I had my annual physical this morning - 2nd time seeing my new Internist at KUSM-Wichita. Part of the routine was, as usual, carried out by a 3rd year Med student. She will make a good physician, I think. However, she was required to go over a couple of pieces of paper with me that were a hoot: 1) "targets" for good health that I should observe and 2) depression screening.
1) Self Care Plan for hyperlipidemia: "Targets" included weight (I already weigh less than the bottom of the range), blood pressure (my systolic is 14 above goal; diastolic is 6 below goal), LDL (I don't know what it is today - they just drew the blood!) but last year my LDL was 20 points below the goal; exercise (I already do more than goal); and dietary calories (I'm pretty well on or under goal). Oh! And they want blood pressure measurements daily. Are they kidding me?!!
2) Depression screening: I told them that the screening given last year was pretty silly - that I am not depressed, do not plan to kill myself (but, it's none of their business if I did - lol). We chatted for a few minutes, but did not fill in the questionnaire.
No, I don't want another colonoscopy (the one 20 years ago found exactly nothing). No, I don't want another bone density test (if my bones were brittle I would be breaking bones with my falls). No, just because you think you hear a little heart murmur (pulmonary valve you say? Usually, I've been told it might be mitral and/or aortic) does not mean I want another echocardiogram (the one 20 years ago showed no abnormalities).
The physician doesn't think that I come see her often enough. I think annually is too often. As long as I get my low-dose statin and hydrochlorothiazide RXs, I'll be happy to leave the physicians to their own devices. I let her know that I consider myself to be responsible for my health/lack thereof and she shouldn't worry her pretty little head. (Well...that's what I was thinking.) Dr G seems to be a dedicated physician and I'm sure that some of her elderly patients need a lot of testing and hand-holding. I've tried to, somewhat gently, let her know that I do not fall into that category.
Heck, they even want 30 year olds to go in annually for a physical, even when they are perfectly healthy, weight is fine and none of the tests come up with any abnormalities. I have tried to humor them by going every 18 months or so (same with mammogram - although sometimes I go longer). I haven't had a colonoscopy although my doctor has begged me to since I turned 50. No thanks I will not torture myself for them. If I had a family history, I might think differently.
Guess I am a lot like my mother!
Posted by: bogie | October 10, 2014 at 05:19 PM
You can take a test that just uses a stool sample. I beg you to do this, at least. Colon cancer is very common and often shows up in people who have no known family history of it. I have had three colonoscopies, since it runs in my family, all negative so far. My husband had a colonoscopy about 15 years ago where a pre-malignant polyp was discovered. His father died of colon cancer at age 63. You would think he'd want to get another colonoscopy, especially since one of his cousins almost died of stage 3 colon cancer and the treatment was horrible. But no. He refuses to go to the doctor, period. I'm recruiting my daughter to get after him, because he will listen to her but not to me.
I am cutting back on the annual mammograms. Once every other year is plenty. And I have turned down bone scans, because I am sure my bones are fine. I have not lost any height although I'm 75, and that is unusual.
I need my beta blocker and warfarin, though.
Posted by: Hattie | October 10, 2014 at 08:34 PM
Bogie--Yes, Dr G thinks I should see her every 6 months. Ridiculous! Well, I hope that our similarities don't cause you too much distress. *snickering*
Hattie--Different strokes for different folks and I do appreciate your concern.
Personally, I am tired, tired, tired of people our age obsessing over the state of their health. B-O-R-I-N-G ! We all gotta die of something, and who says we have to be treated for anything/everything? In my health care directive, I make it pretty clear that, if I won't or can't give a person permission to use CPR or intubate or otherwise invade my body - I don't want them to do it! It would be a waste of resources that could be better spent. I hope that, when I die, no one wrings their hands over what they (or someone else) should have done for/to me.
Life is a one-way street to death. I am over the idea that I have to grab onto life with every ounce of strength left in my bony fingers. I will come back to haunt any of my family who feels guilty over my dying. As I said, we all gotta do it!
Now...that said...I do not feel that younger people should be so cavalier about their health - especially those who have others depending upon them. Our Wonderful Granddaughter's MS is a real cause for concern. She has two little boys; but, she doesn't dwell on her physical condition and has "ordered" the rest of us not to. Since she and her girlfriend are both health care professionals, I trust them to make good decisions.
Posted by: Cop Car | October 11, 2014 at 09:20 AM
You crack me up. Reminds me a little of my father, who said that he smoked and drank because he did not want to be old and dying of "nothing".
Posted by: Ingineer66 | October 11, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Ingineer--I don't care to be around smoking and too much drinking, but I do appreciate your father's outlook. Thanks for passing his outlook along.
Posted by: Cop Car | October 11, 2014 at 04:07 PM