[jtassar93]

I rarely leave the house. This Monday I have my pdoc appt. Tuesday I have the disability mental test exam that's far away and somewhere I've never been. And Wednesday I see my T for the first time in months. And I have some difficult stuff to talk about.

I don't know if extra Valium could even help. I'm so nervous.

[franz kafka]

That's a lot going on. I'd feel overwhelmed too. Maybe your pdoc can prescribe some kind of PRN?

[leejosepho]

Yes, I also get overwhelmed by too many appointments of different kinds too close together. I do not know what is best for you, but there have been times when I have cancelled and re-scheduled one or more in order to lighten the load.

[jtassar93]

I'd reschedule if I could. Tuesday is set in stone and Monday and Wednesday have been rescheduled so many times. We finally got appointments on the days my mom is off work.

[Wild Coyote]

Wow. That is a lot to cope with.

What helps you when feeling anxious or stressed?

For instance, when I was in better health, I'd dealt with stress by playing sports or going for a long bike ride-- physical activity.

Now I use breathing exercises, for example.

What types of things help you?


WC

[jtassar93]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Wow. That is a lot to cope with.

What helps you when feeling anxious or stressed?

For instance, when I was in better health, I'd dealt with stress by playing sports or going for a long bike ride-- physical activity.

Now I use breathing exercises, for example.

What types of things help you?


WC

The only thing that helps outside the house is music. But I can't really listen to music during the appointments lol.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by jtassar93

The only thing that helps outside the house is music. But I can't really listen to music during the appointments lol.

Maybe I'd misunderstood?
Your first post said, "I'm so nervous."
I'd thought that meant you are nervous now, before the appointments, as well as during the appointments?

Are you looking for something helpful only during the appointments?


WC

[Sunflower123]

I hope your therapist, pdoc, and disability mental exam appointments go smoothly for you. Good luck and best wishes.

[jtassar93]

Well I'm nervous now of course and am always nervous when I leave the house. Sorry if that was confusing.

And thank you!

[Wild Coyote]

What types of things help you when you are waiting for something, like an appointment?

Are there ways you can distract yourself so your mind is not on the appointments?

By the way, so glad your mom has these three days to assist you in getting to these appointments. I know she works hard and it's been a challenge!


WC

[jtassar93]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

What types of things help you when you are waiting for something, like an appointment?

Are there ways you can distract yourself so your mind is not on the appointments?

By the way, so glad your mom has these three days to assist you in getting to these appointments. I know she works hard and it's been a challenge!


WC

Yeah, me too. Thanks!

I honestly don't know of anything to help. Up until the appointments I can just distract myself with watching Netflix and such. On the long car rides I can listen to music. But in the waiting rooms and actual appointments I don't know what to do.

I'm always so nervous. I end up tearing at the odds and ends on my purse like the zippers, eventually ruining them. I could take extra Valium but it barely does anything now. Eh

[Wild Coyote]

I find breathing exercises very helpful in those types of situations, especially the waiting room.

If interested, you could google: breathing exercises stress reduction
or something similar, and find some you could use without anyone else noticing. Some of the are very quiet and very calming.

I am sure others will be along to comment, too!

Best wishes for your appts. I am sure you will do just fine!
It's always good to hear from you!


WC

[jtassar93]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I find breathing exercises very helpful in those types of situations, especially the waiting room.

If interested, you could google: breathing exercises stress reduction
or something similar, and find some you could use without anyone else noticing. Some of the are very quiet and very calming.

I am sure others will be along to comment, too!

Best wishes for your appts. I am sure you will do just fine!
It's always good to hear from you!


WC

Thank you very much! I will look them up.

[*Laurie*]

Those are some intense appointments. Be sure to breath well. Sometimes I tend to hyperventilate, or hold my breath, when I have to be out doing things. When I remember to breath in a healthy way I feel better.

[~Christina]

Dont think about have so many appts this week...

Just focus on one day, one appt at a time.

You have waited so long for all these appointments, You can handle this

[bioChE]

One suggestion: during your disability exam, don't take Valium. It may be nerve-wracking, but you want them to see the real state you're in and not some toned-down version. You might be shooting yourself in the foot of you appear better than you are.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

During your disability exam use this week to show why you need disability. Talk about how difficult it has been to have 3 appointments in this week and that 2 were just an hour with providers you know and are comfortable with. If you can't handle 3 appointments a job would be pretty hard. They need to hear about every possible difficulty that you can describe and you have a great example in this week.

Also I agree with Bioche , don't take valium before that exam. Let them see the real you. The discomfort is not for long and you can take one as soon as you are done.

[Unrigged64072835]

I have weeks like that. Lots of appointments. This week is like that.

I just focus on one day at a time, one appointment at a time.

[jtassar93]

I did consider not taking my meds for the disability thing but.
1. I don't know if I could make it out of the house without them.
2. I kind of thought it was cheating? Not sure lol

[bioChE]

Originally Posted by jtassar93

I did consider not taking my meds for the disability thing but.
1. I don't know if I could make it out of the house without them.
2. I kind of thought it was cheating? Not sure lol

Cheating? No, they're trying to evaluate you, not some drugged-up version of you.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Take your routine meds but don't take a PRN if you can possibly avoid it. If you do have to take a PRN tell them that it required a PRN to make it to teh appointment.

[Wild Coyote]

I'm not sure that Bioche was endorsing your taking none of your meds. Maybe he'd meant extra prn meds? Maybe he'll come along and comment.

I took my meds when I went in for review. It was fine.

You do need to be able to get out of the house!

Use your judgement, you'll be fine in the disability exam.
A lot of weight is given to what your pdoc and your tdoc have to say, as they know you best.

I hope you can sleep well each night while doing all 3 of these appts.


WC

[bioChE]

I wasn't endorsing not taking your regular meds. I was saying to not drug yourself up so you appear to have less symptoms than you do in reality. It's your call.

[jtassar93]

Oh okay, thanks. I'm still pretty bad off even with meds so I'll probably just take them anyways. I at least need a Valium to get out of the house.

Sorry for all the confusion! Lol

[Wild Coyote]

Thinking of you this morning.
I hope today goes smoothly for you.


WC