Procedures and Anxiety

 How I utilized relaxation techniques to help work through episodes of anxiety related to a medical procedure.

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING**  There is a photo of the injection sites at the very end of this article of my wounds less than 24 hours after the procedure.  This is intended to be a visual aid to chronicle and study the healing of these sites.  Note also that I am not a doctor, these opinions are my own.  Please consult with a physician if you have specific questions or needs.  This article does contain some affiliate links, and some other links intended to help connect people with products or items that may help with their well being or recovery if needed.

So this is what I had done yesterday.  Bilateral hip MRI with contrast, injected directly into the hip joint through VIR.  Want to know more about what Vascular and Interventional Radiology is, click here.

I can't tell you how nervous I became when it hit me that they were going to be injecting fluid into my hip sockets.  The literal pivotal point that scares me the most about  the possibility of not being able to use my leg.  I'd personally rather not touch it, which is why almost exactly 20 years after expressing concern for the first time to a medical professional about the discomforting pain the dislocations of my hip have been causing me, I had it done.  I need answers, and I would like to continue to walk, if possible.  While that sounds dramatic, that is exactly what is running through my head, exactly what triggers anxiety in me.  Exactly how I feel every time shooting and disabling pain runs through the socket of my mobility like a loose cannon ball.

Using tools that have come my way I decided to be proactive the day of my Interventional Radiology (IR) procedure.  While it can be difficult and taxing physically and emotionally, I wanted to attempt to use the tools and methods that have worked for me.  I am so happy I did, and I really feel like it went well.

Great thing about investing in your general and mental health you pick up tips to help deal with extremes and stressful times.  I subscribe to an amazing all inclusive beauty, skincare, wellness subscription box called Beauty Heroes.  This last month's Hero was the Osmia Organics Night Body Oil.  "A concentrated blend of intentionally sourced essential oils infused into a complex base of skin-strengthening botanical oils," presented here as this glowing bottle of relaxation intended to trigger a neurological response from the intoxicating blends calming your central nervous system preparing your body for rest, thank you Pavlov.  This proved to be an amazing relaxation tool in the procedure room.

We've been loving this oil, and seeing great results this the last week using it to wind down for sleep, so I eagerly pumped away at the back of my hand and the back of my hand right before I left the house yesterday, and then covered my hands with my sweater to preserve the integrity of the oil.  Made sure my lip doctor sidekick was with me to combat nervous dry lips, and headed out.  I didn't quite feel nervous until I they strapped my body to the bed.  I quickly slid my available arm out and inhaled as deep as I could, and I was immediately relaxed.  So thankful for this glowing bottle right now, and my intuition to use what I have on hand as far as skincare, to help me adjust to a stressful situation.  Tools can be as simple as the things that make you feel the most cared for.  A luxurious body oil, when connected to an intentional mental cue to relax your nervous system becomes a powerful tool among the chronically ill, depressed, and anxious.

Point is, this is a relaxation technique.  We have a responsibility as a patient when we consent to procedures and want answers to treat the human on the other end of the chart, the needle, and the bed in every gauge of medicine with respect.  We should be conscious enough of the fact that our energies and states of mind effect everyone involved.   These techniques settle your mind and body and prepare you to deal with events.  Through the injections I practiced a metered breathing of my discretion.  We are all different, you may count to 3 or 7, or sing a song, but find your groove.  I asked the doctor if my deep breathing was "disturbing" him, and he said, "no it's great!"  

Applied technique, communication, and making other people feel appreciated might not change a good, bad, or unwelcome events, but it changes your experience, which ultimately alters our perceptions and abilities to deal with the stresses of our conditions.  Run-on sentence aside, I realize this journey is not complete, and I do not want a legacy of stressful memories, rather meaningful interactions.

I was able to watch the enthusiasm and guided intent of a doctor as he accurately guided instruments into a human body, my body.  I learned the shape of my pain yesterday, the ring of Saturn, and it was a stunning sight to be honest.  I can't wait to order my MRI's so I can watch the results unfold.

