Does anyone else ever just want to quit visiting doctors?

[Parched]

Hi folks,

My hubby has this theory that if you don't go to the doctor they can't find something wrong, So he just doesn't ever go.

Sometimes I wonder if I should just avoid them myself...

I went for a routine mammogram screening today and they inform me they can't do the test and that I need to call my doctor for a script for a diagnostic test and will need to go to a breast center to have this done..

The tech felt a lump in my armpit...

I have forgotten what it is like to go in for just a physical or a routine test and not leave with a new problem...

I just turned 46 and thought I had at least another ten years of good health ahead of me.  Guess not...

I guess I will hold off on scheduling foot surgery...  2012 is gonna be a repeat of 2011.

[Joe S.]

The question that I have is finding something better than telling you it is all in your head and not looking further?

Good luck with your health issue. I hope that it is not a complication.

[Sadie963]

I hear you Parched! I feel the exactly same way.

I just completed a few year end dr. appts and diagnostic tests. Now I have more diagnostic tests which will be followed by a few more dr. appts. to check out some questionable test results.

I know it is good that they are investigating these things and I'm also hoping everything turns out OK.

However sometimes I feel like saying "stick a fork in me...I'm done already"     Just not literally

[KellyG999]

Yes, yes and yes!! And besides my PCP/PA team, I DON'T see other docs. Specialist after specialist gave me false hope, ran up thousands in tests, found things they couldn't fit in their logic box and sent me on. I saw 7 specialists in 2011. No more, no thanks unless I absolutely have to!!

Don't listen to me though. I am sick and tired of the "new doctor" routine.

KellyG

[Madison Granny]

My husband sure does want me to quit visiting doctors.  He can't keep all their names straight as it is.  He says he can't learn anymore.  I hope to not get anymore doctors in 2012!!!  Here's hoping I can do just that.

[Corella]

My GP liaises with my Rheumy - he instructs my GP on what to do and I get phone calls from the Rheumy if I need them, I see a skin specialist for my mole checks and he monitors my Vitamin D levels, I see the dentist every 3 months.  Not sure what other kind of specialist I can see but I cant afford to take on any more.

I dont mind seeing them I guess, it gets questions answered and keeps on top of things but you know what I miss? I miss stuffing my fat face with chocolate and salty foods and not having to rush to the bathroom to scrub my teeth afterwards, I miss going outside and not checking my bag for at least 3 bottles of eye drops and a bottle of water and oral moisturising gell.

Sometimes I want to be naughty but being naughty for me is eating some toast and delaying tooth brushing for an hour or perhaps having a glass of wine and lemonade and not compensating with a litre of water.

The doctor side of it is easy, expensive but easy - its the stuff I have to do that bothers me.

It just gets so very expensive doesnt it?

[eyeamdry]

I think I see something along the line of "cognitive dissonance" here.  I am not exactly sure what it is, but we can look it up.  Something to do with denial perhaps.

Most of you said you are going to quit visiting doctors.  That leaves you wide open to have cancers of any kind and not know it. Heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clots etc.  I was dx with Sjogrens about 5 years ago.  If that wasn't bad enough as I had been sick for a long time, my GP found a lump in my breast during a routine exam.  It was cancerous and I had surgery and radiation.  Five years later, I am ok.  If I had not been there at that time, I might be eating dust now.

If that isn't bad enough, I lost two of my three siblings in 2009.  Brother and sister three months apart.  Brother had a fatal heart attack which I think might have been avoided if he'd been more vigilant.  But he was single and did what he wanted.  My sister died of colon cancer.  They did surgery on her but a year later she died. 

To my way of thinking, the only way to keep ahead of stuff if to see the drs.  As much as I don't like it and all the pills we take, I do want to stay alive and be here for my family.  I only have a husband and grown daughter, but I love them enough to want to stick around.
I think you mostly are sick of the drs, but don't leave yourself open to diseases, heart problems and other things.  Do you have kids, grandkids, husband?  What would happen to them?  Lucy

[Sylvia49]

I DO understand wanting to just quit seeing drs!  The bottom line seems to be, "It's all in your head!"  I have a very understanding PCP, but do not see another dr now due to no insurance.  And one dr I did see put me on a medication that has completely taken my appetite, even after being off of the med for over 3 months (good for losing weight, but it has to stop somewhere).

