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Post by poetpeace on Jun 25, 2011 12:35:15 GMT -5
Hi,
Essentially I'm terrified of hospitals. And suffering from endometriosis, that's a bit of problem. I've had one Laproscomy...but I bawled my eyes out before and after the operation.
I guess I'm probably no different from alot of you guys. Somedays when the pain lasts all day, I won't stop crying and I'll get so down.
How do you guys motivate yourself to go in for another operation...if you hate hospitals like myself?
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Post by cloudyrain on Jun 25, 2011 15:56:56 GMT -5
Ah bless you! Kind of know how you feel!
It helps to know what part of it really bothers you and why. I had my first ever op at the start of the year for removal of nasty cells in my cervix and was a wreck, im currently wanting a lap to diagnose endo and sort out my nasty cysts, but im pertrified of it!
For me the worst bits of being in hospital is the fear of going, the needles, and the waiting. To try and deal with this I got sleeping tablets for the week before I went in. I'm not normally one for tablets, but the benefits if a good eight hours sleep really is amazing, and helps stress levels and lack of sleep uses the good stuff up in the brain. For the waiting I read a good book, and make sure I'm at a stage of "can't put it down" when i was in. For the needles, after a screaming fit in theatre, I was given gas to send me to sleep rather than through a canual. I was told after by the anaesthetist that if I have to have another op again to ask for it straight off; I have bad veins and needles just cause them to constrict making it nasty and painful for me which intensifies the whole fear. By knowing I can have gas for my lap I'm already feeling more positive - if ever I get my flipping lap!xxx
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Post by DeAnna on Jun 25, 2011 19:14:33 GMT -5
I think the first step is to find a great surgeon. One that has not only great skills but also top notch bedside manners. When you are in surgery, he/she is running the show, so it can be a huge relief to know that you are in good hands. (see the endo specialists section of this website) Secondly, make sure that you have had all of your questions answered before going to the hospital for a planned procedure. There is a ton of information in the archives of this site that can help you formulate a list of questions before your surgery. If you are afraid a needles.... fret not. Typically the nurses in preop are VERY experienced with establishing IV's. I had my lap at at surgical center and the anesthesiologist put mine in. They are GREAT at it. Also, the anesthesiologist will talk with you prior to surgery and they will typically ask you if you have any concerns. I personally always request Zofran (anti nausea med) during the case and I have never, not once been nauseas afterwards. Hope this helps DeAnna
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Post by poetpeace on Jun 26, 2011 3:36:40 GMT -5
Cloudyrain - I don't know how to explain it. I just don't like them. But yes I had a lovely surgeon,and the nurses were very nice - so that did help. I just feel like I want to be in and out as quickly as possible.
But my lyproscomy was my first ever operation...and I'd fainted when I had my blood taken cos Ive never ever had it done before :/ Not a good start.
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Post by JC on Jun 26, 2011 7:05:23 GMT -5
I really feel for you guys who have difficult veins. When I worked as an ER-tech, the hospital I worked at was right in the worst of neighborhoods of DC where there was a large IV drug use population. We had to get pretty darn creative with how we started IVs on these people. The guys in anesthesia can be pretty good at IVs. If you have the option though, have them call an IV therapist. They absolutely rock. When I had a particularly difficult stick, we were trained on using an ultrasound probe to guide the IV since we couldn't see the veins. Iv therapists also know how to do this so if you have this option I say go for it! As far as the anxiety of being in the hospital, that's a really tough one. Being in the hospital is really crappy and there's really not a whole lot of options for making it easier besides having a great hospital staff at your side. Some of the larger university hospitals have special hotel-like rooms where you aren't in that typical scary, machine filled room. It looks like a typical hotel room and it can be quite comforting. The downside to that is usually you have to pay extra for it. The cost is probably about the same of a nicer hotel room per night. It really helps with the anxiety of being stuck in a scary place. Other things you can do are bring things from home that comfort you like pictures of people/pets/places or my personal favorite of cuddly teddy bears. It's really hard to go through all this medical stuff. As embarrassing as it is for me to admit, I bawled my eyes out too before my lap as they were placing me on the operating table. LOL. It was my first surgery ever and even though I had a medical background, I was still terrified. Then once it was all over I kind of laughed at myself for how easy it turned out to be. If you want to take more drastic measures, they can give you medication that helps you not remember anything. It's something to talk to your doctor about but it could be an option if the anxiety gets to be too much. The medication is called Versed. You'll be at peace because you won't remember a thing! And if all else... you can always come here and vent
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Post by JC on Jun 26, 2011 7:17:10 GMT -5
For anyone who is interested in what those hospital suites look like, here is an example from the hospital I used to work at. You may have to allow your computer to do a quick and small install since these pictures are interactive and allow you to have a 360 degree view. Tour the Pavilion entrance: www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=540The hospital room: www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=541The nurses station: www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=542They are usually only offered at large research or university hospitals in big cities. They do require you to pay a nightly fee but some places have programs to discount prices too. Take a look at the pics. It's not nearly as scary If you're anticipating a hospital stay, it's definitely an awesome way to lower anxiety and worth saving up for if being in the hospital terrifies you.
