I didn't have insurance for years so physician visits were very rare. Even now, I do not think to schedule visits with my PCP unless something bad is happening. I called recently to get a TB test for work after minute clinic turned me away, and she's making me come in for an annual physical and I have to fast for 6 hours first (IT'S MY DAY OFF - LET ME EAT).
I'm curious what people actually do re: preventative health visits - what all is on your list and do you actually do everything you're supposed to?
My preventative health to-do list includes:
annual physical with blood work with PCP - apparently starting this now
annual pelvic exam/pap with gyn (I think @wandering said the recs have changed so I don't know why my doctor still wants to see me every year) - I've actually been good with this one thanks to clinics with sliding fees
annual full body skin check with derm - started last year
colonoscopy every 5 years - started last year
Also, do people do at-home monthly breast exams? I never know WTF I'm doing there and everything feels like it could be a lump if I stew on it long enough, lol.
Post by polarbearfans on Oct 1, 2014 8:19:06 GMT -5
I'm usually sick on the regular so I have not had a preventative care exam with my primary care.
I have started the annual exams with a derm, mainly because I required with the meds I am on, and I get my app as scheduled which is not annually anymore. My gyn requires an annual visit for birth control pills, but my primary care will do a few months for me if I fall behind scheduling. We are trying to conceive so no worries about pill refills
I have insurance and I still only go to the doctor when I am dying (or feel like it). I do my pap every couple years, whenever I get a notification from my ob-gyn that I am due for one.
As for the breast exams...I am not good at doing it monthly. However, in my nursing class, we felt a fake breast with a lump, and it feels extremely hard under the surface. My breasts have dense tissue here and there, but nothing like what the lump felt like. However, if you have something you're not sure about or are worried about, I would definitely have your doctor look at it. I went in once because I had a lump in my arm pit area, and found out it was a lymph node that was infected. Scared the crap out of me!
I'm usually sick on the regular so I have not had a preventative care exam with my primary care.
Apparently she doesn't work this way. I actually see specialists more frequently than my PCP but I have had a couple visits with my PCP this year for misc issues. I thought we were good but apparently I need a separate appointment every year for a physical with labs. So I'll be getting labs twice today (a set with my GI and one after six hours of fasting with my PCP)
I go to my gyn yearly for exams but paps are every 2 or 5 years (I can't remember). My husband and I also get physicals every 2 years. One year my husband had an abnormal EKG and needed to see a cardiologist for a stress test but it was normal so he's back to every two years. I'm a big fan of preventative medicine.
I go to my gynecologist once a year because if I don't she won't continue to prescribe BCP. And I get a flu shot at the drug store once a year. Other than that, I'll only go to the doctor when I'm on my deathbed.
I tried to get a family doctor a few years ago. He looked in my throat and ears, tested my knee reflexes and asked if I felt healthy. I said I did, and then he sent me home. I decided that visit was a huge waste of my PTO so I haven't gone back to the doctor for a well visit again.
I go to my PCP annually for a physical. Blood work was more frequent when I was a new patient, but I last had it done in 2013, and at my physical a couple weeks ago she said based on the trends and numbers, she doesn't feel it needs to be done again until 2017.
I used to have my PCP do a gyn exam too as part of the physical, and she prescribed my BCP's. I stopped having her do the gyn part this year only because we're TTC and either I get pg and start seeing an OB or I don't get pg and we start seeing an OB/Gyn about that. I admit that absent the gyn part, the physical felt like a de minimis exercise. At least I got my flu shot. I also like that there's SOMEBODY out there tracking when I'm due for all the non-annual immunizations. Hell if I'm going to remember when I'm next due for a tetanus shot.
I do dentist every 6 months and optometrist when I start running out of contacts (probably every 2 years). That's about it.
Are the regular colonoscopies because of your GI issues? Seems early to start those otherwise. DH has major family history of colon cancer and they didn't start his until her turned 40.
I see my PCP 2-3 times a year because of meds I'm on and having normally low blood pressure. My "normal" EKG is abnormal so I get one of those every year as well so they have a solid baseline of what my normal is.
I do monthly self breast exams--I have rather lumpy breasts and have a history of cysts--I can tell you that every lump would freak me out, but when my first cyst appeared, I could definitely tell the difference. I've been getting mammograms since I turned 30, but I starting getting cysts then and have an extensive family history of breast cancer--so not normal.
I should be having moles checked every year, but my derm retired and I do self check and haven't had any changes to the ones he had me watching, so I've been lax there.
I get a pap smear every year due to family history.
I get blood work a few times per year with my rheumatologist and he also does some other screenings, I'm not really sure what he's looking for, but I'm guessing it's because lupus can be connected to all kinds of dumb shit.
