Annual Physicals?

Do any of you go to a primary care doctor for annual physicals? I have one coming up in over a month, and I am already obsessing about it. In the midst of a run of TMS-equivalent symptoms. I know it's TMS because of the sequence. The brain is truly a trickster. A lot has changed for me since I stumbled into John Sarno's theory. Last year I was still having MRIs and getting cortisone shots.

How have you engaged your non-TMS physicians around your symptoms? I really do not want any invasive medical tests for something I am pretty sure is transient. I am constantly "what if-ing." I know this is TMS but what if I'm actually sick? Should I have an endoscopy, colonoscopy etc etc? How do you know when it's time for medical intervention?

It occurred to me yesterday that I can't imagine what it would be like to live without worrying and overthinking. It was an a-ha realization: I have always put excess energy into worry; it had to convert to TMS. I'm working my way out of it, but my brain keeps throwing new worries in my path. The TMS last hurrah!

 

Personally, I stay away from doctors. But that's me.

Don't worry about anything but pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6-7

God bless, Anita

 

I am glad for you that you find comfort in prayer. I am looking for something a little less faith based though, as we don't all share the same beliefs.

 

LOL, Riv. Here I am!

Okay, I have not seen my primary doc since "Before Sarno" which was four years ago - but I hadn't seen her for almost a year before that - and I'm in an HMO which will give me a free physical every three years (maybe more now that I'm over 60). She had pretty good common sense - I saw her about once a year, complained about the dizziness each time for a number of years, but she could see that anxiety was my real issue.

So now I'm 64, and I just don't care about getting a physical. I get my eyes examined regularly, mostly to get new glasses; I go to the dentist every six months; I pick up and complete one of those colon cancer tests every year; I can't remember if I got a flu shot last year, I might not have had one the year before, and I haven't had one this year. They keep bugging me to get a mammogram, but I've read the reports on their effectiveness (or lack thereof) and with virtually no risk factors (other than never having been pregnant) and ZERO breast cancer in my family, I just don't feel the need.

So now my doc has retired and I'm dragging my feet about choosing a new one. I am kind of waiting until I finish moving my office (I'm literally in the middle of that right now) at which point I will be semi-retired and have more time, because I would like to talk to my new doc about my history of issues vs. the fact that I haven't felt the need to see anyone in four years, and I feel like I'm almost ready to start proselytizing about mind-body syndromes. Here in Seattle we already have a great example and mentor in Dr. David Hanscom, with his Back In Control program at Swedish Hospital (we have his re-posted blogs here)

Bottom line: I believe that my ongoing health is in my hands (and my mind).

 

We are on the same page Jan.
Take good care, eat well. Doctors are in the business of finding something in you to "treat". No thanks.
And I wouldn't take a flu shot for all the tea in China. Big Pharma. Ugh.
My aches and pains are mine, I know what it is about. Working on it.
Worry is a complete waste of time.

 

I have seen the same primary care physician for over 20 years. He knows me well. For me, it is important to have at least an annual check up, get blood tests, check my thyroid etc. And then there are times when my anxiety and tendency to worry about potential ailments gets the best of me, and since I trust my doctor, I like to occasionally consult with him. When I first went to see him 20 years ago, he diagnosed my occipital neuralgia within minutes and then told me why it was not a brain tumor. Its as though he was reading my mind! Haha. I trust my doctor and I know if there was something seriously wrong with me, he has good instincts as to when to investigate further. About 10 years ago I had a breast discharge. He referred me to a specialist and as it turns out, I had an early kind of breast cancer. The surgeon said it was the first time in his 27 years of practice that he has discovered cancer from a breast discharge. I am a big believer in a preventative, holistic well being approach. Sometimes it is difficult to trust that we are okay and continually going to doctors and searching for something wrong can be just another way to perpetuate fear. But for me, getting an occasional check up and being willing to face and address clear medical conditions that do arise, makes sense.

 

I only go to a doc if there's something wrong. I picked my current doc because he was the closest one to me. His office welcomes walk-ins, he has a PA who handles the minor stuff like getting a q-tip stuck in your ear. My doc is a good allopath, I trust him for the structural stuff. He's also a tennis player. The first time I saw him I brought him a copy of Sarno to read, he laughed. I trust myself to know when there is something wrong. There's a high incidence of breast cancer in my county--because they do the most testing for it of anywhere.

 

This is helpful. Too much reliance on doctors' knowledge, but basic checks may be helpful.

 

Last recommendation I heard from one of the American College of Physicians, was to avoid annual physical exams.
"Present data are not adequate evidence justifying annual complete examination of the asymptomatic patient at low medical risk. The American College of Physicians recommends that each internist develop individualized plans for patient examination"

According to Cochrane Collaboration finding 2013
Health checks did not reduce morbidity or mortality (overall, cardiovascular, or cancer related). Health checks increased number of new diagnoses. Health checks unlikely to be beneficial

If you have symptoms, see your doctor.

 

Annual health check? I've never been offered this by the NHS in the UK but had one about ten years ago through my husbands private health care policy. They didn't tell me anything earth shattering I hadn't already been aware of (lose weight and take more exercise) but I was reassured by the doctor about a condition my father had before he died. I only go to the GP when I absolutely have to. The other week I went for the first time in nearly two years to renew a prescription. A doctor has to see you every so often for this. At the very least the GP will always check my blood pressure. On this occasion the GP just printed off the script and sent me on my way. Some check-up!

There's a tv series called Doctor in Your House. This week's segment features a 40-something working mother suffering from stress, weight gain, headaches and insomnia. Hey, sound familiar? The doctor will move in with this woman for a few days and assess her health. I'll be watching...