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Post by poetpeace on Jun 26, 2011 9:55:13 GMT -5
Jenaya, I presume thats the American health system :/ I'm in the UK and the NHS ain't very good. I won't lie.
Yes, the nurses were nice and supportive...but only when they visited...and we waited four hours just to be discharged...which was a pain...
I guess I'll just grin and bear it if I have to get another lap :/
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Post by JC on Jun 26, 2011 10:21:20 GMT -5
yeah I'm sorry. My only experience is with American hospitals. Maybe some big universities or research hospitals have these options over there? You could always explore the Versed option too. That medication makes you not remember anything.
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Post by poetpeace on Jun 26, 2011 11:34:02 GMT -5
Yeah I'll ask about Versed when I go to my next appointment Thanks!
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Post by painttheseconds on Jun 26, 2011 11:43:25 GMT -5
I was freaking out when I had my first lap so I asked for the anti anxiety medication before they even brought me into the surgical room. I don't remember a thing except for my Dr. telling me to scoot down on the table. I highly recommend the anti anxiety medication. It made a huge difference for me. I think I would have lost it if I had to see everything in the surgical room. I'm a big baby. I admit it.
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Post by cloudyrain on Jun 26, 2011 13:42:21 GMT -5
I'm good old NHS too, so know what you mean! At my local hospital you actually walk into the operating theatre, so at seeing about 20 people and loads of equipment I freaked. I did ask for a pre-med, but if they want you out the same day they don't like to give them and they react with the GA apparently. Your GP might be able to prescribe Valium. At your pre-op check they don't have any objections, and if necessary get them to call your GP and give them the go ahead. Also, if you have the gas to knock you out it came make you a little loopy afterwards. I was ranting non-stop for about 5 hours about everything (people with fluffy slippers annoying me, everyone having silver cars, and that I have straight hair and get treated worse than a curly haired person are just some of my mums favourites of my random gibberish!)
xxx
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Post by hellsbells on Jun 26, 2011 17:48:01 GMT -5
Perfect it may not be, but I thank my lucky starts for the NHS every day! There are some superb doctors and nurses. Not all, granted, but by and large I'm thankful I don't have to worry about medical bills.
I get nervous in hospitals too, but I just dampen it down and remind myself it needs to be done. The experience itself generally isn't as bad as the anticipation of it, I find.
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Post by JC on Jun 26, 2011 18:47:29 GMT -5
Definitely pros and cons to both systems. I was told I had to pay a $750 co-payment for my surgery Wednesday and it was due UP FRONT. If I couldn't pay it, I wouldn't get my surgery. Can you imagine being told that? Our medical care here comes with a big fat pretty price tag no matter how wonderful it may be. If you don't have insurance then you don't get help. Pretty sad. One day hopefully we'll get a happy medium!
I think you're right Helen. The anticipation is always worse than the actual experience. I hate thinking about it! I'm freaking out over my surgery Wednesday and watch it not be a big deal. LOL
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Post by cloudyrain on Jun 29, 2011 17:25:43 GMT -5
Ahh! I just wrote a really long message and it wiped!!!
Poetpeace, have you considered counselling? Your GP might be able to help, but if not you can actually self refer. My friend did this recently and she had an appointment with a cognitive behavioural therapist within 6 weeks, which is a lot quicker than the GP route. You could always see a private counsellor (£30-£60ph) but only go to an accrediated one (UKCP or BACP) as there are some right dodgy geezers out there!
Oh, and the NHS is wonderful when it comes to life and death stuff, but when it isn't and it's something life-affecting like endo, you get the same level of treatment as a person with a splinter!xxx
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Post by hyperkilia on Sept 2, 2011 5:09:14 GMT -5
haha knowing that it will get me back into life after a while I guess, even if its just for a month.
I might have another surgery soon, but knowing that Im going to be able to live my life again for a while.
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