are we the only family who never visits doctors?

[s.z.ichigo]

I had to go to the OB/Gyn last month to see if I was able to conceive. He seemed rather shocked that I hadn't been there in 4 years (and hadn't been in about 4 years prior to that, either). apparently they want women to go every year for an (expensive) checkup. I may be mistaken but isn't that only for middle aged women and up? I'm only 29 and it never occurred to me that it was even expected.....

Anyway, I'm not trying to start a debate here. I just wondered if we are really so unusual. We're just not a doctor-visiting family. We have no insurance, but even if we did I don't think we'd ever go. The last time my husband saw a doctor was when he was hospitalized with pneumonia 9 years ago. My daughter hasn't seen a doctor since she was a month old, and that was nothing more than a pin prick in her heel for blood...though she did go to a dentist a couple times.

Myself, I have only been to a doctor to treat a case of Lyme's and for a bad ear infection. I've had another infection since, but treated it myself with antibiotics, faster and for about $600 less. And the dog hasn't seen a vet since we got her two years ago, lol.

 

I know we're lucky to be naturally pretty healthy, and obviously we'd see a doctor if there was an emergency or an illness we couldn't treat ourselves (and I did get pre-natal care while pregnant)...but I can't imagine going to a doctor just for the heck of it, or taking a healthy kid there every however-many-months for a look-over. We chose not to vax, so there was just no reason, in our opinion. (don't shoot me if you're pro-vax, I know it's controversial)

 

Are we the only ones like this? Chime in, please, if you also don't see doctors as often as you're apparently supposed to. :lurk5:

[Rosie_0801]

I only see doctors for the kids' 6 week check ups and if we have a problem. Dh goes every few months to get his epilepsy scripts, but that's about it. You've reminded me that I ought to go get a pap smear done, but apart from things like that, why would I pay a doctor to tell me I'm fine?

 

Rosie

[Peek a Boo]

nope, you're not the only ones. :-)

 

but i do realize there are people who are astounded that we aren't interested in having a certified professional examine our family to head off any possible horribles. ;)

[mommy&herboys]

I haven't seen my OBGYN in last four years. My YDS is four years old, and his birth was the last time I saw her. The same with my DH. I only take my kids for immunization. ODS hasn't been to doctor in two years because he is done with his shots for now. They are generally very healthy and will only get sick from occasional cold or cough. ODS went to see dentist after he turned 5.

[asta]

I'm sure you're not the only ones (OP), but "wellness" check-ups aren't simply "paying someone to pat you on the head".

 

My sister, who isn't a big "doctor goer" went in for her wellness check up (she has seasonal allergies) and her doc, an older "go by intuition" style guy, said "you know? your breathing sounds different, let's do a chest x-ray." The x-ray came back, he stared at it for a long while and then said "you know, I've just got a feeling that that "ghost mark" isn't a machine issue - I want you to see my friend Bob, the pulmonologist."

 

My sister had a grapefruit sized non-hodgkins lymphoma tumor in the middle of her chest and two smaller ones in her lung. Non-hodgkins has a lousy survival rate. That was 8 years ago, and she is still here (cancer free).

 

I'm all for wellness checks. I will rearrange other parts of my budget to insure them and dental care. One bad tooth can cause an infection that will wipe out a person's heart. I'm not willing to chance it.

 

But then again, I have a very allopathic mindset.

 

JMO

 

 

a

[nd293]

Pap smears should be regular once you are "active". Recommendations vary from every year to every three years, depending on who you ask. I've gone annually for years and years, but someone told me that the recommendations where we currently are is every three years. I see pap smears as necessary. The same goes for prostate checks after a certain age. Here in Australia they also encourage bowel cancer screening (free and at home) after a certain age.

 

Apart from that (and so far only the pap smear applies to anyone in our family), we seldom see the doctor. Both children saw a paediatrician for a 6 week check-up. I probably would have skipped it with my second child except that we had problems (jaundice, breathing issues) after a difficult emergency birth. No regular checks thereafter.

