Charley
22-04-13, 16:33
Hi all, I have just joined this forum after reading other people's posts who are in the same situation, & just wanted to get some specific advice from you guys. I have had anxiety & panic disorder for the last 5 years & have a specific phobia of medical procedures/blood/pain.
I have a blood test appointment on Thursday. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have gone to a blood test appointment, completely freaked out, and not had it done. It must be around 10 times now over the last few years.
Over the last year specifically I have been feeling progressively worse and I am becoming increasingly worried about my health, so I know now the time has come that I need to get this looked into properly.
My doctor wants to do bloods ( and has done for the last around 4 years! ) to check my thyroid levels specifically, among other things.
I am currently having CBT for my panic disorder in general but haven't yet worked specifically on the blood test situation. I have in the past been given EMLA cream & still haven't had the test done even though my arm was numb! I think I just didn't trust that it wouldn't hurt, or deep down my phobia is of more than just the pain. My Dr has also prescribed Diazepam to take before the blood test but I am too scared to take it!
Most of my fears come down to being out of control, & I feel that taking Diazepam would make me out of control if that makes sense. I'm worried about feeling spaced out, or 'not myself' .. So anyone who's taken it and can tell me how it feels would be helpful too. (I've only been given 5mg tablets and was considering even cutting them in half/quarter!)
Sorry for the long post!
Does anyone have any advice? Everything I've tried so far hasn't worked! Thanks!
I have a blood test appointment on Thursday. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have gone to a blood test appointment, completely freaked out, and not had it done. It must be around 10 times now over the last few years.
Over the last year specifically I have been feeling progressively worse and I am becoming increasingly worried about my health, so I know now the time has come that I need to get this looked into properly.
My doctor wants to do bloods ( and has done for the last around 4 years! ) to check my thyroid levels specifically, among other things.
I am currently having CBT for my panic disorder in general but haven't yet worked specifically on the blood test situation. I have in the past been given EMLA cream & still haven't had the test done even though my arm was numb! I think I just didn't trust that it wouldn't hurt, or deep down my phobia is of more than just the pain. My Dr has also prescribed Diazepam to take before the blood test but I am too scared to take it!
Most of my fears come down to being out of control, & I feel that taking Diazepam would make me out of control if that makes sense. I'm worried about feeling spaced out, or 'not myself' .. So anyone who's taken it and can tell me how it feels would be helpful too. (I've only been given 5mg tablets and was considering even cutting them in half/quarter!)
Sorry for the long post!
Does anyone have any advice? Everything I've tried so far hasn't worked! Thanks!