An excuse for more
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
August 7, 2023 4:16pm CST
Okay, so I had my "medicare wellness check", which was alright in my book. Not my regular primary but another doctor from the clinic. Mostly making sure I am safe living in my own home. He thinks I look more like 50 than 70.
On the other hand, the cardiology appointment. . . got an ekg and got to visit with the doctor and discuss that cardiac calcium screening CT that I went to in February. To make sure that the calcium, which is a very small amount, is on the outside of my arteries I need a stress test echo cardiogram. In another town, on another day. Oh, and I have already scheduled a follow up with this cardiologist in a month.
Every new doctor is a reason for more. . . . more tests, more trips, more meds.
17 people like this
15 responses
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
7 Aug 23
The first doctor is encouraging, at least.
The stress and EKG isn't bad. I had to do one late last year. Take something for a "snack", though. They'll need you to eat after taking the test and what I was given at the hospital was tasteless and stale. (A dry turkey sandwich.) I ate half of it and the nurse was upset when I wouldn't eat the whole thing. 
(I told her to serve something that tastes good for my money and I'd eat it. She got even more unhappy with me. 
)
They're just worried about you. 
(I told her to serve something that tastes good for my money and I'd eat it. She got even more unhappy with me. )
They're just worried about you. 2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
@DaddyEvil It is just the hoop jumping. Right after his stroke Bob had the physical, treadmill test once. With the other machine he was also hooked up to it looked like fireworks. Now Bob gets the chemical stress test. His heart just does not let him do the other.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Thanks for the snack tip. They have not said anything about it maybe being a fasting test or anything. In fact, they have to get with my medicare provider to make sure it is covered.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
8 Aug 23
@GardenGerty You're welcome. It's not a fasting test but it takes hours because of all the different things they'll need you to do. (The doctor wanted me to run on the treadmill to get my heartrate up but I wasn't able to keep running long enough so they had to give me a shot that raised my heartrate to the required speed. Then I had to drink Dr Pepper and eat while waiting for my heartrate to return to normal.)
I can't imagine Medicare refusing the test. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Good luck. We have a great clinic. I describe this doctor to my daughter as "such a nice young man". Blessed by good, fairly local doctors. This is the one that found the bone infections that Bob had last year.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
That is how it is with Bob. Up until now I see a specialist about three times and that is all. I hope it is the same with the cardiologist.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
15 Aug 23
@GardenGerty I am not surprised that the Healthcare primes increase every year, doctors prescribe too many tests and all expensive tests.
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Aug 23
They do seem to all want to add something
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Big deal to me is that they all want me to add a statin to my meds. I do not want to and if I was good and ate my oatmeal more I probably would not need it. Bob says it is one of many things that are Standard Operating Procedure.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
@wolfgirl569 The reason I went to the wellness check was to see if someone could finally report about the cardiac calcium screening I had in February. I am in the 75 percentile of blockage, which means I am way down the line with 74% of people more blocked than I am.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Aug 23
@GardenGerty I just added one but tests were showing some buildup
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
I do not mind the primary, but so many specialists seem to complicate things. We have a lot for Bob.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Aug 23
@GardenGerty I hope they can figure out what's best for him.
@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Yeah I didn't want to go to a primary doctor, but when I got on medicaid I had to pick one. Now she does blood tests almost every time I go.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
I do not have blood tests that often, but many of the specialists do x rays and CT scans and I worry about all the radiation. Blood tests do not bother me.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
8 Aug 23
Yup, because they want their referral $ too.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Maybe. Maybe I just stumped them with issues I had last spring.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
7 Aug 23
I have avoided that Medicare Wellness check. I don't want anyone checking up on me. If I don't feel well, I will go to the doctor.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
That is sort of why I scheduled this. There was something I wanted to know about. Plus after I got home my insurance called me wanting to schedule with one of their providers. I did one by video last year and felt like choosing my own provider was better.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
I hope so too, but they have not called to schedule it yet.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Actually the cardiologist did have my most recent labs and this cardiac calcium test. That is how he knows I do have a little calcium build up. He is doing the next step up.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Aug 23
That was a nice compliment to look so much younger, Good for you. Doctors all want to have a say in anyone who comes as a patient to them. I thank the Lord each day I can keep away from the men in their white coats,
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
More than half of my doctors are women. I think my primary care was concerned when I just felt so awful in June.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Aug 23
I hear you loud and clear. Vince has just made appointments with three different specialists and we know the ophthalmologist will involved at least another three tests, all of which will need to be paid although there are some rebates from our health insurance fund.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
One sure way to go crazy. I hope the cardiologist is one and done.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
Sure seems to be, and as far as I know I am healthy.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
8 Aug 23
The older I get the more tests I'm subjected to. I had an EKG last year for a heart murmur and some plaque in my neck artery. It means more tests, more trips, more meds; but at least they are being thorough with you. Enjoy your day.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Aug 23
I did a lot of these with my older sister.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Aug 23
They want to try the actual physical stress test. I will probably run out of energy on it. Bob even had to do it the first time. Now he gets the chemical test. You have had a lot of physical damage that has been hard on you. I have not and that is likely the difference in how I age. I try to avoid most bad habits.
1 person likes this
