![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
What do you do when you are forced into a situation that requires repeated medical examinations and tests. I have had serious problems in the past where I have flashbacks and freak. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- judy
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 30, 2001, at 19:32:16
In reply to Question to those with PTSD, posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
If you give me your e-mail address, I'll send you stuff straight from JAMA.
> What do you do when you are forced into a situation that requires repeated medical examinations and tests. I have had serious problems in the past where I have flashbacks and freak. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- judy
Posted by paxvox on August 30, 2001, at 19:46:46
In reply to Question to those with PTSD, posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
You could check out either hypnotherapy or EMDR (it is an eye movement deal). These tools, possibly, can help you clear out the traumatic experience from your deeper subconscience. I did the EMDR with mixed results (largely because the trauma is not resloved)and will be trying the hypno next week. I had generally poo-pooed such things in the past, but I am willing to give some new things a whirl.
PAX
Posted by Kristi on August 31, 2001, at 12:01:19
In reply to Question to those with PTSD, posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
>
Judy,
I'm not exactly sure what your asking.... but if your talking about like anxiety when having these tests.... stuff like that, let me know. I have definately been there done that. Don't want to post any info, yet, just in case that's not what your asking.
What do you do when you are forced into a situation that requires repeated medical examinations and tests. I have had serious problems in the past where I have flashbacks and freak. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- judy
Posted by kiddo on September 1, 2001, at 0:08:56
In reply to Question to those with PTSD, posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
Hiya-
From what I gather, there's something about the tests/exams that trigger the flashbacks? I don't know if it will help, but I'll give my 2 cents worth anyway, just in case.
In my Tae Kwon Do classes, I started doing attack-defense, bringing back all kinds of flashbacks when it's my turn to be 'attacked'. I'd freak and leave the room, but my sinsei (instructor) has always followed me, made me focus on the present, did my breathing excercises with me, and kept me in the 'here & now' if you will... always telling me during that time that it happened in the past, they aren't hurting me anymore, they aren't hurting me now...
Have you asked someone to go with you, that knows you really well? That could do the same with you perhaps? My pdoc/therp did hypnotize me the last time I left town (I'm agoraphobic as well, so it was a really big step for me) and it worked. I didn't have one panic attack the entire time. It was 8 1/2 years since I'd gone that far.
So you may want to give that a try as well.
If you smell the wood burning, it's just me thinking out loud....
Kiddo> What do you do when you are forced into a situation that requires repeated medical examinations and tests. I have had serious problems in the past where I have flashbacks and freak. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- judy
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2001, at 10:05:30
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD, posted by Kristi on August 31, 2001, at 12:01:19
No more like dissociation, sometimes reacting violently then I'm placed in restraints and given haldol (that happened recently). I seem to have gone beyond the pain attack stage. Thanks anyway- judy
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2001, at 10:10:14
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » judy1, posted by kiddo on September 1, 2001, at 0:08:56
My therapist did give me some similar advice to your instructor's; the breathing helps the panic but like I mentioned in the last post I seem to be past that stage. She did tell me to keep focusing in the present and carry an alrm that goes off every 15 minutes. Intellectually I realize that these are things of the past but it's as if I have no control over my mind once I 'leave'.... thanks- judy
Posted by Kristi on September 3, 2001, at 13:15:02
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » Kristi, posted by judy1 on September 3, 2001, at 10:05:30
Wow, I had no idea that's what you were talking about and for once in my life I wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom for you!!!
How are you feeling now?
Please take care and hang in there!!!!!
lots of cyber hugs,
Kristi> No more like dissociation, sometimes reacting violently then I'm placed in restraints and given haldol (that happened recently). I seem to have gone beyond the pain attack stage. Thanks anyway- judy
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2001, at 20:33:09
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » judy1, posted by SalArmy4me on August 30, 2001, at 19:32:16
Sorry, I don't have a 'public' e-mail address, but if you could steer me in the right direction for search, maybe I can try that. You do have an amazing ability to ferret out info. Thanks, judy
Posted by Chris A. on September 6, 2001, at 13:30:00
In reply to Question to those with PTSD, posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
Dear Judy,
I'm sorry to hear that you're still struggling.
My flash blacks are related to a car accident and occur when I am driving or a loved one is going on a long trip.1)EMDR may have helped; at least it didn't hurt
2)Having a safe place to mentally go to everytime I start freaking out has definitely helped. It is a different choice for everyone. I start reciting the 23rd Pslam to myself.
3)Talking myself down, keeping the focus on the present, as mentioned above, helps. Any cognitive tricks I can pull out of my reserve bag are helpful.
4)Focusing on past incidences when I was doing the same thing and nothing bad happened.