I see my gastroenterologist every six months too. He does some checks and we talk about poop and intestines and he renews some prescriptions.
That's about it.
I suppose I should take advantage on the free yearly physical and blood work offered by my insurance.
I should add that I do not feel confident in my ability to detect lumps because my PCP found what she thought was a lump and sent me in for an ultrasound maybe 1.5 years ago. it never felt all that different to me than other breast tissue.
I won't start doing colonoscopies until I'm 40, thank God. I had one after a health issue a few years back.
Part of my annual blood work is testing for diabetes since it runs in my family, and since I recently tested pre-diabetic, I now have to go in every six months.
I really need to start doing the skin checks with a derm since I'm fair skinned with freckles and moles. And spent lots of time tanning as a dumb teen.
I'm curious what people actually do re: preventative health visits - what all is on your list and do you actually do everything you're supposed to?
My preventative health to-do list includes:
annual physical with blood work with PCP - apparently starting this now
annual pelvic exam/pap with gyn (I think @wandering said the recs have changed so I don't know why my doctor still wants to see me every year) - I've actually been good with this one thanks to clinics with sliding fees
annual full body skin check with derm - started last year
colonoscopy every 5 years - started last year
Also, do people do at-home monthly breast exams? I never know WTF I'm doing there and everything feels like it could be a lump if I stew on it long enough, lol.
All of the above are on my list. For the gyn visit, the recs are a Pap every 3 years if you're HPV-negative, but they still recommend an annual pelvic exam. I skip skin checks now that I'm 10+ years out from my basal cell carcinoma, on the recommendation of my dermatologist.
I also get annual eye exams.
I'm really bad at doing self exams, but it's a good idea. It gives you the opportunity to figure out if that bumpiness is normal/stable or if it's something that's changing. I hear ya, though, I have lumpy boobs.
I won't start doing colonoscopies until I'm 40, thank God. I had one after a health issue a few years back.
Part of my annual blood work is testing for diabetes since it runs in my family, and since I recently tested pre-diabetic, I now have to go in every six months.
I really need to start doing the skin checks with a derm since I'm fair skinned with freckles and moles. And spent lots of time tanning as a dumb teen.
YES! Skin checks are so important. I have two biopsies come back atypical and both required deeper removal. Now I go twice a year.
I get an annual with my OB/GYN, see the dentist every 6 months, and go to the optometrist yearly. (Dental and vision visits are free with our insurance as are a 1-year supply of contacts. I think the annual is too.)
I don't have a PCP. Aside from when a herniated disc put me in the ER and they referred me to an orthopedist, I have been to the doctor for being sick exactly 2 times in the last 10 years, and they were both in the last few months, and I went to the minute clinic. (1 strep test, 1 sinus infection.) For now, when my OB has done bloodwork everything has been within normal ranges and I don't have high BP or any concerning family history. I'm cool with the physical at the OBs for now. (They do a pap and listen to your lungs and take your blood pressure. I'm not sure what else a family doctor would do?)
Oh, and it is important to do breast self-exams, even so you know there's a baseline.
My SIL was diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer this spring, and it was a lump that became so large between annual exams that she could see it under her skin. (She should have called sooner, but that's beside the point.) She is only 40 and had exactly 0 family history of breast cancer. When I was talking to my midwife about it a few weeks ago, she said to always call if you find something suspicious and they'll get you in that day or the next for a quick check to see if it's concerning.
I see my PCP yearly for a physical. They are the ones who prescribe my Lexapro and inhaler. Blood work is done through work. Gyn yearly for exam and testing. Eye dr yearly. Dentist twice a year. Sort of, I really hate going. I don't do monthly breast exams like I should. I'll add a derm visit to my list of things to do.
I once tried to schedule a "general physical" with my doctors office. The person I spoke with to make the appointment was confused. She kept asking if I meant a pap, and I was pretty sure I didn't need one (I think I'm old enough with normal enough past paps I'm an every three or every five year state for paps). But that I wanted a general bloodwork done, etc.
She couldn't figure out how to code it in the system. She eventually put something in, but PCM was baffled by it when it came to the actual appointment.
I _probably_ should have bloodwork done yearly. I _probably_ should have derm checks done periodically (never had it done, but I plan on scheduling one when we get back to the US - I have a few spots that are concerning me... and family history indicates it's a risk). No mammograms yet, but family history might indicate I should start earlier than the recommended age.
But, yeah. Tricare doesn't seem terribly interested in preventative care, as far as I can tell. Seems dumb to me, but I guess they bet on most of their patients being young and relatively healthy...
I have hypertension and am hypothyroid, so I actually do have to see my PCP periodically.