 

I am not sure about general wellness checks. Asta makes a good point, but honestly, I am sceptical that the typical busy doctor who only sees you once a year will pick up many things. This has been coloured by my recent experiences: I have had some pain on my left side, and after a lot of expensive tests to rule out the obvious, the doctor just kind of shrugged. "Nope, there's no general test to rule out "cancer". Nope, no ideas on what might be wrong, but sure, we can keep running tests forever if you want." Not helpful! AND I still have the pain :-(

[Peela]

I use doctors when I need them- a blood test usually- and usually to check my iron levels. Ocasionally I go to ask for an opinion about a minor skin infection in a kid, something like that. I definitely dont give up my authority to doctors though. My kids had one baby check up each. I have NEVER been to an Ob/Gyn.

Dh and I however are both trained naturopaths. We use things like echinacea and garlic instead of antibiotics. The kids have rarely been sick though.

Our society has a ridiculous tendency to give up their power to doctors. If people would take more responsiblity for their own health, and took doctors off their pedestals, and focused more on staying healthy than taking a pill when they get sick...we would all be healthier. We are not taught to trust our own intuition and be sensitive to the changes in our own bodies. An intuitive doctor is a great thing, but I just got annoyed at mine for sending me off for radiation poisoning (a mammogram0 because she thought she felt a lump, which I couldnt feel for the life of me, and neither could dh. It wasnt there, but the stress and self doubt could have killed me!

I really dislike the god-like status our society gives to doctors.

Edited January 29, 2010 by Peela

[always cookin']

However, I went this past fall 3 years after my last dd was born. The OBGYN found a thyroid nodule which turned out to be thyroid cancer. I am currently going through treatment. It is very curable, and I am thankful for that. I am also glad that I went and I am getting it taken care of. I also visited the dermatologist this past summer and had some (malignant) moles removed. I know you were not looking for advice, but mine would be to go every couple of years, at least. We had always been very healthy as well. I take no medications and had NO previous medical issues. A little voice was nagging me to go, and I am glad I did.

[gemrae]

We are not regular doctor-goers either. We go when we need to - not on a schedule. The last time I went to urgent care for bronchitis. I don't have any insurance and I DID pay for my visit ($300). I have also had a blood test in the past several years - paid out of pocket. I don't do regular pap smears or mammograms. Lots of people are of the opinion that I'm crazy but it makes sense to me and our family.

 

My daughter went a couple of times when a toddler, now I just call her doctor if I have a question or need her advice.

[WishboneDawn]

I go a couple of times a year but that's mostly because I take meds that require a visit before I can get a new prescription. I used to be someone who would never visit unless there was a problem but have since discoved it's a really good thing to have some sort of consistent relationship with a family doctor.

 

I'm also in a different situation though because I'm up in Canada so there's no charge for the visits.

[Lolly]

Not regularly. I went a couple of years ago because I was feeling a "different feeling" in my abdomen. (Turned out to be scar tissue from a csect.) I hadn't been in about 10 years since the birth of ds.

 

The kids I only take when they aren't well. Then, I tend to take them to a walk in clinic or specialist (we don't need a referral). Why pay a full workup when you can have what you need done a la carte? One dd15 hasn't seen a doctor since she was 5. Oops. She did go to an orthopedist to check on her knee. Other dd15 has seen a dermatologist and an orthopedist (scoliosis-easy to check for yourself). Dd 17 has seen the pediatrician, gastroenterologist, orthopedists (wrist issues), and allergist/asthma many times. She has always gotten bronchitis or pneumonia yearly. Now, we just see her asthma specialist. Ds11 has had some gastric issues that had us visiting the ped. and specialists until a couple of years ago. None of them helped us at all. The last visit to the ped. made me resolve to NEVER go back there again. We will use the walk in clinic, specialist, or ER if necessary.

