How long has it been since you had a physical?

[nolabear]

This "Let him die" stuff has really gotten to me. For those of us who are over 50 the AMA suggests that we have a physical, colonoscopy, blood work, mammogram, and so on and so forth yearly to insure that nothing is creeping up on us that could have catastrophic results.

Now I'm lucky. I have insurance and for now am healthy and have a job. But how unusual am I around here in being able to do that?

[Lucian]

1. I haven't had one in a few years.

I don't have any medical insurance. I just can't afford to go.

[EFerrari]

10. The years go by fast. It's been about 20 for me.

The last time I had insurance was as a grad instructor at school. It was only basic stuff but that's all I needed.

[Tx4obama]

2. At least seven years. I am over 50 and I have no insurance. n/t

[renate]

3. I have insurance but I'd worry about finding something that would count as a preexisting condition

I'm not saying I'm being smart about this, but I feel fine right now and I would rather not take chances on losing my insurance so it'll be there if I ever *do* have symptoms of anything.

Yay for American health care!

[nolabear]

4. terrifying point

[Abq_Sarah]

5. A regular physical from a GP?

27 years.

[vixengrl]

6. I have insurance--I had a complete physical recently

including bloodwork, and ekg and ecg. And I am relatively young and lealthy (38, ablebodied). But I am still putting off the colonoscopy my parents seem to think I should have by now, and I have never had a mammogram. But they would be covered if I got them. I'm pretty fortunate.

[Skittles]

22. normally mammo not until age 40 and colonoscopy until age 50

unless there's some family history - if that's the case, vixengrl, go ahead and get 'em

[trackfan]

7. I don't think I've ever had one.

I've been to the doctor when necessary, but never had a complete physical.

[Raine]

24. Same here.

I'll go to the doctor if I need to, if I don't need to I don't go.

[grasswire]

8. I don't even know.

Although I have been in the ER a couple of times and have been diagnosed with a few things. I've seen a specialist, but haven't had a real physical exam for probably 15 years. I know that I have another problem going on, but haven't brought it up to any M.D.

[emilyg]

9. Two weeks ago.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Last spring.

Medicare.

[Prism]

12. 15 years

But, I'm in my early 30s. If something does seem off, I won't hesitate to see a doctor. Maybe. Depends on the co-pay and deductible, really.

[justabob]

13. it has been a very long time

Probably not since whenever my last school mandated one was. I am over 40. I am terrified of the prospect, especially without insurance. Fortunately, I am fairly healthy aside from some structural problems... joint pain, bad back etc. Sigh.

[pengillian101]

14. Yearly, recently --- but it was decades of neglect before I paid the price.

Don't neglect your health. Once that's gone, you have next to nothing.

Trust me. I neglected my health to the tune of a stroke and bypass surgery. Be smarter than me, please.

[MedicalAdmin]

27. What's the fucking point.

I don't have health care because I can't afford it. I also don't have health insurance because if I can't afford health care I sure as fuck can't afford insurance. I haven't had a physical in over 20 years, nor have I seen dentist or eye doctor.

You make a good point and for those who are rich or still middle class and covered it is sound advice. But for the other 50% of the population it is pointless. Why have a diagnostic test when you can't afford the test and if it finds something you sure as fuck can't afford to get it treated. My plan, like many involves a gun, and I plan on taking an honor guard of insurance company assholes and IME medical doctor subhuman pricks with me. After all, one should strive to leave the world a better place than one finds it.

Thats just my opinion and in no way shOuld be considered more than the late night ramblings of someone who can't sleep because of the pain.

[pengillian101]

54. Hope you're feeling better.

"Thats just my opinion and in no way shOuld be considered more than the late night ramblings of someone who can't sleep because of the pain."

:hug:

I'm up half the night sometimes too - for the same reason. Nice to visit with ya. :hi:

[MedicalAdmin]

55. Right back atcha.

:toast:

Some days suck but most are a revelation of good times, even with the pain.

[bhikkhu]

15. 30 years...I was 16, and was insured through my mom's work

I had one checkup since in a job-screening 12 years ago, but that wasn't anything intrusive.

I'm very healthy, eat well and am addiction-free, and pretty fortunate (so far).

[SheilaT]

16. A very long time.

I do have insurance (and had to pass a pee-in-the-cup drug test for my current job), but I am the healthiest person I know, so I don't bother.

I do also worry a little about something being discovered that then becomes a pre-existing condition.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

17. A real one?

Ages. I make no bones about the fact I'm probably fucked.

[Abin Sur]

18. A few months

I've had them every year for the last 25 years.

