Doctors appointments - for "female things"

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JennyB

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Hi All,

I recently had a not so great experience with a pelvic exam, where I didn't have an interpreter. It hurt a lot, I was crying and speaking "Stop!" and signing it but there was a communication breakdown and there was no stopping. The doctor couldn't explain what was happening during it because it was impossible to lip read her from her awkward position and through my massive tears.

Now, I have another exam coming up in a month. I am bringing someone with me, who doesn't sign but we are close and she understands me. I will also have an interpreter. My question is this - I am not sure I am comfortable having the interpreter in the room during the exam. Partially because I will more than likely be sobbing and partially because...well - I will be having a pelvic exam. It really depends on who the interpreter is and my comfort level with them. At the same time, I want the interpreter to stay so I can clearly communicate with the doctor during it. I am hard enough to understand when I speak, let alone while I am crying my eyes out and the fact that I can't really see the doctor when they are down there.

I guess my question is - what do other women do? Do you have alternate communication strategies? Normally I would tell the interpreter to get out, but after my last experience I am not so sure if that is the best thing to be doing. I will have my "support person" there too but I am very anxious about communication regardless.

How do others deal with the communication and interpreters during pelvic exams?

Jenny
 
First of all, do you feel comfortable with your doctor? I rather having a comfortable doctor who understands me by communicating through the body language or write the notes. I am sorry that I don't have good advice. I don't feel comfortable having an interpreter with me there except the labor.
 
My family doctor recently left, and so I don`t really have someone I am comfortable with. This is also in a special gyno clinic so it is sort of a one time thing.

What I have done in the past is just had the terp leave during the exam, but after last time I am kind of afraid to do that...
 
I could see it going both ways. My doctor explains everything before hand and then gives me hand signals.

If you're concerned about communication, ask the terp to stay. It should be a female terp and they should be position so their back is to the doctor and they are right in front of your face - so off to your right or left side standing near your shoulder.
 
Yeah, I know where they stand. It is more them seeing the uncontrollable sobbing than them seeing anything else that bothers me haha.

I like the idea of setting up hand signals before.:ty:
 
I use my netbook. They type in the note section. I read, they go "under cover". They hurt me, I kick.
Hope it is better for you this time.
 
LDNanna said:
I use my netbook. They type in the note section. I read, they go "under cover". They hurt me, I kick.
Hope it is better for you this time.
Click to expand...

But you need to remember how little information they give when writing! Everything is condensed and not really explained.

I hit them...often haha.
 
Way to go Jenny. Hit them. I dont let them get away with little explanations. They wont pay for a terp and even if I could afford one, my last one jumped in the lake. (no - really) They save enough on the terp, they can take a few minutes to type. Faster than writing. Beats having the guy from the front desk who always "volunteers". ha (no joke either)

Souggy, that is a good consideration. Of course, the type size and colors can be adjusted if applicable for your degree of loss. If the type and colors wont help then I suppose you'd have to ditch the idea. Tell ya what, next time you have your lady doctor visit, I will go with you. (snicker) (sorry...cant help myself)
 
LDNanna said:
Way to go Jenny. Hit them. I dont let them get away with little explanations. They wont pay for a terp and even if I could afford one, my last one jumped in the lake. (no - really) They save enough on the terp, they can take a few minutes to type. Faster than writing. Beats having the guy from the front desk who always "volunteers". ha (no joke either)

Souggy, that is a good consideration. Of course, the type size and colors can be adjusted if applicable for your degree of loss. If the type and colors wont help then I suppose you'd have to ditch the idea. Tell ya what, next time you have your lady doctor visit, I will go with you. (snicker) (sorry...cant help myself)
Click to expand...

I'm on the autism spectrum too which complicates thing...and triggers the physical outbursts. I have accidentally beat my fair share of terps too - I hit what is closest. Hence why I have a select few terps who will actually work with me and who I will work with...
 
I have no idea what I do to my terps. They move away or jump in the lake. Seriously. no joke.

Hope your md visit is very uneventful and painless.
 
Have you tried establishing a gesture or something so that your doctor knows what's going on?

Ask your doctor if there's anything he wants you to say (if necessary) during the exam. With that, you can show him what each gesture or sign means and he'll know what you're saying whenever it happens.

