Lilly, you gave some great tips! But oh yea! Before I started to deal with my abuse, I had a gyno appointment and I went into a full on panic attack, it wasn't good. After the fact and for a long time afterwards, I wondered why I had reacted that way. Then I started to work on my abuse and was then diagnkes with PTSD and it all came full circle and it all made sense. What I've found that helps is grounding techniques. This kind of helps keep your mind occupied and focussed on something other than the exam (or whatever you're having done). Here's a link to some grounding techniques:


http://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/adult_hmptsd.pdf

Well, right now I have not gone for 2 years due to medical phobias, but finding a gyn who understood I was not happy in the first place? Pre-PTSD manifestation? OMG. My doc is very very understanding. And as he, like myself, is part Polish, we chat about Polish things to distract me.... but yeah, do what you must. Even if you have printed out index cards to hand to the receptionist, nurse, etc. (done that) that read in big block letters: RAPE SURVIVOR HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION.... do it.

Gentle hugs,
Leo

PS I now have serious endometriosis so I also ask for a PRN pain med so if the exam does cause physical issues, they're lessened.

I just had to go to the gyno... I have a sexual abuse history as well... It was horrible...!!! But I asked for a female doctor and I wrote on the paperwork that I had PTSD from childhood sexual abuse... The lady was very nice to me and was very gentel... But it was still sooooo aweful... I dissociated to deal with it and I went so far away I haven't been able to come back... My appointment was on Monday and I had my counseling appointment yesterday, Wednesday, and my counselor could tell I was dissociated so badly she was worried about me and told me to make an appointment with my homeopathic doctor to try and get back to reality... The doctor had to draw my blood and give me a vaccine and I am terrified of needles so even though I made it through the gyno I had a complete panic attack tears streaming down my face for the needles...

I think the worst part of all of this is how I felt after the doctors... I kept havin flashbacks and floating anxiety and I'm just so dissociated it feels like I'm floating... I hate that feeling because I feel numb... And everything I normally do to be happy feels pointless and time takes forever to pass...!!!

I'm so sorry you have to go through this so much... My BFF had endometriosis and I know how painful it can be... I'm sooo sorry your going through that...!!! Gentel supportive hugs to you...!!!

Its only been within the last yr that I've had serious reactions to much of anything. I've always been so disconnected that it didn't matter. Now that the memories are strong and in the healing process I can't imagine going to the gyno. Thanks for posting this. The responses you got will help me too.
I'm so sorry you are having such a painful reminder. Take extra special care of you.
Warm gentle hugs