Do you go to the Doctor

[cluvsdisney]

I go for check ups every year but mostly because I take synthroid so I have to,get blood tests & refills.

 

[nchulka]

Unless I'm in pain beyond level 7 of 10, am sick for more than a week, or have a problem that lasts more than 14 days then I go. Otherwise I can't afford to spend money on going to the doctor if I don't have a legit health problem or issue to be seen for. I'm part of the 99.9% of Americans who can't afford health insurance.

Dramatic much?? I'm guessing you find the money for the all important bills like cable and cell phones When DH and I got married 15 years ago we were both in college, working part time jobs. He was 22, I was 20 and the one thing he said was you NEVER go uninsured. He refused to even contemplate marriage until we had secured health insurance. We were both young and very healthy, no issues, non-smokers, non-drinkers. I didn't appreciate the importance of having insurance at that point but he said that was the only way we could get married. I was very glad I listened to him when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer at 24!

I do go to the Doctor yearly for a routine physical. Because of having cancer (melanoma) 10 years ago I like to keep on top of my health. I also see my dermatologist and gyno yearly.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I go every six months. I am on maintainence meds for several issues so to get my six month rx's have to go to get them refilled.

 

[disfan07]

Dramatic much?? I'm guessing you find the money for the all important bills like cable and cell phones When DH and I got married 15 years ago we were both in college, working part time jobs. He was 22, I was 20 and the one thing he said was you NEVER go uninsured. He refused to even contemplate marriage until we had secured health insurance. We were both young and very healthy, no issues, non-smokers, non-drinkers. I didn't appreciate the importance of having insurance at that point but he said that was the only way we could get married. I was very glad I listened to him when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer at 24!

I do go to the Doctor yearly for a routine physical. Because of having cancer (melanoma) 10 years ago I like to keep on top of my health. I also see my dermatologist and gyno yearly.

And I'm guessing you are one of those people who thinks everyone can just get insurance and that everyone without it just chooses not to get it? I don't qualify for private health insurance because I haveopte existing conditions. So don't go around talking about paying Cable bills and cell phone bills and equating that to not having health insurance. Sometimes it doesn't matter that you have the money for health insurance....companies won't give it to millions of people!!!
glad it worked it that you could get insurance so young....but for millions, it doesn't work like that.

Off my soapbox now....

I see my internist for my yearly physical and as needed (usually end up there about 15 times per year)
I see my dermatologist every 3 months
Cardiologist every 4 weeks
Neuro every 6 months
Allergist usually every 6 weeks
Pulmonary every 3 months and as needed
GYN every 6 months
Sleep specialist every 3 months (medication adjustments)
GI about every 3-4 weeks right now

Even with 8 specialists, I still go for my yearly physical. I think preventive care is the most important part of medicine. It can save millions of dollars in costs not to mention the lives it can save. But obviously, the majority of people don't necessarily agree with me.

 

[Mariep26]

Please women, at least visit your gyno annually. I skipped one year. 2008. Felt sick in 2009 at Disneyworld, female type issues. Left a day early. After visit and pap found out I may have cancer. They did biopsies and I did have cancer.
Uterine and cervical.
I am fine now.
But wonder what would have happened if I hadn't skipped a year.

Sandi; sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Hopefully this is not rude but how old were you when diagnosed? I ask because my OB told me at my last appt that they don't do pap smears every year anymore. If you have a normal pap, you then go on a three year cycle. I see her every year for the basic once over (pelvic exam etc..) but I was wondering if the three year rule changes once you hit a certain age.

I am 33 and have had two children. Hoping to have one more but we have been having TTTC and I guess I am getting a little anal about wanting to know everything is working okay (if you know what I mean) so I am curious as to what you have been told about annual paps.
Thanks!

 

[Robbi]

I don't go to the doctor unless I'm really sick. Naturally doctor's offices are full of sick people, why expose myself? I do understand that there are sick people everywhere but there's a better chance of catching something in a smaller enclosed space, like a waiting room where people are sneezing, coughing, and vomiting.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

Hopefully this is not rude but how old were you when diagnosed? I ask because my OB told me at my last appt that they don't do pap smears every year anymore. If you have a normal pap, you then go on a three year cycle. I see her every year for the basic once over (pelvic exam etc..) but I was wondering if the three year rule changes once you hit a certain age.