It kinda like taking the driving test. Before the driving test, ask the instructor (face to face) what he's likely going to say to you. You remind him that using hand gestures will help more and explain each gesture (point fingers forward, left, right, back, or stop; slow down or speed up, etc) From there, he knows what to do and it works out smoothly.

Perhaps, you can have him do things a bit at a time instead all at once. For instance...

*puts finger in one place*

*looks at you face to face*

*talks clearly* "You okay?"

*puts finger in another place*

... repeat ...

Or, you could say... "If I knock the table, that means STOP. If I wave my hand, that means I need something." Or whatever is best for you.
 
I was thinking of the distance between her and the doctor. Depending on her vision loss, preset fontsize might not even be suitable.

Edited: Brain misfired... meant doctor, not interpreter.
 
souggy said:
I was thinking of the distance between her and the doctor. Depending on her vision loss, preset fontsize might not even be suitable.

Edited: Brain misfired... meant doctor, not interpreter.
Click to expand...

I'm 20/120 without correction, 20/50 right and 20/90 left with correction.
 
LDNanna said:
I have no idea what I do to my terps. They move away or jump in the lake. Seriously. no joke.

Hope your md visit is very uneventful and painless.
Click to expand...

Haha... shouldn't laugh. I have a talent for terrorizing interpreters too. There are a few that love me, many that hate me, and several who tolerate me enough in most circumstances. My complete lack of social skills and social control tends to scare people...I am very blunt.
 
JennyB said:
Hi All,

I recently had a not so great experience with a pelvic exam, where I didn't have an interpreter. It hurt a lot, I was crying and speaking "Stop!" and signing it but there was a communication breakdown and there was no stopping. The doctor couldn't explain what was happening during it because it was impossible to lip read her from her awkward position and through my massive tears.

Now, I have another exam coming up in a month. I am bringing someone with me, who doesn't sign but we are close and she understands me. I will also have an interpreter. My question is this - I am not sure I am comfortable having the interpreter in the room during the exam. Partially because I will more than likely be sobbing and partially because...well - I will be having a pelvic exam. It really depends on who the interpreter is and my comfort level with them. At the same time, I want the interpreter to stay so I can clearly communicate with the doctor during it. I am hard enough to understand when I speak, let alone while I am crying my eyes out and the fact that I can't really see the doctor when they are down there.

I guess my question is - what do other women do? Do you have alternate communication strategies? Normally I would tell the interpreter to get out, but after my last experience I am not so sure if that is the best thing to be doing. I will have my "support person" there too but I am very anxious about communication regardless.

How do others deal with the communication and interpreters during pelvic exams?

Jenny
Click to expand...



I wouldn't trust a doctor who doesn't stop and ask if you were ok if she can hear or see your facial expression.

But on the other hand, if you are tense, it does make it more painful.

What I would do is tell the doctor before the exam is that her mask make it hard for you to read lips so if she want to say something, she need to stop what she is doing and pull down her mask. Most doctors have done it for me.

I wish we have interpreters who work in the medical field only. I think I would be comfortable around them becuase they are used to it and know and obey hospital confidentiality (just like how people comfortable around nurses or Certified Nurse Aides)
 
I would ask for an anti-anxiety medication to be picked up at the pharmacy 30 minutes before the appt.

I have done this for the dentist in the past.
 
yeah, that would work too LOL

but that's not a bad idea... or perhap take over-the-counter pain reliever before your medical exam. Oh no matter how bad you feel, don't overdose! LOL
 
speaking of dentist, I hate going to the dentist more than getting my pap smear. I told my husband that I want a dentist closer by now because everytime I drive (it's about half hour away), I get more and more anxiety about going. Mainly because I hate bad news and it is always bad news when I go to the dentist (too many cavities)
 
JennyB said:
Yeah, I know where they stand. It is more them seeing the uncontrollable sobbing than them seeing anything else that bothers me haha.

I like the idea of setting up hand signals before.:ty:
Click to expand...
If you give the terp a heads up warning that you may sob during the exam, it will help them be prepared. Also, don't forget that the female terps have experienced gyn exams themselves, so they can empathize with your discomfort.

Like Botts said, maybe some anti-anxiety meds would help. Also, try some deep breathing and other techniques that help you relax. Even something as basic as a favorite stuffed animal that you can squeeze instead of socking the terp might help.

Be sure to be up front with your doctor about your stresses.
 
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