So this is me right now, with my Bauerfeind Sacro-Loc to help keep my PT ice pack in place.  Inhaling some relaxation, with my knee (which is feeling the effects of my body trying to break down and remove the excess liquid in my hips) propped up on my Savvy Rest pillow.  I had it on a regular pillow, but the organic kapok in these really allows the pillow to mold to your joint reducing pressure and stress to aid in healing.   

Also enjoying my Savvy Rest body pillow for much needed lumbar support for the same reason.  This pillow also acted as a great blockade last night for my 3 year old.  I actually felt safe in bed, and was still able to hug it and alleviated the tension from the angle of my femur.  

What you can't tell from this photo is I'm also indulging in a deep healing facial mask, and in constant throbbing pain.  It's actually the pink bottle in the photos, another beautiful gift from my amazing friend Kapua of Honua Hawaiian Skincare, the Pa-Akai Cleansing Cream and Mask.  Pure and gentle full of the healing properties of salt, oils, and all thing beautiful from the sea.  If I'm going to be laid up, I might as well be working, taking care of my skin, and comfortable right?  

Although this brace appears to be sitting a little low, I am not using it for support.  I set it specifically to cradle the gluteal hamstring muscles which are not engaging to support the front of my body's weight.  This belt also has removable pads to help place pressure on specific points of your back to relieve pressure.  While great walking around, when I sit on them my legs and rear end begin to go numb.  So listen to your body and only direct and place pressure/support where it can handle it.  I've also tried to rest my laptop on my left leg instead of my right, and lift my leg from behind my knee to completely alleviate any strain on the front of my hips.  You can find a great overview of general hip anatomy right here for those interested.

I am also applying the Copious body serum from Khus Khus Herbal This serum has ashwagandha and CBD oil.  CBD, or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive concentrate extract of hemp. It is "highly analgesic promoting the reduction of pain + inflammation in the body." Ashwagandha has antiinflammatory and muscle relaxing properties and is a large part of Ayurvedic healing.  I apply this around the injection sites, and let it sink in.  Don't touch the entry points/broken skin for at least 24 to 48 hours or longer if you can bare.  These represent an open, however closing, path directly to your hip joint, not touching these greatly reduces the probability of joint infection of the synovial fluid.

Not only is preparing yourself mentally important, but setting up healing time, letting the light in, and doing simple things for yourself have such an impact on your mental well-being.  Just setting up the original photo flooded my room with so many great colors and warmth, it's changed the whole mood of the day.  Flushing your body with water after should also help you body detox and aid in the excretion of the liquid from your body.

You deserve to be happy and at least mentally healthy through your struggles.  My mental health switched gears the minute I decided to do something for myself, and that was skincare for me.  I revel in getting something beautiful and healthy for myself once a month, and Beauty Heroes never fails me.  If your passion is feeling good from the inside out, give them a peek.  It's always okay to treat yourself, you're the only one who knows when you need a pick-me-up.

I definitely still have my moments, my triggers, and my downfalls, but being able to see beauty and  learn new ways to communicate has been immensely helpful.   If you ever have any questions about techniques, products, please don't hesitate to reach out.  If you're interested in the Night Oil from Osmia, click the Beauty Heroes link.  You can subscribe, or just purchase the product in the Beauty Heroes, Buy Beauty section.  If you do wish to subscribe, you have until the 20th to get in on the Night body oil bundle!  I also highly recommend watching the inspirational videos of Beauty Hero's creator Jeannie Jarnot's interview with Osmia creator Dr. Villafranco here.

Do you use any techniques?  Was this helpful?  Want to contribute your story?  Let me know! 




These are my injection sites R and L at 1:00 p.m., less than 24 hours after procedure.  I find it interesting how the bruising on the right hip, the one that causes the most problems decided to pool under where the band aid was, and that my stretchmarks on my right hip and the slight stretch on the thinner skin of my left hip look like zebra stripes.  Also the one that actually bruised is the hip that gives me the most grief.  My dear friend says the left hip looks like I got bit by a vampire.  I presume the lower point of entry on the right is the original site that administered the lidocaine, and the larger entry on the left is the larger needle which administered the contrast fluid. Side note, experiencing slight hand and left thigh tremors at the moment, hypotonia?  Definite persistent weakness and numbness down the front of both legs.