Health question (doctors)

[User20205]

So looking for the general behaviour of people here.

Let's say you have a health issue you don't know much about, how long do you typically wait for it to go away on its own before manning up and going to the doctors?

Purely hypothetical of course, was talking to mrs rooter about this topic last night and she thinks men are useless and won't go to the docs until they are close to death!

Just buy some penicillin off the internet, it will clear up in no time :thup:

 

[Rooter]

Just buy some penicillin off the internet, it will clear up in no time :thup:

is the right answer! LOL

 

[chellie]

HID ignored bad palpitations and chest pains. He told me they weren't bad and I believed him! Upshot was after having them at work he went to A & E. Wolff Parkinson White syndrome was diagnosed straightaway. Suspected heart attack as well. Cue major rollocking from all doctors. Upshot after a nine day stay and loads of tests is that he'll be on meds until there is no choice but to fit a pacemaker. The usual ablation can't be done.

 

[Crazyface]

I cant book an appointment with my doctor unless its 3 months in advance.

I actually had an argument with with them in November as they told me they had nothing until February. Who the hell knows their ill 3 months in advance?

If you've got doctors like this, just cheerfully tell them you will be there in 15 minutes and will wait until seen. That's what I used to do when I had one like this. Always got seen, and not always last either.

 

[Fish]

I'll be honest and say, until anything really restricts me, I don't go! I've got a few niggles/concerns currently which do give me pain and discomfort at times but they come and go, so, until the day comes that I have to go to the doctors, I stay away.

 

[Tashyboy]

Working in a pit medical centre we have about 650+ men employed at the mine. In essence there are two types who come in. Those who you roll your eyes at as there's nowt wrong with them and they come in day after day. And those who only come in when there leg is hanging off etc. the problem is that those who come in every day you have to treat the same as "hanging off leg man". If not and you miss owt/ misdiagnose, then someone's in trouble. When your average workforce age at the pit is 50, things start to fall off, grow, break or be replaced. Or be majorly stressed out.

HiD is a urology outreach nurse, in essence owt to do with prostate, bladders, etc etc, she goes to people's homes and sorts them out. Rather than going to the local hospitals. It's saves a fortune and makes money for the hospital. She has worked in the. NHS all her life. She says the same some people you have to drag in and others are career patients. She deals with loads of different GP surgeries and says some are excellent and others dire and she means dire.

Me dad last year had a triple bypass and then four bouts of chemo for his leukemia with a further two lots due this year. He hates going to the hospital full stop but if he hadn't/ doesn't he would now be kissing the daffodil roots. He reluctantly accepts that. Yet when he was in hospital for one of his many stays he got fed up of listening to patients wanting to stay another night. Many of the reasons is what they have on the ward is better than at home. Company, food, heating, clean bed etc.

Me, the bottom line is this, listen to your body no one knows it better than you if it don't sound/feel right get it checked out.

 

[clubchamp98]

Well I've had pins and needles in two finger tips on my left hand for two weeks now. Still not been to the doctor's it could eith be a trapped nerve somewhere or signs of diabetes.

I'm going to give it another week then go. Just because I'm lazy really.

If this hurts you more in bed than when you are moving about it may be the start of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome . That is how mine started and I had to have surgery to sort it. Test for this is sitting down forearms vertical to ground let hands flop touch fingertips if pain gets worse after short time you need to see your Doctor . This is mainly a pregnant womans complaint but RSI; playing golf or your job can cause it.

 

[Foxholer]

Working in a pit medical centre we have about 650+ men employed at the mine. In essence there are two types who come in. Those who you roll your eyes at as there's nowt wrong with them and they come in day after day. And those who only come in when there leg is hanging off etc.

Reminds me of the time I moved from Christchurch to Wellington and joined the local Hockey Club. Met up with the star of our Primary School (from Christchurch) team, who was now a GP. He had been running a Clinic in a Mining group in Aus (Broken Hill) and handling 100 patients a day at times - normally 80-85 of them for 1 particular condition! The 100 patients/day had come up as that was part of how GPs were funded in NZ and 1 GP was doing that consistently - to uproar! That guy quite reasonably imo, was simply checking basics, determining the appropriate Specialist to consult and setting up the appointment!

Me, the bottom line is this, listen to your body no one knows it better than you if it don't sound/feel right get it checked out.

The only problem with that approach (only) is that certain conditions can creep up, so detection can be difficult. That's why 'regular' MOT is worthwhile - though regular should not be 'Weekly' like some seem to enjoy!

 

[Tashyboy]

I won't argue with the regular check ups because that is a large part of our job now. "Health survey lance" we call um and they are all bespoke to the individuals work circumstances. Ie someone who works on the face, sorry coal face is exposed to different hazards (dust, heat, noise, water, vibration etc) than someone who works in the pit head baths ( chemicals, urine, Williys)
my problem was my 50 yr old dr,s MOT, I was in and out in 8 mins, it was pathetic. When I did my urine test she never gave me the results. As soon as I got home the mobile rang, GPs number I said straight away what was my urine results, she coughed and spluttered, as she said she forgot to tell me. My keystones were up and she would speak to GP. I told her I was dieting, and that the check up was rushed and rubbish.
Bottom line is they area a good idea but need to be carried out correctly and to good standard and not just so they make money for the GP or to meet targets.

 

[medwayjon]

I know when I need to go, and when I dont pretty much

Also, I have been able to have antibiotics prescribed without actually seeing the GP as when I have explained my problem on the phone to the staff he trusts my judgement enough to write me up

 

[Coatsy79]

I usually give things a couple of weeks to see how it goes, unless I'm seriously in pain or something, being a postie, you pick up little knocks and strains all the time so unless it's really hurting a few ibuprofen etc usually does the trick

I think too many people go in with minor stuff or colds etc hoping to get anti biotics which won't work anyway

I hate wasting doctors valuable time, I'm supposed to go in for a doctors note for a foot issue that means I can't wear normal work shoes but I've not bothered as it seems like a waste their time

 

[srixon 1]

If I have a problem I go to the doctors ASAP. There is no point letting a problem fester and get worse.

 

[chellie]

Re Carpal Tunnel. Serrapeptase is supposed to be good for it.

 

[Slime]

Well I've had pins and needles in two finger tips on my left hand for two weeks now. Still not been to the doctor's it could eith be a trapped nerve somewhere or signs of diabetes.
I'm going to give it another week then go. Just because I'm lazy really.

It sounds very much like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.



I never used to go to the doctor.
Then, as I got older I began going for various injuries. I never go if I'm merely feeling unwell ............. which is very rare.
About four years ago a good mate of mine got a sore lower back which he put down to over doing it at the gym.
Several days later, in increasing discomfort, his wife made him see his GP. He spent the next several weeks in intensive care.
He has Multiple Myeloma and is expecting to die in the next couple of years. It has also led to total kidney failure and is on dialysis three times a week. If he'd seen his GP straight away ....................... who knows?
It may have made no difference, but on the other hand................................
If there's a problem, get it sorted by an expert, please.


Slime.