Physiotherapy appointment- what to say about SI new marks?

[Dollhouse]

So...

I relapsed after loosing count of how long I'd been mark free.


But

I am starting counselling (onwards and upwards) :) anyway onto the issue

I si on my thigh, there's quite a few obvious what they are marks. I have a physiotherapy appointment this Thursday coming up- I'm 20, a student and have physical mobility issues (disability)

I didn't realise my appointment would be this soon. My physio is for the opposite thigh/hip- had a bad (accidental!) fall due to my disability and need them to look at it as well as some rehab. But for them to do that they're going to need to see my thigh which will involve obviously, seeing the other thigh and all the cuts. :(I'm really worried that

A) they will comment
B) they will assume that the injury to my other thigh was SI (totally not!)
C) they wouldn't take me seriously for any treatment
D) they will have to write it up in clinical notes (I doubt it but I'm not sure)

Logically I know that they would have to be professional and probably wouldn't comment apart from general are you alright type thing. I doubt it would interfere with treatment (no actual reason for it to)
But yeah I'm really freaking out, I would prefer not to go but I am in desperate need for physio- right now my physical state is worse than my mental state due to my disability and I can't put it off.

I don't even know what to do like? Or what to say? Has anyone had any experience with health professionals and new cuts, what were they like, did it interfere with treatment or something?

[Rynn]

In my experience, having injuries that are new-ish may or may not be commented upon. I have found general doctors do comment, but folk like nurses taking blood do not. In the case that someone comments, they generally simply want to know if you have spoken to anyone about it and if you are getting any sort of help for it. If the injury looks like it needs treatment (stitches, antibiotics, etc) they will also comment on that front. If the injury is healing/healed on its own though, the doctor generally just asks if you have sought help yet. When I have told them that I am seeing a counselor, I have found the conversation generally stops there. They may ask if I want/need to speak to someone right then, or if I want to talk to them about it, but when I have said no, they have let the topic drop.

IF they make a comment about your other injury being potentially related to SI, I would simply let them know it is not. I believe the average doctor would take your word for it (especially if your SI injuries are cuts and your other injury is not). The more common problem I have seen is that a doctor can dismiss physical injuries/pains/aches as part of a mental illness when they know some one has depression or anxiety or an eating disorder, etc.... which is frustratingly common. If that comes up, perhaps others on the site have good resources or advice about that topic as many folk have dealt with that.

I hope this is a useful and supportive reply. I do think it's likely to go well and simply (though perhaps with a good deal of discomfort and anxiety, that's how I tend to feel at the doctors...) I believe they will almost certainly be kind, mild, and willing to drop or extend the conversation based on what you say to them when/if they ask questions.

Though I suppose it may be useful to know all of my experiences are from the USA - medical systems and cultural norms differ place to place.

Oh - and if you're worried/cautious about what get's written in clinical notes, you are free to ask. That should be part of your rights as a patient to know what goes in your file and who has access to it. I tend to say "Just out of curiosity....?"

I wish you the best at your appointment, and hope it goes with as little additional stress as possible.
Hang in there. :)

[lilred]

I went to an allergist a few months ago and they did allergy testing. Allergy testing involves about 30 needle pokes on the arms of allergens, then they watch how much they swell to see what you're allergic to. I had pretty significant arm scarring that was months old, but the nurse acted irritated that she had to work around all the scars to get the pokes in. She started on my left arm and said, "is the other one like this?" However the doctor later came in to read the test and said, "did you do this?" and I just confidently said yes. He then told me it makes sense considering the medications I was on (an antidepressant, a mood stabilizer, and an antipsychotic). If you have other medical history that they already have (med list, hospital admissions, etc) you probably won't have to answer questions. If they do ask tell them the truth and say you are seeking treatment. If they do say something, please know it comes from concern and I'm sure anyone in the medical field has already seen worse. Don't be embarrassed.

[Sooty]

How did the appointment go?

Sophie.x