Health exam question

[Carolnnc]

I've hit 60+ and have found I don't want to go to the doctor regularly and honestly not to the dentist either. I come from healthy women and am (I think) very healthy and don't take any medications. I believe it was around the time I hit age 40 that I began to hear a yearly physical exam was recommended. Until then I only went to the doctor for sinus infections, pregnancy/births and then just took the kids to the doctor if they were sick or for immunizations.

My questions are: if you live in the US do you go for a yearly physical?
If you are older: did you quit going as often or quit until you needed to go in?
If you live in another country do you get the same message that we do that you must go in once a year?
(I have wondered if it's different in other countries and people just go when they are sick.)

I know there is cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes but do those things really get caught at a physical or when someone realizes they just don't feel well or feel something is wrong and heads off to the doctor's office.

[amartin24]

Re: Health exam question

Great questions! Personally, I don't go to the doctor for an annual visit and never have; only if I'm sick which is very rare. As I've gotten older, I've even put off my yearly gynecological exam a little longer than I usually do. I will probably take care of a few needed tests the beginning of the year. Some insurance companies dictate annual exams (penalize you if you don't). I just found out that my health insurance has gone up 25% for 2017 so probably even less doctor visits for my family! Thank you Obamacare - not!

[Iris Girl]

Re: Health exam question

Like you I don't go to the doctor or dentist regularly. I went for my baseline mammo at 40 and then every 2 years as my Dr. suggested. Also usually female checkup with pap. Hubbys Insurance has been sketchy over the years depending on his job so I wasn't able to go routinely. I am 55 plus now and go for a yearly female exam regularly as I have had some issues coming out of menopause. (hyperplasia) so they keep that in check. Had D&C last year and so far all is good. Go for my mammo yearly as recommended even though my DR says I have a snowflakes chance in **** of getting it we keep it safe. Kids went fpor all the immunizations and things they needed and go if they are extremely sick to this day only. Hubby does not go except for his DOT physical. It works for us. It may not be the answer for others. We go when we are very sick or something along that line thats enough.

[easyquilts]

Re: Health exam question

Good questions... I am so fortunate to have a wonderful female GP who sees me on a regular basis... She keeps a good eye on my labs, and I love her... I see her every few months... I also see a cardiologist teice a year... and since I have glaucoma, I see a specialist for that...

I'be put off certain tests... I know I need to do them... and probably eill... It's just hard to get places, since I had to stop driving...

[jjkaiser]

Re: Health exam question

I will not lie I hate going to the doctor and never did the annual physical. Go to doctor only when I am sick, okay that is pretty much never! I do get annual mammo. I feel the Dr spend more time typing and hardly any time looking at me, then thinks up all kinds of tests to order, which I am not interested in having. I haven't even had a colonoscopy yet and I am 12 years over due on that. I admit I have terrible habits. Take vitamins (sometimes, cause I forget). I smoke. I have 1-2 glasses of wine a day, don't get much exercise (45 min daily walk with the dog each day). My diet is bad, I love sugar and potato chips, only eat veggies about 3x a week, hardly ever eat fruit. I am about 20# overweight, and I am 62. I am not on any prescriptions.

My dh on the other hand always goes for annual physical, eats the food pyramid, takes vitamins, gets lots of exercise, drinks tons of water, doesn't smoke, tries to avoid sugar and fast food, and has had a colonoscopy. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemo.However he has a family history of cancer so I think that is a bigger indicator than regular health checkups.

[Caroline T.]

Re: Health exam question

During my childbearing age years, I went faithfully for my annual female exam, due to family medical history (and my own) I felt it was necessary. At 45 I had a full hysterectomy so I figured no more female exams YEAH!

But then my Dr. started talking about colons and other things, and I said, NO THANKS. 30 years worth of poking, & prodding & sticking things inside was enough for anyone. Now, I only go when I'm sick or injured, and have accepted that my refusal to have annual screenings may put me at risk, but at my age I figure, it's been a good life, and what lays beyond this life intrigues me.

[TMP]

Re: Health exam question

I am 61. I hate going to the doctor. I hate shots, blood work and all that. I don't go for an annual check up at my primary, but given that I have psoriatic arthritis and hate pain, I do go to the rheumatologist and dermatologist every couple months. I also believe strongly in the flu shot.

[Vonnie]

Re: Health exam question

My mother died at a very young age of uterine cancer. Before she was diagnosed, no one in our extended family had any major health problems. After my mothers diagnosis all our female relatives of a certain age had checkups. Two had breast cancer and another three had to have hysterectomy's. My mother's tragedy actually saved their lives because they caught it in the early stages. Scary. This was 50 years ago. One of those relatives just passed away, she was in her ninety's.

