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Doctor advice

Posted: Apr 19, 2010

Do any of you not get the annual tests done that your doctor advises? I am getting tired of always explaining why I won't get a mammogram, pelvic exam or colonoscopy. He gets very perturbed with me but I am a true believer that the patient has to take responsibility for their medical care or else the doctor will test you for everything under the sun, especially if you have insurance (which I do). He always says "what does it matter to you, it's not your money". Actually, it is my money when I have to pay 20% or more for tests that I think are frivilous. I'm sure that one of these days he's going to dismiss me from his practice for noncompliance. I do get all my lab work done for the meds I'm taking but that's about it.

;

I just had a physical. My doctor asked why I - havent had my mammo, colonoscopy, (sm)

[ In Reply To ..]
bone density screening, etc. I had a one-word answer: "MONEY". Yes, I have insurance. But right now I can't even afford the $20 deductibles for all those extra office visits, let alone the time off work to have them done. Also, my little sis got a colonoscopy (or attempted to) recently, and said it was excruciatingly painful, she was crying, and the procedure was aborted. She is no wimp, either -she's one tough cookie. There is no colon cancer anywhere in my family history, either. I just think alot of that is a revenue-generating ploy. The doctors are often partners in the organization where they practice, so they get kickbacks even if a procedure is done by another department, like radiology.

Anway, so my doc says, "So, if I put an order into the system for you to have a colonoscopy, does this mean you probably won't have it done?"
My answer was, "Correctamundo."

I don't even have a family doctor (or a family) - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't even have a family doctor. All I have is an annual mammo and gyn appt. I've never had a colonoscopy, since it involves having someone with you to take you home. I have no family or close friends, When the gyn askes me if I've had a colonoscopy yet, I tell him, "Yeah, don't you remember, we were in the waiting room together."

screenings - get 'em! - truffle

[ In Reply To ..]
I have no family history of colon cancer either and the only breast cancer in my family is my paternal grandmother at the age of 75. Yet I found myself at age 42 with both breast cancer AND colon cancer. I hadn't seen my doctor in a couple of years because I did not think I could afford the co-pays, and really since I didn't feel sick I didn't put forth the effort. The amount of lost wages due to time I have been off work has far exceeded any co-pays. Get the screenings ladies. You are worth the time and effort and money. I wish I had made myself more of a priority and I could have caught things even earlier.

"You need to see a specialist" sm - Sims

[ In Reply To ..]
I recently saw one of the physicians at the local university where I am a student (yes, in my 50's). After describing a problem with my feet, he said I most likely had peripheral neuropathy and gave me a referral to a neurologist. I have no health insurance, and was surprised when no local neurologist would see me, even if I paid cash! The same with a gastroenterologist I saw last week - one doctor in the practice saw me for cash and only ordered two tests as he knew I had no insurance, both of which I can afford out of pocket. (We have no insurance because husband is deceased and my MTSO does not offer benefits).

I know the local Catholic hospital offers free or reduced priced mammograms periodically, but I admit I have never taken advantage of it. What if something was found, how would I pay for the treatment? On my great MT pay??

Frivolous tests. sm - CrispyCritterMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't have insurance and pay for everything out of pocket. My doctor knows this. Last May went to a health fair which she suggested and got $200+ worth of lab work for $20; CBC, BMP, lipids, etc. including TSH. I have a goiter and hypothyroidism and so have TSH tested every few months or so for Synthroid dose (I get samples). So I have all these labs in late May. In October I need another TSH which I'm told will cost $50. Imagine my surprise when I get a lab bill for $300! They did CBC, BMP, lipid panel, ALT, every I had just had in May along with the TSH, which by the way cost $93. Found out later if I go to a LabCorp site and pay upfront, its only $48 for a TSH. I'm still paying on this lab bill. Personally I think the nurse ordered these tests, they use EMR, and the doc didn't bother to double check. I asked the doctor about the labs and she talked around the whole issue. I going to another doctor. She wanted me to come back in January for another TSH and I guess another $300 bill which I cancelled of course. The office staff also treats me like dirt because I don't have insurance which I don't understand because I'm saving them a lot of work. They just don't like it when I ask how much things cost.

I'm with you! - Call me noncompliant

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm just turning 50, and it seems that's the signal to turn on all the testing. When I was 45, I had a breast reduction, so I had a mammogram done just before that surgery. Two years later, I had another one. All is well, and somewhere down the line, I'll have another, but I'm not getting a mammogram done every year. And I see no need to have a colonoscopy just because I've turned 50. If I were having some sort of problem, absolutely. But I'm not paying the co-pay for something that in my estimation is not necessary at this point in time. I always tell my doc, "Okay, you informed me. Now I'll decide when."

tests - mt2

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks guys! I feel much better knowing I'm not the only one. Now if I was only brave enough to say, NO I'm not getting on that scale!

Just gotta ask if you even read my reply. - truffle

[ In Reply To ..]
It sounds like you just wanted some others to agree that screenings aren't necessary. Screenings save lives! Of course you have your choice to decline them, but let's not act like that is a WISE thing to do. It's just your personal choice. Your doctor is your friend and is trying to ensure that you live a long and healthy life. If you don't believe that, you should get a different doctor whom you trust. Colon polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer. Colon cancer frequently strikes people with no family history of the disease, such as myself.

