Time to Go to the Doctor!

blakstang98

blakstang98

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Ahh yes, we all have those times when we cringe because we have to visit the doctor. This effect seems to be magnified, the longer you go without seeing one. This same effect happens for a Dentist as well (yes, they are doctors, but I'm talking about basic doctors like Physicians for the time being). So what is it about these doctor visits that gives you that fear to not go?

I was inspired to making this thread because I was talking to someone recently about the fact that I haven't been to a doctor in about 11 years, and that was a Pediatrician. I'm aware that I should at least get a checkup and have some tests done so that I know that I'm healthy, being someone who's approaching 30. But, because it's been so long, it's sort of daunting because there could be a lot wrong with me, and I wouldn't know it. I would hate to find out I have something like 3 out of 4 main arteries clogged or something, then would require emergency surgery. It's highly unlikely that'd be the case because I'm still relatively young and heart troubles don't run in my family.

Probably my biggest concern would be my digestive issues. Around 5 years ago, I had a pretty bad heartburn problem that left my with a very weak appetite, as my stomach didn't react well to most foods. I was taking Prilosec OTC everyday for a good 6 months just to keep my nauseating feeling at bay. This dropped my weight from 170 lbs to 135 lbs, and at 6'2", that's well underweight. After a while, I made a few slight changes to my diet and managed to shake the problem. And I'm afraid of what the doctor would say about what could be wrong. Who knows, there may be a simple solution. I wouldn't mind a solution that didn't involve medication, but I would cave to it if that needed to be done. I still have such issues now, but it's not constant and it's more easily combated. I managed to gain all that weight back, and then some, but I'm almost certain that there's something wrong with my system, and I'm afraid to find out what it might be.

This is my long story about why I haven't made an effort to see a doctor, but I do understand that I should for health concerns. This is my fear of seeing a doctor, what is yours?
 
Just make sure when you get your prostate checked, both his hands aren't on your shoulders when you feel penetration.

I don't really have any fears of Doctors, I just hate going for some reason. Seems like you're fine until the Doctor tells you that you got something wrong, then you start looking and feeling fucked up. At least that's how I've seen it with the grandparents when they come back from the doctor.
 
I dont have any issues going to the doctor i just always leave it as a last option. So if im really ill, il leave it as long as possible until i get moaned into making an appointment.
Usually whatever i get makes me feel better and i wish i had gone earlier but it always just seems like hassle and effort so i never bother. Id rather stay at home in bed when im sick than trail my arse outside to go to the doctors.
 
i just can't be arsed going to the doctors. It's to much like effort. If Im ill, Il get over it myself, don't see the point in going all the way there to be told what I already know and that 'if symptoms havent improved in 7 days, come back' waste of time

It feels like such an effort having to go for my check up for the pill and shite liek that, I spend more time waiting to be seen than I do in there
 
Ugh....don't get me started. I go purely for insurance reasons - if I don't get an annual check-up then bills start coming out of pocket.

In general I think family practitioners have become among the most overpaid professionals in the services workforce. No interest in finding out what is wrong with their patients - just write them a prescription for something their insurance covers that will treat the symptoms, get them out of there as fast as possible, and if you're lucky they'll be back soon so you can bill for another visit. I've had 6 different doctors in 3 states over the last 9 years and it's the same story with all of them.

Last year about this time I came down with awful stomach pains, vomiting.....the works. After sitting it out at home for a day I got in to my doctor. She shrugged her shoulders, said it was probably a bug and wrote me a script for some generic anti-nausea drug that did nothing. 2 days later I tried to go to work and was litterally on the floor in my office in unbearable pain. My wife picked me up and took me to the ER - the ER nurse (nurse mind you - not a doctor) sat down and asked a handful of questions to try and narrow down the possible ailments. Turns out I had a pretty severe upper GI infection and was dehydrated on top of it. 2 bags of fluid, a strong anti-biotic, and Nexium to shut down my acid pumps and in 24 hours I was like new.

Yet my doctor who probably makes 4x what the nurse does couldn't be bothered to try and find out what the real deal is. I dropped a lot of C words that week.
 
I try not to go to the doctor if I can help it just to save the money, but if I can't figure out a problem on my own and it starts affecting my daily routine, I'll finally make an appointment. I wouldn't say I'm ever that scared of going though, unless I'm afraid they're going to tell me something I'd hate to give up is part of the problem. For example, I was a bit nervous the first time I went after becoming vegetarian, because I was afraid the headaches I was getting were from something missing in my diet. But it turned out to be something else, so there was really no reason to be afraid in the first place :hmmm:

I do fear some doctors' offices though :mokken: One in particular I went to recently always smells like bad chili, or something worse :gonk:
 
Honestly, going to the doctor for a check-up isn't a big deal.

