[Greenleaves]

I'm relatively young at 23 (24 soon) and I think I'm healthy, but I haven't had a physical check-up in years. Is it necessary to get a check-up?

I was in the hospital in Feb. for an overdose and they took lots of blood. They would have found out if there was something wrong with me right?

I just hate using up so many medical resources. I see a p-doc regularly and feel like a leech or something.

Is it important for young seemingly healthy people to get check-ups?

Whether of not I am sick I get yearly phusicals that way my doctor has a baseline to go by when I do get sick. Then I see my doctor for other things on a schedule that he chooses for example. I was on depression medication and I wanted to try and go without it. so he set a schedule of med checks every 6 months (just like I did when I was on medicaton) that way if and when my depression kicks in again we catch it BEFORE I reach the edge not at the edge of going over. Even though I am now cancer cell free I get blood work drawn every 6 months to make sure I am still in remission because regardless of my cancer cancer runs in my family so I have been having caner preventive and screening appointments as early as my turning 18. Because I saw many relatives die of this desease and I know the earler its caught and diagnosed the chances of suvival is alot better. Alot of my friends even though they are perfectly healthy go for screenings of varios problems specifically for catching it ealy should the problem attack. So for me and my friends yea getting check ups is in our best interst.

[Perzephone]

I'd say once a year, and for women a once-yearly gynecologist visit is important. It's probably good to see a dentist once a year, too - unless you've got teeth/gum problems.

Usually, if you're on medication that can build tolerance quickly, the prescribing doctor will specify when they want you back in for a review. For my b.p. meds, it's once a month when I'm on a new pill or a new dose, then once every six months when my b.p. levels out.

[Maven]

You're supposed to see a physician twice a year. Just because you seem healthy, doesn't mean you are. And, what they would have found out about you as far as the blood they took depends on what kinds of tests they did. There are things they may not have tested for, and there are things that a blood test won't show.

You should go to a doctor and get a check-up. You're not a leech; everyone should see doctors regularly.

[Lexicon78]

For a regular check-up I'd suggest going at least twice a year. That way you can see if you are having any problems or not. I go more than that because my family has a history of illnesses.

[jennie]

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Is it important for young seemingly healthy people to get check-ups?

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i think family medical history and your personal lifestyle (diet, exercise, partying, stress etc.) should be factors in deciding how often to schedule checkups. also important is how well you listen to your body. are you ignoring a health problem?

[drunksunflower]

I figure when/if something is wrong my body will tell me.

The only thing I am particular about is girly stuff- have to get smears every 3 years or u are bad, and check your bewbies!!!!! (even if you are only in your 20s like me).

[Maven]

You can't always know if you have something wrong with you, and if you wait until your body tells you, it might be too late. But I get the feeling, in reading your posts, you don't really care how often to see the doc is best. I think you just wanted reassurance that you're ok if you don't have any symptoms, and don't need to see a doc. That's not the case, but you'll do what you want.

[drunksunflower]

If that was to me ... it isn't my thread, I was just offering my take on it

[Lexicon78]

drunksunflower...I understand you are young and everything, but if I were you I'd be getting checked out much more often. Your body doesn't tell you everything. I mean my mom was very depressed and didn't know anything was wrong except for being tired all the time until 2 months before she died. So you're body can't be that dependable.

Umm...the girly stuff must be done every year. Trust me on this one! You could have some disease or cancer and be dead at the end of the 3 year period!

[Maven]

No, sunflower, I meant that for Greenleaves, sorry! I just clicked on the wrong post.

[Greenleaves]

I'm really scared to see the doctor.

There isn't anything wrong with me (I think).

I don't like being touched or getting needles.

[drunksunflower]

Hmmm, here you get smears yearly for the first two years after you start having sex then if all is normal you get them every 3 years subsequently.

If I was feeling tired (and realising it was not due to 'depression', stress, or lack of exercise) then i would probably go and check things out. however having said that i do tend to procrastinate.

Maven:

[backandforth]

hun, I know you don't want to go and I'm totally with you there, but sometimes, after not having gone for so long, it really does pay off to go for a check up... it's called preventative care, so you don't end up having to fix something big b/c you didn't go before... a lot of things CAN be prevented or treater early and if nothing's wrong then at least you know, instead of worrying about it.... I know this isn't the same, but I dragged out going to the dentist (for various reasons) and I SO wish I would have gone. as scarry as it was and STILL is, it's NOT worth it. It really isn't. pls go... at least to some drop in medical clinic if you don't like your doctor or are not comfortable w/ the whole thing..... or do you know of a friend's doctor who's good?

[Hopefull]

My doctor wants me in once every two years and I am due. So, I will try to get the guts to go. But, I always wonder how much money it will cost. I have health insurance for now. I'm sure I'm not very popular with them because of the cost of the T appointments.
As for the "girlie" things, my doctor has never even asked me to do that. Is that because I have never been sexually active? Maybe when I get the time and guts to go, I just might asked that question.

[(JD)]

Probably... things like pap tests aren't really necessary till you are sexually active. (HPV, and other things)

[Estee1]

Oh I would seriously die if I had to have a pap test. Just typing it makes me writhe. I could not do it. I would have to be knocked out for sure. There is no possible way I could show myself to anyone..uh uh no way. I would die. I know that people say it's important and all of that stuff but that doesn't make any difference to me. I've had nightmares about it. I just couldn't do it. No way hosea!!!!

[Estee1]

Also, I am too scared to even tell the doctor I've just come for a check up. There has to be something wrong with me for me to go. I never went to a doctor until I was 21. My mum practically lived at the doctor but she wouldn't take me even when I was really sick. I'm glad that nothing drastic ever happened because she wouldn't have known what to do.

[Perzephone]

Just a note on waiting for sexual activity before getting a PAP: Anyone can get cancer at any age. The PAP smear is mostly looking for abnormal cell growth and changes within the cervix that may indicate cancer, endometriosis, polyps, cysts & other abnormal problems within the uterus; not just screening for STD's (although sometimes that's included). Usually you have to request STD screenings separately. There are also some bacterial overgrowths and infections that can occur w/out sexual activity happening at all - many of them are associated with depression, stress, dehydration, poor personal hygiene & use of feminine products. Any number of those types of infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause even greater complications if left unchecked, and for women, a lot of problems don't have symptoms & may not reveal themselves for several years.

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm

Regular breast exams are also good to get, especially if your family has a history of cancer (like mine). But the thing about the breast exam is that you can DIY it to some extent. The Susan Komen site has a multi-media demonstration:

http://www.komen.org/bse/

Another word of advice: Never be embarrased by your body. We've all got one, and most of us all look funny when we're nekkid. Breasts & vagina are powerful positive words - don't be afraid of them, no different than eyes & fingers & abdomen & feet.

[(JD)]

http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/paptests.html

HPV is Human PAPilloma Virus. </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Cells can be slightly abnormal because of irritation, inflammation or infection. If the infection happens to be caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) then those slightly abnormal cells have a higher risk of going on to become cancerous.

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I agree it's a test each female should consider, but not have to be endured strictly because "eveyone" gets the test, or out of fear. imo

[(JD)]

There's also a urine test for cervical cancer.