Visiting Doctors Anxiety.

[rightkindofme]

I hate visiting doctors. I find the entire process to be degrading, shaming, and horrible. Today I have to go in to talk to a doctor about the fact that I can't sleep and I have seriously damaged my arms with typing. I'm hoping for physical therapy to help with my arm pain.

I don't sleep much for days before doctor appointments. I have a headache so bad I feel like I can barely open my eyes. My appointment is in two hours. I wish I could make time go faster and just get this over with. :(

 

[quaintpapercut]

Me to rightkindofme. I hope your appointment goes smoothly. Can you treat yourself to something small afterwards for making it through? I'm on such a tight budget right that even a coffee out feels luxurious these days :)

 

[safenow]

Gentle hugs if you allow them. For me, it depends upon what the appointment is for. My doctor comes to me, thank goodness. I used to hate going to a doctor's office. Sit and wait to be seen for 10 minutes then leave again.

I have a suggestion for your arms and hands regarding typing. Get a thick rubber band and lightly put your fingers inside it. Then, stretch your fingers out and then release. Do that little exercise several times as well as several times a day. It will strengthen your arms and hands and you won't have that carpel tunnel syndrome. It works better than surgery.

Don't forget to keep breathing. Good luck today.

 

[rightkindofme]

It went shockingly well. I am so glad we switched back to Kaiser insurance. The optometrist remembers me from 3.5 years ago (the last time I got glasses) and was really nice. The primary care doctor I talked to (I had two appointments back to back in different departments) listened to me, was respectful, mirrored what I said, positively affirmed that my conclusions about my body are good ones and generally was awesome.

I feel so relieved. I haven't had that positive of an experience with a doctor in a very long time. I will feel comfortable enough to go back to him and talk about my stomach issues, which are much murkier and harder to deal with. He heard me. He listened and took my feedback about how and where my depression and anxiety are non-standard and why I want the treatment I want. He commented that I am obviously very educated and he will defer to what I know about me.

Gosh that was so good. I am so glad. I needed that. And now I have spiffy sleeping pills that will allow me to deal with my horrible insomnia cycles without taking things off-label. YAY!

 

[safenow]

Congrats. I am very happy for you.

 

[maddog]

A positive medical experience, when you are accustomed to and bracing yourself for the alternative, is such an amazingly positive and heartening experience!

I recently had one too, for the same reasons you articulated - the person/people involved were respectful, listened to me, affirmed my own situations/beliefs/views and helped in a manner that was constructive, no-fuss and humane. They seem like little things, but they make the world of difference, particularly in regard to the prospect of doing it again in the future.

So glad you had a good experience - pleasant surprises are rare but precious!

Maddog