Does anybody have a doctor phobia? I can't seem to go to a doctor without having an anxiety attack. How do you get over it?
twogirls

I do ok with Dr's unless I'm having my yearly well woman exam.

i get over it by repeating to myself that I am looking after myself that I would feel worse not being tested if something is wrong and by making sure that the doctor I have, understand that I am a human being not a patient with a health insurance number.
Not that easy but in life, we all need to do things that are hard to do. I keep remembering as well that I would feel way worse if I could have prevented being sick by going to my regular visit. I am worried each time but at the same time, I know that by not going I willl be even more worried.
Am I rambling? I think I am just talking about it I am starting to shake or is it a vibration that I am feeling. Boy I am starting to feel hot!!!
Mrs Buff

I am bad with all doctors. I keep convincing myself that "this is it" and the dreaded news is coming. The strange thing is that I am OK with pelvic exams. The dentist does an entire exam of my head and neck looking for lumps, which I find terrifying. I need to get over this fear, because the older we get, the more we end up doing to the doctor.

I was hot all through dinner. Thanks again Mrs. Buff!!

I use to go to the dr. all anxious and feeling a panic attack coming on what does it is being in that enclosed room with those bright florescent lights on me so what i do now is shut the lights off in room, and keep the door open till dr. comes in. and also i pop a very low mg. before i go.

I like the idea of shutting off the lights. I think I will try that- thanks. I also try to close my eyes and pretend that I am not really there.

I am one of those dr. fearing woman. I literally shake in my boots and avoid it as much as possible. I'm due for my pap, appt set for end of February, ughhh!! I had a pelvic exam about 5 months ago, she said all looked ok. I don't know if I will ever get over it. I'm so nutty, there is this local homeless woman in an area where I live and I think, "I'm sure she doesn't go to the Dr. and she is still kicking".... I know stinkin' thinkin' on my part. The AD has helped a lot with the obsessive health anxiety, though, I still worry, but, at least I sort of function through it whereas before I would just freeze up. Anyways, sorry for the ramble... just count me in. I like Ms. Buff's suggestion to turn off the light. I find when I am stressed that's what I do at home too.

I seem to have acquired a distaste for western medical doctors somewhere along the way....For me I think it is more a general distrust
of all the invasive test and medicinal prescriptions than of what bad news I might get from them. Going for a blood test is a major ordeal
for me....I fear the needle. On the other hand I can go to acupuncturist and have long needles inserted from head to toe and not blink an eye.
I actually enjoy the feeling of all those needles...very peaceful. Again a matter of trust.
I don't appreciate the idea that many western doctors have that the mind/brain is a seperate organ of the body and I prefer a more holistic approach.
People should be treated with what they believe or are comfortable with. It astounds me that for scientific people, doctors are so closed minded when it comes
to different approaches. It's like they have tunnel vision and if it is not in the standard of care than it is not valid. That kind of mindset is what scares me.

I totally agree. I used to have a gynocologist many years ago who was also a psychiatrist (he passed away unfortunately). That was the BEST combination because he truly understood how the mind and body connected. I agree that most doctors don't understand the mind, and they are very textbook. I understand the fear of a blood test because of the needle, but no fear of acupuncture. Maybe it is the environment? When you get a blood test it is very clinical, but when you go for acupuncture it is quite relaxing. Funny- I also look at the homeless and tell myself that they don't go to the doctor, and they are still walking. I think there are too many tests given here.

OMG I think the same thing about homeless people.I think they are not popping vitamines and worrying about what they eat.Also the clinical environment,bright lights thing bothers me too.I don't think I could turn off the light especially with no windows.I have to go see my doctor for results on all these blood tests.My mind keeps trying to tell me I won't make it there by myself.But I've always been able to drive and my legs have not given out from under me yet.My mother said she'd go with me but I feel like a fool having to depend on her at my age.Besides like you say we are getting older and we may need to see drs from time to time.

A few years ago my husband had some kind of gastro test done. I was afraid to go with him myself because I am afraid of doctor's offices, so I dragged my mother-in-law. I was so scared to be there that I left the building and went for a walk. After the test was over, the doctor came out to the waiting room looking for Mrs. C - well, my mother-in-law walked into the office. I think the doctor thought that my husband was married to a much older woman!!

That's so funny, I really thought I was the ONLY one who even went there in my mind about homeless people. Not to say they don't have it rough, I know they do. It's amazing when you talk about some of the things that are unique or weird to you and you find that although you may be unique, you may not be quite as weird as you think you are, lol.