[Blue_In_AK]

19. I am very fortunate.

My retired husband's union (MEBA) flies us down to Oakland every year for a complete physical. The union pays the air fare and 100% of the cost of the exam. We pay quite a premium for just the two of us ($800 a month), but this is a nice benefit. We always throw in a vacation while we're down there. Our next exam is September 23.

[Skittles]

20. I have insurance through work; had a physical Sep 8

every year though it gets pricier and the benefits decrease - the joke is that benefits now means "bend over and see if it fits"

[Starry Messenger]

21. Not since high school.

25 years ago? About that probably.

[Withywindle]

23. 2007

Lost my job with health insurance in 2008.


I don't want a checkup - if I got diagnosed with something awful, I would have no way of paying for treatment. My two current part-time jobs combined pay about 21K (too much for Medicaid for my single/childless-therefore-officially-valueless ass; only just barely enough to pay for food and rent and transportation). If I have something terminal, I'd honestly rather not know.

[Zorra]

25. Just had my first physical since 2000. nt

[bainz]

26. About 3 years.

I have medical insurance, but it is high deductible. They say they will provide a yearly physical for free, but the last time I got one, I was still billed about 250.00, because the insurance company did not agree with what the Doctor did. Went back and forth and finally just paid the bill.

But hey! I have a card to put in my wallet.

[MilesColtrane]

28. 23 years go

Back when I had employer paid health insurance

[Raven]

29. Every year...having mine today. I'm on Medicare. n/t

[unblock]

30. i've never heard of annual colonoscopies

typically they're every 3-5 years depending on the results.

i suppose they might recommend them more frequently depending on the particular family history and individual results, but this is not across-the-board, afaik.


i've had annual physicals since age 40 and am will have my next colonoscopy (at 3 year intervals) next year.

[MADem]

32. I thought they were every ten years for people over fifty if there were no issues....

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/06/colonoscopy-screening-.html

[a la izquierda]

58. Well, whatever the frequency...

thank god my mom's partner had one with her wellness exam. She had a malignant tumor.

[Waiting For Everyman]

31. 1983

I've had insurance that long but it doesn't cover physicals, diagnostics, or prevention of any kind. Doesn't cover dental either or vision. But if I get a terrible illness, I'm fully covered. I guess it beats nothing, but it's pretty useless to me because I haven't had a medical problem in all that time (luckily). So far, I haven't been able to afford to pay for the physical myself, so I haven't had one. I don't even have a GP to call because I've been out of the system for that long, and the last one I had has passed away. Finding one is on my "things to do" list someday. I'm 61.

[RebelOne]

33. Don't remember when, I hate doctors and avoid them

whenever possible. I am 72 years old and do not have any serious illnesses. I have high blood pressure but take medication for it.

[badtoworse]

34. 5 months. I have one every year

[cutlassmama]

35. A couple of years ago. I have health insurance. I've been in and out of

the hospital a lot and seen the doctor for ailments in that time too.

[ipaint]

36. 21 years- no physical and no health ins. nt

[Delphinus]

37. I only

have catastrophic insurance - and had that for only four of the last twelve years.

Haven't seen a doctor for a physical in eight or nine years. Did get a mammogram in 2007 - that will probably be my last one.

I'm now 53.

I still say Medicare for All.

[EstimatedProphet]

38. I have one every 6 months

I would never be able to without insurance or some sort of healthcare package.

[socialshockwave]

39. I'm going to get mine on Friday. n/t

[LWolf]

40. a complete physical? 11 years.

Mammogram or pap? 7 years. That could change in the next year.

Blood test for thyroid condition and blood sugar issues? 4 years.

I have insurance. I have large copays and a large deductible; both have more than doubled in the last 3 years.

My premiums have increased by larger than usual amounts in the last 3 years.

Meanwhile, my pay has been cut every year for the last 3 years. Sometimes twice in one fiscal year. Sometimes DOUBLE cuts, by first cutting salary and then cutting work days.

That doesn't leave anything in the budget for copays and deductibles.

[livetohike]

41. Yesterday. We are self insured with a high deductible

This annual physical will be covered as will an annual visit to the gynecologist. Anything else, I will have to pay until I reach my deductible. I have to go for a Dexascan tomorrow and will have to pay the entire cost.

[kudzu22]

42. Last week

[raccoon]

43. About 20 years. Have now individual insurance with a huge deductible, but for about 13 years had no

coverage.

Haven't had employer-provided coverage since early 1990's.

[Javaman]

44. I get one every year.

I'm lucky to have a health plan.

Many don't.

We are a sad nation.

