So HOW do you cope with THOSE Dr. appts?

You know the ones I mean....the ones we are supposed to get every year...the ones that you have to have if you want to get birth control pills?

I finally found a Dr. I was comfortable with...but she isnt there any more. It is time to go again (past time) but I just cant do it. I dont know what dr. I want...I cant go there and line them all up and say OK...that is the one i want. I cant even bring myself to say the words to ASK for the appt. much less get myself through the appt.

I know I cant be the only one who struggles with this.
What do you do???

Can you feel comfortable to ask if there's a female doctor available? You can ask the nurse which doctor is the kindest and considerate, tell her that you hate to have this done, I'm sure she would understand?

((((((((((((((((UmightKnowMe))))))))))))))))))
i hope you manage to find a doctor who you are comfortable with, here we are allowed to be seen by a nurse and i allways have to pluck up courage to make the appointment good luck

I just skipped my appt because it was a new Dr. and it was a man.. I really feel uncomfortable with a male Dr. I dont know why .. Some of my friends would rather go to men and i hate the idea of it..But we all have to go and not put that stuff on hold .. So good luck

You are right you are not the only one that deals with these kinds of feelings.... I know several women that feel like you do and they have gone years with out a check-up due to these feelings. ((( hugs )))

I personally go every year now (to be healthy) and I always make sure that my doctor is a FEMALE - I pick an Internal Medicine Doctor that way she can treat me for it all - Yearly Check-up, my PAP and any thing else that ails me..... I get referrals to see a specialist if needed.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

I had a girlfriend who recommended her doctor and took me the first time and waited for me. My friend went to the same doctor as her grandmother and mother and the three of them would get an appointment the same day then go out to lunch together afterwards! That always sounded like so much fun.

i know this sounds like so much hogwash, but the male doctors that i've worked with see "it" as a body part and part of their job. and i've only worked with one who was an --- and that was years ago and he was a resident.....and he got kicked out of school.

there are lots of female nurse practioners and physician's assistants that are available now. ask the doctor's offfice if they have them on their staff.....most offices are more than willing to accomodate an anxious patient....

the main thing is to stay HEALTHY....so do have a check-up......xoxoxo pat

Hi UmightKnowMe

I am straightforward with my GP about all issues. It isn't going to be the first time he/she has had a woman ask him/her for birth control pills or a pelvic exam. I think you need to explore some issues around sexuality from your past (or present) that hinder your emotional growth as a woman.

Take Care

I have been seeing my Internist for about 10 years and still get all freaky when its time for that appt. I am friends with him and his wife outside of the office which makes it even wierder sometimes. The first time he had to do that exam I told him ya know its gonna make it awfully hard for me to look at you in the choir from now on. He laughed and said do you know how many people in the church I have done this too. It made me feel better. I had to have a rectal exam last year and was talking to his wife about it before hand and she said don't worry about it to him its just anatomy.

Jbug

I struggle with it also. Recently went of a ultra scan that I thought would be a normal jelly on the belly one, but it was told to me suddenly that they need to do it internally.

I just numbed out immediately. I dont remember much more about the hospital appointment. I use to deal better with my smears before therapy, now I have uncovered more memorys I just avoid the smear tests and take my luck with health.

Its my body and I'll make the decisions.

<font color="purple"> well, when I muster up enough courage to go, I set my mind in a few different ways:

1. I give myself permission to be the boss.... That I can stop at any point and take a moment to regroup, or to stop all together... plus knowing that this is voluntary and not something that I am being forced to do gives me the sense of control...

2. I count

3. I pray

4. I ramble about whatever comes to mind or use THAT time to ask questions....

5. And when all else fails I disassoicate or allow one of the others to come out, good or bad, it gets me thru sometimes...</font>

i had the magic moment on Wednesday of this week. the doctor was very young, very thorough and talked throughout the entire exam. explaining everything he saw and did.......the nurse was wonderful and the doc is going to become my primary physician now.

i actually just went with the moment and allowed myself to relax and remembered that it was probably the 40th one he'd seen that day.........pat

I had a physical last year. She's like have you had a PAP smear before? I'm like "No." I got caught. Since I am not on the pill, I thought I might get by without one. No dice. I got stuck with it. I didn't like having something up a hole that has never had anything in it. I mean Ick. It was very uncomfortable. I can't see how they stick a thing up such a small little hole. I hope I don't get one of those exams for a very long time. I hope I can get by because of my lack of a sex drive. I don't like anyone to touch me in a private spot at all! Not even the breasts please. Ick. (Can you imagine why I have very little luck with dating?)

mine came back very bad.....i'm having surgery asap.......so, don't, don't, don't neglect to have them regularly.....okay? promise me>>>>>>> love, pat

((((( Pat )))))) I'm so sorry.....what is the prognosis? What are they doing??

oh fayerody im so very sorry. im glad you had one when you did i guess! my thoughts are with you. please let us know how the surgery goes.
this must be very scary for you.
((((((((((((fayerody)))))))))))))) if you would like hugs.

i started a thread on it here.......southern netherlands.......xoxox pat

I too hate THOSE appointments and get all anxious. I joke with the Dr (man or woman) my last appt. I asked if everything looked ok down there!!!! Doc laughed which put me at ease a little bit.