I am 33 and have had two children. Hoping to have one more but we have been having TTTC and I guess I am getting a little anal about wanting to know everything is working okay (if you know what I mean) so I am curious as to what you have been told about annual paps.
Thanks!

I was also told the same thing but opted to still have them every year and I am really glad because this year I had my very first abnormal pap smear. Thank God it was the lowest form of abnormal cells and there was no HPV but I will still have to have another one in 6 months. SO if you are given a choice between one and three years I would just suck it up and do it every year. Oh and I am 38.

 

[Acklander]

Dramatic much?? I'm guessing you find the money for the all important bills like cable and cell phones When DH and I got married 15 years ago we were both in college, working part time jobs. He was 22, I was 20 and the one thing he said was you NEVER go uninsured. He refused to even contemplate marriage until we had secured health insurance. We were both young and very healthy, no issues, non-smokers, non-drinkers. I didn't appreciate the importance of having insurance at that point but he said that was the only way we could get married. I was very glad I listened to him when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer at 24!

I do go to the Doctor yearly for a routine physical. Because of having cancer (melanoma) 10 years ago I like to keep on top of my health. I also see my dermatologist and gyno yearly.

Not everyone can get insurance. I have always been denied because of having had cancer - such is life for many millions. Yes, I have money for cell phones, cable, vacations and loads of other things. I still couldn't buy insurance though.
That being said, I go to the doctors for death bed kind of things. When you're paying 100% out of pocket you get choosy on what you will see a dr for.

 

[TB'sWidow]

Not everyone can get insurance. I have always been denied because of having had cancer - such is life for many millions. Yes, I have money for cell phones, cable, vacations and loads of other things. I still couldn't buy insurance though.
That being said, I go to the doctors for death bed kind of things. When you're paying 100% out of pocket you get choosy on what you will see a dr for.

Count me in those that can't get ins as well.

 

[Jedana]

Other than the yearly visit to get woman parts checked, I avoid doctors.

I take the kids yearly.

DH sees the doctor monthly.

 

[Bilberry]

I go to the dentist regularly, have my teeth cleaned and what ever other work needs to be done.

I haven't gone to see the doctors in awhile. There for awhile I was a chronic patient with a gut issue. There really wasn't anything they could do with me, even admitting so with a few of the doctors I saw. I recall being told if the condition really acted up go to the ER. I remember one night doing that, going to the emergency room. All they did was park me in front of the bathroom! There wasn't any medication to give I was told. That was a pricy rest stop. Another time visiting the doctors office in a great deal of pain, I was told I needed to take more imodium. Thanks for the tip, but not all that helpful.

For the regular family doctor, I haven't seen him in awhile too. Last time I visited we had a disagreement on how best to treat a heart condition. He was a basic physician with advice of take an aspirin, statin drug, fish oil and little more. I wanted to do more though, change my diet, test my thyroid, along with taking some other supplements like vitamin D3, K2, etc. He wasn't happy about this for some reason and wasn't helpful. I tried questioning him and the nurse about it, but never could get an answer. So I learned how to arrange some of the testing I was looking for on my own.

I'll undoubtably go back in the future to a family doctor. I've made a move to a new state of late, and have heard good news in that some of the family physicians my neighbors see are more receptive and helpful for what I'm looking for.

Direct Labs I think has a nice set of tests that can be arranged outside of the hospital.

http://www.directlabs.com/

I also will use home testing kits for testing vitamin D3, hormone testing, etc. One place the inexpensive kits are sold at is ~

https://shop.trackyourplaque.com/Product/7/salivary-hormonal-profile-ii-male-female.aspx

 

[Stitchfans]

death bed person here.

Another one here too. If it weren't for the fact that they make me go in every six months for my prescription refill I'd never step foot in there.

