Ok in this particular scenario...

I have been referred by the doctor to see the practice nurse for some medical tests. But I dont know if the nurse will know about my anxiety. Given the fact that I am already anxious about the tests and they are not until next week, how do I tell the nurse?

Any bright ideas gratefully received.

FORD

Hi FORD,

Are you able to say more about what makes you anxious about the tests? I'm not quite sure what it is you want to tell the nurse.

The anxiety is leaving a safe environment and going to the doctors, I mean I see the doctor, but over several years I have worked to the point where I can actually speak rather than handing him bits of paper.

I just need the nurse to know I am not being rude,I am just afraid and anxious etc. Does that make sense?

Does anyone have some advise please?????

Could you call them in advance and ask them to make the nurse aware of your situation? (I don't know how you feel about phoning them, though.)

I'm also thinking the nurse is probably used to people being anxious about seeing her and won't think you are being rude. You could always write something down that you can show her if you feel unable to talk - that way you know you'll have that to fall back on if you need to.

I thought about the writing it down, but what should I say?

"Sorry I am being useless I am just a bit anxious" goesnt quite read right!

Not sure about the phoning in advance, but that might be one solution...

FORD

You have said you thught about writing something done but it seems to me you are anxious about what you 'should' write down. How about writing notes here about what is you want to tell the nurse. Try and be gentle to yourself - "I am being useless" is not giving yourself much respect.

Respect has to be earnt and being anxious, scared and so on is not earning that respect - in my view.

I dont know what I am trying to say to the nurse, other than "I am afraid and I dont know what to expect, which is making my anxiety worse".

FORD

Sorry if I have offended anyone in my last few texts, some of the replies were a bit cutting when i have read them later, so apologies.

Thanks for your help etc.

FORD

I didn't feel offended Ford. I am glad you are expressing yourself here. I hear that is difficult to do sometimes. it is important you feel it is safe to do it here. Maybe here is a way of practising what you really want to say in your 3D world. Just a thought.

Just to let you know i am listening Ford - and i think you have been working out for yourself what feels best for you by talking here - and that is the most empowering way to do it - so you have control, rather than us telling you what you should be doing (although i understand that you might want us to do that for you perhaps?) - In actual fact you know the answers already - and it is ok to do what feels best for you. Perhaps it is difficult to believe that you know yourself the best and that it is ok for you to make decisions based on your needs. Maybe you needed some reassurance here that that is ok? - it is ok and you are doing just fine. xx

Just to let you all know, I went for the tests last night, now got to wait a few weeks for the results!

Anyway thanks for your words of wisdom, it wasnt as bad as I thought - well apart from the waiting room being full of people coughing etc. The nurse had my notes on the computer screen and I could see some of the comments that the doc had written. Anyway she asked questions that I could nod or shake my head at - so we coped and I even managed to say thank you at the end.

FORD

Well done FORD

I hope the wait for the results isn't too long.