IC and Medical Phobias

[nekura]

I've been scared to death of doctors since I was 5. I had an eye operation a very young age as well as my IC symptoms starting around then. Even as a child I hated being touched, especially around intimate areas such as the genitals or the eyes which is all they ever seemed to focus on. I learned not to mention any discomfort I was having because it would just lead to more pain or humiliation.

The end result is that I haven't had an eye exam for 6 years and it took me 5 years just to have a pap smear, but during those 5 years I would have panic attacks at night just thinking about how I would eventually be forced into having one if I ever wanted to be in a relationship (which I was currently in and using unsatisfactory birth control methods).

Now that my IC became much more severe I'm having to slowly face it and the doctors involved. I've found a wonderful Nurse Practitioner who puts me at ease whereas before I went a year with absolutely to medical care for my IC because the doctors I did go to just didn't care and wanted to refer me to a potentially far more frightening doctor.

Things aren't absolutely horrible since I've got the Nurse Practitioner and also know that Urologists aren't pushing the invasive diagnostic methods as much, but going to an unknown Urologist would still currently be as hard as driving a 7 inch rusty nail through my foot. Thankfully my Nurse Practioner understands (she had to have a cystoscopy herself back when they were more painful) and so I'm not in such a hard space that I was in before.

I'm mainly writing this to see if anyone else has any medical related phobias? Surprisingly I'm fine at the dentists whereas I hear that's the most likely one people are to be afraid of. I've searched all over the web for some sort of support group for people with medical related phobias, but all I ever find is just advertisements for therapists and no actual forums. Having this fear along with all the other ones that come with IC has been straining me hard and I suppose I wanted to know I wasn't alone with facing IC and this crippling fear. I've also found myself afraid to leave my house lately in case a flare hits. I don't even like leaving my room.

And of course I'm depressed because of everything listed above..

[ICNDonna]

My phobia is dental work! I would rather do almost anything, including surgery, than going to the dentist --- and getting my teeth cleaned is the worst.

Donna

[nekura]

You know, the only reason why I think I may not have a terror of dentists is because my childhood one was so good at what he did. He managed to hide those huge needles from me when he was injecting an analgesic into my mouth for a drilling and I never knew until he was done! It also helps that I'm one of those lucky people with anti-cavity saliva. I only had cavities that one time because I refused to brush my teeth for a year and hid it from my mom. But I still gotta say those dental chairs are pretty intimidating.

[ICNDonna]

For me it's not the chair or the dentist, it's the polisher, drill, etc. --- for me it's like the annoying chalk screaming across a blackboard --- and it lasts what seems like forever.

Donna

[bubbe1]

Hi,
No medical phobias here, but I can imagine how hard that must be. Maybe a counselor who specializes in phobias would be able to help you work through yours. In the meantime, I'm glad you have that nice NP who understands where you are coming from.
As for the dentist, the only phobia I have about him is that the man will NEVER stop talking! Good dentist, but he can go on forever, mostly about himself!

[nekura]

For me it's not the chair or the dentist, it's the polisher, drill, etc. --- for me it's like the annoying chalk screaming across a blackboard --- and it lasts what seems like forever.

Donna

Oh yeah I get that.



bubbe1 -- I've thought of that too but I live in a very small town where we only have one counselor that I know of, but he practices a form of therapy that I'm not very keen on and isn't a phobia specialist. Also we don't have the money for that. A longer drive is something I don't think my bladder would like at all.

[bubbe1]

Oh yeah I get that.



bubbe1 -- I've thought of that too but I live in a very small town where we only have one counselor that I know of, but he practices a form of therapy that I'm not very keen on and isn't a phobia specialist. Also we don't have the money for that. A longer drive is something I don't think my bladder would like at all.


So sorry you don't have that option. I wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom, but I don't.
It does sound like you're a very strong person, though and I have a feeling you'll be able to do what you need to, even if you have to push yourself really hard.
Please keep posting.
Laurie

[VickiB]

My greatest fear in regards to doctors or dentists comes when receiving the bill. (very high deductible with my insurance)

But that's not a phobia, -defined as an unrealistic fear, because those bills are very, very real! :lmao:

Vicki

[Julie B]

I found that making lots of doctor appointments was just annoying and took up so much time I avoided them. Finally, I got my gyn to consolidate my care (gyn, breast exams, uro, thyroid, derm) so that I go to him once a year and the others when things get out of whack.

Maybe the same thing would work for you....

[nekura]

I found that making lots of doctor appointments was just annoying and took up so much time I avoided them. Finally, I got my gyn to consolidate my care (gyn, breast exams, uro, thyroid, derm) so that I go to him once a year and the others when things get out of whack.

Maybe the same thing would work for you....

I..think that is what I'm doing? My nurse practitioner is the one I go to for everything, though she's said she'd prefer I see a specialist for the IC, but after I let her know my huge issues with doctors she's been helpful. The only problem is that she has an issue with Elmiron for some reason, but I couldn't even afford it if she would prescribe it. She always asks how my IC is doing, etc, and lets me try some things that may help. It really is a huge help just to let me get used to one doctor I like instead of a thousand strangers. Feeling like I'm in control of who I see is also a huge calmer for me.

[meResque]

My medical phobia is of being catheterized.


...can you just taste the irony?

[baaaby11]

I have a HUGE phobia of doctors. In fact, it makes me more nervous to go to the doctor more than anything else I can think of. It sucks really bad. Especially the day/night before an appointment... it's all I can think about. I can hardly get any sleep the night before. I definitely understand where youre coming from. The weird thing is... I don't have a certain situation or experience where I feel like it stems from. I honestly do not know why they make me so nervous.

[nekura]

My medical phobia is of being catheterized.


...can you just taste the irony?

Oh I'm definitely in your leaky boat. The thought of anything going up into me from "down there" repulses me to the point of feeling like I'm going to vomit, and that's not even touching on the potential for pain. I just had my pap smear two days ago, and even though I know it doesn't hurt I was shaking so bad during the procedure my doctor really had to start talking to me to get me to calm down. Afterwards I was even worse, still shaking, and just being spastic for the entire day until I was able to take a nap and hit the refresh button on my day.

I can't even imagine what I would do if they wanted me to be awake for any pelvic procedure that'd actually be painful!

Did you have to have a scope done for diagnosis? How did you get through it if you did?

I have a HUGE phobia of doctors. In fact, it makes me more nervous to go to the doctor more than anything else I can think of. It sucks really bad. Especially the day/night before an appointment... it's all I can think about. I can hardly get any sleep the night before. I definitely understand where youre coming from. The weird thing is... I don't have a certain situation or experience where I feel like it stems from. I honestly do not know why they make me so nervous.

I sometime feel that the experiences I had aren't even good enough to be an excuse.. it's just the only thing I could grab at. I get how you feel. Thankfully I'm starting to get calmer with my GP now.. they always have calming music in their waiting room and it NEVER smells like a doctor's office. The smell is always the worst trigger for my panic. I can actually stay calm up until a procedure.