Medical Hugely triggered by anything related to health care

[whiteraven]

I'm having a major problem getting the help I need medically because I am very triggered by anything remotely related to health care. Extreme anxiety, crying, etc...

The reasons are complex, but generally it's because every single time I go, someone in the office - the doctor, the assistant, the person at the front desk - does something that is harmful. Wrong meds, wrong doses, don't listen to my actual complaints.

I've had a few episodes of chest pain - in conjunction with a LOT of soreness when you press over my bones (everywhere, legs, shoulders, ribcage) - and I did go to the ER once. Everything was normal. My doctor still wanted me to have a stress test, which I couldn't afford - $4000 out of pocket/with insurance - so I didn't.

I had an episode of chest pain last night - more up in the shoulder, like last time - and I called my doctor this am to see if I could get in to see her. Just heard back and she wants me to go to the ER to be evaluated. I'm not having any acute pain at all.

Last time, I was sobbing when I was there, and they decided that was because the pain was so bad. I wasn't having any pain; it was because I was so upset being there.

But how I'm feeling emotionally doesn't matter. To anyone.

 

[joeylittle]

Nothing to say, really, except I empathize with what you are saying very much, and how you feel. If it helps to know, you're not alone in this.

 

[whiteraven]

Thank you, @joeylittle. So...I went to the ER. Spent a few hours there and, as suspected, nothing was wrong. My blood pressure was a bit high (normal, though, right before I went in) which I think was due to the intense migraine I got while there.

Oh, and maybe all the crying. :-(

 

[Deleted member 8714]

I can completely relate @whiteraven and I hate it. I've doctors make errors as well resulting in near death for one of them. And one time a misdiagnosis forced me to have a test which could cause paralysis. I later learned he was looking at the wrong thing to diagnose me.

I finally found a therapist who allows me to talk about three life threatening and one eye sight loss possibility incidents. And she says I have PTSD from those incidents.

Other therapists stopped me from talking about them and/or pushed onward to something else.. During one time in the ICU, I cried myself to sleep. The next day a clergy person helped me to feel less frightened. The doctors had said that my illness was serious and had I not gotten to the hospital when I did, I would've died from a severe arrhythmia. I was scared of dying from my illness even after being treated in the ICU.

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug: @whiteraven :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[blackemerald1]

as suspected, nothing was wrong.

The chest pains, soreness etc - could they be caused by stress and ptsd?

Fibromyalgia - the symptoms you describe fit well for this.

It is good you went to the ER and were monitored for a few hours. Better than collapsing. I'm pleased you got to go home again and were ok.

I recently went to hospital for suspected heart problems. They treated me like crap after they found my ptsd diagnosis. It was horrible and I could not get out of there fast enough.

Sigh... ER + mental health problems = highly judgemental and dismissive alleged health professionals. I sympathise with your situation @whiteraven. :hug:

 

[Mach123]

I don't know anyone like me in this? I love going to the doctor. I had a little hesitation this time I'm worried I have a prostate thing going on? The dirty little secret is I make sure it's always female doctors and of course the nurses are women mostly. I love them paying attention to me and taking care of me. I make sure I'm not running in there all the time because I don't want to abuse the privilege. It's been almost a year. I've had several surgerys, I love it. I guesss it's partly "I'm sick now and I can't do anything and everyone is taking care of me." I love the needles and the drugs. I've gotten them to give me prescription pain killers on several occasions (my arthritis is so severe they can't deny I need them) even though they have "substance abuse " in my file. I just love that I have great health care. I've always wished I could have an affair with my doctor. She flirts with me. Bad girl.

 

[Swift]

I'm so sorry this is happening, @whiteraven.
I'm also absolute shit in medical situations. I grew up with two doctors as parents, and I'm still pretty terrified.
Would it help if I explain some Doctor Thoughts about how medicine and ER work in particular?

 

[blackemerald1]

I love going to the doctor. I had a little hesitation this time I'm worried I have a prostate thing going on? The dirty little secret is I make sure it's always female doctors a

Yeah @Mach123 - you sound so 'normal' :roflmao:
So you get coy all of a sudden when it's the old fella that needs investigation oh my... :woot:
& you think they are enjoying themselves :wacky:
You think you are playing them like a fiddle...:playful: Well done :rolleyes:
You make me laugh out loud! :eek::cautious:

 

[Swift]

Look, I'm usually one to take things in good humour, definitely. But I'm not feeling this line of joking.
Apologies, but I'm not in on the joke.
Having worked in medicine, with people hitting on you, I'm absolutely 100% not in on the joke, times one thousand.
Humour is generally a good thing, but not in every situation.
This is a thread about being triggered and not being able to cope well with medical situations.
What @whiteraven is going through is the important thing.
Could we get back on topic please?

I'm also worried about people feeling minimized in medical situations particularly by doctors etc, but cracking jokes doesn't help.

Folks, that might be hilarious for you guys, but it isn't to some people.
Having been on the receiving end working in medicine, no thanks.

I'm generally one for a sense of humour, but this isn't funny.

So. Could we get back to the topic at hand, please?

 

[blackemerald1]

@Swift - I was giving Mach an undercut. I had already given a serious response prior. Oh well...

 

[Swift]

Sorry @blackemerald1 , I didn't see the previous post. I meant no offence.

 

[blackemerald1]

No worries @Swift - none taken. Back on topic now :)