Annual check up

[FarmOR]

Just had my yearly visit to the doctor. Haven't seen him since over a year ago. I always feel like some kind of misfit alien. The questions they ask and comments made that don't apply to me. It's somewhat alarming to me what they consider normal?

"what is your preferred pharmacy?"

"I have no idea? I've never used a pharmacy. I don't intend to? The reason I'm here is that you help me avoid the pharmacy..."

Puzzled looks like you would give an extraterrestrial alien...

"you're BMI indicates that you have a weight problem." (bmi=26 ; body fat =17%) "I'd like to talk to you about diet and exercise. Do you exercise?"

"yes. Everyday. Without fail. Well, it's rare that I miss a day."

"like five days a week?" Puzzled looks

"no. That would be seven. Almost never miss a day..."

Puzzled look. "I'd like you to eat more fruit and vegetables and less meat."

"I eat fruits and vegetables everyday for every meal. I prefer fresh. I eat about four ounces of meat every day. A lot of fish, some pork or chicken. Rarely beef. Should I eat less than four ounces? That's not very much?"

Puzzled looks. Looks at data. Looks at me. "Well, here's a pamphlet about healthy eating habits..."

 

[Pearl]

You are no good to doctors unless you are sick!!

 

[havasu]

I once had a doctor tell me I should lose a few pounds. I just looked at him with a straight face and asked, "have you looked in a mirror recently?"
He apologized and said since the BMI rules changed, everyone is now considered overweight, and it was his duty to inform me.
BTW, he is no longer my doctor.

 

[backlash]

I have fired more than one doctor.
The look on their face was priceless when I said you are fired.
I currently don't have a PCP. The VA can't keep doctors and mine left.
He was the 3rd one I had seen.
I actually prefer to see PAs or NPs over a doctor.
I had an appointment in April for my yearly checkup but they canceled it because the doctor left.
Guess I should try to reschedule.

 

[kenv1950]

I don't answer questions unless its related to my problem . The questions like Do you feel safe at home and other dumb question not related to my problem , if they have a problem with that I leave , its none of their business . I have walked out on many Drs. . I haven't found a GP I liked in years. Their just trying to drum up more business . I use a PA for small stuff and use her for referrals only , I do research on specialist then call her for a referral . My PA has never asked me those dumb questions . She knows my type of people , She hunts and fish " shes a local farm girl" my kind of people .

 

[The Lazy L]

Doctor said my cholesterol was a bit high. I asked, “High by some national average or high for me.” Doctor said I had a good point and didn’t mention my cholesterol again. Doctor retired and following physicals nothing was said about by cholesterol levels. Guess the national average changed or?

 

[Amish Heart]

It did change. So did acceptable blood pressure and blood sugar. I've been wondering if it's pressure from the pharma companies. I always get the look when asked what meds I'm taking. (none).

 

[LadyLocust]

Just had my yearly visit to the doctor. Haven't seen him since over a year ago. I always feel like some kind of misfit alien. The questions they ask and comments made that don't apply to me. It's somewhat alarming to me what they consider normal?

"what is your preferred pharmacy?"

"I have no idea? I've never used a pharmacy. I don't intend to? The reason I'm here is that you help me avoid the pharmacy..."

Puzzled looks like you would give an extraterrestrial alien...

"you're BMI indicates that you have a weight problem." (bmi=26 ; body fat =17%) "I'd like to talk to you about diet and exercise. Do you exercise?"

"yes. Everyday. Without fail. Well, it's rare that I miss a day."

"like five days a week?" Puzzled looks

"no. That would be seven. Almost never miss a day..."

Puzzled look. "I'd like you to eat more fruit and vegetables and less meat."

"I eat fruits and vegetables everyday for every meal. I prefer fresh. I eat about four ounces of meat every day. A lot of fish, some pork or chicken. Rarely beef. Should I eat less than four ounces? That's not very much?"

Puzzled looks. Looks at data. Looks at me. "Well, here's a pamphlet about healthy eating habits..."

