You can arrange fast appointments if hospital waiting rooms make you fatigued.

[pinkvision]

I always felt worse before appointments because the waiting rooms made me fatigued. It was not only that because the journey to the hospital also took its toll.

What I started to do was wear a sleeping mask and noise cancelling headphones on the journey to the hospital and practiced mindfulness to stay calm and not get stressed.

In the hospital however the lights, echoing rooms and number of people moving about made me disorientated, fatigued and stressed. I would wear the sleeping mask but somehow the wait was still overwhelming and when I finally got to see the doctor I could not remember what to say, felt hot, anxious and never felf happy with how I came across. I had the sense that many of the doctors only saw the stress and anxiety rather than the brain injury.

One set of appointments were at another hospital in a different health authority and my first appointment there was to see and OT. This was to assess how the hospital could accommodate me when I went for tests and treatment.

I explained about the issue with getting sensory overload, fatigue, stress and how with this I found it hard to communicate with the doctor. I said that all they seem to see is the stress and anxiety.

"Ok", the OT said "we'll get that sorted". They arranged for me to be the first patient to be seen either first thing in the morning or after morning break or first in the afternoon or after afternoon break. I just had to turn up exactly on time and go straight in.

If hospital waiting rooms make you fatigued and stressed ask to see the hospital OT to arrange similar. They put it up as a flagged recommendation on your medical records so whenever appointments are being made in any hospital they will do their best to get you in and out quickly.

[PurpleOverlord]

Oh, pinkvision, thank you! I have the same problem as you. When I got my hidden disability lanyard it was because of an awful hospital experience. So many times I've ended up in tears on the floor in a hospital corridor somewhere when I've been completely overwhelmed.

Like you, I shut out the noise and visual input of waiting rooms. Usually by just closing my eyes and blocking my ears. But if I can avoid further waits once I've managed to find a parking space and the day's new ward, that would be amazing. I'll hunt down the OT.

[Letsrock]

Yes, thank you. Stress was all that foctors seen in me as well.

[lcd8]

This is such a great tip. Very many thanks.