[gingersmom]

When I was on my own (late teens, 20's) I rarely went to the doctor. As someone else has written, I really appreciate having a relationship with my doctor and with my children's doctor. I have had 3 surgeries and it really makes a difference when your doctor knows you and you don't just show up before being rushed to the hospital.

 

My children's father died of heart disease/diabetes at 40 so it is important to me that they are followed closely and have their cholesterol checked and other things checked to make sure there are no early warning signs. If there father had gone to a doctor (he had not in over 10 years) there is a 99% chance he would still be alive today.

 

I went to the doctor when I had no insurance for me and my children and continue to go now with insurance (and incredibly high co-pays).

[lionfamily1999]

We don't. I've always wondered if it was because we were healthy and didn't need to or if other people WOULD go to the doctor's for the things that bothered us. IOW, are the regular doctor goers completely pain/stiffness free and never have colds or sinus problems that go without treatment?

 

Dh and I both see the doctor's office as a place to go when something is really wrong... and a place to avoid if it's alright.

[littlebug42]

My husband and I do not go to the doctor regularly. The only doctor I see on an even semi-regular basis is my OB/GYN but he has been my doc for 15 years, delivered my babies and saw me through two miscarriages. I trust him implicitly. Most other doctors not so much.

 

My kids do go for their well child checks every year. My older daughter rarely goes otherwise because she is just never ill. My younger daughter though was born with a clubfoot, a cyst on her kidney and she has asthma all of which have made it necessary for me to deal with doctors on her behalf. I do agree with what was mentioned previously though that too often, doctors are given absolute power and too much "power" because some people tend to have them on a pedestal. I do not and we now take our daughter to an orthopedist for her clubfoot 6 hours away because no one closer has lived up to what I expect from a doctor. I refuse to take them to the Children's Hospital in our city because of multiple poor experiences so we drive an hour away for all her other specialty care. I definitely will not accept mediocre care and will make whatever sacrifices necessary to make sure she has the best we can give her.

[Guest Virginia Dawn]

We don't either. I take the kids for their yearly exam and shots till they are 5, then they only go if there is a medical problem. Some of them haven't been in years. We do have insurance.

 

The only time dh has been in the last 11 years was for a cyst removal. I go to the Obgyn about every 3 years, unless necessary, and I see a regular doctor only if I have a medical problem that I don't know how to deal with.

 

I was raised this way. My dad is 65 and not on any medications. He rarely sees a doctor. In fact, an ENT *doctor* I was seeing for an ear infection advised me to stay as far away from all doctors as I could. :-)

 

My policy is: if it is not an emergency, wait for three days and try home remedies before calling a doctor. Many things start to improve by that time.

 

On the other hand, we have always been a pretty healthy bunch.

[muffinmom]

One thing I like about seeing a doctor regularly, particularly for children, is that they get a sense of your child--personality, types of illnesses they fall prey to, etc. There then is a history for the doctor that gives him a context for your child. That can often help in the diagnostic process.

 

I think that establishing a medical history with a doctor is a good thing. Sometimes a symptom down the road will coorelate with something that happened earlier (maybe something that was unremarkable at the time), resulting in a more accurate diagnosis. Even though we think we know ourselves well, we often miss or overlook something that is significant to a doctor.

[nova147]

I'm always pregnant, so . . .:D.

 

But a vote here for pap smears every 1 to 3 years. Cervical cancer rarely has symptoms and is more common in younger women than other cancers. IMO, it's worth the visit.

[Nakia]

We vaccinate, so my girls went pretty regularly when they were younger for check-ups. Now that the vaccines are done for a while, I hardly ever take them in. Actually, Emma had never had a sick visit until this past November when she got strep throat. Anna hasn't been to the doctor in probably 4 years. Cora hasn't been since her last vaccine, which was two years ago, I think. I don't understand people who take their kids to the doc for every cold or stomach bug they get. I feel very confident about treating that stuff at home. And docs can't do a thing about viruses anyway.

 

My husband never goes. He doesn't even have a doctor. I go once a year, faithfully, to my gyn. I will not miss that appointment, ever.

