Am I a coward, or can't I be arsed?

Hi, I had a virus at the beginning of the year, visited my GP a couple of times and had to be supported by my husband because I could hardly walk, only to be told to go away because 'it's just a virus'. Saw a different GP who got me into hospital so fast my feet barely touched. Turns out I had such a bad chest Infection it ripped a hole in my lung as big as a 50 pence piece! So now I don't know whether to have faith in my GP or not

I have been reading this with interest. I have a number of serious health conditions, but am notorious for thinking I can manage them without much intervention, apart my visits to various clinics. My GP once told a group of medical students, that if I had come into the surgery to see him, I must be really unwell.
However, last year I began to feel unwell, absolutely exhausted and in a lot of pain from my rheumatoid arthritis. I thought I could keep going and work through it, without seeing my GP. Anyway, I was "indispensable" at work, or so I thought. I had a routine hospital appointment and was basically "grounded" by my consultant, who could not believe I was still working as a teacher with very challenging children. The result of my stubbornness: after being off work for over a year, I was told I would never be fit to work again and had to give up my much loved job. My advice, go and see your GP if you have any health concerns, I should have!

Regarding smear test I've just had mine done by a lovely practice nurse who put me totally at ease - no problem & the bonus is that result is clear.

I no longer accept invitation for mammogram as I had a benign lump removed as it was growing & there was a chance it would cause irritation with my bra. 1st op fine but I had to be rushed in for a 2nd op (verging on septicemia) which has left me with lots of scar tissue, mammograms have always been painful so self checks will do for me

Some really good advice on here - hoping all those who have health niggles go & have them checked out - it's such a relief to know what's wrong.

I'm being monitored at the moment for a blood problem & my diabetes (type 2) - hope they find out what's causing my problem & then we can deal with it

Our surgery offers a health check done by a nurse if you are over 50. Weight, BP, bloods. It's a good start, more relaxed than a 10 minute appointment with a doctor, & she may be able to work out what would be worth making a GP appointment for if you tell her all your issues.

Gadaboutgran it's awful. How do they treat your mouth lichen? I don't have it there and I don't take BP pills. It maybe connected to any of the stack of pills I have to take daily so I'm going to investigate ☺

Just a word of warning about ignoring things. At this time last year I was getting pains in my chest after doing some heavy gardening. Just to keep my DH quiet I went to the doctor and explained that it was just a muscle strain in my chest. He hummed and said it would do any harm to have an angiogram which took place two days later which I thought was a little bit OTT to get it done that quickly. Two days after that I was in Southampton Hospital for a triple coronary bypass as my three main arteries were 97% blocked. Its been a tough year gradually recovering but just yesterday I was out in the garden with DGC turning over stones and looking for creepy crawlies and it hit me that I nearly died and I just don't want to go yet. Little girl wanted to know why I was crying over an ants nest. One day, if spared, I will tell her.

The receptionist at my GP surgery told me just to say that it's personal when ask why I need an appointment and no more questions would be asked.

I think we have moved from an NHS GP who we felt would guide us with respect to what was best for our health to a situation where we now have to decide what help we need.

As has been suggested lots of us start on google. Then we go to the chemist and discuss what we experience and what it might mean with the pharmacist at our local chemist. then we either buy something or make a GP appointment.

It is a good idea to think about anything that might be in the family i.e. stroke, heart failure, deafness, cataracts.

This is a site which deals with medical tests for the over 6o's
www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/milestone-medical-tests-60-up

I keep a file on my health with a folder for each system of the body or issues such as cholesterol.

I do ask for a full blood test once every 2 years. I do have high cholesterol but diet (meusilli every morning) has kept the ratio reasonable. My vitamin D was low so I took the NHS pills got the level up and now take 7 Seas Original Codliver Oil and a dash of orange juice each morning. (hope this does not increase the Cholesterol)

I do think it is a good thing to stay ahead of problems if you can. I had a joint x-rayed so I know I have osteo arthritis in it and I purchase or take medication (not NHS) as needed.

I had my cataracts done as soon as the first eye could not read a number plate at the required distance with spectacles. A friend of mine waited until she could not read the signs on a round about so took a 'green' one so as to have a chance to stop and orientate herself!!

So there are lots of choices, similar to having a car serviced. Not that you can buy a new body!!

I also once had a private check up. I took their report to the GP who scanned it for my medical records. That was quite good.

