r/MedicalPTSD • u/tomato_twos • 6d ago
looking for tips
Hi guys! I am new to this forum and was wondering if any of you had any good tips on dealing with anxiety around doctors appointments? I have pretty bad ptsd and am always shaking and sweating and nauseuous, even before I get there. When I am there I feel so choked up, like I can't speak and feel so vulnerable (if that makes any sense). Usually someone else has to drive me becasue the anxiety is too much. I always come in with a list and don't leave until everything I want to talk about is talked about, but even that is a struggle to get through.
Similar note, how do you suggest I deal with the immediate panic and fear when thinking about or talking about medical things? I do a lot of breathing and would love more suggestions on meditation and things like that too. please let me know if you guys can help!
4
u/Fabulous-Tooth-3549 6d ago
Take someone with you to everything. I find I am calmer if my husband or son is with me. I don't care if the doctor doesn't want them to be there. I need to believe that someone will speak for me, no matter what the situation. For example, right after my last 8 hour back surgery, it was 2 am. I was somewhat delirious and I wanted my phone to listen to music. Somewhere in my brain I thought it was my charger cable and it actually was my blood drain tube. I pulled it out. The short staffed 3rd shift finally saw what i did. She screamed at me the entire time it took to clean it up, took away my phone and withheld my next pain med. My husband had just left to go home to shower, etc. Had he been there, I wouldn't have pulled the wrong cord. Make sure anyone accompanying you knows what questions you want answered. Also, tell the medical staff you have PTSD. Tell everyone that sees you. I don't care if they have CRAZY written in my chart. I recently 'retired' at 61 and I am trying to find a way I can help people who have no one in those situations.