Going to the Doctor for check ups?

[deadheadskier]

Flu shot got me thinking. How often do you go to the doctor's for a routine check up?

Unless I have an injury or major health ailment, I never go to the doc's. No particular reason, but I've probably been to the doctor's office 3 times in the past 15 years. The last time I went, they did a routine check up because it had been so long. In other words, unless I'm not feeling well, the thought of seeing a doctor never crosses my mind.

....I figure this will probably be the case until I'm 40 when the regular pstate exams are recommended

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Once a year for checkups with the family doctor and dermatologist. Blood work twice a year.

 

[deadheadskier]

Dermatologist would probably be a good move on my part too. I can get sun burnt at 2AM during a rain storm :lol: .....but I'm pretty good about wearing sunscreen

 

[severine]

I had 2 physicals 4 years apart. Before that, I don't recall. I have some health issues that require a bit of monitoring (asthma, PCOS, family history of high cholesterol/heart disease) so I try to get a full check up once in a while to make sure things are good. For the female stuff, I go every year. Have to take that seriously.

 

[wa-loaf]

I had 2 physicals 4 years apart. Before that, I don't recall. I have some health issues that require a bit of monitoring (asthma, PCOS, family history of high cholesterol/heart disease) so I try to get a full check up once in a while to make sure things are good. For the female stuff, I go every year. Have to take that seriously.

What's PCOS?

I need to get a new GP and set an appointment. I haven't had a regular physical in 3 years and I just turned 40.

 

[Greg]

I've been better about getting a physical lately. I want to be as healthy as I can be for the kids. Of course I blew off his request to get some blood tests. I really need to do that. I just hate having blood drawn.

 

[severine]

PCOS=Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Likely hereditary along the paternal line. 4 of the women in my generation on my dad's side of the family have it (myself included). 3 of us needed meds to get and/or stay pregnant. 1 never could. Also makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight, you're predisposed to Type II diabetes, depression, and there are other unfun physical stuff attributed to hormonal imbalances. When my weight is lower, the symptoms are less. Also better when on Metformin (a diabetic drug that has had great success in treating PCOS) but one of the side effects is increased chance of pregnancy so I am not taking it currently. At last check, my hormones weren't too badly out of whack but if they get there, there are some natural things I can try first (mainly Chromium picolinate and cinnamon supplements) before going on Metformin again.

 

[bvibert]

I haven't even had a GP since I was in school, like 15 years ago. If something is very wrong I'll go to a walk-in clinic, if something is very very wrong I'll go to the ER. I've been saying for a few years now that I should get a doctor and and get checked out, but haven't gotten around to it. Oddly I do go to the dentist twice a year, and I don't even have insurance to cover that...

 

[andyzee]

I go the doctor every 3 months to get a new script for bp medication. I have no problem with this and feel better getting a regular check up. However, if something is bugging me, I'm scared to mention it cause next thing you know, he's got me going to all kind of specialists and labs for tests. Don't get me wrong, he's a good doctor and I like him. But, whatever happened to the good ole day when you go to a GP and he does all. My family doctor when I was a kid, would do all checkups, xrays, tests, and even surgeries. Now that would take 5 doctors and 2 or 3 labs.

 

[bvibert]

I go the doctor every 3 months to get a new script for bp medication. I have no problem with this and feel better getting a regular check up. However, if something is bugging me, I'm scared to mention it cause next thing you know, he's got me going to all kind of specialists and labs for tests. Don't get me wrong, he's a good doctor and I like him. But, whatever happened to the good ole day when you go to a GP and he does all. My family doctor when I was a kid, would do all checkups, xrays, tests, and even surgeries. Now that would take 5 doctors and 2 or 3 labs.

I'm not sure, but I bet it has something to do with the receipt checkers.

 

[Moe Ghoul]

I go the doctor every 3 months to get a new script for bp medication. I have no problem with this and feel better getting a regular check up. However, if something is bugging me, I'm scared to mention it cause next thing you know, he's got me going to all kind of specialists and labs for tests. Don't get me wrong, he's a good doctor and I like him. But, whatever happened to the good ole day when you go to a GP and he does all. My family doctor when I was a kid, would do all checkups, xrays, tests, and even surgeries. Now that would take 5 doctors and 2 or 3 labs.

No big money in GP. The trend has been that med students want to specialize, and that may partially explain a large influx of foreign doctors filling the gap since the pay is still better than their own country in most cases. Just a layman's observation, I can't back that up.

 

[wa-loaf]

increased chance of pregnancy

 

[severine]

That drug helps a lot of women with PCOS get and stay pregnant (not only do women with PCOS tend to have fertility issues, there is in an increased risk of miscarriage when they do get pregnant...some sources say up to 60% chance). I lost my first and I wasn't on Met; wasn't going to chance it with the other two.

 

[o3jeff]

I try to go for a physical every 2 years, but have been avoiding it lately since he did the prostate check last time

 

[gorgonzola]

oh crap its been 8-9 years since my last complete physical for a new life insurance policy (as a non-smoker! woot). saw the doc a few times in between for some nasty bites (prophlactic lyme disease antibiotic treatments), some (hep c?) shots when went to Russia to adopt our son, and the ER for a dislocated shoulder (hockey). Its something i'v been meaning to do but prorastinating, as i'm do for the old reach through...hmmmm, i should hit the dermatlogist too

 

[severine]

You guys are wusses. Seriously. What do you think women go through every year. And yes, we get the ole reach through, too, on top of the other stuff. :roll: You should try giving birth and see what that does to your dignity. :lol:

 

[o3jeff]

You feel so cheap and used, he does it last and runs out the door leaving you laying there with only a couple of those little pocket kleenex things to clean up with, on top of that you have the nurse banging on the door asking if you are all set.

 

[gorgonzola]

^ ayup, pretty much so...

oh yeah there was one other doc visit in there, the big "V" snippage....

 

[hammer]

You feel so cheap and used, he does it last and runs out the door leaving you laying there with only a couple of those little pocket kleenex things to clean up with, on top of that you have the nurse banging on the door asking if you are all set.

Take it easy Peter...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I haven't been to the Dr. for a Physical in 8 years..I hate being weighed and having to strip down and the thing where the Dr. touches your balls and makes you cough is crazy....my Dad always gives me crap for not going to the Dr....I do visit the dentist and eye Dr. regularly