Stangbang, you should go

I have had similar digestive problems and my doctor has given me different tips and medications to battle them, thus improving my quality of life. Plus, you'll get the peace of mind that everything i alright if you get a check-up. So just do it! I don't think it's a waste of time, it's good to make sure everything is in ship shape. A normal physical, maybe even a CBC blood test to make sure all is well. 11 years is quite a long time...
 
I hate going to the doctors. I had severe health problems in my first year at College, and it got the point where I had to go and see one. My doctor is a nice enough guy, but he almost had me sectioned in hospital - which would have completely traumatized me; I'm even more terrified of hospitals than I am of the local surgery...thankfully I managed to talk him out of it - AND he recommended me to a psychiatrist - unfortunately, I couldn't talk my way out of that one.

He kept me on a very tight leash for about a month. I was in every week for blood tests to monitor progress, and my veins are stupidly thin and I'm terrified of needles, and I was put on four or five different drugs. Plus I had to go the hospital every other week for x-rays.

In short, my fear is that if I go back there again - even for a check-up - the leash will go back on and my life will be made into a misery again. I doubt I'm as healthy as I could be, and not knowing how close I am to degenerating into what I was before worries me sometimes, but...well, I can't deal with it at the moment. I'd rather be in the dark right now.

Still, if you think you need to go, I would suggest going on your own terms, and not being forced into it because something bad happened. I'd also suggest finding a reasonable doctor to see, who won't force you into things you really don't want to go through. If you've got or have had severe health problems, make sure you're not bullied into anything. Blood tests and the like are fine, but hospitals and psychiatrists? They'd better have a damn good reason, and you should make sure you're comfortable with it. There is always room for negotiations...I was allowed to stay at home instead of going to hospital, for example, so long as I checked in and didn't do anything stupid. Your mental health and state of mind are just as important as your physical health after all, and if you're not comfortable with it, you shouldn't do it. That is how I feel about it, anyway.
 
The only thing I don't like about going to the doctor is that my mother could never stay in the waiting room while I went into the office. I'm not one of those teenagers that doesn't like being seen with their parents, but it's a little embarassing when you're seventeen (I was at the time). It probably has something to do with when my brother was sick. He passed away in '05 and since then she's been very overprotective of me and I think she just wants to make sure I'm completely okay. But, back on topic. No, going to the doctor doesn't bother me. I actually wanted to be a doctor for awhile. But I slowly came to hate the idea of having someone's life in my hands (not that I was ever thrilled about it in the first place). That's why I have a very large amount of respect for their occupation. I don't know how they deal with the massive stress of having to maintain the health of all the people they do. Probably alcohol :hmmm:. I haven't been in over a year though. I should probably get a check up soon. But I'll probably wait until I get my own insurance. I don't think I could handle having my mom in their now that I'm legally an adult.
 
I pretty much hardly ever went to the doctor mainly because I didn't have insurance. Now that my job offers it, I go when I absolutely need to. I still don't like going, mainly out of fear that I might need something done that requires needles. I hate needles. :gonk: Unfortunately, both school and work need a doctor's note to be excused for a sick absence. Especially when you have the stomach flu, you don't wanna have to go out and do anything.

So, I suppose my reasons for not going are/were no insurance and needles. xD
 
I don't have a fear of going to the doctor's.

In fact, I got signed up to one and I never saw him until fifteen year later, which was only recently, for the headaches and pins and needles in various parts of my body. He certainly looked surprised to see me after all this time, needless to say.
 
I'm don't really have a fear of going to the doctor's either.

I go when I need to have certain check ups that can't really be avoided.

And I used to go when my old workplace required medical certificates for having a day off sick.

I don't think I've been to the doctor since 2008 maybe? I'm due to go again soon, but I'm not worried or anything.

Needles don't really bother me all that much either. It's over within seconds.

So no fears for me.
 
I usually have no problem going. it's more of whether it's a convenience for me or not. Like if it's something minor I won't do anything like a sprain, or whatever when it comes to injuries, unless like half my hand gets chopped off.

The only time I really go to the Doctor is when it's an annual check-up for the military, or like a physical for sports or when I had to do it for getting my driver's license.
 
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