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| What would make YOU go to the doctor? |
But the older I get, the more I wonder about new aches and pains and whether they might be something to take to my doctor. First of all, my pal Dr. Whitehead has moved on to another office and now I've got a new doctor to break in, and I don't even remember his name. I did remember that he's a D.O., a doctor of osteopathy. I needed to look it up to find out what that is. Basically, it's a medical doctor who has also been trained in physical manipulation, sort of like a chiropractor, I guess. I''ll find out.
Anyway, my sister and I both have blood pressure cuffs at home to keep track, and we also both go to the doctor at least annually. But last night I woke up with a pain in my bad hip, and after tossing and turning for awhile I finally got comfortable again. I debated about calling the doctor today, but it's much better in the light of day. I'll wait for awhile. After all, what could possibly go wrong?
:-)
Bob & I started the summer with our annual check in with the doctor appointments. That led to a host of other appointments with different doctors & a lot of lab work & scans. Yesterday Bob had a pacemaker installed. We've been at it all summer long. It's work to grow old. I am so grateful for the good health care coverage that allows us to have tests & scans which in turn leads to better treatment & better health.
ReplyDeleteIf the hip pain is chronic, you should see the doctor.
ReplyDeleteI had chronic chest pain and underwent a stress echo test, which turned out normal. If I have chest pain again, it is not due to my heart.
It's so hard sometimes distinguish a normal ache and pain and from something serious. I always err on the side of caution myself. Hope your hip pain goes away.
ReplyDeleteOh I know what you mean! Mom just had a second episode last week where her eye started swelling again because of her blood pressure. She'd been stressed by a few things and it accumulated. Everything started getting dark in her left eye. Thank goodness we took her to the ophthalmologist right away. She got another shot in the eye and she swears its even better than before she had this episode. She's actually wanting the second shot which she'll get next month. Thank goodness! I guess the main thing is that if you suspect something, get it checked right away. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteOh I am the world's worst at this!! I always think "Oh, I can put this off for a bit." and then look up a year later and I'm still having the same problem. It's a habit I'm trying desperately to break.
ReplyDeleteI always assume the worst and worry myself sick about it for months before I turn myself in to my doc. It's always worse in my mind than it actually turns out to be.
ReplyDeleteI am much, much better at suggesting that other people seek medical advice than doing so myself.
ReplyDeleteWhich is often a mistake.
Good luck.
Oh, I know what you mean. Your post reminds me that I have a blood pressure cuff around here that I was using regularly until..I must have put it away somewhere. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI had a really sore hip for about four days, it went away. I have no idea what caused it. I need to go in for a physical...one of these days when I can catch my breath. I have a wonderful PA, I hope she isn't out pregnant again...if so I have my eye on a young fellow who really impressed me with Far Guys treatment:)
ReplyDeleteyou are one of the healthiest individuals i've ever "known" and i do hope you'll continue that way for a good while yet! :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to not check with my doctor over what I think are small things. I always try to work through body pain by myself. It was such a relief when I finally pushed enough to get the MRI that started me on the path to corrective back surgery. That was after seven years of on and off physical therapy.
ReplyDeleteYou were probably sleeping wrong on it and it got out of whack. Turning over is usually the best thing to do in those situations. If it continues for 3 nights, call the dr.
ReplyDeleteBeing male, I put up with some discomfort. The body falls apart one bit at a time. Yes, sometimes there's a big surprise. It does pay to get your annual check up. I think we work through many little owies. You're a hiker and a walker and I'm sure you've walked off some sore stuff. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteI haven't talked about it on my blog, it's probably part of what has kept me away much of the summer.. Our lovable, hug-able, delightfully sweet and wonderful Beau had something go wrong around Memorial weekend. He collapsed and it was terrifying and he's had all kinds of big important tests.. EKG, echo cardiogram, blood tests, most recently an MRI on his brain. So far all tests have had great results. But he had another episode more recently and has been referred to a pediatric cardiologist specialist.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, he's doing well and we've been making the most of summer!
In the case of pain in a hip or leg, I would go to the doctor if pain hasn't been there before and doesn't go away after a few days of general home care. Also, if it were affecting my ability to go about and enjoy my usual activity. We know someone (a dear 96 year old neighbor you may have heard about before!) who just had this happen this summer, weeks of severe pain in her leg, really hindering her. I was glad when she had it checked out!
Oops think I lost my comment. When younger we shook off pains knowing they just couldn't be serious. However as we age, we really have to look at things more seriously. Persistent pain or feeling unusual is what gets my attention. Hope yours was just a one time thing.
ReplyDeleteI have to go to the doctor and see what can be done about my cold, tingly hands. I may be older and wiser, but I'm also going to pot. Beautiful sunset on the last post! And we're picking blueberries this coming weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm like Elephant's Child -- I'm much better at giving advice than taking it myself. So what do I do about this little pain I've been having in the left side of my stomach? Ignore it for a while longer and see if it goes away. PS Hope that pain in the hip resolves itself soon ... otherwise, get thee to your doctor!
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the body can heal itself... in most cases... definitely not all. But this belief keeps me from running to the doctor for every little ache and pain... that at 70... is probably normal. If whatever it is - persists for longer than a week, I may call and check with my doctor. Also, there are some 'things' that affect one's quality of life... ability to see, hear, walk, etc. and these may command more immediate attention.
ReplyDeleteWith all the walking you do, DJan, it doesn't surprise me that you would have aches and pains. But only you can know if it's something that you need to have seen by a doctor.
It has been interesting reading your post and the comments. I have had pain around the ankle for over 6 weeks and it has greatly affected my walking which I love. I tend to think it's part of getting older but maybe I should ask the doctor for her opinion.
ReplyDeleteMuch better means the problem of the pain still exists .....and for all you do as in exercise, hiking, the gym, walking etc.. I would get that checked out. Severe pain is an indication of something changing. Take care my friend and get that checked out.
ReplyDeleteAll I can vouch for in my opinion....it sucks getting old!!
ReplyDeleteI too have blood pressure cuff....and stethoscope ---even tho I can't actually take my heart beat seriously...too much interference when you listen to your own heart rate through your own ears.
Needless to say, my BP monitor reads my heart rate...but, still I can't tell if it skips beats or if the rate is rapid/slow, etc.
With aches, we know we're still alive. lol
73? You're kidding...you look MUCH younger.