dr appt tomorrow

i have a dr's appt tomorrow. i will be getting trigger point injections in various parts of my back and neck, and at the bottom of my tailbone. shots don't bother me at all, and i'm looking forward to the relief afterward (i've had them once before). however, something's not ok inside. someone(s) is scared...scared of being alone in room, scared of getting shots, scared of being in a compromising position...just scared.

i don't know how to calm these fears other than to say they can stay "in the car", "asleep", "in the dark", wherever. it's not helping.

i don't want to "check" at the dr's office. it's a 45 min drive each way also. now, i'm getting freaked about what might happen...high anxiety.

any advice please????

thanks,

I don't have any suggestions...but I'll be thinking of you all.

(((((((((((((((kimmydawn))))))))))))))))

(((((((((((((((((((((((( 1day )))))))))))))))))))))))))))

thank you! have i told you lately just how much you and your words of support me to me??? well, if i haven't, they mean the world.

thank you,

Here is some info from the book "Growing beyond Survival: A self-help toolkit for managing traumtic stress", by Elizabeth G Vermilyea.

She talks about using grounding techniques to stay in the present using all 5 senses, for example:

Sight: watch or clock, current photographs, outdoors, driver's license
Sound: soothing music, nature sounds, familiart sounds, your own voice
Smell: scented candles, potpourri, scented lotion, essential oils
Taste: peppermint, cinnamon, lemon, chewing gum
Touch: lotion, a stone, ice cube, pets

So perhaps you can bring some of these items with you for the drive, and bring them into the office?

I like her book because it uses techniques I might actually try...some books are just worksheets that tend to make me zone out more...

emmy

Link to amazon for the book:

http://tinyurl.com/6upxe

WOW, emily, thank you! i never thought about things like that and most of them are pretty non-obvious.

gum is a great idea. i'm a bubble blower. that's "my thing". it really might help!

thanks again!

Kimmy, Can you bring a safe item or a safe friend? If not then explain to the nurse that you are, "a little" anxious this time around and can she stay with you? Most are quite willing. Even saying it outloud helps. Good luck on the shots Honey. I question if you should be driving self anyway because if you had a ride you could take anti-anxiety meds. You are NOT super woman. I had one of my daughters leave school early on Thurs as I was tired and had to bring the other who does not get drive to her appoint 1.5 hours away. She drove all of the way there and I slept and was able to drive home. Take care of yourself okay?

(((((((((((((((((((((( ww )))))))))))))))))))))))) thank you! i have no one to go with. brother said he "might" go to help ME with the baby, or he might watch him at home...he doesn't know. he can't drive anyhow, but it would help keeping me present. i may "push" the issue with him. ty.

he couldn't go in the room tho. if i take a stuffie or something comforting, i'm afraid the children will come closer, so i hesitate doing that i think that it's going to be majorly triggering with me being in the position that i'll be in and then feeling pain that's why i journaled about the visit. now, there are those scared. kinda damned if i do, damned if i don't thing. ugh.

i could ask dr to stand up maybe? you think dr would let me if i explain PTSD?

you might have to be in certain positions but do say you have an anxiety issue and need some help with it. I am sorry you can't have a safe person go with you. Wish I could be there. I think it might help if you tell the little ones that they need to have medicine from a safe doctor and tell them you will protect them. Also, Emily has a good point as I DO the exercises and they help so much. If you can do them outloud during procedure or find something you and doc can discuss. I discussed childbirth with the anesthisologist when I had foot surgery. Kept me calm. I frequently chat about critters with clients who are nervous. Stay present and it will be okay, The doctor is a safe person and you need medicine. Good luck hun.

more good ideas, ww. i can carry convo. i'm sure she'll be asking me about pain, etc. so that should help keep me present. one thing that helps me alot is to talk about the kids...my girls and david. keeps me present. in fact, it's a cue that t uses when he needs to. so i might write something up to read tomorrow while she's doing it about plans for the kids...youngest's prom, oldest's wedding, david summer plans, etc. even better would be to make a list while laying there. that's a technique i use here at home to do emotionally painful things without checking! i think we've found that answer! tytyty

i'm gonna be fine. i know that now

thanks everyone!

((((((((Kimmydawn))))))))

ty so much (((((((((((((((((((( cat eye ))))))))))))))))))))

Oh goodness. o_o; I'm simply horrid when it comes to shots, I threatened to bite the arm off of a nurse who came in with a needle once, so even if I'd of had time to give to advice (By today, the appointment has already passed right?) I'd have nothing worthwhile to say.

I hope it went okay for you, they'd have to sedate me to get a needle within 5 feet, so you're brave as hell sounding to me. *hughug*

Kimmy, I'm glad you found the solution to staying present. Really hope it works. You could also talk about offer you got to work at your old job again.

I'll be thinking of you.

No advice from my end either. The ground techniques are sound though. People use them all the time to stay focused on reality. Let us know how this all goes.
Love,
RhysMadison

These are something i"ll be using myself today. Good timing in this post. Although I don't have a major doc's appt. I do have the dentist as I have a bad infection. Same one my other dentist worked out twice a few mos back. So I'm switching dentists. & I'm not happy to have to go back in 'cos they haven't got it right. Anyways, thought I post & let you know this came at a good time for me as well.
Love,
RhysMadison

Hey Kimmy, how did Dr Appt go
((((((HUGS)))))

(((((Kd)))))
I am hoping all went well with you today. You are such a wonderfull person. So caring of others. I hope all the good advice helped.

Take care.

place

you all aren't going to believe this! so this is the one morning in the world that the baby actually sleeps in until 9 a.m.! i have to leave the house at 9:50! we BOTH have to be bathed and ready to go! i'm stressing to the max!

i had already rescheduled this appt once because the baby was sick and i couldn't go last week.

i manage to leave the house on time, get the baby to brother and get on my way...tablet in hand to write lists i get there, and after waiting about 1/2 hour, they call me back. i get in there and the nurse practitioner comes in for a med review. i said, "i'm here for injections". she said, "oh my, they have you for follow up. if you want to wait for dr, it will be a couple of hours." i was SO upset. i said i just wanted to reschedule it. i was so bummed. i'd gone thru hell for this, but aparently when i'd called to reschedule, the girl set me up for a follow up instead of injections. she didn't even look at what appt i was rescheduling! to top it off, i was complaining to her about missing the injections because they helped so much. ugh.

thank you all so much for being here for me and caring. at least i have a really good game plan for when i go for the injections on the 28th thank you again so much ((((((((((((((((((((( friends)))))))))))))))))))))

love,

I'm probably taking some words out of sqrl's mouth, but...

Awwww nuts!

Glad things were ok. Will keep my fingers crossed next week.

Oh ((((kd))))) that really stinks.

I hope everybody settles down and lets you get some rest this week.

Take care. You are very special.

(((((((((((((((((((((((( KD ))))))))))))))))))))))))
When it rains it pours. But now ya have time to get everything together and a good plan set for the 28th.
Love Ya's, Monty

thank you

((((((((((((((( monty ))))))))))))))))))
(((((((((((((((( place )))))))))))))))))
(((((((((((((((((( 1day ))))))))))))))))))

it was nutty, but yep, i do have a plan for the next time think it will work just fine too

Sucks!, so sorry

thank you ((((((((((((((((((((((( ww ))))))))))))))))))))))))) yep, it did