Going to the doctor/dentist/etc

[Splenda]

How often? Do you hate it? Do you fear it? Do you take amazing care of yourself?

Personally I hate going to the doctor, but things like getting my vaccines done, or going to the dentist, don't bother me much.

[Freighter]

I do it if I have any problems, I've made some visits lately because I broke my leg when I fell.

I hate it because they don't take most of the problems seriously and sometimes they're unprofessional in their conduct. Especially gynecologists, who will judge you and voice their concern even though they're supposed to be professionals.

[Shadowferal]

I haven't needed to see a doctor in years.
Dentist however, every couple of years need to visit. I have had a love/hate relationship with the dentist ever since a tooth infection.

[Celista]

I generally dislike it because a lot of doctors/dentists seem incompetent and give conflicting advice/diagnoses. I understand that health care diagnoses are complex but maybe push back from insurance companies' "see as many patients in a given day as possible" so you can spend enough time with a patient to diagnose accurately. Also, not push unnecessary services because you know I have the "good" insurance.

[kasuke06]

Dentist: my biannual cleaning. no fear, I'm paying a professional to execute their profession.

Doctor: Only for vaccinations. I don't like needles and hospitals smell of death and sorrow.

[Aoyi]

I highly recommend going to the doctor at least yearly. Especially if there is any possibility that something may be wrong. Too often people put things off when it comes to their health and with some things. The longer you put them off before getting checked, the worse things get. I go to my oncologist and dentist every 6 months now. I just set up an appointment for a new primary care doctor and neurologist as well.

@Jinro that’s a big problem with many doctors. Stand up for yourself if you ever have that issue. Yes, doctors have the experience and background to deal with many things, but you know if there is something wrong with your body. You just might not know exactly WHAT that something is, which is why the doctor should listen to you and, if necessary, get tests done. A lot of the people in my circles of cancer patients have the stories of the doctors not taking them seriously. I had those stories too. I had to see 3 doctors for my issues before one finally let me get tested and by then I had a tumor the size of a softball and AFP markers north of 2100.

[Splenda]

I generally dislike it because a lot of doctors/dentists seem incompetent and give conflicting advice/diagnoses. I understand that health care diagnoses are complex but maybe push back from insurance companies' "see as many patients in a given day as possible" so you can spend enough time with a patient to diagnose accurately. Also, not push unnecessary services because you know I have the "good" insurance.

I've seen some pretty awful doctors like this, maybe that is why. I saw one after my mom died, he decided that her death was the cause of every medical issue I had, put me on random antidepressants and shoved me out the door- this entire interaction took about 5 minutes. No thanks.

My current doctor is wonderful.

[Shadowferal]

The last time I went to the doc, he did the routine checkup and then asked bluntly "Why are you here?" This was back when the AMA recommended antibiotics when doing any dental procedures. And the dentist insisted I go see my doc to get them. This was over 10yrs ago.

[IIamaKing]

Dentist once a year unless he says I need some work. Doctor once a year for check up then hopefully nothind else.

[Celista]

I've seen some pretty awful doctors like this, maybe that is why. I saw one after my mom died, he decided that her death was the cause of every medical issue I had, put me on random antidepressants and shoved me out the door- this entire interaction took about 5 minutes. No thanks.

My current doctor is wonderful.

Yeah I can name at least 10 women in my friends circle who have had that exact experience. Default assuming depression and prescribing an antidepressant seems very commonplace.

What was scary was that for my MA I took a class on diagnosing mental health disorders that also had nurse practitioners taking the class as an elective, and they were the most clueless of all. Glad they were taking the class because goddamn.

[Dwarfhamster]

Ugh. Don’t go to the physician as often as I should for the annual check ups and what not—routine stuff. I havent gotten sick to the point where I have to see the doctor in years.

I see he dentist fairly often. My insurance covers up to four regular check ups and cleanings a year, which is twice as much as normal, I think. Great work benefit. Helps that the office is walking distance to my home.

[Azadina]

I hate going to a dentist. I swear they've all been trained in KGB institutions and drained of any compassion for their coming torture victims.

[Splenda]

Yeah I can name at least 10 women in my friends circle who have had that exact experience. Default assuming depression and prescribing an antidepressant seems very commonplace.

What was scary was that for my MA I took a class on diagnosing mental health disorders that also had nurse practitioners taking the class as an elective, and they were the most clueless of all. Glad they were taking the class because goddamn.

Right. Like, to compare, my current doctor wouldn't TOUCH my medication until I saw a psychiatrist, and if I don't go in a few months she has me come in for an evaluation and weight weighing (I am anorexic). About a year into me ED disorder, she took my hands in hers and told me she's seen my healthy and happy before, and she knows I can do it again. What a lovely lady.

[Chinese Bootlickers]

I make my dentist rich due to some very, very, very VERY poor choice of dental care when I was a kid. Most visits aren't that bad as apparently I have an absurdly high pain tolerance. I had an abscess the size of a quarter when I was around 5-6 and I didn't really feel much pain. The problem is when when they're working waaaay in the back. I'd compare it to waterboarding, hyperbole. Two sets of hands in your mouth, getting sprayed whilst being reclined so far back my ankles are an inch or two above my head. Moral of the story is don't drink soda straight from the bottle. Better yet, don't drink it at all.

/R/Thathappened and than you for listening to my TED speech.

But I do deserve it.

[Temp name]

General doctor? Whenever there's an issue that I want them to look at. So a couple times a year on average. Visit a specialist every 1-2 years for my coeliacs and related problems
Dentist? 2-3 times a year for general, 4 times a year for my braces

[Cairhiin]

Go to dentist yearly, and to the doctor two times a year (have Addison's and Colitis), and get regular blood tests three times a year. I get these done in hospital though. Oh yea and my yearly influenza vaccine as well, which I take wherever there's the shortest queue (for free because of my medication).

[Amerissis]

Don't go to the doctor that much, don't mind it either.

Dentist however... really scared. Didn't go for 15 years, then I got excruciating pain and I had to. Now two years later I've had 3 root canals, 4 or 5 fillings, broken molar repair and tomorrow I'm going in for a cavity in a molar that already had a root canal. That's going to be hell and he already told me I'll have to get a crown in 1-2 years anyway, because there's hardly any molar left after the root canal and that huge cavity. Also broke off part of my front tooth, so hopefully he can fix that tomorrow too. I'm so stressed out

[Captain N]

I've been at my doctor a lot more than I'd like to in the last few months. Been getting blindness in my peripherals during migraines -- something I hadn't gotten before.

The dentist...well when all your teeth are bolted to your jawbones you really don't need to visit one.

[Lex Icon]

i go to the doctor if i feel there's something wrong.. so not very often(twice in the last 10-15 years).

dentist gets a visit twice a year.. but kinda feel like that's a bit excessive.. they always try to sell me stuff =/

[Orby]

dentist, every 6 months, I am obsessed with oral hygiene :P

I go to the doctor nearly all the time, becuase I am paranoid about my body and it;s getting worse the closer I get to 40 lol.