 

[minnie56]

Yep!
Annual physical incl Pap...yearly Mammo...I have kidney stones so see a Urologist 3x a year for those and Dermatologist once a year for a skin check up. She sees all the spots I can't!! I also have bi yearly MRI's as I have a Pineal Gland cyst in the brain. Wow-I sound a wreck!??!?!?

Dentist 2x a year.

Have to keep on top of things!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Dramatic much?? I'm guessing you find the money for the all important bills like cable and cell phones When DH and I got married 15 years ago we were both in college, working part time jobs. He was 22, I was 20 and the one thing he said was you NEVER go uninsured. He refused to even contemplate marriage until we had secured health insurance. We were both young and very healthy, no issues, non-smokers, non-drinkers. I didn't appreciate the importance of having insurance at that point but he said that was the only way we could get married. I was very glad I listened to him when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer at 24!

I do go to the Doctor yearly for a routine physical. Because of having cancer (melanoma) 10 years ago I like to keep on top of my health. I also see my dermatologist and gyno yearly.

Wow, how condescending of you to say that!

There are millions of people for whom, prior to enactment of the ACA, health insurance is simply not available, regardless of their ability to pay and tens of millions for whom the cost of insurance would far outstrip their ability to pay due to the fact that insurance companies can put them into risk pools of one, which is statistically biased (and far beyond the totality of their cable and phone expenses, as you suggested). The pool of previously uninsurable people includes my son, due to myriad preexisting conditions with which he was born. Fortunately, I am employed by a wonderful company that actually ADDED to their coverage and network when he was born, so that he could get the best care possible, and thanks to the ACA he'll be able to stay on my wife's and my insurance until he turns 26, after which he'll be able to buy from a high-risk pool and not be denied coverage for preexisting conditions, but without that, he is simply uninsurable at at price due to his genetic condition. My wife and I make in excess of a million dollars per year, so I am not exaggerating when I say that insurance would be unavailable at any price, and prior to the enactment of the ACA, despite our willingness and ability to pay for private insurance for him, he would have ended up on Medicaid when he aged out of our coverage, which ironically would cost the taxpayers far more money than if I, as his father, pay for his private insurance in the future.

This is why so many people, including most of the world, view access to affordable health care as a basic human right.

 

[codimouse]

Hopefully this is not rude but how old were you when diagnosed? I ask because my OB told me at my last appt that they don't do pap smears every year anymore. If you have a normal pap, you then go on a three year cycle. I see her every year for the basic once over (pelvic exam etc..) but I was wondering if the three year rule changes once you hit a certain age.

I am 33 and have had two children. Hoping to have one more but we have been having TTTC and I guess I am getting a little anal about wanting to know everything is working okay (if you know what I mean) so I am curious as to what you have been told about annual paps.
Thanks!

I was 39. I started having papa at 35 because of endometriosis.

Sandi; sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[codimouse]

I was 39. I started having papa at 35 because of endometriosis.

Sandi; sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Should state PAPS ^^
Silly phone.

Sandi; sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ols386]

I go to family doc twice a year for blood work. He/she requires it because I'm on cholesterol medication.

Once a year is actually the annual visit to take care of everything, including blood work again.

 

[nursebetty]

The problem comes when you are self employed or your company is too small to get any good deals or help pay your insurance. My brother had heart surgery, thyroid problems and his insurance was about $9,000/yr. Luckily my sister in law has benefits now. I just don't think people are always aware of how expensive insurance is, esp. if you have health problems.

 

[turkeymama]

I go at least once every 6 months due to required labwork. Otherwise, they won't renew my prescriptions for maintenance meds. I'm not sure if I would go so frequently if it weren't required though. I don't necessarily have an aversion to the doctor's office, but I do get paranoid about being around all the extra germs.

 

[BearcatsFan]

I was an only-when-I'm-sick kind of person until I got diabetes. Now I go 3 times per year for my diabetic check-ups (one of those is combined with yearly physical to save money). I also see the eye doctor yearly and the gyn yearly.

I saw two new doctors this year (orthopedist & podiatrist) after I rolled my ankle in September. I'm still seeing the podiatrist trying to get things straightened out.