Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Medical testing

InNeedOfAMiracle3
InNeedOfAMiracle3
I'm scheduled for an upper endoscopy Wednesday afternoon. Doesn't seem that bad... however, I have severe, and by severe I mean the minute I wake up on Wednesday I will have panic all day and once I get to the building will not be able to handle myself. I don't know what to do. Things since I was 6 years old have been this way! I have had test and after as a kid and have always been told OH this won't hurt or If it is painful we will stop- All that was BS and truly damaging to me as an adult. I have had sedation at times and the very last time was almost 15 years ago because I was given lots of it and it did NOTHING was still awake and it was VERY unpleasant- My fight or flight response was in high gear and I tried to escape, which obviously was unsuccessful. There was also a time when I was a child that I was NOT sedated while being intubated because the doctor said I was so little it did not matter!!!... I now have a fear of anyone coming near me for something to go into my throat. I'm not sure how I am going to get through Wednesday without a problem. I am so anxious already I have caused my stomach to be upset. ugh.
aliceunchained87
aliceunchained87
When I had mine several years ago they put me under for it. It wasn't a normal sedation either; it was the kind they put an oxygen mask on for and make sure you are FULLY under before they do. It might be different because I had an upper and lower endoscopy at the same time, but it might be worth asking about?
LeoX3
LeoX3
I have severe medical-related PTSD phobias since 2011. (Before that, I was the person who dozed off from boredom. Yeah, I know. I now hate me, too. Argh.)....

I'd be honest and tell them flat out that it's knock you out or nothing, and let them know the history, okay? Meanwhile, anything you can do to help your body calm down (I say that b/c my brain doesn't shut up on meds, with meditation, etc., I have Nuclear-Powered Anxiety Hamsters on Speed Wheels up there....).... Anything to help the body calm, okay? Breathing, grounding, crying, any of it.

Big puma purr to you.
InNeedOfAMiracle3
InNeedOfAMiracle3
Thanks for the advice. I made the nurse aware of all my anxieties. She was very kind and talked me through a lot, still I got upset but not nearly as horrible as it could get. I'm still pissed with the doctor as he said if i was that nervous I didn't have to go through with it (as I am in the room all hooked up to everything only waiting on sedation med..) I said what? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard because my fight or flight response said YIPPEE and I about jumped out of the bed but couldn't cause i was hooked up to too many machines! Stupid doctor. I feel he could have been a bit more compassionate and at least acknowledged my fears but reassured I was fine (cause that's what I needed) Next thing I knew I woke up in "I can't Breathe" full blown panic attack. Lasted 30 minutes. Not sure what that was about but whatever i lived.
LeoX3
LeoX3
Oh boy, I think I've had that doctor. Does he limp as if he was kicked in the shin realllllly hard? Just kidding....

Glad you're okay. I have no recollection at all of what my doc said this past Tuesday once he said "MRI". I just *blip* dissociated.