Do You Have Screenings?

[katharina]

Are you the type of guy who has preventative screenings for various things that can go wrong, or are you more the type to wait until there's a problem to see a doctor?

[SageMother]

I am extremely careful about which screenings I have. Too often, a small variation has you are going back for "follow up" visits more than 3 or 4 times a year.

[tater03]

My husband is terrible about getting any screening. And forget about follow ups. Doesn't happen unless it is really necessary.

[mollyL]

I make sure to have breast exams every year and a pelvic every two years. My husband will submit to tests when they have been made for him. He's not very happy about it but he goes!

[mollyL]

Sorry about that; that should read "My husband will submit to tests when appointments have been made for him.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by mollyL

Sorry about that; that should read "My husband will submit to tests when appointments have been made for him.

Well, whether right or wrong, I think that's how it is for most people, not just men. And yes, as soon as there's a doctor visit they start having you come back every few weeks and it never stops. That's the bad part for sure.

[SageMother]

Unless the treatment isn't worse than the condition, most screenings are of little use, in my eyes. They look at and treat the body without consideration for the life the treatment affects.

There are two women I know who had mammograms and their doctors immediately put them on meds that made their hair fall out,, after doing lumpectomies. Why didn't these doctors just remove the internal breast tissue and replace it with silicone implants? that way, you don't need the chemo, your hair is intact, and your body still looks pretty close to the way it did before the whole treatment began.

I see my doctor this Tuesday and plan on talking with him about treatments BEFORE I submit to a mammogram.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by SageMother

I see my doctor this Tuesday and plan on talking with him about treatments BEFORE I submit to a mammogram.

Good luck with your appointment today, SageMother. Yes, that seems to be a good idea... to know options well in advance. Don't forget to weigh the risks of the silicone, though... NOT as many risks as were reported some time ago, but still present to some degree. Many patients don't really consider the cosmetic issues like whether or not their hair falls out when they are facing something like cancer, so it's good to keep all options open.

[mollyL]

Yes, silicone can leach into your body and cause all kinds of side-effects. I think it is also supposed to harden over time. I have heard of some women having their silicone implants taken out and the new saline implants put in. If it leaks, all there is is salt water.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by mollyL

Yes, silicone can leach into your body and cause all kinds of side-effects. I think it is also supposed to harden over time. I have heard of some women having their silicone implants taken out and the new saline implants put in. If it leaks, all there is is salt water.

I've heard this, too. Unfortunately it usually takes a few years of everyone being all worked up about something to discover is really isn't so great. (The "great wonder drug" Naproxen comes to mind.)

[micheal]

I think most men wait until the problem happens. I think that this is something most men do. I'm not sure why we do it but we just aren't into that whole doctor thing.

[Swastik]

My husband was not interested in any screening till the time problem becomes bigger. But after his stone problem he is very much aware about everything. If I am having some problem he always consult our family doctor.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by Swastik

My husband was not interested in any screening till the time problem becomes bigger. But after his stone problem he is very much aware about everything. If I am having some problem he always consult our family doctor.

It's good to hear that he's now aware that things like screenings are very important for various ailments. I know that it takes something big for a lot of people to be aware, yes.

[Serenity]

Wild horses wouldn't drag mine to the doctor. He's infuriating in that respect and doesn't see it as being for his own good. He'd rather just see what happens.

I have a theory that women don't mind so much because we're used to it, especially once you've had kids. You leave your dignity at the door of a labour ward and pick it up on the way out, my mum used to say LOL. We're more accustomed to being poked and prodded all the time. Doesn't mean we like it, just means we accept it more graciously as a necessity.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by Serenity

You leave your dignity at the door of a labour ward and pick it up on the way out, my mum used to say LOL. We're more accustomed to being poked and prodded all the time. Doesn't mean we like it, just means we accept it more graciously as a necessity.

Good observation, Serenity... and I happen to think that your mum was exactly right. And you're right, too... I don't think I've ever known anyone who likes it!

[justontime]

My husband has spina bifida and he should have had regular check up's but somehow he managed to get lost in the system when he moved from child to adult services and he hadn't been for any checks for years. His symptoms and pain had got worse over the years but it took me several years to get him to go back to the specialist because he was afraid that he was losing his ability to walk. When he finally agreed to go he had a series of tests and he was told that there was nothing to suggest he would not be able to walk and he was helped to managed his condition. He had put himself through years of worry because he was afraid to face his fears.