[2squared]

I'm sure you're not the only ones (OP), but "wellness" check-ups aren't simply "paying someone to pat you on the head".

 

I'm all for wellness checks. I will rearrange other parts of my budget to insure them and dental care. One bad tooth can cause an infection that will wipe out a person's heart. I'm not willing to chance it.

 

 

 

:iagree: We rarely go see a doctor, pretty much only for wellness checks. I can treat most issues at home with my mothering/life knowledge. However, I know I am unlikely to detect subtle signs of a more serious illnesses, particularly internal issues or issues which gradually develop over time. I can't detect cavities, either. Well, maybe once the tooth causes serious pain, but I would rather catch it before it become a costly and painful issue.

[~blessedmom~]

I use doctors when I need them- a blood test usually- and usually to check my iron levels. Ocasionally I go to ask for an opinion about a minor skin infection in a kid, something like that. I definitely dont give up my authority to doctors though. My kids had one baby check up each. I have NEVER been to an Ob/Gyn.

Dh and I however are both trained naturopaths. We use things like echinacea and garlic instead of antibiotics. The kids have rarely been sick though.

Our society has a ridiculous tendency to give up their power to doctors. If people would take more responsiblity for their own health, and took doctors off their pedestals, and focused more on staying healthy than taking a pill when they get sick...we would all be healthier. We are not taught to trust our own intuition and be sensitive to the changes in our own bodies. An intuitive doctor is a great thing, but I just got annoyed at mine for sending me off for radiation poisoning (a mammogram0 because she thought she felt a lump, which I couldnt feel for the life of me, and neither could dh. It wasnt there, but the stress and self doubt could have killed me!

I really dislike the god-like status our society gives to doctors.

 

This is the same train of thought I had when I was considering homeschooling, and the rest of my family said I was crazy! :lol:

 

We also don't go unless it's necessary, not even for "wellness" visits or vaccinations even. We have plenty insurance through hubby's work....we just don't use it!:D

[Heather in OK]

Here too.

 

I am guilty of needing an annual exam though. You would think as a midwife I would be on top of getting that done. :blush: But even in that situation, my midwifery partner can do that for me so I don't need to go see a medical doctor (unless it comes back abnormal).

 

My kids went to the doctor last about two years ago. And we only went then because I switched them to another doctor and wanted to establish them as patients. We haven't been back because #1 they haven't been in a situation to need a doctor and #2 I'm not happy with what I've been hearing about that practice (we don't vax and they are becoming less supportive of that choice). So if we needed to take them in for something minor I would probably take them to my PCP and be self-pay. He is much more supportive of the natural approach to health.

[Verity]

I haven't seen my OBGYN in last four years. My YDS is four years old, and his birth was the last time I saw her. The same with my DH. I only take my kids for immunization.

 

Ditto. Haven't seen the OB since my 4 year old was born. I'm in my late 30's so I should probably get a pap smear done in the near future. Like you I don't have good insurance but even when I did have better we don't go often. My kids haven't been to the dr since I brought them home - noone has been sick (like they were when in ps) and they don't need extra shots. I delayed vacs for my older sons but caught alot of flack from my pediatrician and had limited choices. I did vaccinate my younger son but also on a delayed schedule catching him up by the time he was 3. The last time I saw a medical profession was for an infection and I went to a walk-in clinic. I prefer to treat myself as much as possible.

 

We did take our middle son to the dr more regularly when he was younger and had recurring asthma issues. As he has gotten older he is doing better. I dislike having to defend my lifestyle choices (that I just don't think are that radical) and the only non-traditional dr's around are out of our price range.

Edited January 29, 2010 by Verity

[Amy loves Bud]

The concept of screening is to cut the incidence of the disease screened for to a low level. This is what has happened in the United States since the introduction of the Pap test. In 1941, there were 26000 deaths per year due to cervical cancer. It was noted that the rate had not changed in 25 years. Then in 1941, Papanicolau and Traut introduced the Pap smear. In 1996 there were 4900 deaths from cervical cancer(most of them in women who had never had a Pap smear). If there were no change in the rate one would expect 52000 since the population had doubled. Hence there was a 90% reduction in the death rate due to cervical cancer. This is what the Papanicolau smear was designed to do and it has done its job.

