Ask your doctor about a prescription for Ativan that you can take as needed. .5 or 1 mg taken an hour before your appointments will help you tremendously, and you'll be back to normal a few hours later.
Bring a stress ball with you to squeeze.
Focus on breathing.
maybe bring headsets with you.(thats what i do)
make sure you have a doc with a good bedside manner to comfort you.
Do you think maybe in your old age you are becoming a little fearfull because you have been so healthy and you are worried so much about something going wrong?
just know that all of this is in your mind maybe think of someone who looks up to you pretend a young person is standing in the room wathching you visualize a young boy or young girl and you are being brave for them. you can definetly overcome this!
goodluck
Hi. I am not an expert but I noticed you are waiting for a response. I can only suggest you have a look at the millions of people daily that get dental work, hair cuts, medical exams. These accidents you speak of would make the news. Try to think of something else while your hair is being cut. This might be the easiest and least invasive activity to start with. When you feel more comfortable here, try the eye doctor, then dentist and so on. I find myself being very still when the hair dresser is cutting my hair so there is no accident that's my fault. Try that. Be still, calm and let them do their work. Deep breathe. Take a minute break if you need and then continue. Also remember, unless this is your first haircut or appointment, part experiences tell you you'll be fine. Breathe. Think of what you're doing after the appointment. You'll get through them :)