i am probably the wrong person to give you advice on this but i will tell you my experience... the last time (20 years ago) prior to this year.... i had mine... i had a major panic attack during the exam... my doctor was very kind and supportive... helping me get grounded... this past year my med doc started pushing me... and set up an appointment with his nurse practitioner (women) to do the exam... i told her before she began that i was a survivor and that i struggle with panic attacks... she was really kind and took a lot of time with me ... explaining everything as it happened and checked in with me... reminding me to breath... this kept me from disassociating...afterwards i met with my t... it just really helped to know that he was going to be available if i had a bad reaction... by having the np keep me in the present i didn't have any flashbacks and my panic attacks were mild... soooo i guess my advice to you would be to let the doc know what is going on... so s/he can help you through it...lyn