Anxious About Having To See New Doctor

[FindingMyself88]

It would figure that as soon as I can no longer see my regular doctor at the University whom I love and trust, I would get sick! I have been EXTREMELY sore in my back lung/rib cage area, to the point it hurts to breath sometimes, especially at night. I also wake up coughing some. Last night I couldn't sleep because of the pain. My mom thinks it may be pleurisy but in order to diagnose I need a chest x-ray. I don't typically like doctors, they cause great anxiety. I miss my regular doctor so much! I can go to the health department for free, but I am so nervous. However, my mom said it will only continue to get worse if it's pleurisy and not treated. I am fighting off an anxiety attack right now just thinking about it!

I know there are others of you who don't like doctors, how do you cope with it?

 

[Friday]

Dying & Destitution.

I have too much med training to not know 20+ possibilities (differentials) for most symptom groups, at least :
- one of which always = a painful death, and
- one of which = permanent damage, and
- one of which = hundreds of thousands in debt for hospitalization for failing to treat it early.

So if it's not something I recognize and can treat at home, then I drag my arse in. Because I'm more afraid of being broke, in pain, and dying than an anxiety attack. I'm used to panic attacks. I can deal with one more. That's nothing new.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Your anxiety is making things worse. Your muscles tense up. Do you have a free clinic near you? They don't necessarily need a chest x-ray for pain and a cough. Do you have a chiropractor? They are affordable and can treat symptoms such as you describe.

I have to be in severe pain to go to my doctor. I get my physical every year. But I never get colds or the flu so my problems stem from my skeleton being out of alignment.

You've got to take some kind of action if you're feeling really lousy.

 

[scout86]

Generally, I "cope" by not going until I'm sick enough or in enough pain, that I literally can't function. Then, by being sarcastic, hostile and defensive when I get there, and by arguing with the Dr if possible. (There was one memorable incident in an ER where the Dr & I were literally yelling at each other. I guess I like "anger" better than "fear".)

Actually, we've touched on this lately in therapy. I don't have any concrete suggestions for you, yet anyway. For a start, now, I might begin by explaining that I have PTSD and one of the things that I have a "thing" about happens to be doctors, "sorry". Until lately, it never dawned on me that there might be a connection. (Duh!) So, I never said anything. It might not help, but it might. My T says, "they are mostly nice people who are just trying to do their jobs." Does that help? (I didn't find it real helpful, but I can see how it could be.)

On a slightly different note. I had a similar pain some time ago. Turned out to be torn muscles. (Long story!) But, I've noticed over the past year, that, when I'm tense/stressed, I tense a lot of muscles in my shoulders and back, including the trapezius, which attaches in the places you're talking about. And, I get tense ENOUGH that it causes the kind of pain you're talking about, because the muscle is pulling on the attachment that long and that had. Who knows, that could be the problem. (You still have to go to the Dr.) Think of this, you didn't like the Dr you like until you met him/her. You might find a new one you like as much, but you won't know until you meet them.

Good luck!

 

[FindingMyself88]

@KwanYingirl I am thinking it is probably tense muscles because I have a severe issue with that in my neck. Partly from the head injury literally straightening my neck, but also from tension and stress. I was seeing a chiropractor, but it is like $25 a session and he wanted to see me 3 times a week, I can't afford that. I am taking muscle relaxers, but they are highly sedative so I only take it at night instead of twice a day like it says.

@scout86 I know logically you are right, but it doesn't make it any easier. The only reason I trusted my old doctor is because she fought for me. When I had my head injury and no one else was doing anything, even the ER and hospital, she did stuff. She took my prescription to the pharmacy herself for me after hours when the hospital discharged me with nothing. She also was the first person to suspect PTSD and got me in contact with a good psychiatrist.

Ugh I still haven't called this morning to set up an appointment. I'm afraid they won't have a female doctor and a male doctor I just couldn't handle..

 

[KwanYingirl]

Ask for the doc that will advocate for you regarding mental health issues.
Even if you don't go for this illness it will be easier if you have someone on deck.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I just recently made an appointment to switch doctors. I've had the same one since I was in middle school. I kept him because he was a known entity. But he doesn't take anxiety-stuff seriously and I had to diagnose my own major illness a few years ago. He seems to want to chat about family life rather than anything medical. I have used a walk-in clinic for the last 2 years. I hate doing that because it is such an unknown. I also didn't like having a male doctor. So I took a year, but I finally called and switched to a different doctor. I feel like I need to just go and get answers sometimes. I tell myself I can worry and let something get worse or I can go have it treated or my fears quelled. I also carry a few rocks and I choose one to hold while I am waiting. It helps me keep calmer. Sometimes reviewing the steps helps me. Like for an appointment- sign in, wait, check-in with nurse, wait, doctor asks questions, doctor examines, time to go- only breaking it down into as many known details as I can. It also worked for me when I was searching for a new doctor to break it down into steps (that is once I actually decided to do it). Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Can you call an ambulance to take you to emergency at the hospital and they will take you and the emergency doctors and staff are so incredibly good.

You have to fight for yourself and make yourself go or your illness will get worse and worse. Concerned for you.

Real courage is being afraid and doing it anyway. I think you have it in you to do this gift for yourself.

 

[FindingMyself88]

I did manage to get the courage to call the health department and find out what I would need to bring with me for an appointment. However I couldn't bring myself to set an appointment.

However I am going to have to tomorrow, I am in so much pain. My mom made me take all THREE dogs out to potty today, it was a nightmare :(. The two small ones bark and everything and pulled in opposite directions while I have Bristol attached with my hands free leash. Other than this I have been in bed all day with a heating pad and heavily sedated by the muscle relaxer, which is not helping my anxiety.

@gizmo I cannot make myself go to the ER, not after my last two trips this year. In January I had a ***** of a female intern doctor who was rude and triggered me in so many ways it wasn't funny, then refused to give me anything even though I was in full panic attack mode. Then the last trip was my suicide attempt and that's just enough said. Plus not to mention the money I already owe due to medical reasons..

Hopefully I can make myself go tomorrow or whenever I get an appointment :(