Went to new Doctor yesterday

[heidiiiii]

This doc is a keeper!

I have NEVER had this much done in an office visit in my adult life. Never!

Got the pnemonia shot...never knew I was supposed to have it.

Bloodwork...they do it in the office

Lung test....never had it before

Made an appointment for mammogram...Dangit!

Made an appointment for nutritionist...Thank you!

Made an appointment for a stress test....never had it.

Ekg...everything is fine.

gave me a test kit for colon cancer...never had or did it.

And he gave me a script for Chantex..I think I am spelling it right. That quit smoking med. My insurance may actually pay for it he said. I have to take it to the pharmacy to find out. If not, I will see how much it is and either pay right away or hold on to it and get the money together.

See this is the Doc I sent Chels to after she turned 18. I liked what I saw. Now Dh wants to jump ship and go to this office too.

After this visit it gives me pause about all the other doctors I have seen over the years. Why was I never given a pnemonia shot (i am diabetic) or told about it? Why did no one tell me that it was time for my mammogram? I dont want to do it but I will.

[uppitycats]

The pneumonia shot is a relatively new "push" by doctors. I'm 60 -- got my first one about 2 years ago. (I think it lasts for several years...now my doctor simply checks the records to confirm I had it). I have a chronic health condition, have had it for 25 years, so if it was something available earlier, I'm pretty sure my doctor would have recommended it (I've been her patient for 10 years, now.)

How old are you? Mammograms generally aren't prescribed until a woman hits her 40's, sometimes even later, unless there is some history of breast cancer in the family. Women in their early childbearing years aren't at great risk, and if they're nursing, stuff shows up in the breasts that scares folks into thinking there's something wrong, when there isn't. So you might just have "come of age". They're not a big deal. I've had one every year for many years, now. In fact, this year's test is scheduled for next Monday morning.

The colon cancer testing is relatively new, too -- just within the last few years. I think Katie Couric can be thanked for that -- all the publicity around her husband's death and her foundation has triggered an intense interest in colon cancer. I get the kits at every visit. He's had a colonoscopy (and a polyp removed).

[heidiiiii]

My sister had a non-aggressive non-spreading breast cancer. She had the lump removed and had to go thru a short stint of radiation therapy just to make sure. That was five years ago and nothing came back so far.

I have had a mammogram with I was 25. Not to be too gross for the male counterparts on the site but the problem was chalked up to a interior cyst that is a non-issue.

I am 29.999999999 (that is 38 in real time..LOL)

He said that it used to be said that the pnemonia shot lasted forever but they have recently found that it is only good for 5 years.

I have a feeling I will be put on insulin at my next visit. I am having itchy feet issues..(neuropathy).

It really is scary about getting type 2 diabetes at such a young age (30 yr old). My mom was diagnosed when she was 60. It didnt really start to wreck havoc on her body until she was in her mid-to late 70s.

My neighbors gd is ummm 12 yrs old and she was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes! Adult onset on a 12 yr old!

I am scared for her and all that it implies.

[Peggi]

Yes, sounds like you did find a keeper. Last year I changed drs and like you they put me through the wringer. I told them about my twin having pancreatic cancer and ovarian cysts and they actually took it seriously and before it was over with, I had every kind of tests and CTs including a bone scan done. So I stay with them and left the other one that I'm not even sure ever looked at my chart.

It feels good to have a dr that seems to listen to your concerns and don't just laugh it off.

[jeninky]

I am glad to hear that you have a good doctor... Sad to say that most people do not get

good exams and go to the doctor like they need too..

I recently changed my Gyno and I am sooooo thankful for that now...

Also glad to hear that you are going to quit smoking, I tell everyone if I can do it anyone can LOLOL

I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed smoking it was a habit that I really enjoyed...

I smoked almost 2 packs a day.. I still miss it but I am sooooo thankful that I quit..

I have heard a lot of good things about that medication I hope that it works for you!!

[Peachie]

I have been with my dr. for 24 years and when I go he listen to my problems and jumps right on finding out what is wrong....that is why I'm seeing a specialist now....due to a problem that creep up......he is the one who has been through the good times and rough times with me and encouraging me all the way......Heidi I just had the stress test.....but they don't put me on the treadmill due to my back injury so they do mine through IV.....I have a mamo every year.....my gyno retired about 5 years ago and I have a good one now....she don't leave no stones unturned....lol.....this dr. has monitored my weight loss and sets all my goals for me......the pnuemonia shot is good for 5 years I had mine last year....I have a weak immune system....if it is a PFC test it is a piece of cake....Heidi if you want to know about the stress test or lung test ......pm me and I will tell you what they do.....

[CJEP]

My former doctor who I loved but is too far away from me now sent me for my first mammogram when I was 35 (which my gyn also suggested at the time) to do a baseline. They usually want a woman to have a baseline done in her mid30's now so they have something to judge against in her 40s.

My former doctor also use to listen to my heart beat all over my body with her stethescope. The first time she did it I found it strange, but I figured she knew what she was doing. She was an older Indian woman who seems to mix new practices with much older ones. She took great care of me so I cannot complain.

My new doctor seems to be good as well. The few times I have been to her she is right on top of everything and gets me what I need and the specialists I need. I haven't gone to her for a physical since I had one with my former doctor before I got married and moved away.

I'm glad you found a good doctor. It is very important. When I was in college I worked at several doctors offices and asked the doctors I worked for for recommendations for my primary care. The names they gave me were some of the best doctors I have ever been to and my father actually started going to them with me.

Hope your insurance pays for the prescription!!