This is an example of one I found on the internet:

www.getlivesmart.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwuJu9BRDP_-HN9eXs1_UBEiQAlfW39uDolA1Gpx47dhqmrmk0tSuZH0oGLPEk2-ms5B2l_4caAlVf8P8HAQ

I am not sure which company did mine but I was happy to receive their detailed report and to know that every system seemed to be functioning.

Good luck.

please, anyone go for a check up. I waited to late and ignored my symptoms, luckily they were able to treat my cancer but I have been told it will probably come back at some point.

albertina that is truly shocking

Dear Oldgoose I would take yourself off to your GP and ask for an MOT.Get blood pressure, cholesterol etc checked. I think we older ladies are like lovely older Rolls Royces. Superb engineering that just needs tweaking now and then.
If you don't feel comfortable with your GP then change to another one. It is surprisingly easy.
I changed after my GP of 24 years left and the one who replaced him actually whistled at me and pointed to his mouth when he felt I wasn't listening to him. It was humiliating. You need to trust your GP.

I am amazed at the number of posters, who have some symptoms of varying severity, who ignore them, despite suffering worry and discomfort. I've had some major health problems but I'm not at the Drs every five minutes. In the last 2years I've only been for a medication check. However, I'd be there like shot if I thought I had something serious. My judgement has been right in the past.
Also, if it's not an emergency, what's wrong with waiting a while for an appointment?

No, it's not all to do with age, but it is part of the equation.

Agree with mumsy it's all to do with age. I don't diet but watch what I eat, drink plenty of water tho go the the loo more, which is a pain, especially early hours of the morning
That hot weather we had a while back was so uncomfortable wake up n the night really hot and had my flushes years ago. Get checked out with your Dr. Best thing if you can
Or google and see what comes up. Wish you well anyway

I made the mistake of seeing a doctor about a minor problem. By the time they had finished with me I had been diagnosed with two problems, for both of which I have no symptoms and need no medication.

I have probably had one since childhood, and it is the last physical remnant of a childhood medical problem that was dealt with 60 years ago and the other, which probably dates back to the birth of my first child, is merely a 'watch list' possibility that has remained unchanged for nearly 10 years.

However I have to mention both when I apply for travel insurance, which affects how much I pay.

The only good thing that has come out of it is that I get invited to an appointment with the nurse every year where they check my blood pressure and ask for the usual specimens for other tests, so if there are signs I am developing anthing else it should be picked up.

GandT I should go to the wellman clinic, my father did, and they picked up his bladder cancer while it was still in the precursor stage and it never developed or became of any danger to him. He lived a full life, otherwise on good physical and mental health until a short final illness when he was 92.

My GP German jingl nuff said

Meansashy I've got lichen planus in mouth & genitals so sympathise. I suggested to the dermatologist that it might be linked to my BP pills (Ramipril). She checked & wrote saying it could be & I'm changing pills). My Gp said there is another group of BP drugs that can be linked.

Recently I had an appointment with my GP and was asked if a student could be present, the appointment could be longer to accommodate this. I agreed, but when I turned up the student wasn't there. The GP had extra time and asked if there was anything else he could help with. My mind went blank. I am so used to going in with one complaint and rushing to explain it. After I left the surgery I thought of all the niggling things I should have asked. An opportunity missed!

Urgent referral for endoscopy if dysphagia present, or weight loss. (None of the latter round 'ere)

Not going by NICE harrigran. Treat with PPI. Then camera down throat job if drug no good. It also says if patient feels too frail for endoscopy, then they shouldn't press it on them. Most reflux is just that old muscle giving out on us (as you know, of course #grannysuckeggs)

I've got two lumps__ one in a private place and one in a public place! Also got a frozen shoulder and should have gone for a chest xray because of my persistent cough. The reason for not attending the xray is because I aren't drive that far and embarrassment about one of the lumps. I've been worried for ages but can't get over my embarrassment . Also, don't want bad news as I had a bad scare when my aneurysm made itself known. After that, I said to myself "no more illnesses."

'Pain in left arm' sounds a bit worrying...

Sounds like low thyroid - all my symptoms disappeared in 2 weeks when I was put on thyroxine. Have some tests - the nurse usually does them.

When I book online there is a question about why you want the appointment - I just put "review" - suitably meaningless but it gets me the appointment.

I am surprised jingl that you say Omeprazole is dispensed without tests, the guidelines are usually to have endoscopy before prescribing unless of course it is preventative ie for use with NSAI.
If you are worried enough to mention your concerns then you should be seeing your GP. Tests are a normal part of diagnosis and to bury your head can delay treatment.
Thinking you can treat yourself too can be unwise.