5)Distracting myself (but not from the road while driving)! A gripping novel can be good for this while waiting for procedures.Blessings and hugs,
Chris A.
Posted by judy1 on September 6, 2001, at 19:54:25
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » judy1, posted by Chris A. on September 6, 2001, at 13:30:00
Dear Chris,
Thank you for the great suggestions. I haven't tried EMDR and have heard very mixed results (not unlike your comment). My therp has me go to a safe place mentally- a beach in Maui for me. My biggest problem is actual pain and unfortunately a lot of procedures involve that. I find myself cancelling one after another. It was nice to hear from you and I hope you are well- judy
Posted by shelliR on September 6, 2001, at 22:24:59
In reply to Question to those with PTSD, posted by judy1 on August 30, 2001, at 18:58:45
> What do you do when you are forced into a situation that requires repeated medical examinations and tests. I have had serious problems in the past where I have flashbacks and freak. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- judy
Hi Judy,
I've never had flashbacks during a medical procedure, but there has been a lot of fear. One thing that helps me (besides bring "our" security bear) is to explain to the doctor about PTSD (or in my case dissociative disorder) with as little detail as possible. I always ask them to tell me what they are going to do before it is done, and how long it will last. That helps to keep me in real time and to not experience any touch as past touch.That's about all I have to offer. I wish you luck.
shelli
Posted by judy1 on September 7, 2001, at 10:59:29
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » judy1, posted by shelliR on September 6, 2001, at 22:24:59
Hi Shelli,
You have a bear too? :-) I was going to have my shrink call, but I'm afraid that may make matters worse if he starts getting technical. I have dissociative disorder too, is that a separate dx from PTSD? One of the biggest difficulties I have is separating past time and now, it's what I'm working on now. I'll ask the dr. to explain everything in detail for me, thank you for that suggestion and your input. How are you doing?- judy
Posted by shelliR on September 7, 2001, at 23:08:32
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » shelliR, posted by judy1 on September 7, 2001, at 10:59:29
> Hi Shelli,
> You have a bear too? :-) I was going to have my shrink call, but I'm afraid that may make matters worse if he starts getting technical. I have dissociative disorder too, is that a separate dx from PTSD? One of the biggest difficulties I have is separating past time and now, it's what I'm working on now. I'll ask the dr. to explain everything in detail for me, thank you for that suggestion and your input. How are you doing?- judyOh yes, the bear is very very important. :-) I've never had my therapist call, because it makes me feel more adult and in control if I explain as much as I need to, myself. Other friends have found it really useful to have their therapist call; especially a friend with DID, who has "come to" under the examination table of her ob/gyn.
Re PTSD; that would be including under my diagnosis, but I also have alters that I am co-conscious with. When I am going to be "put under", like during a microscoptic knee surgury, I have to tell the anesthesiologist because once my inner "four year old" woke up before I did. The hospital staff was so nice to me. They took away the bear after I went out so he wouldn't get wet (the floor was wet because of constant irrigation) and when "we" woke up he was in our arms.
Once when I was x-rayed for stomach pain at an emergency room, I was very badly treated by a male technician. He mistook my request that he not touch me unless he tell me first as a racial attack, not a reasonable request. We were alone in the room. He became very angry and verbally attacked me, and I got out of control panicked and hysterical.
If I am ever in that situation again, with one male technician, I will insist on having a nurse, or other female personnel in with me. You might keep this in mind. Ask for anything that will make you feel safer (and not bring you into past thinking), even if it causes a little inconvenience.
I am hanging in there, opiates are getting me through. I am hoping that wellbutrin will kick in because I have had to raise my dose of oxy twice to control my depression.
I still remember our early conversations about opiates. :-) I hope aside from your fear about these procedures, you are feeling healthy.
Shelli
Posted by judy1 on September 8, 2001, at 11:05:10
In reply to Re: Question to those with PTSD » judy1, posted by shelliR on September 7, 2001, at 23:08:32
Again, thank you for your help. I'm amazed how similar some of our experiences have been. I always come out of anesthesia in a completely uncontrollable state; I remember once the anesthesiologist yelling get me some haldol that will stop her. I seem to go through periods where I just can't be touched, I don't know what triggers it- it just happens. My therapist has DID, I read her book and feel I don't because I'm not aware of any alters although she tells me I act very childlike at times. I feel I just have a severe dissociative disorder and I still SI. Yesterday with my shrink I had my car keys in my hand and i was scratching down my arm, it bled and he got so upset which made me upset. I had no idea I was doing it. Opiates are the only AD I have ever or will ever use; the last time I was using a fentanyl patch and it worked really well. Sorry for the rambling, I'm really interested in how you became concious of your alters and assume you have a dx of DID. If you prefer not talking about it, I completely understand. Take care, judy
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.