I moved officially last summer and my PCP there gave me a year's worth of prescriptions for my BP and thyroid so I was good until this fall when I had to find a new doctor. I guess I'm ok with the new doctor, he refilled my meds and gave me a 6 month supply and I don't have to go back until then - so I guess that that's reasonable since I am a new patient. I'm hoping that once he realizes that things are stable that he gives me a year, but I suspect that he's going to want blood work again. Not enamored with that idea as my illness pretty much shot all my veins so I have now become a difficult draw. I still need to get a mammogram, been dragging my feet on that because I need to find a new facility.
I had a colonoscopy at 50, don't need another one for another 5 years. I was told every 10 years.
I guess since I've hit menopause that yearly gyn exams are not necessary, every 2 years is the schedule and I've got until next summer to find a new gyn. I may look earlier as I also take HRT and will run out of meds in a few months. I'm still having hot flashes from hell if I try going off of them, so hormones are going to stick around for awhile. I feel better on them.
Do need to find a local dermatologist. I've not been checked over for a couple years. I also have very mild psoriasis that I need meds to keep in check, just topical agents are sufficient to keep it controlled.
Got my eyes checked a few months ago. Less than impressed with the optometrist and office I chose so will be on the hunt next year. In the meantime, I do have a new contact lens and glasses prescription so am good for awhile there.
I've been going to my SO's dentist and am now an established patient with them. I go every 6 months like clockwork.
The summer before I got sick, I was all caught up at work on all my vaccinations. They even vaccinated me against chicken pox, because there was no record of me having it (I did as a child). I just consider that I got my shingles vaccine a little early. My SO's employer provides free flu immunizations to all employees and family and we are scheduled in a few weeks for that. I had to be TB tested for my last job every 6 months and I was also TB tested when I was in rehab after my first surgery.
Post by orangeblossom on Oct 1, 2014 10:59:06 GMT -5
I am always at the doctors for one reason of another, so I feel like I'm monitored pretty closely, and my do for is good abor doing an overall check when you're there.
That said , I did get a physical this year. It's covered under my insurance, so I did it.
I go for my yearly OBGYN exam every year.
I also go to the eye doctor every 1-2 years. My insurance will pay for a visit and glasses every two years.
I get my teeth cleaned twice a year.
I'm not great about monthly breasts exams.
If you're unsure what to do, is look at your insurance. They should have a list of preventative visits that get cover and I from there.
Post by dragonfly08 on Oct 1, 2014 11:06:24 GMT -5
I use my annual exam with my GYN as my physical, because she's pretty thorough, and her office will draw blood for a full panel on request and my insurance covers it. If there's anything she can't do for me, she'll suggest I call my PCP for an appointment. Then she sends me home with the radiology order for my annual mammogram. Other than that, I visit my dentist every six months for a cleaning and see my endocrinologist once a year to check on my thyroid/get a new prescription, and that covers all of my current medical needs.
Post by sarapocalypse on Oct 1, 2014 12:43:05 GMT -5
Just got done getting my annual physical. I try to go yearly (though I also see my PCP once or twice in between for asthma monitoring). I also see my GYN annually. My new PCP could do all of that for me so I may switch eventually to having her do it all.
Eye doctor should be once a year but since I quit wearing my contacts, it's usually every other year for me. Dentist usually ends up being yearly but I found a place I actually like so hopefully that'll help me be better about going every 6 months.
Annual physical with bloodwork with PCP - Pap and Pelvic along with skin check is also done by my PCP - so 3 visits combined into one. Dental -every 6 months for check & cleaning Vision - 3 visits each year (I have glaucoma) includes: general eye & vision check, field vision test, retinal scans & pressure checks Colonoscopy every 5 years Mammogram - every 3 years
United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) (sorry, can't link for some reason) has up to date information on what preventative care needs to be done in each age group, based on validated medical studies. These are the things your provider should be doing based on research. "Preventative care" is billed (read: reimbursed) differently than other care. (Didn't we used to have a medical coder on this board? Maybe they can weigh in.) FWIW, I think preventative care is really important and I'm glad the government is starting to recognize/ promote it. Based on my medical profile, I do a preventative visit about every three years.
Post by awkwardpenguin on Oct 1, 2014 14:12:09 GMT -5
My PCP manages a few of my chronic health conditions, but she still wants to see me annually for a combined physical/well woman visit. I also have an annual skin check due to a family history of melanoma. I do an annual eye exam, and am on a 4x a year schedule with the dentist due to some issues.
tacom So this has nothing to do with health visits, but figured you check back in this thread. What book did you use for language disorders and did you like it? Undergrad and/or grad school. I really dislike the one we use at my school and am looking for other options.