How sick do you have to be to visit a doctor?

[Danoz]

Hmm, well living and Japan and working for the government (as a teacher) I am required to get a full health check once a year, including a chest X-Ray and blood work. Otherwise, I have to be pretty sick to go to the doctor... like flu-ridden and in need of a doctor's excuse. Pretty rare.

 

[Amaris]

It would have to be a serious emergency. I just don't have the money. I haven't had a real check up in years.

Ditto.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I really feel for you guys. It's appalling.

In the last 20 years, my family went through two major surgeries, a few hospitalizations, many medical therapies (illnesses, pains, broken bones, tore ligaments, all the stuff), countless appointments and visits, and it never made a dent in our working-class finances.

 

[bluedana]

once a year for physical (okay, once every two years)
twice a year for cancer check up
other than that, only if I'm in pain that I can't handle

I will try every "chicken soup" home remedy and OTC medication first before I call the doctor's office.

 

[thestrangequark]

I go to the doctor about once every three months, but that's because I have type 1 diabetes and have to have my A1C checked that often. I have a warning about waiting to go, though: a few years ago I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit because I waited too long to go to the doctor when I was sick. I kept putting it off because I didn't have the money (America really fucking needs free health care). In the emergency room they told me that if I'd waited another 2 or 3 hours I woud have been on a ventilator with a through line in my chest. So, yeah, you should go to the doctor.

Well strictly speaking the NHS in the UK isn't free, it's paid for through taxes. But don't certain political parties in the US oppose even modest reforms to health care provision in the US?

Oh, I know, but I'm of the belief that health care is a right for all citizens and that it should be paid for by taxes. There are a lot of people who are vehemently opposed to even modest reforms, like you said. They have a terror that's been drilled into them by the far right that healthcare provided by the government means an end to freedom...one just has to look at the whole "Death Committee" scare nonsense from a few years ago to see the depths of the ridiculousness!

It seems as if it's a case of so long as I'm alright, I don't see the need for health care provision or adopting a universal health care system.

This is very much the case. In fact, a few months ago a woman made the news because of she was a perfect case study for that way of thinking. She had been an upper middle class conservative, who strongly opposed healthcare and actively campaigned against it. Then, due to the economy, her husband lost his job. Then one of them got sick (I can't remember if it was her or the husband). If it hadn't been for the reforms of "Obamacare" they would never have gotten treatment.

Now this might go back to wanting small government, or some other reason. But isn't the US one of the only major western nations that doesn't have some sort of Universal Health care?

We are. We also have the highest child death rate of any Western country. Why, I wonder if the two could be linked? This is a fascinating and remarkably entertaining TED talk given by Hans Rosling that discusses world health (among other topics) with stunning graphics illustrating his statistics. It is amazing to watch the bubble representing the US hover apart from all other equally developed counties when it comes to the health of our population. Highly recommended viewing!

The Collest Statistics You've Ever Seen!

I really feel for you guys. It's appalling.

In the last 20 years, my family went through two major surgeries, a few hospitalizations, many medical therapies (illnesses, pains, broken bones, tore ligaments, all the stuff), countless appointments and visits, and it never made a dent in our working-class finances.

It is disgusting. When I was twelve I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. I had to spend a month in the hospital. My parents were both hard-working, my dad even had insurance. My illness still drove them to bankruptcy. Parents shouldn't have to go bankrupt to keep their child alive.

 

[Miss Chicken]

That was extremely interesting, thanks for the link.

 

[Amaris]

I really feel for you guys. It's appalling.

In the last 20 years, my family went through two major surgeries, a few hospitalizations, many medical therapies (illnesses, pains, broken bones, tore ligaments, all the stuff), countless appointments and visits, and it never made a dent in our working-class finances.

It is appalling. During my last health checkup (last year), my Doctor told me I needed blood tests, because he wanted to see where my cholesterol, A1C, and other numbers were moving. He couldn't though, because the tests are ridiculously expensive out-of-pocket. I don't have insurance, and cannot be covered, because I have a pre-existing condition, which would be the diabetes and hypertension.