[GoCubsGo]

45. Going on 5 years.

I haven't been to a doctor since I got laid off and lost my health insurance. The few temp jobs I have been able to get didn't include benefits, and didn't pay enough to afford self-insurance. I am 50, with a family history of cancer. My mom had breast cancer twice, and has been devastated by complications from the second round. I am sure I have issues related to stress. Hell, I gained 40 lbs. from stress-eating since this whole fiasco started. I would be even worse shape if I gave up they gym membership (that's my health insurance right now) or had temp jobs that required lots of walking on difficult terrain for 10 hours a day.

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. 17 years ago after my older brother died of a massive heart attack at age 41.

I had just had a baby at age 37 (he actually died when I was pregnant) and was scared to death I would drop dead too and my son would have no mom. Now, even though we have insurance, I NEVER go to the doctor unless I have to. I don't even have a "family" doctor. I thumb through the phone book for a GP and start calling to see if they will see me. The last time I went to the doctor was for a sinus infection and my head was ready to explode... probably 4 years ago. I then went to the drug store and bought a Netti Pot and haven't had a sinus infection since. Why discover an illness/malady that can be considered a pre-existing illness in the future? I AVOID doctors and now dentists too. My insurance won't even cover annual pap smears or women's preventative care! I was SHOCKED the last time I went to my OB/GYN and received the bill after BC/BS didn't pay it. I've never heard of such a thing...EVER. I detest insurance companies....especially BC/BS. They refused to pay for a colonoscopy AFTER I had called to make sure the doctor was a participating provider, he is. They refused to pay the fucking bill because he did the colonoscopy in his clinic, not the fucking hospital. I'm done with their bullshit. I go to the doctor ONLY if I have no other choice or alternative medicine/treatment or am in severe pain. Fuck ém. This is just one more reason we are getting the hell out of this hell-hole of a country in 4 years. We can live in a third world country and have healthcare coverage for next to NOTHING at a Mount Sinai Hospital! It's shameful what this country has become. I hate living here.

Rant over...

[bemildred]

49. Around 1999 I think it was.

I only seek "health care" when I have an actual, apparent "health problem" that I don't have the means to address myself.

[in_cog_ni_to]

50. Exactly. I much prefer alternative medicine. The reason I had a colonoscopy

was because of severe, unexplained diarrhea and they found I had colitis. The doctor put me on meds that made it worse, which was damn near impossible it was so bad. I tossed the meds in the garbage, hit the internet and found Probiotics had helped some people (this was many years ago before Probiotics were all the rage) and I started taking them. Two weeks taking them and I was all better! I still take them and have never had any repeat episodes.


My poor little dog had bloody stools and the vet put her on steroids and antibiotics which did nothing after one round of them. I gave her some of my probiotic and within days she was better.

There are better ways than supporting our corrupt healthcare system and Big Pharmaceutical companies and it's a hell of a lot less expensive and much healthier for you.

[pengillian101]

53. Good job!

What a wonderful alternative you found. And for your doggy too :applause:

:hi:

[bemildred]

57. Well, it was a complete waste of time and money.

Wait for three hours (2,5 hours after appointment time, now middle of lunch), no apology, brief "thorough physical". and three new prescriptions to "try".

[noamnety]

47. Had a full checkup this summer

resulting in surgery when they found some stuff. (all good now)
I have health insurance.

Also though, about 2 days ago I brought my drugstore-purchased blood pressure checker to someone without insurance so we could check their pressure. That was the closest they could get to a checkup, even though they had to call in sick to work a week or two ago because they had massive chest pains. His girlfriend couldn't get the day off so she had a friend stop by to check on him partway through the day to see if he was still alive.

[jannyk]

48. Never (I'm 59).

[riderinthestorm]

51. My 9th grade physical so almost 40 years ago. I didn't go back for a checkup after my kids were born

I don't have any major health complaints (yet) but I realize that's gambling.

Honestly, I'll probably wait until I do experience something. It's been ringing my bell to go in 2014 when everyone is theoretically supposed to be covered and if they DO discover something major you can't be turned down and the premium can't be jacked up.

[scorpiogirl]

52. Probably shortly after having my last child

who is now seven. I haven't had insurance for three years. I'm right at the age where all the base-line stuff should be done. My doctor told me to wait until I'm 40 to have my first colonoscopy. Too bad it never occurred to me I'd be uninsured at age 40. My mom died of colon cancer seven years ago. I've never had a mammogram either. I only go to the doctor when he makes me go in to check my meds or if something is urgent. $85/office visit makes lots of things not so urgent.

[aSpeckofDust]

56. Back when I did little league. I'm 28 now.

so about 20 years.