They only know how to prescribe drugs. They aren't health professionals. They are legal drug dealers - sorry, but it's my honest opinion.

Not sure of your habits, but might try not eating after sundown. Your metabolism naturally slows in order to settle down for the night.

 

[backlash]

It did change. So did acceptable blood pressure and blood sugar. I've been wondering if it's pressure from the pharma companies. I always get the look when asked what meds I'm taking. (none).

It's called suddenly sick.
The big pharma companies get doctors together at some exotic resort all expenses included and tell them how the acceptable number for some lab work is now lower and they need to prescribe the pharma's new wonder drug.
Look at how the cholesterol number went to a much lower level to be considered normal. You now are sick if your number is at the old number so you have to take this drug.
Follow the money. Profit is all that matters and to hell with everything else.

 

[ClemKadiddlehopper]

I avoid all that. I have never had an annual physical and don't intend to start. I'll take my chances and damn the torpedoes.

 

[Supervisor42]

You are no good to doctors unless you are sick!!

Au-contraire!
They will order all kinds of 'diagnostic tests' that do nothing but make them money if you let them.
Cardiovascular Dr said to me: "We need to do an ultrasound of the arteries going to your kidneys".
The AH replied: "You wanna see my kidneys work, just give me a 6-pack of beer!"
They did the ultrasound, and what did they find?
....Just hundreds of dollars of insurance money!
I no longer 'entertain' them.

 

[Supervisor42]

Au-contraire!
Cardiovascular...
....Hundreds of dollars of insurance money!
I no longer 'entertain' them.

Ok, I have to go on a mini-rant. Sorry.
We got pulled into them because the in-laws got hooked by them.
They would find that they magically had another appointment set up for another 'test' about every month.
My beef is about the needless panic they cause to make their scam work.
MIL walked around as a basketcase for a month after they told her she likely had Xxx cancer, but a followup test was needed.
A month later after they did the second 'test', they said: "no, you don't have that cancer, sorry".
If you looked real close, you could see they had hooked up a 'drainage-tube' to Medicare and the insurance.
Not done yet! They ultrasounded DW's carotid arteries and told her one was completely open and the other was 75% blocked... But they would have to do a 'followup test' weeks later.
She was devastated for weeks, to the point of doing a rough draft on her will.
After the second test they told her: "They are both just fine. Sorry".
(ok, that's just a little bit more than a 'mini-rant. Schedule me for another 'test' )

 

[Caribou]

After my last heart surgery they admitted me to the hospital. A gal came in with 3 pages of questions. The first question was, "Do you feel safe at home?" I told her that I wouldn't answer any questions that didn't directly relate to my heart condition. She did a quick scan of those pages and then asked me two questions. Which were valid so I answered.

 

[FarmOR]

I feel it's worthwhile as data gathering for the purpose of being proactive rather than reactive. However, it's increasingly difficult to apply useful information? It seems that you have to do your own research and ponder what was said to make sense of it.

"I'm just here for the numbers..." But I realize that there's always room for improvement? And I do regard myself as "humble. Coach-able"?

My ex girlfriend would be an asset if she were still here? She's a experienced lab technician. She gets the lab results to the doctor and often sees what is recommended from the numbers. Fantastic health consultant?

I think the BMI number is fine given my body fat and hip to waist ratio. Simply a matter that muscle weighs more than fat?

And I'm discounting the " borderline high" overall cholesterol concerns. Mainly due to the updated standard, but also the realization that testosterone requires cholesterol. I don't think enough emphasis is put on men maintaining their testosterone levels Naturally! For as long as possible. It is so vital to so many functions of men's health?

 

[haboob]

One of my pet peeves is today's doctors. I moved to a small town with a lot of older folks, and I am on my 3rd PCP, in 2 years! If it wasn't pure incompetence, it was an arrogant attitude. On guy asked me if I drank and I said yeah, a couple now and then. The next visit he had me listed as an addict on my forms. I got a little hot and got in his face....he apologized and got rid of the statement. I still fired him, too slow, too busy, just another pill pusher.....