Medical Appointments

@hopefulsunny yes, my health ocd is strong. I have just started out by saying that I want them to know about my ocd and that sometimes conversations that they just share can be distressing to me and I would like it if they ask first. Like if they prescribe a drug, don’t tell me the side effects unless I ask (I can read the directions later) or it could start a loop and the rest of the appt is lost. Of course sometimes someone says something they don’t remotely know will be hard for me, but I have skills and I can usually get past it in the moment. One person even asked questions that showed they really were thinking about my situation and planning a way to help. So nice. Best of luck. I would like to know how it goes.

@gixmo Thank you! Are you currently in therapy or on medication? I’ve been in therapy since November of last year and was making progress but am now struggling and have to go back to basics. I’m thinking of starting medication because of how strong the feelings are this time around.

@hopefulsunny I am in therapy now and practicing my ERPs. It has been a stressful year and we thought about meds, but I am waiting to see if I level out as the stress goes down before trying that. With health concern OCD I am not always thrilled about medication. There’s the irony. But I have had good results with sitting in uncertainty lately. I would still consider meds if I spike or struggle more. I talked with some good consultants. Good luck !

@gixmo Sorry to bother you again. I just saw my new doctor and he was very nice. He was super understanding and while I explained what I was going through there was still a lot I didn’t share. There’s so many sensations that I didn’t bring up because the majority of them only started happening after I got this theme. And they tend to subside when I hyperfocus on another part of my body. I also spoke pretty generally about my health anxiety not my specific health fear. I don’t know what it is but every time I go to the doctor or when I have to say my thoughts and concerns out loud I suddenly feel crazy and choose not to say anything. If you have any advice, I’d really appreciate it!

@hopefulsunny Glad you brought it up! It always feels hard for me since i decided to bring it up to medical folks because some (for whatever reason) don’t get how much it comes into play. And after years of avoiding even making appts then never bringing it up, I still feel closer to being in charge of what I need for a successful appt. If they can’t help me when I tell them my needs, I look for another provider. You deserve to get theBEST most helpful treatment. Keep advocating. And practice - I write down what I am going to say and read it to myself before I go.

@Anonymous I have had those. One sent me into a huge down slide and I switched immediately. I reminded one other person too because they are in such a rush and it slowed everything down and I got better answers. It is hard to add in to the rest of it.