 

From this article.

 

I'm not a big doctor goer either. We don't do general well visits, but there are certain screenings I'm consistent about. The pap smear is at the top of my list. I think it's worthwhile to look at the recommendations and see which ones make sense to you. Some probably will and some won't. But it's good to arm yourself with the information before you write off the tests.

[Amy loves Bud]

Sorry, I meant for this to go under the OP. :001_smile:

[LibraryLover]

Probably not the only ones.

 

Our family does have health care providers we trust and consult as needed. All of the children, plus dh and I, see our HCPs yearly for checkups. We all get our teeth professionally cleaned twice a year, as well.

 

We are natural-type folks, had homebirths etc. Don't tell anyone, but we even homeschool. Shhhhhh....

Edited January 29, 2010 by LibraryLover

[Rhonda in TX]

I haven't done it since they were probably 5 or 6 years old. We rarely get sick, so we are rarely at the doctor. I think they've been to the doctor about 3-4 times in the last 5 years. Maybe fewer times than that. I'm even considering taking them to my GP rather than the pediatrician next time they get sick. I've never found a ped. I like and I LOVE my GP. He's awesome.

 

I do need to be better about yearly check-ups for myself. I'm 43 and really know it's needed.

[SilverMoon]

.

Edited September 8, 2023 by SilverMoon

[RegGuheert]

...because that's usually what's going around in the waiting rooms! :ack2:

[Garga]

I take the kids yearly for vaccinations and wellness exams. Unless they have a really weird illness that probably needs an antibiotic to treat. Maybe once every 1-2 years or so.

 

I go every 1-3 years for a pap at the midwife's office.

 

I had an interesting conversation with the receptionist last time I was sick (about a year ago). Here's how it went (on the phone)

 

Me: Hi, my name is --- and I have a fever and sore throat, so was hoping I could get an appointment today.

 

Receptionist, after looking in the computer: Deep Sigh. Ma'am, what other doctor have you been seeing for the past few years?

 

Me: What? I haven't been seeing anyone else.

 

Recep: It's been years and you haven't been going somewhere else?

 

Me: No. I just don't get sick very often.

 

She let me have the appointment, but I felt like maybe she thought I was being sneaky or dishonest.

 

Now, my DH needs to go! He suffers from continuous headaches, sleep apnea (I finally bullied him into getting that treated), pretty intense back and neck pain, bad knees, oh the list goes on and on. And dh goes to a doc every now and then, but won't explain all the symptoms in full so the doc only treats each symptom one at a time and doesn't know dh's full range of problems. But that's for another thread, I guess.

[grace'smom]

Our insurance pays for us all to have a well check and blood work annually, as well as biannual teeth cleanings, so we take them up on the offer. No need to let it go to waste.

 

We have shopped around for doctor's we trust though.

 

I did take my daughter in recently to the pediatrician for advice on night wakings. I did not have much hope but I trust her and thought it was worth a shot. She told us to give our daughter melatonin and it worked! She sleeps so well now and I'm so glad we went. However- our daughter has issues that pointed to a deficiency so it's not for everyone. But in that instance I was so glad that we had found a doctor that will actually listen to you and spend time with you to try to figure out the problem. It's a rare doctor who will do that...

[Dawn in OH]

We don't usually go to the doctor unless we think something is wrong or are sick. I do however go every year for a PAP and exam.

 

We do get a yearly free eye exam with our insurance so we use that. And we visit the dentist.

 

I have shopped around very carefully for doctors I am comfortable with.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Dawn in OH

[Stacy in NJ]

annual well visits, but since my boys require vaccs infrequently now that they're older, we only go every other. Works for all of us.

 

Our summer camp and some sports programs require updated health statements for participation - another reason to go.

