Do you avoid going to the doctor?
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
April 14, 2007 7:17pm CST
Isn't it strange that when our kids are sick we have no problem getting them to the doctor, but when it has to do with our own health we put it off? I do anyway, I've been suffering from headaches, haven't had a period since January and I still haven't gone. I've called the office but never made an appointment. Do you put off going to the doc? Why?
4 people like this
11 responses
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Princeworthy "raises hand" I do! I don't go to the doctor at all. I don't have any health insurance. If I have a medical problem I have to ignore it until it goes away or becomes a medical emergancy. I will go to the emergancy room if things get bad enough. I know that this is dangerous but what other options do I have? Since my hubby and I don't have kids we make too much to get government help and we don't make enough to afford private insurance. The insurance through his work is $76 a WEEK! Even with paying the $76 a week there are still copays and it is just not an option.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
15 Apr 07
My hubby also has insurance through work, and I think the $70 a week they take out of his check is well worth it, especially since we have 3 kids. My son has heart problems and the first visit to the specialist alone cost $1800. Our insurance covered all but $125 of it, and that was just to satisfy our deductible, the rest of the year everything was covered. In Illinois we have a statewide public health insurance program where they do your premiums on a sliding scale according to income, it is a great program, and open to everybody. I don't know where you live, but you should see if your state has something like this, then God forbid, if something happens you aren't swamped with medical bills.
1 person likes this
@Married2aMarine (1273)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I've done that many times and paid the price for it! I don't know why I'm so negligent when it comes to my own health. My worst one was when I was 5 months pregnant. I was really sick and kept putting it off. When I finally did go to see the doc, I was diagnosed with pneumonia!!!!! Boy, did I get an earful from the doc!!! I'm learning be better at it though. I don't let anything go longer than 3 days. Now, my motivation is not to pass on any germs to my kid and husband. Plus, I find it really hard to get anything done around the house when I'm sick.
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
15 Apr 07
The only time I would call the doc over every little thing was when I was pregnant! Otherwise, forget about it! I requested you as a friend, I ammarried to an ex Marine.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
15 Apr 07
Yes I do as I am scared what I am going to be told next
Before my Illness I never went to the Doctor often at all very rare and I didn't mind
But since I have been diagnosed with my Illness I am scared to go
It has taken me 6 weeks to make an Appointment for my Leg but it is getting bad now so I am there tomorrow
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I delay too, but I would not put it off for that long. I had heart palps for about a month and kept putting it off but finally went to my doc. If my periods sotpped for months I would definitely get it checked out. Good luck!!!
2 people like this
@paul8675 (750)
• Australia
18 Apr 07
This is a pet dislike of mine, waiting long times in doctors' surgeries or even worse having to wait days to see a doctor, primarily because far too many people unneccessarily continue to make regular and trivial visits that make it hard for genuine people who rarely need appointments, but are genuinely sick when they do. An undersupply of overpaid doctors also does not help.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Because you are scared of what they might tell you but look at it this way. It is a great feeling when you are told nothing is seriously wrong.
1 person likes this
@SpitFire179 (2536)
• Canada
15 Apr 07
i like to avoid the doc unless i need a refill of my asthma medication, and even then, it takes me a month or so to go back, i put it off till i have an attack and need it bad :P
But my hubby always makes me go, just like i make him go, so i end up going anyway if he finds out I'm short or out.
You sure your not pregnant hun? I would go in and get that checked, cause that's totally odd.... At least you'd find out if it was something bad, and you might find it's something awesome...
Take care of yourself, just remember, you can take the kids in when they need to go, and that's all good, but how are you supposed to do that if your not around?
@infinity239 (140)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I am guilty of trying to avoid the doctor. I'm not sure why I don't like going, but I try to go as litte as possible. I think it may be a confidence thing. Now that we aren't kids anymore, we think we can handle ourselves and our problems without a doctor treating us. I was once sick with what ended up being the flu. I felt bad for about a week but never had the guts to call the doctor. I felt terrible, but was being to "tough" to try to get some help. I ended up making an appointment and I was happy I did. I got medicine and was feeling better in about a week and a half. I think most adults try to avoid going to the doctor, even when they should.
