Hi, I haven't posted for awhile, but today I find myself needing some support. I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon (just for a check up) and I find myself almost making myself sick with anticipatory anxiety. I can't seem to make the skills of the program work for me today. I always seem to have such a problem with anticipating an appointment etc. It usually only happens with doctors, dentists, eye doc., etc. 18mos ago many doctors saved my life. For those of you who don't know, I had a ruptured brain aneurysm and brain surgery. So, why do I fear going to the doctor????! But, you know, if I could just go to a doctor spontaneously then I would be fine. It's anticipating the appointment for days, weeks, hours etc that is the problem. After overcoming so many medical challenges, I feel so foolish having this problem. Any support would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Lora

Hello, Lora,

Welcome back to the forum. Your anxiety is very reasonable and understandable. Please don't feel foolish. May be you need to go to see the doctor despite your anxious feeling, so next time when you have a doctor appointment you can be more relax.

Sometimes having the courage to face uncertainty is just to prove to ourselves that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Good luck, Lora.

drop

Hi Drop, Thanks for your words of encouragement. Everything you have said is so true. And, of course, I made it too the appointment and everything is fine! Now, I feel like I could take on the world! I go back to see my doctor in 2months,,,so we will see what happens as that time approaches. THanks you so much for taking the time to support me today. I sure needed it. Take care and God Bless.

Lora

Remember this success for the next time. Yes, it was a success because you went despite the feelings of anxiety you were having. I start a few days before the appt. talking positive about the appt. to myself and reminding and reassuring myself all will be fine and that I can handle it. Next week I go in to have a tooth pulled (new experience for me) so I will have my own test! Reena

May I suggest calling the doctors office and sharing with them your fears!! Ask them if they mind if you sit in the waiting room just to help you overcome your phobia.
I am sure they will allow that! Many people have these sort of fears and they would be very understanding. The more you sit in the office the sooner you will get over this. Why wait for an appointment??? Go sit and read some magazines!!

Lora:

I was doing just this thing, also, today. I had to have a crown set.

I am pretty much down to antisipatory anxiety about dentists and flying. Realizing that I did the program twice over a year ago and that a year ago I couldn't have driven to the dentist without panicking much less sit in the waiting room without panicking, I think I have come far.

Today was the third visit in 3 weeks. The first visit was to just look at the tooth; I took 1 25mg Xanax 1 hour before the appointment and burst into tears when I started to talk to the dentist.

The second visit I only needed 1/2 of a .25mg of Xanax before I left home.

Today, the third visit, I made it into the office without the Xanax and finally decided I still needed 1/2 of a Xanax.

I am thrilled at how far I have come. I can think about the appointments without anxiety up until the morning of them. I used to worry once I made the appointments, sometimes for weeks so I think this is great and I can imagine at some point soon I won't give the dentist a second thought.

I think that everytime I go and have a successful experience (whether aided by medication or not) I am reinforcing good experiences. The more good experiences, the more my brain believes I am not afraid.

This doesn't happen overnight!

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Don't take anything personally.
Always be impecable with your word.
Don't assume anything.
Always do your best!

[This message has been edited by EastCobbGABetsyH (edited 01-24-2002).]

Hi Reena, You always have such positve advice. Thank you for that. You are right..it was a success...I went to the appointment by myself, sat in the waiting room, and then made it into the doctors office! My appoint went well and I don't have to go back for 2months. I will remember this success for next time. Thanks Reena,
Lora
ps Good Luck at your Dentist appointment!

Hi SMears,
Thanks so much for you suggestions on how to deal with this anticipatory fear of doctors appointments. I will try your suggestions next time I have an appointment. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
Lora

Hi Betsy,
Wow! You sure have come a long way! You should be so very proud of your accomplishments! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your suggestions. I always carry my Ativan with me (although I rarely take it). It is like a safety crutch. Medication is a wonderful thing if it is needed. Thank you again for taking the time to support me when I was having such a rough day. God Bless.
Lora

I realize that sometimes my excitement in having the oportunity to help others I might be a bit braggy.

My hope is not to brag in a bad way, but to let people know there is hope.....and they, too, can get better.

We sometimes think we got this overnight, since so many of us can remember the 1st panic attack, yet I have learned that the first panick attack was after many soft whispers of, "slow down", that I didn't listen to.

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Don't take anything personally.
Always be impecable with your word.
Don't assume anything.
Always do your best!

Hi Betsy,
You have helped others more than you realize. Please don't think you are bragging. That never crossed my mind once. I appreciated your kindness and support. Thanks again!