Heaven only knows what my A1C is, and my cholesterol is a mystery too, though my checkup 4 years prior showed that my cholesterol and triglycerides were very high. Of course, at the time, I weighed 263 lbs, so all I can do is hope that those numbers have lowered as I've tried to eat healthier (now weighing 229 lbs and dropping).

Still, I don't know, because I can't afford the blood tests required. It makes me look at people who are healthy, and who are against universal healthcare, as the giant, close minded, ignorant, shortsighted, selfish asses they are. When they get older, they'll likely develop health problems, and will start whining when there's nothing anyone will do for them.

 

[propita]

I don't go for colds, flus, bruises, most pains. Aside from my thyroid and cardio issues, the times I'd be at the doctor was gyno-check or something like my shoulder hurting for over a month. Couldn't sleep on that side, etc. Calcium deposits--steroid shot since we were going on vacation and it was worsening, and anti-inflammatories. That's what it took, weeks of pain.

A few years ago, I was at the GP/internist or cardiologist every other week. I was told for 3 years that i was a heart attack waiting to happen. Now, looking at the latest test results, my GP said, "Yeah, but you're gonna have to wait about 100 years." After all that for all those years, I'm fine--as long as I don't stress. Totally ironic if you know me.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I visit the doctor if a problem persists over time, or if there seem to be complications, but otherwise I let minor injuries and illnesses progress on their own terms. It's an attitude I share with most of my family; we generally use our own judgement as to whether a problem warrants medical attention. Perhaps that isn't the wisest approach - after all, I'm sure the doctor is a better judge of these things than we are - but we don't like making appointments over non-recurring ailments that can be overcome without help (don't want to congest the system, you see). A minor virus or a sprain doesn't require attention, but if it hasn't improved within a period that I judge should have been sufficient, or if it gets worse/acquires additional problems, then I consult the doctor for advice. Basically, I go to the doctor whenever I'm unsatisfied with my health, but I make allowances for the fact that you're never going to be in perfect health, and that your own judgement has to play a role in these things lest you push back appointments for those who have genuine issues.

That said, my family and I rarely have accidents or such; if we did, then we'd probably book an appointment for a checkup, so as to be on the safe side. I also like seeing the doctor for a general checkup once a year or so - that doesn't take up much time and lets them catch any potential major or long-term problems before they become dangerous; the doctor can see the potential warning signs and recommend lifestyle changes or further checkups as (s)he decides is wise.

All that said, I have to admit I wasn't necessarily very smart about seeing doctors in the past. I was so used to having aches and pains, and a general heavy fatigue, that I dismissed most new pains as "part of the way my body works". And after all, my checkups always found me in great physical health - blood pressure, heart rate, blood chemistry, etc, all normal - so I was able to dismiss my physical problems. I must say I wouldn't recommend that now - I feel I failed to take advantage of what was available to me out of a misplaced sense of intrusion. It was only comparatively recently that it occured to me that constant pain and fatigue is probably a problem in its own right, that I have a medical service there for me, and that it's not irresponsible to try and get to the bottom of problems of this magnitude.

 

[tomalak301]

Last time I visited the doctor it was a sickness that lasted a month. It ended up being bronchitis, and I should have went earlier, but that's the hard part when you have insurance but no regular doctor.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Just generally, if you're wondering whether you're sick enough that you should go to the doctor, then that's a sign that you really should go, assuming you can afford it. If you can't afford it, then I'm sorry; I support UHC in the US.

 

[Captain Shaw]

I have not been for years, nether has my two brothers.
My mother is dropping to bits so she is always going, she even cleans for a GP.
My Dad never went to the docs, even when he started having chest pains instead of going to A+E, he booked a GP appointment that took a couple of days before they could fit him in, but since his bypass he goes once a year.

 

[Leviathan]

Just a personal rule of thumb but anytime my internal organs are unexpectedly external at a distance of > 1.25m.

My particular species has had poor luck with the medical industry.

 

[sidious618]

I go to the doctor for a yearly check up and in any situations where I think I might need antibiotics. I absolutely understand why some don't go if they don't have money but if you have the money then you should make the effort.

 

[Mike Farley]

I'm planning on using YouTube videos to learn to apply my own leeches.