 

DH and I go every other as well.

[Lovedtodeath]

I used to go. I stopped after DD was born. Doctors are very expensive and ineffective. The only time one did me much good was when I brought research with me and he followed my directions. Natural Doctors have found the cause of problems that left Medical Doctors scratching their heads. I get an electrodermal scan for $200 and it can find cancer anywhere, not just one specific area.

 

Medical Doctors are sometimes necessary. I almost starved to death while pregnant and natural medicine takes too long to work and some treatments make you worse before you are better. Medical Doctors saved my life and that of my child. After being on their treatment for 2 years it became less and less effective, not to mention it was only masking the symptoms of the problem, and not making the rest of my body any stronger, so I switched back to a Natural Doctor.

 

I had not been to an MD for about 3 years, and my children haven't been in over a year. We went in for DDs UTI and when both of us had croup. That was 2 and 4 years ago. DS was treated for his UTI and lung damage by a ND, so it has been a while. I can't remember why he went in last. I think it was after his last immunization, which almost killed him. DH went in when he had strep throat about 10 years ago. He had viral meningitis and didn't go to anyone, just waited it out.

[homeschoolally]

Our family very, very rarely goes to the doctor.

 

But, I am careful to keep the OBGYN appts each year. Having once had an abnormal pap, I feel it's worth the time and $$ so that anything unusual would be caught in time for treatment.

 

I usually don't buy into the 'fear' angle of regular doctors visits, but I see the OB differently. I've known several young mothers with cervical or breast cancer and it shaped my perspective on this.

[sunflowerlady]

Dh and I are unisured , so no Doctor visits for us.

 

Dd has state Healthy Kids insurance, so she goes for an annual checkup and sick visits as needed. It also covers her annual eye exam and glasses.

[Murphy101]

dh goes every 3 months for insulin rx

 

I used to go to the ob on a near monthly basis due to perpetual pregnancy, but with the last baby she dumped me, so now I don't even see a regular OB. Last babe was delivered via midwife.

 

kids go when sicker than normal colds that drs can't do diddly for anyways. Maybe once a year, but most of them haven't seen a dr in 4+ years.

 

dentist = none of us ever missed a 6 mo cleaning or the follow up for cavities or whatever if there were any.

 

eye dr = yearly without fail for all over 6 yrs old.

 

no job = no insurance = not even as much as we were going before.

 

if something came up that we felt needed a dr - we'd go asap

I think seeing the dentist and the eye dr on a regular basis a better use of our funds and better odds of a health benefit,

[s.z.ichigo]

Wow, thanks for all the different perspectives on this! The only families I know with kids seem to drag them to the doctor at every sniffle. Good to see there is some balance out there.

[Dawn in OH]

The only families I know with kids seem to drag them to the doctor at every sniffle.

 

My husband's ex-wife is one of those people. The children are on our health insurance, which is fine, that doesn't cost us anything extra, but we have to pay 56% of out of pocket costs. She seems to have the kids at a doctor every week and she refuses to use an "in network" doctor. I swear it's just to cost us money. Our insurance network covers a billion doctors and she always manages to take them to the ONE that isn't in the network.

[Kristin in Hawaii]

I'm an ER nurse and support regular annual checkups with a good doctor or nurse practitioner. Keep a relationship going -- you don't know how horrible it is when I have a patient with something serious happening and they have no doctor. We find someone to pinch-hit but it is really terrible. I'm 43 and hypertension has crept up on me -- and it can cause nasty damage before a person ever feels any "real" symptoms. I have had so many people with stroke, kidney disease, heart attack and more who never realized their high BP could do all that. Here many doctors drop you from their care if you don't see them annually.

 

I do get my son vaccinated but only take him every few years for exams. Dental -- every 6 months!

 

Cancers are SO much easier to deal with when caught early -- most are very advanced by the time they show symptoms. I have had way too many patients get really bad news about our findings in the ER...plus they don't have the luxury of time to find a good doctor -- they are stuck with whoever will accept them in a hurry.