I don't have panic attacks when I go to the doctor but I find the whole experience very distasteful. I don't think that conventional medicine is much better than torture in many cases. I am really distressed at what it has become in recent years with the emphasis on chasing symptoms instead of looking at the big picture. Blood tests and other screening things like mammograms do scare me though.

I really don't have health anxiety or fear of doctors, but I do have resentment of all the invasive/painful tests we are supposed to get now, as opposed to even 25 years ago. Although I never thought about the homeless people (because, really, I'm sure they DO die in great numbers from things that would have been picked up and cured if they had a more normal life) I think about my mom, and think "SHE never had a mammogram or a colonoscopy in her life and she died in her 70's from emphysema - she would have lived much longer if she didn't smoke - without benefit of all those stupid tests I'm supposed to get!" I'm 57 and haven't yet had a colonoscopy and my friends think I'm crazy, but I've read about healthy people who have died from the procedure itself (they can perforate the colon - VERY rare but they make you sign something that says if you die from the procedure you can't hold them liable!) Yes, my chance of dying from colon cancer is much higher than my chance of dying from the procedure, but it just seems like a violent invasion that I don't want to subject myself to. I've had my yearly mammograms from age 50 but I'm even rethinking that - feeling like radiating my breasts is not the right thing to do to prevent cancer! I don't trust traditional medicine I guess. I'm not AFRAID, I just don't trust that the things they tell us are necessary are really so necessary, and that maybe they'll find that they were more harmful than good. Is our life span any better than our parents', really? It seems like there was a lot LESS breast cancer among my mother's generation. Why is that, has anyone really figured it out?

On the other end of the thinking - a good friend at work decided to get a colonoscopy at an earlier age than recommended - she was 48 I believe and there is a lot of cancer in her family. They actually found colon cancer - not just the precancerous polyps. It was an early stage and she's fine now (3 years later). She yells at me periodically for not having a colonoscopy, but there really isn't a lot of cancer in my family - we die from heart disease more often.

It gets so confusing these days about what is the right thing to do.

I know many would shudder at my way of thinking but the way I look at is the more you go looking for trouble the likelier you are to find it....like you
wildflower I just don't think many of these procedures are necessary. I developed breast lumps last year and had a mammogram and ultra sound to be on the safe side. Both indicated fibrocistic breast.. My doctor pressed on and ordered a MRI. I drew the line however when I showed up for the test and
was asked to sign a waiver that they were not responsible if I died or had allergic reaction to the dye....well knowing the way I react to chemicals
I was not prepared to die that day from some test and high tailed it out of there....no one had informed me of these dangers prior to or I would have
saved them all the trouble...I have seen to many incidences where the cure was worse than the disease itself with very sad outcomes and now follow my instincts when it comes to health matters...

Our elderly neighbor who had lived a long healthy, happy life until age 84 he began to have blood in his urine. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer and spent his last year on earth being radiated and dosed with chemicals to "treat" the cancer. We watched as he went from his normal, happy self to an emaciated, hairless, depressed man who died a week ago. His body did not die of cancer but at that age all those horrid treatments killed him. I agree that the screening tests have gotten out of hand and I will continue to follow my instincts on that one-even if that view is not popular or recommended. At my last visit, the doc ordered a mammogram without even physically examining me (it had been two years). In other countries, women are only recommended to have one every three years as the exposure to annual radiation is in question.

Something that has helped me with my Dr. phobia is to become familiar with my surroundings.I like to go to the appt. early so that i have time to calm down before being called back to see the dr.I have found if i kinda stroll around the medical facility,see where all the exits are,etc. it helps me.When i am called back to the room,i usually have to sit and wait a long time,so i take a magazine with me to keep my mind occupied.

I don't have doctor phobia. I have cancer phobia! Doctors don't scare me, it's waiting for the test results and maybe hearing, "you have cancer", that scares me. Never had this before, and I've had cancer in the past. I can't stop thinking about all my symptoms and that is has to be something bad lurking underneath.

I hear you on the colonoscopy. I have to get one end of the month due to stomach issues. They also want to do a scope down my throat. Iam petirifed of the chance of perforated bowel, the sedation, the tests, what they may find, etc. BUT on the other hand, my rational side is saying..what if it is something like cancer and you let it go? then what? I will go through more horrendous and potentially deadly procedures such as chemo, radiation, surgeries, etc etc. Not to mention the emotional strain on me and my family if it were something bad. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28, cancer didn't run in my family. I had 4 surgeries and 16 yrs later I have been cancer free. If I didn't go in for my yearly check up they never would have caught it early and I would most likely not be alive today. So having no cancer in ones family doesn't mean you dont have the potential to develop it. it's all a crapshoot, really. Some is genes, some environmental, some immunity, etc. My brother is a drinker, never had a medical issue. I have worked out my whole life, ate right, dont smoke and rarely drink..and I get cancer!
I really really dread the tests I have to endure, but it's either that or I always wonder what if? as my stomach symptoms continue. It's very hard to know what the right thing is, to do. But I think yearly check-ups are good maintenance, just like you would maintain your car.