I'm tired of being experimented on!  No more new meds!  I'll stick with what I have, and live with what I have to.  However, if something does come up, I'll see my dr just to KNOW (hopefully) what's going on.  Then I can make decisions from there....

[Corella]

I think I see something along the line of "cognitive dissonance" here.  I am not exactly sure what it is, but we can look it up.  Something to do with denial perhaps.

Most of you said you are going to quit visiting doctors.  That leaves you wide open to have cancers of any kind and not know it. Heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clots etc.  I was dx with Sjogrens about 5 years ago.  If that wasn't bad enough as I had been sick for a long time, my GP found a lump in my breast during a routine exam.  It was cancerous and I had surgery and radiation.  Five years later, I am ok.  If I had not been there at that time, I might be eating dust now.

If that isn't bad enough, I lost two of my three siblings in 2009.  Brother and sister three months apart.  Brother had a fatal heart attack which I think might have been avoided if he'd been more vigilant.  But he was single and did what he wanted.  My sister died of colon cancer.  They did surgery on her but a year later she died. 

To my way of thinking, the only way to keep ahead of stuff if to see the drs.  As much as I don't like it and all the pills we take, I do want to stay alive and be here for my family.  I only have a husband and grown daughter, but I love them enough to want to stick around.
I think you mostly are sick of the drs, but don't leave yourself open to diseases, heart problems and other things.  Do you have kids, grandkids, husband?  What would happen to them?  Lucy

Excellent and thought provoking post.

[mshistory]

I want to but I won't  Between myself and my two daughters, I feel like I'm ALWAYS at some doctor's office. We already have three appointments for this upcoming week alone... it definitely gets tiring!

[Carolina]

Count me in.

Or is that out?  OUT of the doctors' offices, and testing labs, that is.

I keep thinking, "Ok, this is necessary because (fill in the blank) but then it will stop."  HA

Actually, I think it WILL stop since I don't think that there are any tests left or organs left to be concerned about.

On that score I do believe that there are no secrets left!

I was going to list all the discoveries from tests this year, but I've decided to focus on positives and the future

:-)

Hugs

Elaine

[DragonflyC]

I have to ring in to agree with Lucy (eyeamdry).

I know people who have gone to doctors and been surprised by frustrating or upsetting news. These people got treatment, and most of them got better (at least to some degree).

I also know people who did not see their doctors regularly and developed illnesses that progressed and progressed. By the time they saw their doctors it was too late. That is how my cousin died at the age of 42. She was a healthy, vibrant athlete and business owner---the very last person anyone would have thought would get sick, which is why she didn't bother with doctors.   

As frustrating and annoying as these appointments are, please, please don't just stop going.

[KellyG999]

I think maybe there is a misunderstanding here. I think the issue was the whole process of going from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis or other help. Being treated like a hypochondriac, etc.

I am off that train - but I am followed by my PCP and PA and they help me enough at this point. I am in there every other month or so. I saw too many specialists last year who ultimately did not help and some made me worse.

I did my annual GYN appt last week, even though I hate it!!! Need a mammogram this year, too...

I want to be around, just not spending most of it in dr. offices getting nowhere!!
KellyG

[Katybarstool]

Parched, my hubby is like yours. However, he gave in to my nagging when he had some red flag symptoms, and is now waiting from biopsy results from his colonoscopy. Some symptoms just can't be ignored.

Lucy, I'm with you too. We need our doctors to be vigilant. The problem is, we get fed up of them, and they get fed up of us. I've had 36 medical appointments in 2011 and will be adding a vascular consultant to the list from early January. I just thank God that we have knowledgeable people to help us with our crazy health problems.

Parched, good luck with the breast consultation.

Kathyx

 

[Parched]

@ eyeamdry. I'm sorry if my post upset you..  Cancer is tough I know..  I didn't mean to imply I would truly not continue going to the doctors.  I really was just referring to how tiring and discouraging it can be at times..  I have a wonderful husband, son, daughter, son-in-law and step grandson to keep on keeping on.. I, just like I am sure many others would like a break from medical issues being all to consuming of my life. 

Have a Happy and Cancer free New Year!!

Oh by the way I looked up the definition of cognitive dissonance, I would post it but I'm using my phone right now.