Doctor Hopping Fatigue: The Frustration Of Endless Referrals

[00:00:00] Hey, friend. Welcome back to Glow in the Chaos. [00:00:05] Have you ever walked out of a doctor's appointment feeling more confused than when you went in? Because instead of answers, you got another referral. If that's you, you are so not alone. Today we are diving into that feeling, the frustration, the exhaustion, and that quiet heartbreak that comes when you realize you're about to tell your story all over again to another new face and another office. [00:00:31] So recently, I got back some genetic testing that I paid for on my own through the sequencing app, hoping that I would finally get some clarity about what's been going on. [00:00:42] Instead, when I sent the results to my rheumatologist, she told me I need to see a genetic counselor. I don't know why that should have surprised me. The results were confirming the gene that has been linked to Ehlers Danlos, which that one wasn't too shocking. But then there was also another one that is called lynch syndrome. So this one kind of scared me. Being positive for this means that you have a 40 to 60% increased chance of getting some kind of cancer in your lifetime. Usually something along the lines of colorectal, ovarian, breast, some of which do run in my family, which already puts me at a higher risk. [00:01:19] But whenever you see that C word, it's scary. [00:01:22] So I was really hoping to get some comforting words rather than just another referral. [00:01:27] And honestly, as soon as I got that message back stating she wanted to refer me yet again to someone different, I just sat there and cried. It wasn't even just sadness. It was exhaustion. Just feeling defeated. [00:01:42] Because it starts to feel like you're this puzzle everyone's trying to solve, but no one sticks around to finish it. [00:01:48] You tell your story again and again. You redo the same tasks, you answer the same questions, and somewhere along the way, you start to lose a little bit of hope. You start to feel like less of a person and more of just conditions and tests and words that nobody wants to take the time to listen to. [00:02:11] It's okay to admit that this part is hard. [00:02:15] It's okay to be frustrated with a system that treats your symptoms but forgets about your soul. [00:02:21] Sometimes you start to wonder, does anyone actually see me? Should I just stop trying to treat or prevent these symptoms and just deal with it? Stop bothering everyone. [00:02:31] But I want to remind you of something. You are not crazy for being tired of this. You're human. You're doing your best to advocate for yourself in a system that isn't built for easy answers. [00:02:45] Here's what I've been Learning every referral, as frustrating as it is, can also be a step towards finally finding someone who listens. You can hold both truths. [00:02:56] Both truths at this time. You can be grateful for care and still grieve the process. [00:03:01] You can have hope and still feel frustrated. That's what real healing looks like. It's not linear, it's not pretty, it's messy, emotional, and it's completely valid. [00:03:14] If you're in that space right now, waiting on referrals, juggling appointments, wondering if it's even worth it, I just want you to take a deep breath with me. [00:03:27] You are not alone in this. You are doing incredibly hard things, and even if it doesn't feel like progress, it is. [00:03:35] Keep showing up for yourself, even when the system feels broken, because your story matters, your life matters, how you feel matters, and your persistence is powerful. [00:03:48] If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone else who's been stuck in the referral cycle too, and make sure you're following Glow in the Chaos where we talk about chronic illness, burnout, faith, and the messy middle, because you deserve a space where your story feels seen. [00:04:04] Thank you so much for listening. Until next time, keep glowing in the chaos.