[ SECRET POST #2469 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #2469 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 055 secrets from Secret Submission Post #353.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

Could use some encouragement

[(Anonymous)]

Hey guys-- this is that seizure anon from the other day. I could use your help, please?

I'm going to go get some medical tests rolling within the next few days and... I'm petrified. I'm scared of getting tests, because they'll have to provoke a seizure and that's really fucking uncomfortable. I'm scared if they do the tests, and it does provoke a seizure, then I get a diagnosis of epilepsy, and that's... not awesome.

I'm scared because I'm alone, and I don't have anyone to give me emotional support and make me feel better.

I'm just really scared. What kinds of things do you guys do when you're afraid of this kind of stuff? Do you have any coping techniques?

Re: Could use some encouragement

[forgottenjester]

I'm going through doctor's testing right now to figure out a few things about my health. When I was younger it was very scary for me and I would always bring my mom. If you really can't bring anyone just know that you're with professionals in a safe place. If you are working with nice ones try to start a conversation with them. (Uh, before they try to induce the seizures.) I know talking to these people really makes me feel better because it helps me know that these are people who care and will take care of me, especially the nurses. Talk to them about how frightened you are. They will understand and can give you some comfort.

If you don't want to do that you could try some relaxation techniques. If you can't find any/don't know any then think about things that make you happy. I have a story I will never write that I just let the narrative go wherever I want in my head. That calms me down and makes me happy. You could do something similar maybe. If it's possible to listen to music for you maybe that will help too.

But really, my biggest advice is to talk to the people testing you. Not all of them are nice and personable but many go into the field because they want to help people. They want to help you and helping you doesn't just mean getting you through the tests. It means making sure you also feel safe while taking those tests.

Best of luck to you with your doctor's appointments.

Re: Could use some encouragement

[pantswarrior]

Seconding the letting-them-know-your-concerns. I've had to get a lot of tests done in the last couple years too, one that included general anesthesia which scares the CRAP out of me for multiple reasons, and when I explained my concerns to the nurses and techs beforehand, they were able to provide some reassurance that steps would be taken to remedy such-and-such if it went wrong, and tell me exactly what it would wind up feeling like when.

Of course I still had a panic attack, but at least it wasn't as horribly severe as some I've had. And that was helped somewhat by bringing along some aromatherapy oil. I use a mix of lavender and chamomile essential oils in a bit of jojoba as a base, and dab a little of the stuff right under my nose when I'm feeling my muscles start to tense up. It's not an instant fix, but it seems to make relaxing my muscles STILL work via the usual relaxation techniques when otherwise I'm too stressed.

And hopefully you'll get one decent person who sticks with you through the majority of the tests. I had a bad experience once with a blood test, and developed a phobia of needles, but the large amount of blood tests required recently were made a whole lot better by the fact that there was one lady who was almost always at the lab who knew exactly what my issues were and was willing to do things in the way that was most comfortable for me. It makes a world of difference to have someone you don't have to repeat yourself over and over to. (I basically got over my phobia enough that my last time there I let her have a new person try to do my bloodwork! They blew a vein, I almost passed out, and she was like "...Yeah, not letting anyone else do your bloodwork from now on." She's awesome.)