 

Eat well, sleep lots, laugh, love and avoid the "horsepittal" (my grandfather's name for it) but know that it can be helpful to have a good relationship with docs.

 

Best wishes!

[stripe]

I have been put off by the near-hysteria on the part of some nurses that I am not taking care of myself because I refuse to see myself in high risk categories and therefore don't see the need to go in for, say, regular STD/HIV testing. I find it offensive. Unfortunately doctors have failed on several occasions to actually solve a health problem I've had (and have managed to manufacture at least one, which involved suggesting expensive prescription medicine that is advertised on TV often), so I tend to go for solving problems (obviously including injuries), in addition to prenatal care. I don't really think going for a regular physical exam is that helpful for most people without health problems. Although it has occasionally happened, I rarely have had a doctor identify a problem on his/her own -- mostly it is addressing a concern that I bring to their attention. I have, on the other hand, had doctors' office staff actively dissuade me from coming in for months to actually look at problems I had identified -- and I have had to take matters into my own hands to get things solved. I've moved to many times to have had one doctor since I was born, so I am far beyond continuity of records. I have also had numerous irritating encounters where medical staff make really odd and very inaccurate assumptions about me, which does not endear them to me.

 

So I think my own common sense is my best ally.

Edited January 30, 2010 by stripe

[dragons in the flower bed]

Are we the only ones like this? Chime in, please, if you also don't see doctors as often as you're apparently supposed to. :lurk5:

 

Nope, you're not the only one. My seven-year-old was born at home and is unvacc'ed and has never seen a doctor ever. My nine-year-old has had a doctor because of lifelong medical issues, but it is a naturopath. They are still not able to be licensed to practice medicine in NY. Therefore my 9yo has only seen an illegal doctor (and a one time consultation with a specialist in a different state during infancy). In a few years the 9yo's medical issues will once again require the help of a specialist, so we have started looking for a regular doctor to make the referral. We figured we'd hook the 7yo up with the same pediatrician while we're at it, since they are after all supposed to have at least one date with the doc on their insurance cards.

 

Oh boy, is it hard to explain that these kids have ZERO medical records. We are right now in the midst of a game of phone tag and office runaround. No one at the ped's office knows what to do and we keep getting told to leave a call back message to talk to someone else about it.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I'm an ER nurse and support regular annual checkups with a good doctor or nurse practitioner. Keep a relationship going -- you don't know how horrible it is when I have a patient with something serious happening and they have no doctor. We find someone to pinch-hit but it is really terrible. I'm 43 and hypertension has crept up on me -- and it can cause nasty damage before a person ever feels any "real" symptoms. I have had so many people with stroke, kidney disease, heart attack and more who never realized their high BP could do all that. Here many doctors drop you from their care if you don't see them annually.

 

I do get my son vaccinated but only take him every few years for exams. Dental -- every 6 months!

 

Cancers are SO much easier to deal with when caught early -- most are very advanced by the time they show symptoms. I have had way too many patients get really bad news about our findings in the ER...plus they don't have the luxury of time to find a good doctor -- they are stuck with whoever will accept them in a hurry.

 

Eat well, sleep lots, laugh, love and avoid the "horsepittal" (my grandfather's name for it) but know that it can be helpful to have a good relationship with docs.

 

Best wishes!

 

:iagree: I have to agree as another RN who saw way too many illnesses/diseases/traumas etc. in her career over 2 decades. There are many, many conditions that really are not that noticeable and are "silent" so to speak such as hypertension which can wreak havoc on your body in very devastating ways:(

 

I also know that it is better to have a relationship with a doctor before you get sick. If you come to the hospital when sick without a doctor, then you may get assigned one and they may not be the best IMO. It is much easier to pick beforehand than in an crisis.

 

We go at least annually to the doctor and dentist every 6 months:001_smile:

[justamouse]

I go once yearly to the OB and thank God I do. That's all I'm saying about that. And yes, I go, because I never ever want to go through that again.

