Utterly dreading hospital appointment

[appointmenthelp]

Have had vague symptoms with gynae stuff for years that hospital suddenly decided last week should be reviewed urgently (worsening symptoms) - sent out an appt for next week .

It’s for various investigations and scans, at least one of which is urodynamics ... being admitted to a ward for the day it says and to expect to be there a few hours at least .

I have a stupid thing with hospitals, I have PTSD after multiple gynae surgeries as a teen, where I wasn’t treated very kindly, and I don’t cope well . Particularly with lying flat and internals . I’m already in a panic ... and have had urodynamics before and remember being in agony/sobbing towards the end .

Can’t get hold of GP to talk it over - receptionist said does not warrant an appointment as I’m not ill, just worried ... and I’ve been told not to take painkillers on the day ... I’m absolutely dreading it ..

Appointment letter says that nurses will social distance as much as possible, and I’m absolutely not allowed to take anyone with me at all - so I suppose that means I can’t have a hand hold or anything during tests? I know how stupid that sounds but it’s the lying flat strapped to machines and wires that I can’t manage .

Can you phone GP and ask for diazepam to manage anxiety on the day? That is what I did. Also in a recent gynae appointment, the nurse held my hand. I would ring the hospital to say how nervous you are.

@ravensoaponarope

Can you phone GP and ask for diazepam to manage anxiety on the day? That is what I did. Also in a recent gynae appointment, the nurse held my hand. I would ring the hospital to say how nervous you are.

Thank you, I’ll give them a ring .. I don’t want to complain too much as they’re being good to get the tests done but just so worried about it . That and the results - they have a good idea of what’s wrong but no ones ever discussed the long term implications so would be good to talk to GP a bit ... I’ve filled out a non urgent request for GP to ring so fingers crossed .

And will definitely ask for diazepam, I’m guessing it’ll be a no as I suppose they need to see how everything behaves on a normal day and stuff but we’ll see ..

You should absolutely not be left in agony by a urodynamics test.
Please tell your HCP what happened before you proceed with the test.
That wasn't right at all and shouldn't have happened.
I had a urodynamics test (prolapse issues), but I also have nerve damage in my bladder, so can't feel when my bladder is dangerously full. The HCP stopped at that point because she wasn't prepared to fill my bladder any further.

@mineofuselessinformation

You should absolutely not be left in agony by a urodynamics test. Please tell your HCP what happened before you proceed with the test. That wasn't right at all and shouldn't have happened. I had a urodynamics test (prolapse issues), but I also have nerve damage in my bladder, so can't feel when my bladder is dangerously full. The HCP stopped at that point because she wasn't prepared to fill my bladder any further.

Thank you - I’m in the same boat with some nerve damage after repeated episodes of acute retention . I remember last time them asking me to cough and being in tears as I was so uncomfortable . Hopefully it isn’t so bad this time ! Be relieved to get it over and out the way!!

Glad to be of help.
I also had urine retention (only one episode), which caused the damage. By the time my bladder was drained, it was 2 litres!