I think the most important thing about going to the doctor is being comfortable. I ended up finding a gyno at one point who was also a certified mid-wife, which I think just seemed to make her way more sensitive and calm than the other doctors I'd met. Who knows if it was the fact she was a midwife or just the fact that she was super young and cool, but I adored her. I wish I still lived near there so I could go to her when I needed. I think asking if they have someone who specializes in vaginismus is a great idea. You definitely want to be working with someone who is very familiar with it. Hopefully you can find someone who will fit your needs and help relax you for the whole process.
I'm the same in regards to panic attacks. I've only ever had them in conjunction with a doctor visit. Definitely not a fun or productive experience. Super scary.
Seriously though, check out some meditation breathing techniques. They're really simple, but they can help a lot. Especially when you know you're going into a stressful situation like all your gyno stuff or just other stuff in every day life. It becomes my routine at the dentist when they bring out that damned plaque scraper thing. Oh man, do I get all zen, LOL. I've never been able to meditate or anything like that cuz my brain always refuses to shut off. But using the super slow regulated breathing, and working on feeling separate parts of your body (start toes up) and think about each little part and say in your head "And now my _____ is relaxed" and take a few deep breaths, and hopefully that will do the trick all the way up your body. When I can't sleep, this is what I do. It's relaxing as hell as long as you try to keep your mind quiet and just focus on relaxing.
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Date: 2011-02-20 09:33 am (UTC)I think asking if they have someone who specializes in vaginismus is a great idea. You definitely want to be working with someone who is very familiar with it. Hopefully you can find someone who will fit your needs and help relax you for the whole process.
I'm the same in regards to panic attacks. I've only ever had them in conjunction with a doctor visit. Definitely not a fun or productive experience. Super scary.
Seriously though, check out some meditation breathing techniques. They're really simple, but they can help a lot. Especially when you know you're going into a stressful situation like all your gyno stuff or just other stuff in every day life. It becomes my routine at the dentist when they bring out that damned plaque scraper thing. Oh man, do I get all zen, LOL. I've never been able to meditate or anything like that cuz my brain always refuses to shut off. But using the super slow regulated breathing, and working on feeling separate parts of your body (start toes up) and think about each little part and say in your head "And now my _____ is relaxed" and take a few deep breaths, and hopefully that will do the trick all the way up your body.
When I can't sleep, this is what I do. It's relaxing as hell as long as you try to keep your mind quiet and just focus on relaxing.
Good luck girl :)