Good Morning!

I am having my first ever iron infusion today and I'm scared

new things are scary by nature @avant-garde hope it goes okay

@avant-garde having any new medical treatment has so many unknown variables. I can understand why you feel this way.

@TAB @Former-Member

I don't know whether I'll be tired afterward, be able to function, they say I will, but I don't know, I've had others say they were just constipated but felt amazing, others say that it took a couple of days...

I trust my doctor but I'm scared...

I don't want to get triggered either... because there's always that...

I hear you @avant-garde. When is the appointment? Do you have someone who can be with you? It would be better to have someone around if possible. If not, youre just going to have to muster all the strength you have to face it somehow. I had a dental procedure recently and it was out of my comfort zone, I was concerned but I somehow made it through. I ring Nurse on Call if I have anything wrong outside doctors appointments. It just gives me peace of mind. Write down this number 1300 606 024, its the phone number for Nurse on Call. A nurse can give you advice and what to do if you have anything concerning you after your iron infusion

@Former-Member

It's in 90 minutes

No I don't, I have two friends who work in the same vicinity though, I know I can just message them, whether they'd actually show up for me is still undetermined.

A lot of people don't understand why I need hand holding for certain things, that I should be able to adult on my own.

Hope it goes okay for you @avant-garde

@avant-garde I knew of a lady in my age group who could not manage a blood draw without someone with her or a support worker by her side to stop her from having trauma. If you've had negative experiences with doctors that can also be a causative factor. It also doesn't take much to trigger a MH episode though. You just need some stress and it can bring it on. This condition of medical aversion and panic is the same trauma for a newborn having vaccinations, for eg its the pain/fear/apprehension someone like yourself would face that an infant would have. Anyway its a diagnosis of some kind regarding the type of fears and pain not being able to have medical protocols/procedures done. I will try to look it up for you. I know someone on twitter with it. I'Il be online this afternoon if you need to chat. At least you may have a name for why you feel this way and to be able to educate your friends if the diagnosis is correct. Something to look into?

Here it is, well worth a read @avant-garde

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/tomophobia#definition

@Former-Member

I appreciate the research and it's not the procedure that I'm afraid of, it's the not knowing how my body will respond. I typically like my GP, I have seen him every month for 7 years, I am very used to blood tests and have had multiple surgeries and scans without drama, it's the not knowing which terrifies me.