I feel the need to have a little rant here...so heads up on that.

I had to see my gp yesterday for refills for Wellbutrin and Ambien. I have been seeing this doctor for about 6 years and I go every three months.

The office staff know why I am there.

So I checked in and sat...and sat....and sat...while my anxiety built and built. It is usually a 15 minute to half hour wait, another 15 minutes in the exam room so it's not too bad.

BUT....after an hour in the waiting room, I got up and told the front desk I was leaving. Patients had come and gone in that time. I nicely said that I was going to go.

Front desk person knew the reason I was there.

I guess that my rant is that I don't want special treatment because I have anxiety and depression. But occasionally a little consideration wouldn't be amiss, I don't think.

Also (many of you can relate, I'm sure) I was darned proud of myself for making an effort.

Now I have to work myself up to going again...

What would you do?

[adam_k]

I would summon up the courage and go back. Sometimes you can't do it and have to get away. It's ok to not be ok.

You know what you need to do. Try to be strong and get through the waiting to see your doctor.

[Frankbtl]

Hi sophiesmom,

WOW you waited an hour!!! That can be real hard for some people even without anxiety!!!
So real kudos to you on that!!!

Although I do really feel for you having to be put in that position
It does seem insensitive to your care/treatment

Do you think it might help if you asked if/how late they were running as soon as you went in next time, surely they'd have some idea, then if you had some time to wait you could "go for a breath of fresh air" outside or go to "make some telephone calls" until nearer the time???

But even so...........an hour!!!! Respect!!!!

Alison

[Skeezyks]

Hi sophiesmom: Yes... as your thread title says: sometimes you have to go out... I try to avoid it as much as possible. But occasionally it just has to happen. I have to applaud your patience... waiting an hour. I imagine I would have been at the front desk well before that.

When you schedule your appointment to go back, I think if it were me, I'd mention to the person who's scheduling your appointment what happened the last time around & ask if there might not be some way to schedule at a time when they're a bit less likely to be that backed up. Maybe you can guilt them into giving you just a wee bit of consideration. I don't know... Anyway... I hope you have a better experience next time.

[Angelique67]

It sounds like you were at the clinic I go to. The waiting was excruciating today. Thank God it's over.

I usually just keep hanging on so I don't have to go back so soon. It's really hard with the anxiety eating away at me. I was just there today and if I hadn't been with my friend, I might have just gone home too. I try to stick it out no matter how bad it is though.

Would it help at all to take something to do while you are in the waiting room like a book to read or something? Just something that will help distract you and also pass the time more quickly.

[Clara22]

I just hate going to doctors, i hate it
I prefer being hospitalized to going to doctor offices , seriously
I hate all that thing of going to doctors
My anxiety starts right from I am thinking of making an appointment
I cannot help

Thanks for the sympathy guys. You're all great to have around. I wish we could go to the doctors as a group

I took advice and comments here to heart and summoned the courage to call again. I was "waitlisted" (they call you back with a specific time to be there.)

I mentioned to the nurse (not the front desk) what I was there for and what happened last time.

So, I don't know if it was mattered or if I got lucky, but from the time I got there to the time I walked out to my car with my prescription was only 35 minutes. Yaaaayyyy!!! I'm done for another 3 months

I wish there was an "anxiety express lane" for us all...In a way, it's not so nuts of an idea.