Ugh. I am such a medical phobic.

[Akoto]

I don't even have to be at the doctor for another five hours and I'm already shaken up about it. No wonder I've avoided going for years. Amazing that I'm finally going again now!

On top of my phobia, I'll probably have to have a prostate exam (not for cancer), so I'll get to mix anxiety with bashfulness. Oy. I'm a mess, but at least I can vent a bit here. :(

[Shell Beau]

1. A lot of people feel that way about going to the doctor!!

It will be fine!

[Akoto]

2. I keep telling myself that.

Keep telling myself that he's not out to hurt me. As well, this is my first visit with this new specialist, so I doubt anything serious will happen today. Hopefully.

Still, my stupid nerves don't want to accept that logic. ;)

[supernova]

3. How about this?

Instead of focusing on uncomfortable and embarrassing procedures, try to focus on how much peace of mind you will feel with the information you will get out of it. Regardless of the outcome, with the information you can make better decisions for your life. That's worth a certain peace of mind.

:hug:

[Akoto]

4. That much is true.

My situation is that ... Well, it can go one of two ways. It will either be a simple problem discernible by an exam and medical history, and that will be it. Or, it'll be a more serious problem which will probably require surgery to fix. There isn't much middle-ground.

Explains the nervousness some beyond the phobia, eh?

Still, I guess finally having the answer will be good. The last specialist I saw, a year ago, basically charged $200 to grope me and give me some nonsense answer. :P

[qb]

5. A sincere suggestion...

I hope you don't take offense... doing a self-exam in the shower will improve your comfort level for the real thing.

[Akoto]

6. No offense taken.

I'm only 23, so it'll be the first prostate exam I've ever had. Your idea would probably be good if not for my situation.

It's been suggested that I may have some form of chronic prostatitis (could also be a stricture, but probably not). An inexperienced person fooling around in the area could make things worse, unfortunately.

I have been tempted to cancel the appointment, but I'm not letting my phobia drive me to that. Time to get things figured out. :)

[RebelOne]

7. Doctors terrify me.

I only go when there is a really serious medical problem. Right now, I am exhibiting signs of Type II diabetes and I'm procrastinating about making an appointment to be checked out. I have great medical insurance through my job, so money isn't a problem.

[Akoto]

8. You sound just like me.

I don't have any insurance, but I've been having this problem for years. I've managed to get myself to a doctor now and again, but none so far have figured it out (or seemed to take me seriously). I think the fact that I have anxiety kind of impacts their opinion of me.

I was finally sent to a specialist last year and got nowhere with him. Biggest waste of money ever. I've now decided to try and go to a new one. This guy was in the paper yesterday about doing prostate screenings at an event with four other uros, so he must be a pretty good doctor!

Still, the thought of going terrifies me. I'm having the jitters, upset stomach, all of that.

[Radio_Lady]

9. You might try some anti-anxiety medication available OTC.

That is if you don't have to drive yourself to the doctor. Is anyone going with you?

Benadryl will make you sleepy.

Dramamine also has that effect.

These are over the counter medications, easily purchased and not too expensive.

You can talk to a pharmacy technician or try a natural food store. Explain your feelings to someone there. They have some preparations with valerian root that will take the edge off your tension.

BTW, I was going to a doctor I hated for two years. He hassled me tremendously. We were like oil and water. I should have gotten rid of him as soon as I met him.

Add to that that I am a former investigator for large insurance companies on medial malpractice and worker's compensation issues, so I know a great deal about medicine.

Luckily, my husband changed jobs and we went on a new plan. Now, I have someone I can trust. Besides that, Kaiser Permanente allows you to email your doctor. That has really been a blessing.

Good luck, and let us know what they find. You do have to rule out some difficult things, but many are treatable if caught early.

Peace, love and happiness,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Akoto]

10. Actually ..

One doctor tried to prescribe Lexapro to me, but I never take a long-term medication like that without getting a second opinion. The nightmares I heard about that pill, especially withdrawing from it, convinced me that I want not even one mg of the stuff in my body.

If I ever get insurance, I will probably try some therapy to help with the phobia.

As for going alone, no, my mom is driving me. I don't think I'd get myself there otherwise. :D Not entirely sure what they'll be doing today, though I don't imagine the first visit will be anything surgical.

[Radio_Lady]

11. Akoto, I just had dental surgery yesterday. I was terrified and had been in pain for six months.

I used my mp3 player with a special audio program which was developed for general surgery situations -- it's music and affirmations -- to divert my attention while the dentist extracted the tooth. The palatal root was split, so the tooth could not be saved. I would have been dealing with unending, chronic pain, for the rest of my life, if I had let my phobias rule.

The doctor prescribed a couple of alprazolam (Xanax) tablets for me. I took them on the drive. My husband comforted me in the waiting room, and then I discovered they had a computer linked to the Internet!

I had no problems with the surgery and feel absolutely wonderful today.

Good luck and please let us know how you make out!

Peace, love and happiness,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[question everything]

12. As Queen Victoria used to advise young brides on their wedding nights

Close your eyes and think of England.

Hope all went well.

[Radio_Lady]

16. I love that quote! Have used it many times in my "salad days."

:rofl:

Thanks for posting... <[[big belly laugh goes here>]]



Radio Lady in Oregon

Definition of "salad days" is here: http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2001/12/28.html

[question everything]

17. "Salad Days" just learned a new term. Thanks (nt)

[Radio_Lady]

18. You'll be the next to teach someone else... like me!

Thanks, Question Everything.

Hey, that's even way beyond Question Authority!

[Akoto]

13. Thanks for the support, all. I went.

He diagnosed me with CPPS / Prostatis! I'm glad someone finally considered it, and I had virtually every symptom he was expecting. Undergoing treatment now. It may not be fixable, but there are ways to lessen its impact.

Hopefully, my mind can have some peace at last. :)

[Shell Beau]

14. You got it out of the way! Yay you!

:hug:

[Radio_Lady]

15. UPDATE: Good for you, Akoto! I'm proud of you. Not familiar with that condition, but will look it

up. My husband has had BPH... another prostate condition... and it's a disease of older gentlemen, so don't worry about it.

Good night and good health!

Radio Lady in Oregon

[triguy46]

19. Do NOT worry about the prostate exam...

It is quicker than you can imagine, it is run of the mill for the doc, no embarassment necessary. Plus, NO one, NO ONE, should die because they did not have a digital rectal exam. You can see Dan Fogelberg's statement regarding that on youtube.

My urologist and I are going to have a long relationship. It started with my symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (hard to pee) and over a few months, he found that I had kidney cancer and he removed my kidney. We're still managing the BPH, but he's the man as far as I'm concerned. Find a guy you can trust, make a new friend and consider the rectal exam the same as a handshake! Good luck!