How to get rid of the goddamn 'sick' feeling before medicals?

[1ceman]

Hello everyone,

I have quite a strange problem that I have to cope with everytime I go to the medicals (and not only to them by the way...). I should say that I'm a military pilot student. Everytime (usually a week or so before the medicals) I become worried (that's not anything unusual, I know) but what is worse - I feel sick and sometimes even my body temperature rises a bit. I am quite sure it's caused by nervousness. After I have my medicals done, I feel ok. But I really want to get rid of these things that happen to me, because it can worsen my performance at the medicals. I know it sounds strange but this is really worrying me. Any ideas, guys? Any advice apreciated.

Thanks in advance,

1ceman

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

First of all I bet there is NOTHING wrong with you.. I suffered with similar problems for every one of my 37 Class 1 medicals and have often been told it was due to "White coat hypertension". Put another way, I'm scared of medicals and anything to do with health problems. I recently learned that it's a family trait with many of my relatives suffering with the same problem. I failed my last but one medical for high blood pressure but after a 24-hour BP monitor the doc said I was normal apart from when I was in his office and renewed my cert.

Good luck and, although I know it's difficult - DON'T worry.

[1ceman]

Exactly!

I know (well I hope ) that there's nothing wrong with me... I'll try not to worry - tomorrow I'm going to get some massage to relax...

Thanks for reply!

[ecnalubma]

Happens to a lot of people, they even have a name for it al though for some reason it alludes me right now (something like white coat fever). Anyhow, a lot of people get anxious before a Doctors visit and that can raise the old Blood Pressure. Stay fit, avoid coffee and try and schedule your visit for first thing in the am (Your B/P goes up as the day goes on). And try and remember that the doc is just another person you are going to meet that day, they don't want you to fail anymore than you do so relax. Might help if your doc will let you call him by his first name, makes it more of a casual visit. Good luck.

[Özcan]

a guess would be that you feel this way because something inside of you is convinced that there is something wrong with you. This could be because you know lately you've been living a worse lifestyle then you should have been... and it could cause problems for you to practise a profession you like very much

If you don't live very healthy but start living healthy after a while you could be in a situation like i think i'm in where the medical tests is something you look forward to just to see your lungs have improved, blood-profiles better and livervalues lower then before!

[1ceman]

Thank you for all the replies, they were very helpful indeed.

I'm having my medicals next week Monday thru Wednesday, so cross your fingers for me, please. I am looking forward especially to the baro chamber and the g-simulating machine. I hope I pass it.

TIA and have a nice weekend!