[newt]

glad you've found a keeper, that is great!!!

it sounds as though you've found somebody who really is paying good attention to management, planning, and the Whole Person. very, very good!

ya know, as much as i enjoy getting to travel around and meet medical specialists, it is very cool to have one-stop shopping for as much as is practical. i've been followed by my GP for a couple of decades now, and can get most evals done at his office.

hope the mammography and new med are a breeze, and again, congrats on the new doc!

:whistle:

[nuttiwebgal]

I had the same doctor for 20 yrs and when I went to see the OBGYN the first time she was instantly furious to know I had a family doctor who saw me at least 3 times a yr just with the kids and he did nothing to help me to find out why I kept gaining weight.

she told me unless I found a new PCP she would not continue seeing me as I needed doctors who cared about me....well ok than.

like the new doctor alot...he is right on top of stuff and always goes that extra mile to be nice....live in a small town...when ever I used to run into the family doctor he didnt aknowledge me....the new one came up to me in Wal-marts one night and told me it had been to long since he had seen me...make an appointment.

so there you are.....as a person of size....I find it very refreshing to be treated with caring respect form members outside the family.

kudos for your dr to take such good care of you!

nutti :whistle:

[heidiiiii]

Well, Chantex is not covered by my insurance. The script will cost me around $200. I will hold onto the script until I have all the money together. I know the cost of smoking will easily cover it but you have to take the meds for 2 weeks before you quit....So I dont have it completely (even now that I have to replace all the food in my fridge)

I found this on the Pfizer website for those of you wanting to quit. You can find out if you are eligible. I drive by the Pfizer building everyday but alas I am not eligible..Poo!

[Kalygirl]

You know, sometimes I wonder at insurace companies.....they seem to have a lack of the bigger picture. For example, with the Chantrex...wouldn't it be cheaper in the long run to pay for the medication now so they don't have to pay costs later on for illness related to smoking, such as lung cancer, COPD, etc. Same thing with birth control....wouldn't it be cheaper to pay for the pill (or depo or norplant or whatever) than to pay for prenatal care and hospital costs and stuff? Am I missing something...are the insurance companies actually making money by not paying for these things? It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me

[ilovecats]

I went to a new doctor today myself. She was soooooo nice. Didn't talk down to me, wasn't in a hurry, she listened, she had a nice medical assistant as well. wow.

I had an ekg and chest xray, both normal. next tuesday is the treadmill stress test. i'm sure my chest pain is related to stress at work, i hardly ever have it when i'm at home. so that's the news with me.

[nuttiwebgal]

so that's the news with me.

and that sounds like we will be seeing more dollhouses by Marg!

most excellent!

glad the New doc worked out for you! I hate changing doctors.

could be why I had a crappy one for so long

nutti

[TinyJudi]

Heidi, when my sister was going through her testing for MS, which thankfully she does not have, her dr told her to quit smoking. She is 54 and has been smoking since her teens. She went to see an acupuncturist <sp?>. She told me she had two treatments. The first one, they punt needles in her ears..well, the outside of her ears. The ones on the top of her ears had electrodes attached to then. She said the guy gave her a little shock through them. It was not painful at all. He told her to come back within 18 hours for her second and final treatment. She did and she has not smoked since. She said she still has the mental desire, but not the physical one. This is what the dr explained to her. He said that our bodies produce a small amount of nicotine, which is beneficial to us. When a person starts smoking, the body stops producing it because it is getting it from an outside source. When someone quits smoking, the body craves the nicotine because it is not producing any of it's own. The little shock through the needle jump starts the body into producing it again, thus, the withdrawl is less severe and much easier to handle. I do not know if her insurance covered the treatments. She is retired from the Army and is covered through them so her coverage may be a lot different than the regular persons insurance. Just a thought though. It may turn out to be less costly than the prescription.

Congrats on finding a good doctor. DH is always on me because I don't go to the dr. I tell him every time I go to the dr, they find something wrong with me. I know that is not a good attitude to have. I know I need to get myself down there, I just keep putting it off.

[havanaholly]

Unfortunately a lot of alternative medial procedures aren't covered by conventional insurance. When DH quit smoking he hasn't even had the craving; one day, he said, the cigarettes just began to taste nasty to him.

[heidiiiii]

Well, I set up my mammogram for next month. Lovely! I asked Dh again if he wanted to be supportive and have a -ogram of something else! ROFL Flat as a pancake!!

I cant go cold turkey. I have tried it so many times and I feel like I might injure someone. Big time high anxiety, crying jags, big depression. The family hates me smoking but they hate to see me fall apart like that and tell me to get a ciggie. I dont take Xanax anymore so I dont have that to help. I cant use any conventional aides (patches, gums, lozenges) cause for some reason they make me feel worse. Sleep disturbances, wicked nightmares.

The insurance wont pay for the meds.

They want you to quit but wont help you quit.

I could probably find out about acupuncture. I know there are several people that practice it in my area.

[heidiiiii]

Got my new cholestrol meds yesterday.

I am taking a teeny weeny pill called Zetia.

At first my insurance wouldnt cover it and the doctor had to send out forms to nix the insurances Nos. I was surprised yesterday that they did cover it and it was all filled for me.

The side effects on the bottle are mild ones :dizziness, diarreah, etc. I wont have to worry about any problems like with the Lipitor. I found out my symptoms with the Lipitor (severe leg pain) is a sign that the meds can give you kidney failure! Thank goodness I only took them for a couple weeks. And my kidneys are fine.

Anybody else taking this?

I will report back to let you know how this does.