Anyone else feel overwhelmed by all their medical appointments?

@jacqueline2026 - such a good question. Mounting medical appointments can be overwhelming. Sometimes the things that are meant to help us, become too much. You are not alone. And because this is a topic that I think others will be interested in, I moved your post into it's own discussion here:Anyone else feel overwhelmed by all their medical appointments? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-else-feel-overwhelmed-by-all-their-medical-appointments/I& like to tag fellow members @anne4u @szucker99 @jc76 @mitfit to join in this discussion to meet you and share what they have experienced with anxiety and/or depression, or experienced alongside a loved one.You mentioned, jacqueline2026, that some days you don't feel like talking, but when you get to a therapy appointment you have a lot to say. That sounds like it is a good thing, right?

I feel for you with your PTSD, anxiety and severe depression. I have had a few close friends who were Vietnam Vets and went through PTSD. It didn't end well for a couple because they didn't address their illnesses. It sounds like you're trying and that's important. I'm no expert just a guy that cares and hope your therapy helps. Don't give up on it, be good to yourself. Find the right group. People care. I do and I know others do also.

@jacqueline123, yes, I can relate to feeling overwhelmed by medical appointments. Sometimes it feels like managing healthcare becomes a job of its own—appointments, preparing for them, trying to explain what you’re experiencing, and then carrying everything in between.

One thing that has helped me when it all starts feeling like too much is narrowing my focus to the one next important thing rather than trying to manage everything at once.

You mentioned that it can be hard even to explain what you’re feeling. When you think about all of these appointments right now, what feels most overwhelming—the number of appointments themselves, trying to prepare for them, explaining what you’re experiencing, or something else?

There is an alternative solution without meds. I have managed ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, sensory processing disorder and brain fog. The last one started after cancer, taking meds. And I still work, live alone.

I had a therapist that recommended a FDA approved device called an Alpha Stim. Its for anxiety, insomnia and depression. I love this device, used it for about a year, until my brain fog and anxiety became extreme. Then I switched to a technique Neurofeedback. I’ve had 30 sessions so far, and its changed my life. My brian fog and anxiety, PTSD are gone. I can honestly say, I don’t have ADHD, no longer hyper or talkative. Still working on executive function. I still take my diabetes meds and cancer treatment, nothing more.

The solution isn’t for everyone and it takes much self awareness, dedication and time. The effects are permanent.
NASA uses it to train astronauts, athletes use it too. My goal was to not to take meds, for depression, anxiety and ADHD. It worked for me.

@jlharsh this is a very timely message for me.

About a month ago, I decided to trim back the doctor appointments that were scheduled for follow ups. If a specialist can’t find anything wrong with me, they always want you to come back in 2 months, 6 months, a year…when you go to one of these follow up appointments it’s a giant time waster.

I sent a message to my PCP, and told her. I had an appointment to see her last week and then she got sick so they pushed my appointment out to October 9. So that’s a problem with her. She’s a gerontologist and she’s cutting back her hours. And of course like every place else we have a doctor shortage and I would like to change doctors so oh well one day at a time.

YES!! I have PTSD and go to a psychiatrist.. but I have spent THIRTY hours in ER since the allergist gave me a Xolair shot..I wanted allergy tests, she gave me the shot..and..I have ..I'm going to cry..I'm 72 and childless and have watched 2 husbands die..one dropped dead with a heart attack 30 years ago and one died of cancer 15 years ago..I did hospice for him alone with 3 fractured ribs..(I was alone with each of them..horrible!!) so now..I had my digestive system under control.. 6 year struggle.. almost died once from colitis.. many trips to ER and a couple of hospital stays.. I have diverticulitis, colitis, gastritis and tortuous colon and hiatal hernia..and fibromyalgia and systemic scleroderma..and 3rd stage kidney failure and kidney stones (passed a 10.7 mm last summer .. took 2 months)..so I have a suspicious lump in my left breast..missed 2 mammograms due to being so sick from this shot I got (was supposed to be monthly..both my Mother and Aunt had breast cancer ..Aunt twice) ..missed the new rheumatologist appt 3 times so sick from it.. missed the nephrologist.. we have only 2 ambulances here..and only one has equipment .. the other only has a "barf bag"..(yep.. I had to administer myself a zofran because she wasn't authorized)..one of the large hospitals closed here and we only have one now..it takes 10 hrs ..I got home from and ER visit at 3 AM last week and the allergist had called and had made me an appointment..won't send me my records..doesn't care I am suffering.. can't eat.. sick if I eat, sick if I don't.. wrecked 6 years of "gut work".. I wish she'd just shot me..YES!! I am overwhelmed and struggling... and furious!! I've been promising my blind since birth grandnephew I'd take him to the pumpkin patch and he could feel ALL the pumpkins.. he loves me so much..for 6 years.. well year # 7.. I'm having a colonoscopy nest week.. scared to eat....don't want to have to go back to ER and now I am 3 months late on mammogram..to see if I have breast cancer.. just laying in bed so depressed..I got PTSD trauma from the allergist..and I had waited 4 years to be well enough to see her.. thank you all for letting me vent..I'm crying now...I can't even see my family..missed my 98 year old Daddy's passing and was in the new gastro office last year ..1st appt and got a facebook message from my sister "Mom's not long for this world"..(lost my train of thought when I got that ) and then later in the day while on the phone arguing with urologist about kidney stone.. message "Mom's just passed" at 95..I really wish no after that Xolair shot , I shot myself...I can't do this anymore.. all these DR appts and so sick to make them..psychitrist wanted me to do counseling.. how can I do that.??? It take 5-6 months for this shot to clear your system..I wonder if I'll make it.

I understand what you are going through, as I share your mental health issues, along with a boatload of other health issues. I see 13 different specialists, so I understand your frustration, as it feels like I live in doctor’s offices. Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice in keeping the appointments, as my balancing act in keeping my health on an even keel is precarious, and that doesn’t even count all the testing that each doctor requires. I’m so sorry that you have been so sick. It’s awful when a doctor refuses to listen to you, and I have fired a few because of that issue. You always have to stand your ground - if your gut tells you that something doesn’t seem right, insist they explain clearly why they want to do something, and refuse it if it makes the hairs stand up on your neck. Doctors are intelligent, but they aren’t infallible. Sometimes you have to remind them of that. I’ve learned that the hard way. The most important thing I have found, is that you need to have one doctor who acts as your gatekeeper - the keeper of all your medical records and medications, and who communicates with your other doctors ( usually through reports from them). This doctor will help prevent many issues from happening, and doesn’t necessarily need to be your primary physician. I’m very fortunate to have most of my doctors close by - I can’t imagine having to travel as far as you do. It must be awful. Please hang in there and stay in touch with us. The support this group provides is important.

It doesn't help that my many providers are scattered over two counties, and some docs have hours in two different places. Never mind treatment I am so happy when I get to the right place on time.
If I had MCI? FUHGEDDABOTIT!

@mbixler Thank you soo much for your kind words and advice..and I am soo sorry you are having the same health issues..prayers for you!!

@standinginfaith, venting allowed. You have supported so many. We are here now to support you and share your load. You have more than one person can carry at the moment.

I'm so grateful that @jacqueline2026 brought up this topic just at the time you needed it. I can understand your question. With how sick you are feeling and all the doctors appointments you have, how can you make it counseling appointments as recommended by your psychiatrist? I get that.

Let's just start with baby steps first. You're here right now. We're listening.
I also recognize that an online forum may not be enough. If you need to talk to someone right now, there are helplines available 24/7. Don't hesitate to call.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
Call 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255)

See more options in the Crisis Resources list here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/crisis-resources/