First time to GP in years

[evagisele]

I haven't been to a GP in years. Honestly, I've never felt physically better in my life, but the last two weeks I've been a mental mess with health anxiety. Someone I work with was diagnosed with lymphoma (she's 76 and expected to make a full recovery). Around that time, I had a sore spot under my arm and starting poking it obsessively AND googling. I've been on antibotics for tooth abscesses and I'm getting a lot of dental work done.

The armpit thing seems to have gone away, but my glands swelled in my neck last week (tooth related). I freaked out. I've spent my whole vacation worrying and googling. I have a GP appt. on 1/9/12. The other day, I started poking at my breasts and noticed that my left is bigger and that the bones in my ribs on my left side seem bigger too (I hear that's common though).

How does everyone here deal with anxiety before a doctor's appt.? How about the wait after blood tests are done? I just need some reassurance. I'm so scared. I generally feel fine (had a bad cold in Nov.) and my tooth abscesses haven't hurt (x-ray confirmed there were abscesses though). Thanks to anyone who replies! :-)

[kconnors]

Hi,

Well, I had not been to a GP for about 25 years and had to go because I was feeling really bad (I had thyroid issues) . . . now, I go every year for an annual physical and get my prescription renewed and have a full slate of blood work . . . but I still have anxiety for about 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after but here is how I handle it (and this is me) . . .

First, if I have symptoms I do * not * google them as this only increases my anxiety, creates unfathomable scenarios, etc. and I tend to find and develop symptoms that I did not have previously;

Second, before I go for my physical (about 3 weeks before), I ask my doctor to give me my requisitions for my blood work so that the blood work is done before my physical and my doctor has the results right when I go for my physical.

Third, before I go for the appointment, I write out a list of the questions that I have and any symptoms so that I can maximize my time with my doctor and not forget to ask him what I wanted to know. I also write out any changes that have occurred including prescriptions from other doctors (such as when I had to take antibiotics for a tooth issue) or over the counter meds because at times I have to make extended use of Tylenol for a knee problem.

So, by doing the above, I feel that I am managing the situation and no, I do not lose all my anxiety, I just manage it . . . if you have not been to a GP in years, I would suggest that you go prepared for the history that they will probably take . . .by that, I mean have a list of previous illnesses . . . .if you have ever had chicken pox or whatever and if you can, the dates . . . . and do be honest about your reaction to finding out about your coworker because stress and anxiety can affect the results of some types of blood work and measurements . . . for example, your blood pressure . . . for me, if I am in an anxiousness/anxiety episode of any duration, I tend not to eat properly which gives me a borderline reading for anemia . . . .so, your doctor needs to know all of these things in order to make an appropriate assessment . . . .please do not be concerned if you actually have to come back for a second appointment because often a major assessment (i.e. a first time assessment) is fairly comprehensive and may take the equivalent of two appointments . . . As for your specific symptoms, your doctor is your best informant but it is not unusual to have one breast larger than the other . . . again, only your doctor will be able to advise you  . . .

However, as for anxiety, if you have not had anxiety except for these last two weeks, you may be reacting to the situations that you have experienced in a compressed time frame: your abscesses, your coworker, going back to the doctor for the first time, etc. ) but if you have an ongoing worry and do feel that you are a mental mess, please consider asking for a referral to a trained professional for guidance . . . .they can help you to develop management techniques that will help you avoid and/or deal with these episodes . . . . here's to excellent mental and physical health for 2013 and keep in touch . . .take care, kc

[ClassicNerd]

When you go to the doctor, be sure to mention your newly developed health anxiety. Your doctor may recommend therapy (usually cognitive behavioural therapy) and if s/he does I'd recommend you take it! I waited far too long to accept help from a therapist. It's best to nip HA in the bud before it takes over your life and happiness.

My left rib is way bigger than my right rib. This is common and completely benign. It might be a sign of bad posture, but otherwise it's completely harmless.

I have my yearly physical coming up this year in February, and I'm already nervous as all heck! I keep thinking about it at the worst moments, and then I'll get all anxious and depressed. It's normal to feel anxious, especially after not going for a while. I always thought only people with HA felt nervous going to their doctors, but after talking to non-anxious people at my work and my friends I've realized that isn't the case. Going to the doctor isn't really a 'happy' thing and I don't think anyone truly likes to do it. Although my doctor is a very kind man, and the nurses are lovely, it's an event I don't look forward to. What I do to cope with it is get myself busy. I see friends, or indulge in a hobby to take my mind off of it. I also plan something really fun and exciting afterwards so I have something to look forward to. I like to treat myself to a new book, some tea, or a nice hike in the woods after I'm done. I find it helps to schedule my visit on a Friday so I can take the afternoon off work and give myself a long weekend.

After your appointment you're going to get the biggest high ever!  Trust me! When it's all done, you'll feel so good. The more anxiety you feel beforehand, the better you'll feel after.

Kc  - great suggestions about the requisition. I think I might ask my doctor if I can do that! I also have thyroid issues and borderline anemia so I kind of have to go every year.

[evagisele]

Thanks for both of your great posts! I'm definitely looking forward to hopefully having a good high after my appointment and results of bloodwork. I'm 37. I'm also going to ask for a mammogram. My Mom had Stage 0 breast cancer (caught by a mammo) two years ago when she was 61. It was caught really, really early and she's had no problems since.

Funny, I have almost no fear of going to the dentist, but a GP is another story. I'm really looking foward to getting my act together for 2013 and work on being more positive. I'll ask the doctor about therapist or a program of some sort for GAD. I haven't had a bad GAD flare-up since 2005. I'll have to dust off the last anxiety CD program I bought back then.

[ClassicNerd]

Glad you're going to the doctor! Know that you're not alone - we all hate going!  I also hate going to the dentist and wouldn't go if it was my choice. I can see how you're having a little flare up of anxiety considering all that has happened in the past couple of years.

Please keep us posted and let us know how your appointment goes. I'm sure I'll be freaking out before my appointment too!

[marc]

I actually don't mind going to the doctor at all. He takes his time with me and typically spends a
good 20-30 minutes each time and I call him by his first name. I have been seeing him for
around 10 years.