Preventative medicine

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Cwalker935

Cwalker935

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Joined
May 18, 2014
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Richmond, Va
Due to much nagging from my everloving wife and the fact that I had forgotten just how unpleasant the experience was, I went to the Doctor today for a long overdue physical. I got prodded, poked and probed. I also got the flu shot lecture (never had one), the sun screen lecture and urged to get a shingles vacination. One of the pokes was for a tetanus booster which is probably good given my tendency to carve, chop, and chisel my left hand. Pending lab test results, I appear to be healthy as a horse (see I didn't need no stinking physical).

Given that I seem to be healthy, I am wondering how much value there is to being proactive. Do the majority of you get regular checkups or do you wait until you have an issue before going to see a Doctor?
 
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Go... Do It! When issues come up, you/we probably could have done some work earlier to manage it easier.

That having been said, pay an eye to unnecessary procedures.

I have spent too many hrs this 1/2 in Dr offices, but was trying to solve 20 yrs issues - Not an easy task now.

Take Care of yourself... If not for you, then for those who will have to carry our b..ts there next year!
 
I go every three months with a full series of blood work to monitor some existing condition. A strong word of advice. I don't know how old your are but if you are fifty or older do not pass go, do not collect $200, until you get yourself a colonoscopy. I am not kidding. Seriously it saved my and my wife's life. Just do it. The worst part is the prep. Google up Dave Barry's humorous piece on having one. orange soda out the nose funny. Once you stop laughing, make the call.
RdG
 
I see both sides of the fence. Healthcare workers are the worst...myself included!!
The only exception is when what started out as pneumonia was found to be cancer in my lung. I take personal care more seriously and try to help others see the benefits of regular check-ups.
 
COMPLETE Physical every year. Colonoscopy at age 45 and again at 55. I will have that again when the doctor says to. Eye exam every year and Glacoma test every 6 months.

I plan my exams in the winter as that is when I am the least busy.
Of course......I am married to a nurse and she TELLS me ..... and I just do it.
I know those three little words that make for a peacefull marriage.....
You're Right Dear!
 
My dad refused to go to a doctor unless he was experiencing an immediate, serious problem. He died at the same age I am today of colon cancer that had spread to his liver and kidneys before it presented serious enough symptoms to cause him to get it checked out. I learned a lesson from that experience.

I get a full physical every year. Had my first colonoscopy at the age of 43, and now have a close encounter with fiber optics every two years. I also see my ophthalmologist twice each year, the retina specialist once a year (to follow up on a detached retina), and I occasionally see a urologist about my psa score (which tends to be slightly elevated).

And yes, I get the flu shot every year, and I got both the pneumonia and shingles shot when my GP recommended them.

Bragging about being macho and never going to the doctor isn't very convincing if you are dead.
 
I back up all the good advice from the others with ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOU EAT. As we get older, our bodies can't take the abuse we gave it when younger. I don't eat a whole pizza by myself, try to buy organic foods, severely limit sugar and chemicals in my foods, and try real hard to stay active.
 
Swagopenturner said:
I back up all the good advice from the others with ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOU EAT. As we get older, our bodies can't take the abuse we gave it when younger. I don't eat a whole pizza by myself, try to buy organic foods, severely limit sugar and chemicals in my foods, and try real hard to stay active.
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Unfortunately i do the complete opposite of all of this. Im 35, and i eat horribly. Im not overweight, im skinny, but i eat horribly. After my divorce, i kinda lost most will to cook for myself, so i eat out a lot. I still cook, just not often. I eat a whole pizza at least once a week...Come on its PIZZA!!! I dont take in an ungodly amount of sugar, but when i eat out, of course the meals come with a soda. I really need to start eating better. For a while with my new job, i was very limited on my activity as well. My position has changed a little bit so im getting to be more active now, but still not how i used to be before my motorcycle accident when i did construction work as an electrician in the Texas heat. That will get you thin and in shape quick. Also lost a bit of my mobility due to the accident. Nothing major, just a little flexibility issues, and i start hurting pretty quickly. I have lots of plates and screws holding my pelvis and hip together. And unfortunately i dont have health insurance, so i havent been to the doctor in quite some time. Havent gotten any major check up since the accident in 2008. Im always scared im going to miss something not being able to go for checkups and get that terrible news when i finally do. I dont get sick often at all, i mean hardly ever. I seem pretty healthy, but whats on the surface can hide something much worse, so i always worry about that. I wish i could go more often and would recommend it to everyone. Im one of the young ones here, but i still know the value of staying on top of your health. Take care of yourselves guys!
 
My little brother hardly ever went to the doctor. He finally went in one day with a urinary problem. When asked about anything else, he mentioned maybe a little bleeding from his hemorrhoids, and maybe his stool was oddly looking flat. He had stage 4 colon cancer and died in less than a year at the age of 48. Yearly blood work is vital to making sure that you are maintaining good health. I am a very strong advocate for working at good health, not waiting for treatment of disease.
 
