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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 8:43:59
Its funny because I see a pdoc and take tons a meds, and sometimes (in my bad times) wish i was dead, but I am terrified to go to the GYN..I need to get an IUD, (i cant take birth control pills) and I dont want to get preg. bc of the meds i am on. (pdoc says it will cause birth defects) but I have this issue that they will tell me i have breast cancer or ovarian cancer so I avoid it. I have been 1 time in over 10 years. Even with my anti-anxiety meds, its still terrifying for me to even make the appt.
any advise??
S
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 11, 2005, at 9:00:03
In reply to Afraid to go to a ob/gyn......, posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 8:43:59
> Its funny because I see a pdoc and take tons a meds, and sometimes (in my bad times) wish i was dead, but I am terrified to go to the GYN..I need to get an IUD, (i cant take birth control pills) and I dont want to get preg. bc of the meds i am on. (pdoc says it will cause birth defects) but I have this issue that they will tell me i have breast cancer or ovarian cancer so I avoid it. I have been 1 time in over 10 years. Even with my anti-anxiety meds, its still terrifying for me to even make the appt.
> any advise??
> SHave a friend go and wait with you in the waiting room, and they'll be there after?
Lar
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 11, 2005, at 9:07:23
In reply to Afraid to go to a ob/gyn......, posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 8:43:59
*hugs you*
All I can say, is however horrible pap smears are, they do catch things really early. I have had "naughty" cells found on my past 3 pap smears, which freak me out eac time.. but with minor treatment, they're all cleared.. Now, if I hadn't had those pap smears, those naughty precancerous cells would have had time to turn into even naughtier cells.. and treatment then would have been alot harder..
Cancer is a b*****d.. but when found early, whether in ovaries, breast or cervix, are really very very treatable.. I can run through a whole heap of success stories for you!
Is this something you could discuss with a therapist? Its really so important that you go.. Would someone coming with you help do you think?
I think every woman here will relate to this..
*more hugs*
Nikki xxx
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on June 11, 2005, at 9:19:50
In reply to Afraid to go to a ob/gyn......, posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 8:43:59
woolav,
Believe it or not, I have the SAME story. I wrote a post about it in Health a few months back. I haven't been in 10 years but I have my first appointment MONDAY. Like you, I was terrified (and still am) that they will find ovarian or breast cancer. I was also ashamed that I neglected myself for so long. I was terrified of so many things - embarassment, pain, diagnosis, etc.
I've been working on the issue since January, mainly with lots of rational thinking and statements I say to myself daily, which my T has helped me with immeasurably. So its June now and I feel fairly good about this appointment on MOnday.
I think one thing which has helped me, aside from my rational statements, is that I went to Jamaica in March. I saw the REAL Jamaica, no beaches and tropical drinks. I saw third world Jamaica. I had never been to t third world country before. It truly made me grateful for what I have. It made me realize that I have access to healthcare most people in the world would love to have - that I am very fortunate in my life in many ways, and that by not taking care of myself, I was being stupid by wasting such a precious resource that 90% of the world does not have.
Also, I believe that as I have begun dealing with my depression, I no longer hate myself. I actually love myself and now feel COMPELLED to take care of myself again. Yes, I'm scared, but I also BELIEVE now that I deserve to be taken care of, that my health deserves to be looked after.
DOes this all sound ridiculous? I feel like it does. But honestly, I truly feel that as I began to like myself again and love myself again, this fear has dissipated to almost nothing. I truly feel I deserve the best health care possible and that if I do have cancer, I owe it to myself to catch it early and fight it.
I soooooooo understand where you're coming from. It also doesn't help we have neglected this for 10 years so we have REALLY built it up to astonishing proportions!
My T and I also did some exposure therapy early on where I would go to the Dr's office (she's in the same building as my T) and I would sit in her office waiting room for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes at a time. This helped a lot as well. Waiting rooms can be so ominous. But thishas helped cut down on the mystique so to speak.
Also, my T has called my Dr. and talked to her about my situation. For some reason that also makes me feel a lot better. He's explained my phobia, what we've been working on, and how she might help me get through the appointment better.
Posted by Dinah on June 11, 2005, at 10:14:10
In reply to Afraid to go to a ob/gyn......, posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 8:43:59
I understand completely. :(
But I know I owe it to my family to get those checkups so that I can stay healthy.
Ok, my advice might sound silly, but it's really good. Try to choose a woman doctor, and if you can, a woman doctor with small hands. My ob/gyn who moved was able to do all the examinations without my even noticing. She'd ask me a hard question, and while I was thinking she'd be in and I'd never even know it. Very deft.
My current ob/gyn is also a woman, but has large hands. And their nurse practitioner had hands from a monster movie. :(((
Posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 14:19:08
In reply to Re: Afraid to go to a ob/gyn...... » woolav, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2005, at 10:14:10
Posted by JenStar on June 12, 2005, at 23:11:16
In reply to Afraid to go to a ob/gyn......, posted by woolav on June 11, 2005, at 8:43:59
I understand too! I know what you mean. Sometimes it's easier to avoid it than to face it head on.
But you'll feel SO much better after you go and get your negative results! Or if you DO have an issues, you'll catch it early.
I think the other posters had a good idea - bring a friend or family member to sit there with you. Afterwards, congratulate yourself by going out to Mcdonalds for a milkshake or to a place that you like. (I personally love the Micky D fast food but I know it's not good!)
You can do it!
JenStar
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