lot of very obease people out there. So don't feel alone
even if yours is only at the doctor's.
— Jenny X.
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