The purpose of my original post was to poke fun at myself and generate some discussion. For what its worth, I am quite health conscious. I watch what I eat, exercise and yes I did get a colonoscopy at 50 and got a ten year clearance at that time. I control my blood pressure and cholesterol as well. That having been said, a physical exam is unpleasant and I do tend to procrastinate in having them done and I do question the need for getting a flu shot when you are relatively young and healthy. I tend to think that good hygiene is more effective during the flu season. I would get a flu shot if I had health issues and will likely start getting them as I get a little older. My procrastination in getting periodic exams has nothing to do with being macho (its hard to be macho with a shih tzu on your lap) its simply the demeaning nature of stripping down in front of a virtual stranger. The probing is not much fun either.

I obviously struck a chord with some of you and apologize if I got you stirred up.
 
Cwalker935 said:
The purpose of my original post was to poke fun at myself and generate some discussion. For what its worth, I am quite health conscious. I watch what I eat, exercise and yes I did get a colonoscopy at 50 and got a ten year clearance at that time. I control my blood pressure and cholesterol as well. That having been said, a physical exam is unpleasant and I do tend to procrastinate in having them done and I do question the need for getting a flu shot when you are relatively young and healthy. I tend to think that good hygiene is more effective during the flu season. I would get a flu shot if I had health issues and will likely start getting them as I get a little older. My procrastination in getting periodic exams has nothing to do with being macho (its hard to be macho with a shih tzu on your lap) its simply the demeaning nature of stripping down in front of a virtual stranger. The probing is not much fun either.

I obviously struck a chord with some of you and apologize if I got you stirred up.
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No apology necessary.
 
low_48 said:
Cwalker935 said:
The purpose of my original post was to poke fun at myself and generate some discussion. For what its worth, I am quite health conscious. I watch what I eat, exercise and yes I did get a colonoscopy at 50 and got a ten year clearance at that time. I control my blood pressure and cholesterol as well. That having been said, a physical exam is unpleasant and I do tend to procrastinate in having them done and I do question the need for getting a flu shot when you are relatively young and healthy. I tend to think that good hygiene is more effective during the flu season. I would get a flu shot if I had health issues and will likely start getting them as I get a little older. My procrastination in getting periodic exams has nothing to do with being macho (its hard to be macho with a shih tzu on your lap) its simply the demeaning nature of stripping down in front of a virtual stranger. The probing is not much fun either.

I obviously struck a chord with some of you and apologize if I got you stirred up.
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No apology necessary.
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I agree...! an apology is totally out of context here, the issue you raised can take as many forms as one wants to however, there is no denying of how important is to do those check-ups, I have seen far too many young and healthy people die from something they never thought they would get, after all, all those things only happen to others, right...???

Sure, some tests are nasty and intrusive, to say the least however, I prefer to suffer for 1 hour and come home on my own will than, be home and taken away in agony and probably never return home...! But that is just me, off-course...!

My GP wants to see me every 30 days, more often than not, I have to go and see him before that time, if not on my own accord and because I'm not that well, will be because he call's me to discuss the results of some test done, that he needs to act upon immediately. You get used to it and is not too bad when, you can freely come home...!

Have I told you about all that wood/logs in the storage paddock and in the shed that, I want to open to see what I've got and make lots of pen blanks for everyone...???? that is important you know, I get various "Christmas presents" throughout the year, it doesn't get better than that...!:biggrin:

So sure, I always want to come home...!:smile:

Cheers
George
 
I go for blood work and a check up every 6 months. Once a year I hand my family doctor a new pen and he smiles then gloves up and gives me the digital prostate exam. Had 4 colonoscopies so far at age 61 and 1 prostate biopsy. My dad survived colon cancer but prostate issues and other complications took him. None of those medical visits kept me out of the shop for more than 24 hours. I hope this keeps me making pens and not laid up festering with something that could have been prevented or minimized.
 
I think my 60 year old sister could give you an answer for your question as she is laying in intensive care as I type this after suffering a heart attack today. The heart attack is the result of having diabetes that she had no idea she's had for years because she didn't want to go to the doctor. It's been at least 20 years since she had a physical. They also determined along with the heart attack and the diabetes that she has a severe case of sleep apnea which contributed to the heart attack....by the way, her son died at 32 from a sleep apnea induced heart attack.

So how important is it to go see the doc on a regular basis? I say your life depends on it. Now I'm going to send one more prayer for the recovery of my sis tonight!

mtgrizzly52
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mtgrizzly52 said:
I think my 60 year old sister could give you an answer for your question as she is laying in intensive care as I type this after suffering a heart attack today. The heart attack is the result of having diabetes that she had no idea she's had for years because she didn't want to go to the doctor. It's been at least 20 years since she had a physical. They also determined along with the heart attack and the diabetes that she has a severe case of sleep apnea which contributed to the heart attack....by the way, her son died at 32 from a sleep apnea induced heart attack.

So how important is it to go see the doc on a regular basis? I say your life depends on it. Now I'm going to send one more prayer for the recovery of my sis tonight!

mtgrizzly52
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My prayers are with your sister.
 
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