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Hope you had a great holiday and your new year will be prosperous and healthy.
So you received your shingles vaccine at a local drugstore, not a fellow coworker?
Alot of improvements and choices seem available now, moreso than when I went thru menopause. I have used monostat when I had external vaginal issues in past years. I did have something happen that totally surprised me. I was constipated and noticed dark brown, yellowish discharge afterwards. Could just the act of straining bring that on?
Thanks
LizView Thread

Please explain the compounds in systemic estrogen. Is there any health risks not treating vaginal atrophy if not engaging in sex anymore besides just irritation sometimes? Isn't sex what causes all the problems? I remember I was given a script for Premrin(?) when diagnosed menopausal. Didn't fill the script once I learned it was made up from horse urine. There was alot of research then about estrogen vs progesterine or both.
As I was getting on CDC site a commercial for Shingles vaccine came on TV. Talk about timing or is somethng trying to tell me something, I learned: One in three persons will contract Shingles which is higher than getting BC. The effects can effect or damage vision. You can spread to persons who have never had chickenpox if someone comes in direct contact with the fluid from the rash, I definitely appauled you for getting the vaccine for protection. How would one ever findout about AAA shingles coverage, You are a great medical researcher. Yes...That is amazing.
Thanks
LizView Thread

Hope my insurance will pay for the EKG. Don't mess with the USPSTF Task Force. Can you define a " general checkup" for a 65yo woman? I'm of the opinion it comes down to NEED vs WANT. I'm told I NEED a checkup, I NEED a flu shot, blood tests, and x-rays. I don't know any woman that WANTS a "well woman exam". The trained medical professional should be the one to make the determination based on my family history. Since I don't have a family history of issues with female parts I'm assuming there was no NEED but out of courtesy asked if it was something I WANTED. I would appreciate your professional ideas on the issue of NEED vs WANT. I had a vitamin D test run because I WANT to know if the level is low if it might explain my osteoporosis diagnosis knowing the calcium and D work together to help build bone health, Why isn't the test done more often when osteoporosis is diagnosed? Now I'm left with buying OTC supplement D on my own because I WANT to improve my bone health with no advice from the physician.
Where can I purchase this FOBT card? My dad was finally diagnosed with colon cancer at 80yo. I remember as a child he'd drink hot water in the morning to " get things moving". He always told me to lean to the right and not strain. Evidentally in the 1970's our gov't medicare only covered sigmoidoscopy not colonoscopy. My dad's polyp/ tumor was in the transverse colon. So for years, my dad was told his problem was in his prostate. My older sister had polyps removed too. My only colonoscopy was 7yrs ago. I don't currently consult a GI doctor nor was I advised by the PCP I NEED too. I read an article recently stating if you've had one negative colonoscopy then you won't need another. That is a big mistake in my opinon.
Looking for a new PCP
Thanks
LizView Thread

I'm writing to followup a conversation on Menopause and Well Woman Checkups.
My visit to the PCP today was to say the least, get in and get out. I've never experienced this kind of treatment since visiting this practice. The visit consisted of: two minute conversation to verify necessary script refills,notify me they were currently out of flu vaccine, and conduct a cursory ENT exam then to be given over to other staff. The nurses and lab checked my weight, BP, temp, CBC,Lipid profile, vitamin D level, urinalysis, DEXA, Chest - Xray, and surprisingly a EKG. During the DEXA scan the nurse asked about getting a well woman exam and I declined knowing unless I prepped for the exam it would be very painful. I have experienced severe burning reaction when using the suggested prep OTC product prior to an exam. I did mention I had a mole on my back I'd like checked. For some reason, they said the doctor could do a whole body skin check and a rectal at the same time. The thought of that just downright scared me. If I read correctly though, physicians now suggest doing a FOBT tests periodically especially when a first family member had colon cancer which killed my father . I declined the offer for the skin check and rectal as well. Can't I obtain the kit to do a "home test" and send it in myself? I got the distinct impression the physician leaves it up to the nurses to discuss so called, "sensitive subjects".
After declining further tests, the physician came in and said you have a mole and it is fine. No questions as to why I wanted it checked. Then told the test results are great and you don't need to come back til next year and I was wisked out of the office. Mind you in years past, I was shown to the physician's office where he showed my x-rays with an explanation. We would discuss my EKG and DEXA scan results along with current or new script meds and news pertaining to what might be best for me. What a difference.
Did I insult the physician in some way because I declined the exams?
Thanks for listening
LizView Thread

I totally agree with your recommendations for women 65 mammograms and with the majority of physicians in our country. It will be interesting if the PCP suggests I obtain a mammogram in that the subject has never come up in past years.
I so appreciate sharing your favorite breast"cocktail".
I take multivitamins and many other OTC supplements but not specifically to ease breast tenderness. The suggestion you made in lieu of a mammogram brings up another question in reference to identifiying how dense are my breasts. I have read that knowing the density of ones breasts is a good idea. How do I obtain that information?
I read that recommendations still exist for some women 65 to receive pap tests. Other reports stated if a woman has had at least 3 negative results than they can stop getting the test.
Does that also include pelvic exams since the screening is done together?
Thank you again
LizView Thread

My last mammogram was 2010. I decided to have one after obstaining for 21 years due to developing severe breast pain that lasted more than 4 weeks. I'd had similar pain with a history of intruductal papaloma in years past after nursing for seven years. The only suggestion made to me by the PCP at the time was to take aspirin not get a mammogram.
I'm wondering if the recommendations is not made because he knows I'm not very receptive or personally comfortable to those suggestions. So it is just a mute subject.View Thread

The physician (PCP) I consult does not recommend mammograms or women wellness checks under his "senior checkups" starting at age of 65 which I am now.
I have read about the controversy about EKG's usefulness in diagnosing/ detecting heart disease. It will be interesting what I will be told is recommended at my age when I go next month. Having family history of stroke, heart disease, melanoma and colon cancer. It is a continual learning experience trying get the physician and staff to talk with me, not at me.
Thank youView Thread

First I want to congratulate on your vigor to concur cancer in your own life. I am blessed so far to have not been faced with that health issue. My father died of undiagnosed colon cancer even after years of trying to talk to doctors who accepted Medicare. Talk about being thrown off the cliff!
I wish you the best possible outcome when you have your colonoscopy on the October 29th. I guess I need a heavenly sign to think that the "system" does not discrimiate.View Thread

I consider myself very lucky that I've always listened to my body and mind when it comes my health,. Thus I can avoid alot of screenings since I never sexually abused my body and don't fall into alot of the categories mentioned in the link. The article is only for woman up to 64 which I have passed. I would just assume physicians wouldn't ask if your older than 65 anyway. Especially in the health war we live in todayView Thread
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