[catlover1]

Sitting in very busy waiting rooms for an extended period of time is hard enough for me, seeing a medical dr at all is even harder (feeling of loss of control), but today took the cake. I have never really liked my MD, but I don't have much choice right now. Today, I visited him for the first time in over a year for a severe sinus infection, ear infection and bronchitis. He KNOWS I have PTSD, panic, anxiety, depression, etc and today, I reminded him 2 times. He really caused an issue for me today, and I'm not sure what to do about it. I know I can't go back to him again. All was fine at first with the exam, chest x rays, etc, but then he grabs my head from the side without saying a word while the nurse was talking to me, and sticks that darn light thingy up my nose. SERIOUSLY HE GRABBED MY HEAD FROM THE SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY. I immediately panicked and froze. When I came out of the panic, I got really ticked off, and shut down and got kind of sarcastic with him. Now, sitting here alone, I'm in tears, and having flashback troubles. I don't know how I should address this. I know I can't go back there again, EVER. I just don't have a lot of choices right now with my financial situation. Even if I asked my therapist to talk to them about this, I really think it's too late for that, I don't think I could drag myself, even kicking and screaming, back there again. I was supposed to go for a follow up in 10 days, but I just cancelled that appt. If/when I need to see an MD again, and still don't have another choice, maybe the ER would be better? I don't like using the ER for non emergencies though. Anyone else had a bad experience like this? How did you handle it?

[CANDC]

Maybe you need to find a doctor that is sensitive to someone that has experienced trauma. What referrals can you get from your therapist?

ERs are usually expensive and emergency related. Getting a sensitive treatment may not be the easiest to get in the ER.

[catlover1]

I wish I could change drs. I've never got on well with this one. However, my financial situation won't allow it. I have to stick with the community health clinic, and even that's not cheap

[Shaly78]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Is there any way to tell in detail what happened to you and then at the end say it is apart of PTSD? If I were you I would really keep searching for a new dr or change dr's within the same practice. Some dr's are jerks stuck up and don't care, but if you show that you are educated and eloquently say what symptoms you experience it makes the difference some times.

[CosmicRose]

Do they only have one doctor in the community health clinic? Could you call the clinic and ask if there are other doctors there that you could switch to?

[WibblyWobbly]

I would switch doctors and next time you go, in addition to letting the doctor know you have PTSD, ask him/her to warn you before touching you, otherwise it may trigger symptoms.

[WibblyWobbly]

If you can't change doctors, you should have the above conversation with your current provider. If you're on meds you can take something for anxiety before you go.

[catlover1]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll try to consider it next time I'm in need of a dr. There are other drs at the clinic, but it's a big ordeal to change drs. Hopefully I won't need one again for a long time...

[skeksi]

Your comfort and sense of safety is worth going through whatever is required to change doctors. If you contact the office and start the process now, you won't have the anxiety oabout having to see this doc again the next time you feel ill.