Do you go to the Doctor

[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/Pro...le-female.aspx

[Stitchfans]

Originally Posted by Strawberry's mom&dad

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]

Originally Posted by nchulka

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]

Originally Posted by Mariep26

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have to go monthly to get my medications. Doctor prefers it that way. I am there usually more since I have to also go if I have a sinus infection or UTI. Nothing is done over the phone.

I do a yearly and get a pap test and mammogram.

I have co-pays for everything and some tests that are required each year are not covered.

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

After reading this thread I am grateful that I am disabled because I am on ssi and that automatically put me on insurance.