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New GI Dr. Anxiety-Please Help

Sat, November 09, 2013 2:36 PM

Hello. I am a 25 year old who was diagnosed with UC three years ago. My parents was referred to a GI down in a large city in my state by one of their co-workers. He's well respected and known, but I am very anxious that I have an appointment with him. My parents do not understand why I am anxious and said "there's no reason to be anxious about meeting this GI Dr.".

How do I explain to them that reliving my worst days with UC (being diagnosed/hospital/severe flare/almost losing everything) will bring back painful memories. I don't like talking about my symptoms and from then to now how I am. It makes me nervous with my current GI (who seriously owe my life to for saving mine) to even bring up embarrassing symptoms. I was lucky I had such an amazing referral to my GI and good family and friends to help me get most of my healthy self back.

I understand my parents want to help and see if i'm on the right track and if there's an alternatives to what i'm on now...which would be remicade every 8 weeks. I have a lot of joint pain and stiffness. I want to be healthy, eat fresh fruit and veggies and not get sick when eating them, have my energy back to hang with friends like I used to, and so much more...I'm just not sure going to get a second opinion is going to help.

Anyone have any suggestions or have dealt with something similar? Any suggestions for the upcoming appointment (which takes place next month)? I don't even know what to ask the 2nd opinion GI Dr.

Please help me if possible.
Thanks :)

emily kate
Joined Jan 25, 2011

Sat, November 09, 2013 10:26 PM

Hello Emily,
Living with UC, I understand the anxiety and stress that it provides. I'd say, yes, it is an ok idea to seek advice from another source... but with the anxiety it is best to take it slow. Perhaps start by letting the Dr. know about the anxiety that these visits provide you? Prepare yourself beforehand by thinking about the details you will need to share with your Dr. While sharing details, remain aware of what you're saying ... not allowing yourself to dwell upon the mental imagery or emotion that each detail may give you. Sometimes when we go into our minds to relay emotionally painful details, it's difficult to crawl back out. But try to remain aware of where you are at, stay in the Dr's office, both physically and mentally :) Remember that while you're sharing difficult details from the past, they are only thoughts now ... useful thoughts that can lead to better care for you. The negative emotions that are connected to these icky UC thoughts aren't useful to you in the Doctor's office - these emotions may pull you back to the bad event(s) themselves, causing you to feel overwhelmed, overemotional... Basically, I try to share my thoughts and important details with the Dr. while keeping my emotional centers in the NOW, where they work best... not hungup in my head / thoughts.
jason

spiralstairs
Joined Nov 9, 2013

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