Bit personal - fears

[tlc-x]

Okay, this is a little hard to share online to people I barely or don't know!

Soo.. i've been sexually assaulted twice in the past. Family only know about one of those and police were involved... then the second time with someone else, no one knows about because of the trauma of the police and investigations and bullying etc from the first time.

Please don't judge me on this and it wasn't my fault.

So, I have fears of being touched, and now i'm seeing a specialist in a few months, and they're gonna touch around that area and have a look and everything, and it will be embarrassing obviously, as it would with most people, but i'll also probably cry and feel very uncomfortable and maybe my fears will get worse.

I almost cried at the doctors the other day when she touched my bum and look inside with her finger. It was horrible and I began trembling slightly.

So, my question really is, anyone else been in a similar situation? Do I tell my specialist of my past? Will they understand if a first time patient cries, is it common?

Thank you.

 

[KayleighMeek]

Bless you Hun that is such a horrible thing for you to have gone through and them to have it happen again. You are very brave to be able to talk about it like you said with people you don't know well, but sometimes it is easier to share things with people who are completely seperate from your friends and family.
I would think you need to let your GI or you GP about your worries and they may be able to make things less distressing for you, I know that will be very hard for you but it might make things better for you.
Hope you feel better soon x

 

[Kelly2]

I am so sorry that this has happened to you - that is awful!! If I were in your shoes, I would inform my doctor that when I was younger, I was sexually assaulted which has quite understandably, left me feeling very anxious when it comes to physical exams. Tell her you would appreciate her understanding the situation, and being very gentle with you. I would certainly not go into any details at all - it has got nothing to do with anyone else, and would probably just upset you to even talk about it - they just need to know that you have to be treated with a lot of patience and understanding. I am pleased to see that you have a female doctor which should make you feel more comfortable. I am sure in time, you will learn to trust her and feel comfortable with her. Try to stay with the same doctors so that you can develop a trust between yourself and them.

 

[KWalker]

I am so sorry you had to deal with that. Nobody deserves to go through something of that nature. I would personally be honest. You have a right to confidentiality with a doctor and he will not say anything if you tell him. Be honest, tell him you're uneasy with being touched in that area but you understand he's only doing his job. It's perfectly normal for you to feel like that after what happened. You're a strong girl

 

[sawdust]

I think it's completely within reason to inform your doctor. It doesn't have to be a big deal, but just letting her know may make all the difference in the way that you feel and the way that she examines you.

One of the things that one of my GI's Physician's Assistants does (female) for me (male) is to describe everything she's doing, what she's looking for, and what she has found, if anything. I always wondered if she does this for her female patients too, but it makes me feel a bit more at ease about it all.

She asked me the first time if i wished to have a witness present. Perhaps having someone else present might make you more comfortable? For me, no, I think I replied, "I certainly don't want more people seeing it!"

 

[tlc-x]

My GP knows, because it's on my doctors notes thing on the computer system as I went and saw a psychologist about the first time (psychology was awful!).

Will my GI see the notes on the system and find out? Or when i'm alone, should I just tell him. I'll be seeing the GI that sees my family who also have IBD.

 

[tlc-x]

And thank you for the help and advice xx

 

[ekay03]

I would tell the gi about the assaults you have suffered and you need not worry about them sharing this info. They are bound by law not to share this w/ anybody. Also there will be a female in the room at the time of your exam. I have also been through this and know how awful it is to be touched. What I do is mentally put myself someplace else. It helps a little.