[seaecho]

I have a real phobia of doctor's offices, hospitals, ERs or any medical situation. But only if it's for me. If I go with my husband for his appointment, procedure or whatever, I'm not nervous. I also have a phobia of a severe allergic reaction. I have no idea why, and it's never happened to me except for slightly swollen eyes. I do have a lot of food allergies, insect bites, etc., but the worst that's happened is slight rashes, or a couple of good sized hives, besides the hives.

I recently got an infectious disease called Micobacterium Marinum. It's somewhat rare. It's also called Fish Tank Granuloma, and I got it through a cut when cleaning my fish tank filter. Anyway, it turned into a huge ordeal. I have to have three abscesses that were grape size (painful too!) drained, and that's finally almost all healed up.

Thing is, I have to stay on antibiotics for MONTHS in order for this illness not to come back. I've been on 5 different ones (usually two at once) for the last 6 weeks, and it's finally taking it's toll). I am having intestinal issues. Feeling like I have to "go" frequently, gas, and a little loss of control.

Then today, my husband had to take me to Urgent Care because my chest, back and stomach were covered with a rash! Antibiotic allergic reaction! One of my worst fears! I never thought it would happen after 6 weeks! The doc there said he'd give me a cortico-steriod injection until I told him I'm scared to death of side effects. He said the injection can make you feel completely wired. I said that would definitely make me have a panic attack. I have panic disorder as well.

He was so nice. He agreed to work with me. I'm already taking Atarax twice a day, so he said to take it four times a day, stop the antibiotics and see my doctor tomorrow (I already have an appointment). I know I can't stop the antibiotics because I have to be on them for months, so I have no idea what the doctor will do. If he'll change the antibiotic (and run the risk of another allergy) or what.

Doctors, hospitals, procedures, and allergic reactions phobias seem to really be running my life. I even have frequent dreams about it. Anyone else suffer from this?

[Crazy Hitch]

I can understand the debilitating affect that phobias have in affecting our functioning in situations that would not necessarily affect the general population per say, although my example would be different to yours; I understand the dilemma that you are faced with and wanted to acknowledge that I can imagine that this is a hard one for you especially since it focuses around the medical sector.

Hang in there!

Hopefully others with similar experiences can come forward.

[Fuzzybear]