As much as I don't like to get poked and prodded, I get the checkups when recommended. If my mother had, she might still be alive. She was younger than the aunt who just passed away. Mom was only 36.

[auntiemern]

Re: Health exam question

Unfortunately, due to many health issues, I see several docs. Rheumatologist, (arthritis, lupus, fibro). Pulmanologist ( lung cancer, copd) Dermatologist (bulous lupus, skin issues). Then I have my primary, who treats me for everything else.
So to your question, I thoroughly believe in preventative, and early screening tests. I know to many loved ones that didn't get 'little' things checked out until it was to late. Because of my medical history the proper tests were done, and my cancer was found in its very early stage. Go get your routine testing done. You can't 'feel' diabetes, or high blood pressure. By the time you do feel something, it could be really bad.
Wasn't it Benjamin Franklin that said " an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure" Wise advice. Serious medical issues cost much more, than having annual tests and check ups.

[quiltingaway]

Re: Health exam question

My mother died at a very young age of uterine cancer. Before she was diagnosed, no one in our extended family had any major health problems. After my mothers diagnosis all our female relatives of a certain age had checkups. Two had breast cancer and another three had to have hysterectomy's. My mother's tragedy actually saved their lives because they caught it in the early stages. Scary. This was 50 years ago. One of those relatives just passed away, she was in her ninety's.

As much as I don't like to get poked and prodded, I get the checkups when recommended. If my mother had, she might still be alive. She was younger than the aunt who just passed away. Mom was only 36.

And this is why I go for a yearly check up. I know too many people recently that died way before their time and they all had a fear of doctors and hated going. I'm so thankful my Mom was a nurse and I feel totally comfortable in a medical environment. Even though it can be a pain to go and schedule appts. I'd rather be on the preventative side.

[Hulamoon]

Re: Health exam question

I don't go to annuals either. One of the reasons is my primary doc's meddling. My dh and I both see her. I went one time and she asked if he was still surfing and I said I'm sure he is, but we are separated. I talk to him awhile later and found she complains to him that I don't come in and it's hurting her quota or losing patients. Next time I go in I said I told you we were separated and you have no right to talk about me to him. She apologized, but that whole thing turned me off.

[CraftyJnet]

Re: Health exam question

I just postponed my obgyn appt. I'm a big person and the gowns are too small and the whole experience is unpleasant. I am curious if other countries mandate yearly testing, even after a "certain age."

[Carlie Wolf]

Re: Health exam question

As a general rule I've always only gone to the doctor on an as needed basis. I was pretty good about pap smears during my child bearing years. I'm almost 69 and I take no meds, aspirin type products rarely although I do take Melatonin as a sleep aid occasionally. When I came here 4 years ago I was under mega stress with elevated blood pressure so I was put on BP meds. That went ok the first two years and then I discovered, in order to get the meds, I suddenly had to have "the annual" every 6 months. If you don't go every 6 months then you don't get the meds and also you then are considered to no longer be the doctors patient and have to do the whole total first patient BS. Since my BP was now down because the stressors are gone I took myself off the BP and I only go to a doctor on an as needed basis again. There is a clinic at the hospital I can go to for emergencies so that's fine with me.

I never liked going to doctors and I certainly don't have the extra dollars laying around for appointments I don't really need. :-)

[Bubby]

Re: Health exam question

My philosophy is that I want this phase of my life (65+) to be as organic as possible. I have discussed this with my physician and he seems to trust my judgment and he supports me. I'm diabetic, but I control it by eating well and keeping active. I also have other autoimmune issues that I see the doctors for when necessary. I have an annual mammogram only because I have a history of benign breast lumps.

I eat right, get a LOT of exercise, drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, have never smoked and I don't like alcohol or coffee. I do get regular A1C tests for the diabetes and take care of my teeth.

[Navy Wife]

Re: Health exam question

I'm just the opposite of most of you. I go for a check up once a year. I got used to that while DH was in the Navy. I don't need the yearly female exam since I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago. I have had colonoscopies every 10 years. The last one was a few months ago. Dr. said I'll see you in 10 years. I laughed and told him I would be 89 by then, and I was not planning to waste time on a routine exam. I have mammograms every year. My mother and father both died earlier than necessary because they put off regular exams. I intend to live a long, long time! I have many quilts to make!