Major anxiety about gynecologist
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| Wed, 06-21-2006 - 1:44pm |
Hey everybody--
Thanks for reading this. ANY advice is appreciated, really! Tomorrow I'm seeing my gynecologist and am terrified. I'm in college and I just turned 21, and am a virgin by the way.
I've posted this on the gynecology board before, but they've referred me here because my anxiety is extremely severe. I've been diagnosed with GAD as well as some other issues, and take 30 mgs. Buspar a day. Anxiety is a huge issue for me everyday--I am anxious in school, in line, on the phone, etc. I don't have panic attacks, but anxiety has slowly began to take over my life. Throughout school I was terribly shy, but would have times when things were worse than others. Nowadays, it is severe.
Does anybody here have any ideas to help me get through tomorrow? I have tried this exam twice, females both times, nurses in the room, WHILE sedated with either Xanax or Valium. I'll be on Ativan this time. I really need to go through with this, but realistically I don't think I can.

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I'm sorry this is so hard for you.
Sheri Ann
I cannot express to you how important this exam is. Let's give you some tips so you can do this and repeat every year.
Do you have a friend or family member that can go with you? Yes you will be in a vulnerable position *but* someone could sit by your top half and hold your hand. I have done this for my sister before, you can wear a gown and cover up with a sheet.
How about bringing along some calming music. I bring my ipod with me to appointments so I am not nervous in the waiting room and it helps me focus on myself and not other patients.
Have you had a pre-conference with your gyn? Is she sensitive to your anxiety? My doc always comes in and sits down to talk with me before hand. We discuss every day things that have nothing to do with my exam, this is calming and believe it or not makes it seem like I am chatting with a friend who just happens to take a peek under the sheet.
Hope some of this is helpful and that you give this another try,
HUGS,
Lisa
Thanks guys for the responses. I feel so weak even thinking about this, I'm about to cry. I guess I'll try to get a nurse in there with me, I definitely would not feel comfortable with anybody I know (kind of backwards I guess). I'll bring music and try the breathing tips you suggested.
I have to go through with this but if I'm freaking out just thinking about it how will I ever???
This exam is not an option for me; well, technically yes but I really should have it done. I have hormonal problems. I also have an eating disorder and amenorrhea. Even before then I was irregular though. I HAVE to do this, but I sick with fright.
I might increase my regular medication to intensify the Ativan. I don't know.
I can feel the fear in your writing.
Sheri Ann
oh, i feel your pain.
Hey guys,
Thanks for everything. This is just an update.
Well, I tried. I was freaking out, but I honestly tried my best. I could barely let the doctor touch me. It was just too hard. I tried everything I could think of...brought relaxing music, took the medication, exercised beforehand to loosen up, even brought a stuffed animal. Oh well.
So now I'm doing the exam under anesthesia (which is a little scary in itself). has anybody gotten to the point where the doctor has ordered that for them?
Thanks again guys, I'm sure I'll be posting here more often as anxiety is a huge part of my life and it's nice to have people who understand.
You did your best, it's all you could have done!
Sheri Ann
Hello. One thing to remember is that the gyn docs do these kind of exams all the time so it is just as routine to them as any other procedure so try not to think of it on a personal level. It will never be something you can go through without any discomfort at all just because we are all brought up knowing that is a private area of our bodies and we are naturally not going to like anything like that.
Personally, my anxiety is triggered by other things like nausea but that does not mean your fear is any less of a fear. We all have different issues with different things. Perhaps you are fine if you get nauseous whereas I go into full panic mode and cannot function hardly. One of your anxious triggers just happens to be gyn exams. That does not mean you are any less of a person.
Here is a quote that I love: "Nothing that grieves us can be called little; by the eternal laws of proportion, a child's loss of a doll and a king's loss of a crown are events of the same size."
--Mark Twain
Kim
I love that quote! Just wanted you to know that. I still haven't gotten over this whole issue...I know that to my doctor it's nothing unusual...it's her job! But someting about it just *terrifies* me...I have many other fears as well, but some are more manageable than this I guess. Even doing the exam under anesthesia is terrifying because I hate needles! So now I'm dreading that as well.
I do feel pretty inferior for being such a baby about this issue. I just wish I new where this fear started. I have a lot of social anxiety and individual fears, but this fear doesn't seem to fit in with the rest. Well, I'm just venting. Thanks again for the encouragment guys.
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