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Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,831
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

I hate going to see doctor's.  I have several who call to get me to make m appointment.  My retinal eye doctor, eye doctor, GYN and oncologist surgeon all call me.  

 

Sometimes i don't answer the phone.  Once they get you into their system, they want to see you regularly.  If I am not having an issue, I don't feel the need to go.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,168
Registered: ‎05-08-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

@CrazyKittyLvr2   You answered your own question when you said "I'm sure his office doesn't have the time to track and call hundreds of patients and remember they need this or that."  What other doctors do in their practices is completely irrelevant.  Make the call!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 40,252
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments


@Carmie wrote:

I hate going to see doctor's.  I have several who call to get me to make m appointment.  My retinal eye doctor, eye doctor, GYN and oncologist surgeon all call me.  

 

Sometimes i don't answer the phone.  Once they get you into their system, they want to see you regularly.  If I am not having an issue, I don't feel the need to go.


 

 

@Carmie   I feel the same about not going if there is no issue except for a yearly blood panel, but now, doctors threaten to stop refilling a medication when they know that it is what is keeping the patient in good condition, if you don't go in or have this or that test, have fought many battles over this issue.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,831
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments


@mousiegirl wrote:

@Carmie wrote:

I hate going to see doctor's.  I have several who call to get me to make m appointment.  My retinal eye doctor, eye doctor, GYN and oncologist surgeon all call me.  

 

Sometimes i don't answer the phone.  Once they get you into their system, they want to see you regularly.  If I am not having an issue, I don't feel the need to go.


 

 

@Carmie   I feel the same about not going if there is no issue except for a yearly blood panel, but now, doctors threaten to stop refilling a medication when they know that it is what is keeping the patient in good condition, if you don't go in or have this or that test, have fought many battles over this issue.  


I don't take any meds, thank goodness.  I take two elderly family members to their doctor appts.  They each go to a whole lot of doctors from all types of professions.  They just get blood pressure taken and a listen to the heart...they go every three months.

 

Once you go for any reason, they want to do three month follow-ups. For,the rest of your life.  What a racket!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,847
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

I have the reminder sitting by my computer. It has been 5 years since my colostomy. When I had it done the Doctor's office said they would mail a reminder and they did.

 

I also get reminders from my Eye Doctor, for a mammogram, Dentist, Dermatologist and Gynecologist.

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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,143
Registered: ‎09-30-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

@Carmie   I'm in your group.  If nothing is wrong with me, I'm not going to the doctor and am seldom sick.  @mousiegirl   I am fortunate so far.  I take no prescription medicine at all for anything--knock on wood.

 

For the very rare ache I take aspirin.  (I am forunate in that I have a very high tolerance for pain.)  When a head or chest cold seems to be starting I take 1,000 units of natural vitamin C with rose hips and use Vick's Vapo rub.  That knocks it out of me.

 

If my system is trending acidic I take apple cider vinegar in water to restore the Ph balance to more alkaline.  

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,776
Registered: ‎07-09-2011

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

@CrazyKittyLvr2 

 

In Health Care, as in so much of life, you are your own, and this case likely your DH's, Best Advocate.

 

Be Proactive.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras
Honored Contributor
Posts: 44,347
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

Better to "be safe than sorry".  Call my dear.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,415
Registered: ‎11-25-2011

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

The ‘reminder’ is just that...to remind.

You & your husband haven’t forgotten.

Make the appointment.

 

As for ‘most’ reminding...more & more doctor’s offices

send the reminder.  It’s a smart business protocol.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,889
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: A Question About Making Dr. Appointments

[ Edited ]

@RedTop wrote:

It is your husbands responsibility to keep up with testing and rechecks.   I have never had a reminder from my physician about my colonoscopies; only get reminders for my eye exams.


 

Yes, it definitely is!

 

I get reminders for various medical tests, appts, etc, but I don't count on them and I don't wait for them . It has nothing to do with not trusting the doctor or office staff.  It does have to do with taking responsibility for my own health.

 

It's easy enough to keep track, and then schedule at the appropriate time.  Sitting back and waiting for the doctor to get in touch makes no sense.  Not every medical office operates the same way and doctors come & go, policies change, etc.  I also like to schedule well in advance so I can choose an appt time that works for me rather than having to fit into their busy schedule and/or get pushed off for a long time.

 

Even doctors who send reminders don't want patients to rely on those.  It's our responsibility to be sure that we follow through.