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Do you go to the doctor for regular checkups? - Page 2

post #16 of 27
7/12/08 at 1:23pm
I've never even been for a check-up, let alone a regular one. And we get "free" health care here. I'm 21, last time I went to see a doctor was twice about two and a half years ago. Before then I hadn't been for about six years. I had an ingrown toenail for about five years and kept trying to fix it myself with a sharp penknife (which I'd managed on my other foot), eventually I gave up and saw my GP. It's not that I dislike seeing a doctor, but if there is something terribly wrong I really don't mind. Plus I know my biggest problem right now is my level of fitness and surplus fat, that's something I need to fix myself.
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post #17 of 27
7/12/08 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
Dentist - every 6 months religiously.

Oh, and I haven't seen a dentist in five years either.
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post #18 of 27
7/12/08 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
I find it interesting that some in this thread visit a dentist regularly but never go to a doctor. @JammieDodger: That's kind of my point. I also feel fine. I'm 7 years older than you are but I have the same mentality (which I've had for all of my life) that I'm perfectly healthy. I don't get sick often except for a very occasional cold. I don't even have any seasonal allergies which plague so many people. However, the fact is that sometimes there's something asymptomatic going on below the surface. Many people don't even know they have high blood pressure or very poor cholesterol until they go to the doctor for some other reason and need to get it checked. For example, my mother was having a simple cyst removed from the back of her hand. It's an office procedure done with just local anesthetic but the doctor ordered blood work beforehand. Otherwise, she wouldn't even have gone to the doc to get it done since she doesn't go for regular checkups unless she's sick. One of the ways to diagnose diabetes mellitus II, for example, is fasting (you don't eat for at least 8 hours) blood sugar of 126 or greater on two occasions. However, once you're between 100-125 you are at risk for developing it and if you know this you can take steps to try and prevent it. [edit] I just wanted to add that the last time I went to the doctor for anything was 3 years ago before starting school only because I needed to get a physical and vaccinations. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone because I wasn't sick. I am just as guilty of this as anyone else. [/edit]
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post #19 of 27
7/12/08 at 5:10pm
I started getting an annual physical when I was 45 (I'm nearing 48 now). I want my GP to understand my body when it's functioning well, so that I have an extra chance at early detection when something goes wrong.
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post #20 of 27
7/12/08 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
Dentist - every 6 months religiously.

Same here.
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post #21 of 27
7/12/08 at 8:03pm
Dentist every six months, annual physical every 12.
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post #22 of 27
7/12/08 at 8:42pm
Every year, doctor runs about 4 pages worth of bloodwork (everything from lipids to hormones to iron and PSA), and the usual physical stuff.

Dentist every 6 months. Dermatologist once a year for him to look over my skin.
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post #23 of 27
7/12/08 at 9:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
they have this fear-based mentality that I just don't subscribe to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
I have the same mentality (which I've had for all of my life) that I'm perfectly healthy.

I don't know, guys- when you hit your 40's you should go to a doctor and find out about colonoscopies and when to get one. Colon cancer is one of the more treatable cancers but the treatment is a hell of a lousy way to lose weight. (Tony Snow just died, I note.) Finding cancers early is by far the best, and ignoring the issue just isn't going to help you or your family.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
Once kids are in the house I may think otherwise, though.
Exactly. Having kids clears the mind. About this, anyway.
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post #24 of 27
7/12/08 at 9:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james_timothy View Post
I don't know, guys- when you hit your 40's.

If you read my original post, you'll see that I'm thinking that I've been kind of negligent in ignoring getting checked up.
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post #25 of 27
7/12/08 at 10:17pm
I find myself at the doctor's every year to get some sort shot, for all the traveling that I do. While I'm there, they do a check up.
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post #26 of 27
7/12/08 at 10:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
If you read my original post, you'll see that I'm thinking that I've been kind of negligent in ignoring getting checked up.
Yes. After all, you started the thread, which is a good one. Just- in your 40's it is probably time to learn what sodium phosphate tastes like.
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post #27 of 27
7/12/08 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james_timothy View Post
Just- in your 40's it is probably time to learn what sodium phosphate tastes like.

Technically, unless you have higher risk factors for colon cancer, screening isn't recommended until 50.
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