 

As for the regular Dr, he's been my Dr since I was 8 and I love him to bits. He's been a friend, caregiver and there when we needed him most. I love my Dr. He knows us and like the other posters said, a relationship is the best thing you can build with your Dr.

 

We go to the dentist every six months-all of us. I understand we are blessed in that way and until the past few years we'd mostly done without, but he's also been wonderful and my kids adore him. Now I'm going to have 3 with braces!

 

That said, I hardly visit my GP. Once a year if someone needs it, but it's wonderful to know that when we do, he knows us.

[gaillardia]

Wow, I'm glad I'm not alone.

I applaud anyone who finds a doctor competent of treating patients with respect and just being a friendly doctor, open-minded to other forms of treatment, and friendly to homeschoolers.:tongue_smilie:

[Mommyof4ks]

My husband has only gone a few times in our 11 yr marriage, and I usually go once a year. My dd has not been to a doc in a few years, but both of my boys have conditions that require doc visits (one has asthma the other cancer). My asthmatic goes once a year for prescription refills, and hopefully when my other son's cancer treatment ends we will see alot less of his docs lol. If one is healthy I don't see the need to go to the doc personally, but it is good to have a relationship with a doc in case you need them.

 

My opinion is colored by knowing too many docs from church lol.

[stripe]

I also know that it is better to have a relationship with a doctor before you get sick. If you come to the hospital when sick without a doctor, then you may get assigned one and they may not be the best IMO. It is much easier to pick beforehand than in an crisis.

While I think the idea of this sounds lovely, I can say that I have gone to the same doctor several times in a period of less than a year, and been able to clearly tell that she didn't remember me or even recognize me. So it's not necessarily the case that because one sees a doctor every year or two, you have a "relationship" other than on paper that translates to any sort of meaningful understanding of one's circumstances.

[TravelingChris]

My son doesn't go but that makes me very unhappy. He is an adult, does have insurance but doesn't want to go. He also has long standing medical issues like abnormalities with his liver, his heart, and other issues.

 

The rest of us see doctors. I see rheumatologists, internal medicine, gynecologist, endocrinologist and opthalmologist. My middle sees a adolescent specialist, occasional orthopedist, gynecologist, neurologist, and cardiologist. My youngest sees a adolescent specialist, endicrinologist, orthopedist, and allergist.

[Laurie4b]

I go for screenings.

The kids don't get a yearly check-up--more like every few years. We vax.

Otherwise, we go only when there is something wrong that 1) Hasn't gone away on its own with good home care and 2) is something the doctor could do something about (ie we don't go for viruses) or 3) if something appears serious.

I really try to avoid the doctor's office--especially during flu season---I see it as a place where I'm more likely to get sick than to get well!

[Pretty in Pink]

I take the kids in for annual check-ups. I find security in having that paper trail. Another benefit is that the kids are all familiar with and comfortable at the doctor's office.

 

I take our toddler every few months now since we follow a modified vaccination schedule, but that is just to get shots.

 

Our 6yo sees a pediatric pulmonologist for his asthma.

 

We also do dental cleanings twice a year an annual eye exams starting at 6.

 

Having recieved some not so good news in the past, I am vigilant about annual paps for myself.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

While I think the idea of this sounds lovely, I can say that I have gone to the same doctor several times in a period of less than a year, and been able to clearly tell that she didn't remember me or even recognize me. So it's not necessarily the case that because one sees a doctor every year or two, you have a "relationship" other than on paper that translates to any sort of meaningful understanding of one's circumstances.

 

This may be true, but hopefully you can find one who is more skillful in the art of medicine even if they may not remember you so to speak;) OTOH, I have been lucky, I have had multiple doctor's over my life-time, which is getting up there in the years, and they have all known me.The ones that you may be assigned in the hospital may be less than skillful and I am being kind to them when I say that:glare:. They could be great as well, but it is the luck of the draw so to speak. I would rather pick beforehand:)

Edited January 30, 2010 by priscilla