I'm a total doctor phobic and it's getting worse....I actually just cancelled my dentist today because I'm getting freaked about cleanings and at the last one, htey did a whole head scan and I was petrified that tell me they found something! The tech came by and was looking it over and I told her to stop.....

I do go to ob/gyn, mammmograms and dds but after that, I'm with the "not broke, don't fix it" theory .......there are an awful lot of tests that leave you worrying (which can NOT be good for your overall health at all!!!!)

I'm overdo for the age 50 colonoscopy (sp) and the thought of one makes me break out in a sweat!!!!!


Ugh...yes homeless peole and old hermits lives long lives with out those "looking for something" concerns...

Gotta get some valium just for doctor visits...

I was supposed to go to the dentist on Wednesday, but I cancelled when they called me Monday to confirm. I scheduled it again for March 19, but may cancel again. I had a dental implant many years ago, which became infected a few years ago when peri began. I believe the two are related. The tooth is now gone (I lost so much bone due to the infection that it came out very easily). I am afraid to go to the dentist because I know they will do x-rays and comment on my huge amount of bone loss. I also know that they will comment that the tooth next to the tooth that was infected also has a lot of bone loss. The comments about all the bone loss will set me through the roof, and I don't want to deal. I do love my dentist- he is a very very funny man, and likes to tell stories about his family while he is examining me. This DOES put me at ease.
twogirls

I have such a fear of doctors that I really don't go. When I do I have a full blown panic attack the whole time. Someone has to come with me because I am so afraid. I think it's fear of the unknown and thinking they are going to tell me I'm dying! I know it has to do with control.

twogirls - are you on bone density drugs? They're known to cause complications for invasive dental work like implants, root canals etc. I just had a dental implant and my oral surgeon wouldn't have done it if I was on bone density drugs. They seem to affect the bone in the jaw in the opposite way from bone everywhere else - sometimes causing the jaw bone to disintegrate completely.

Anyway it's good to keep up your regular dental cleanings because bacteria in the mouth really does have an association with heart disease. Strange how our bodies' systems can be intertwined.

No I am not on bone density drugs. My dental problem was entirely my fault. I developed a very minor problem with my dental implant about 4 years ago (when I also began mild hot flashes) and did not go to an oral surgeon, like I was advised. The problem grew and grew, and caused bone loss. I eventually had the implant removed, which was VERY easy due to the bone loss. The bone loss was caused by infection. My fault.......part of my phobia.
twogirls

Yes, I do have doctor/dentist phobia! It's a struggle each and every time to get myself to go, but I do it anyway. I often will take a xanax beforehand so I don't spiral into a full-blown panic attack. My mantra is always "the sooner I do this, the sooner it's over" (I use that for other things I don't want to do, too! My blood pressure spikes so much from anxiety that the doctor suggested getting a home BP machine to we could get an accurate reading (it's actually on the low side.)

I do believe that there is far too much testing and far too many pills. I don't have a yearly mammo (which really aggravates my ob-gyn!) and have declined many meds my doc suggests taking (AD's; enablex; meds for my raynaud's)

However, I get regular colonoscopies, because I have a family history of colon cancer. To those who fear them, my advice is find someone who does a LOT of them, and get knocked out (I had proponol (sp?)). The worst part really is the prep! It'll be worth it for your peace of mind to know that you're cancer-free!

As we get older, unfortunately, more physical issues enter the picture, so I guess we doctor-phobic ladies need to grit our teeth, fight the fear, and do what we need to do to take of our bodies - it's the only one we're going to get.

Doctors! Hmm. Where do I start?

On a scale of one to ten, the DREADED DENTIST is 15 1/2.

All other doctors are a 10--even my primary care doctor who I like and reminds me of Regis Philbin. (Is that your final diagnosis?)

The only doctors I feel comfortable around are holistic (they explain everything to you and how your symptoms relate to everything else in your life), psychologists and chiropractors. Of course, depending on my emotional state, any one of these could rise to a 5 or 6 on my scale.