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I’ve been in my new hometown for almost six months and am seriously overdue for a doctor’s appointment. As is the case in many small towns, the best doctors closed their books to new patients years ago. Fortunately for me, I’ve been able to get into a doctor I saw locally over twenty years ago and who treats (treated) my parents. She supported them through my father’s heart issues (including his transplant) his subsequent dementia and cancer treatments and attended his funeral displaying real sadness.
But I have to confess, the delay in seeing her is of my own doing. I’ve gained weight since I last saw her and feel a bit embarrassed about my the state of my body and health.
However… I can’t wait any longer as I’m about to run out of medications and need new prescriptions. So… I’ve finally made an appointment and have decided to be brave and ask for a big checkup. I have high blood pressure (am on daily medication) and an under active thyroid, but I suspect the rest of my hormones are going the way of women in their 40s. In addition…. I had chest pains a few weeks ago. It scared the bejesus out of me. I sat at my computer googling ‘heart attack symptoms’ and wondered what I should do. Prone to being a drama queen I didn’t want to embarrass myself so in the absence of other symptoms I decided it was heartburn and left it. But still…
So, I figure it’s time for an annual physical. (And by annual I mean, something that I do every few years when I feel particularly unwell). As well as my blood pressure, hormone levels, and thyroid functioning, I need to have my blood sugar and cholesterol levels checked.
I know cholesterol (like potatoes, wine and reality TV) is not all bad and aids in the production of hormones and vitamin D (something – incidentally – that I’ve previously been low on). But like the good cop / bad cop scenario, I understand our bodies need enough of the good type of cholesterol (HDL) to combat the effects of its evil twin (LDL), and to remove excess bad stuff from our cells.
Too much cholesterol in our blood causes fatty deposits to build up and can cause a heart attack or stroke and the higher our levels of bad cholesterol the higher our risk of heart disease. Umm… #Eek!
Equally scary is the fact that, according to the Heart Foundation, 51% of Australian adults have high blood cholesterol.
The Foundation also says we are at risk if high cholesterol is linked with:
- smoking
- high blood pressure
- being overweight
- having diabetes.
Well, two outta four ain’t bad. But in this case it’s not good either. All the more reason to get my cholesterol levels checked. Getting bad news is daunting but sometimes not knowing is scarier.
For the first time in many many years I’m living the life I’ve longed to live. And – quite frankly – I want that to continue as long as possible.
Do you have a regular checkup?
How are your cholesterol levels?
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March 25, 2013
My intention is to have regular check ups but intention isn’t the same as action and I’ll admit that I’m a little overdue. I actually did have the required test early (Pap smear) last year but the doctor made me bleed which meant that I have to do it all over again. Oh yay! But I am up to date with all my blood work. Having a mystery illness will do that for you. Multiple blood tests and yet I’m not anaemic.
March 25, 2013
I guess it’s good that your doctor is thorough! I’m usually very apathetic when it comes to check-ups – unless I’m unwell or it’s really necessary.
March 25, 2013
Oooops, I’m well overdue & tend towards apathy unless reminded by the threat of something more unpleasant. Thanks for the (timely) reminder!
March 25, 2013
You are most welcome Jo!
March 25, 2013
yes. I have regular check-ups both overall and the female checks too… I chose to go through my changes without the aid of hormone therapy so I make sure I keep everything checked and up to date. Good subject to bring up tho It’s important because if we have any issues they are still there whether we go to get it checked or not
March 25, 2013
Yes, I didn’t get through everything on the list today (some of the hormonal stuff I wanted to talk about), but I went straight off to have my blood tests!
March 25, 2013
Good on you Deb! Too many people ignore their health for fear of what the doctor might say. Don’t do that! Please make sure you also have a pap smear and get a referral for a mammogram and ultrasound too, if they also are overdue. Early detection and all that…
If you’re worried about your heart, ask for a referral for a cardiac stress test. It’s quite easy – you get hooked up to a machine and go for a fairly gentle walk on a treadmill until your heart rate reaches a certain level. I’ve had it done twice (as I’ve had loads of chest pains, all thankfully due to stress) and it certainly is excellent for peace of mind when those nasty chest pains strike!
I get everything checked out once a year, as I too am living a life I love and I want it to continue for a very long time. My mother’s premature death from heart disease she didn’t know she had was a very big wake up call for me.
March 25, 2013
I had a lump in my breast in the past so have had a couple of mammograms. As for the smears… I always go when I get the dastardly reminder letter!
I’ve never had tests other than blood tests in the past and usually to work out what’s wrong (it’s how my underactive thyroid was diagnosed 11 years ago and provided an indicator I was coeliac!). My doctor today has changed my BP medication as she thinks something else will work better. It was 140/100, so not TOO scary, but not great!
And yes, our parents’ (and others’) mortality can be a bit wake up call!
Deb
March 25, 2013
I am pretty religious getting smears done, as had to have pre-Cancerous cells removed a few years back. But it’s been years since I’ve had cholesterol checked – I have recently lost some weight, so I’m hoping that’s improved my high-end of normal measures.
March 25, 2013
My BP usually improves when I’m weighing less. It wasn’t great today – though also not as bad as it has been in the past!
March 25, 2013
I hate going for check ups. Even more so if I think I actually really need to go. Dumb I know. I have to get some moles checked and I’ve been making excuses for months! Good reminder. Hope yours goes well!
March 25, 2013
I always feel a bit funny going to the doctor… like I’m exhibiting attention-seeking behaviour or something. Last week I was quite sick but as I had this appointment booked I just left it (my flu, rash and constant stitch). I figured none of that was urgent and I didn’t want to be a drama queen.
I try to only go when I really have to!
March 25, 2013
I am guilty of not going regularly for checkups. Trying to get better about it though.
March 26, 2013
It seems like it’s kinda common!!!
March 25, 2013
I have regular checkups because of MY cholesterol. I have been on a statin for familial high cholesterol for maybe a decade. So, of course, my doctor insists on my going in at least annually, sometimes more often.
March 26, 2013
Oh… well you’re a good example of someone who’s having to manage their cholesterol Karen. Will let you (and everyone, I’m sure!!!) know how I go when I get my results!
March 26, 2013
I know I should have these checkups too….but I don’t want too!!!
Sometimes I go for the tests but then never go back for the results!
It’s terrible, I know this but still, I don’t get there.
March 26, 2013
Have to admit I’ve been slack about getting the results in the past. I figure they’ll let me know if there’s any problem – or I just find out next time I have to go to the doctor for something. I guess it’s different though if there’s some problem and I’m trying to work out what it is. A few years ago I had a heap of tests (adrenal glands and stuff) because I was so tired all of the time. Think it just passed in the end!
March 26, 2013
I have mildly elevated cholesterol – however my ratios of HDL to LDL are quite good still, so no drugs..yay! I have bloods done every six months – I’m anaemic 🙂
March 27, 2013
I didn’t know you were anaemic Liz… but good news on the cholesterol!
March 27, 2013
I’ve always been right on schedule with my check ups….until recently. Years of routine twice-yearly blood tests, regular CT scans and various specialist appointments means I’m not the slightest bit scared of medical procedures. It’s just that lately, life gets in the way.
I never miss mammograms or anything really important, just those pesky blood tests were a bit overdue. I’ve set reminders in my calendars for the next lot though, so hopefully that will do the job.
March 28, 2013
I wonder what puts me off going for tests. Needles don’t worry me. I think I worry about getting judged by the doctor because of my behaviour. I know I believe certain illnesses to be my own fault…