Wellness

[Shelbelle]

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@tends2dogs wrote:

Thank you, ladies.  I appreciate you taking the time to comment.  I will report back after my appointment next week.  I am hoping it is a big "NO MORE"    I have done my time in the stirrups for a lifetime LOL.

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You have me confused, are you asking if the annual GYN exam still includes a PAP over 65 or are you asking if over 65 you still need to go to a GYN. My GYN says definitely yes, regardless of if they still do a PAP, they also check for lots of other things. they check your ovaries, check for blood in stool, any growths in that area, breast exam, and more. I was still taking my Mom and she lived ot be 94. Medicare still pays for the exam every year, PAP every other year which is what I addressed before. 

[Katcat1]

I had a total H so no more pap smears.  I do get Mammograms for the breasts every 2 years.

[RedTop]

My OB/GYN does not require them after 64 unless there are other issues.  

[tends2dogs]

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@Shelbelle wrote:

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@tends2dogs wrote:

Thank you, ladies.  I appreciate you taking the time to comment.  I will report back after my appointment next week.  I am hoping it is a big "NO MORE"    I have done my time in the stirrups for a lifetime LOL.

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You have me confused, are you asking if the annual GYN exam still includes a PAP over 65 or are you asking if over 65 you still need to go to a GYN. My GYN says definitely yes, regardless of if they still do a PAP, they also check for lots of other things. they check your ovaries, check for blood in stool, any growths in that area, breast exam, and more. I was still taking my Mom and she lived ot be 94. Medicare still pays for the exam every year, PAP every other year which is what I addressed before. 

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I was asking about Pap tests, @Shelbelle .  Sigh, I guess I was jumping the gun when I said no more stirrups.  I am sure that a pelvic exam will still be part of the check up. Sorry for the confusion.

[vsm]

@tends2dogs   You might be able to stop having a pap smear, but the gynecological exam covers more than that.  I doubt your doctor advised you to skip he exam.

[aubnwa01]

I'm 68 & had a hysterectomy in '93, but I'm still on a very low dose estradiol patch, so my gyn has me come in for a pelvic exam & pap (even though I no longer have a cervix) every 2 years when he renews my Rx for the patch.  He has no problem with me being on the patch all this time & I've never had an abnormal pap & I get an annual mammogram.

[PINKdogWOOD]

@tends2dogs   If you're 65+ and on medicare, medicare thinks it's okay for women to NOT do this test at 5yr intervals. This means they only pay for our paps every 5 years. My NP who I see indicates for her it's good to do every 3 years. I see her every year as I always have, this year again we chatted about this & medicare. While she still examined me, we did not do the actual pap test.

Last year I chose to have NP to do this test and I paid for it. I can manage the cost of $185.00 to pay for it myself and so I did.

[PINKdogWOOD]

I'm talking about doing the actual smear, it's payment is every 5 years for medicare to pay for this.

My NP and I have had this same chat when I was 64. It's always good I think for the annual exam every year. They do so much more for us women in our annual exams these days. I really like this because we talk about a number of items that can affect us including annual shots we should be getting, thyroid issues or hopefully the lack thereof. We/I also conpare notes about what we do in this annula checkup vs what I do with my PCP and annual wellness checks. Both of my medical systems offer 'mychart' for posting many things and they can view what goes on with each Dr's visits.

[NicksmomESQ]

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@ALRATIBA wrote:

Last one was probably 25 years ago.  

Years ago, my GP told me to avoid doctors .... I took her advice. 

I only go when I'm sick .... or my for my annual hearing exam, bi-annual eye exam, or semi-annual dentist.

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 @ALRATIBA   My sentiments exactly!! Unless I need an antibiotic I avoid doctors & tests as much as possible.I’m a lot healthier, & calmer as a result!!

[PilatesLover]

My doctor switched me to every three years, but the last one this spring was horrible. It made me bleed later and I hurt for almost a week. She said that could be my last one ever, then the results came back with not enough to show anything conclusive one way or the other. She wrote a letter that she'll repeat next year, I'm going to ask her never to do it again.