By the way, I just have to say that a colonoscopy should be a completely pain-free procedure, unless for some odd reason you should opt to have one with no sedation. They should not be feared.

Dont' think she read mine either! - LK

[ In Reply To ..]
You can always find someone to agree with you. Doesn't necessarily mean you should take their advice. I agree with you Truffle, these screenings can and do save many lives. It's like making the choice to use or not use a seat belt. I believe it's foolhardy to not use lifesaving means that are available to you, but sounds like the OP already had her mind made up.

Maybe these MTs have never - truffle

[ In Reply To ..]
typed Oncology. The best tool against cancer is screening.

BTW, the seatbelt analogy is a good one. :)

Of course, I read all the replies. - mt2

[ In Reply To ..]
I know all the options and all the reasons to get the tests done and I choose not to. I just wondered who else didn't get them done and what they told their doctor.

I, however, do not believe my doctor is my friend. I think these days doctors are being pushed upon to order tests, prescribe medicine and not all of them are needed. I know they are trying to make money for whoever they work for and at the same time are covering their own butts, which is why I feel they can make all the suggestions they want and I need to be the one to make the final decision.

That is really too bad. - truffle

[ In Reply To ..]
I will never forget the look on my doctor's face when she had to tell me my mammogram was BIRADS 5. She was professional, of course, but I could see how upset she was. I know she cares about my health, not about making money for the radiologist or Women's Center. She ordered a mammogram because I was over 40 and had not yet had one, and it is an excellent screening tool for breast cancer. I am so grateful that she did her job and brought up the topic of a mammogram even though I was seeing her for something else.

I would suggest to you that you find a doctor you can really trust. If you don't think you can EVER trust ANY doctor, that's a different issue altogether. How do you know the medicine they prescribe is really what you need?

Colonoscopies and mammograms are not frivolous. They save lives, plain and simple. You and others may choose to not have these screenings, but I'm not going to miss the opportunity to ask you to reconsider the consequences. It's true that somebody will make some money by your having these tests, but you are the one who will benefit most!

Who do you think is pushing these doctors and - Allysgrandma

[ In Reply To ..]
why in the world would they let someone push them? Have you ever worked in a doctor's office? Most doctors are too busy to sit and think.... mmmm... what can I push on this patient today! Ridiculous.

They are ordering tests to screen us. I am 52 and overdue for a colonoscopy. I am dreading it as it is unknown, but my mother has 2 siblings who have had colon cancer so I know I am getting one soon.

As far as mammos go.... try typing pathology for a while on very young women who are turning up with it. I get all my screening tests done and for many years I had a large deductible and I still did it. My health is too important to take chances with.

I understand avoiding some tests, but mammograms... I don't get that at all. Family history doesn't matter anymore with breast cancer, everyone is at risk.

docs - mt2

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, worked in many a doctor's office. My former doctor was in a practice run by the local hospital. We had a mutual friend who told me the doc's raise was determined by how many tests his patients actually had done. Hospitals are a business just like anywhere else. What matters the most is the bottom line.

Anyway, the original post was to find out who else didn't have these tests done for whatever reason, not to get blasted.

Your're taking your chances - LK

[ In Reply To ..]
Of course to each his own, and your health is very personal. But I think the pelvic exam, mammo, and colonoscopy are worth it if you can afford it. Colonoscopies are one of the few tests that can actually prevent cancer (by removing pre-cancerous polyps), and they don't have to be done that often. Mammos every 2 years should be sufficient, same with pelvics. I have a friend diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 52 (no colonscopy, obviously), a step sister diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s, and a friend diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s. I feel we need to do what we can to catch these things early. I think these tests are far from "frivilous." But you're entitled to your opinion, and it's your body.

I get my mammo and pap every year -sm -

[ In Reply To ..]
I have great insurance through my DH otherwise I'd probably not get them done yearly. My mom was adopted so I have absolutely no FH for breast cancer, uterine cancer, etc. My mom would never go to the doctor, hence she died at an early age of 68 from CHF. So I do not consider the tests a waste of money, even if I did have to pay 20%...I'd still get them done, just probably every 2 years instead of annually. I think it is just foolish not to get them done when you can afford them, they could save your life. I'd rather spend a few bucks for piece of mind every couple of years then be cheap and dead.

I also subjected myself to a colonoscopy when I was 40 - sm -

[ In Reply To ..]
I was having bleeding otherwise the doc would not have recommended it, so 10 years early I went through that fun. I knew it was hemorrhoids, but they wanted to confirm, and luckily for me that is all it was, but I felt better for getting the test and having that confirmed. It stinks not knowing your maternal family history. If my mom had not be so hung up about doctors (she had a few fun childhood illnesses, German measles, rheumatic fever that her "mom" did not take her to the doctor to until things were quite bad), so she was pretty freaked out about doctors. I type 90% oncology and it really fries me when these women find a lump or have all these weird symptoms but put off going to the doctor (in denial, afraid, etc), and by they time they get their butt to the clinic they are stage III or IV without much hope. Very sad to type up especially the ones with young children at home.

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