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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lindenblüte on October 24, 2006, at 10:04:15
Hi all,
I have a fear of getting the annual gynecological exam. I'm 27, and I haven't gotten an exam since I was 20. I know it's really bad, and irresponsible of me not to have a Pap smear and all that stuff. It's just that I'm generally healthy down there, with the exception of recurrent bladder/kidney infections (for which I ended up having to see a urologist about when I was 21)So? I guess it's time to get an exam.
Two issues here.
1) psychological- Now that I'm seeing T, and learning more about how my childhood affects my current thinking and feelings, I think I *may* be in a better place to understand why a gyno exam makes me so anxious. I will be careful to request a particular person at the clinic I've been going to for several years. She is kind.In addition to the gyno exam, I am also anxious about getting my basic bloodwork done. Dinah's thread (above) reminds me that many "silent" diseases, like diabetes and heart disease can be thwarted if they are monitored and treated early and consistently. Besides having my blood pressure checked (normal) and my weight (normal BMI, but on the heavy side, and my waist is too big, and I know I have high body fat). I know NOTHING about my bloodsugar, my cholesterol, or my triglycerides. My diet is all over the place, and I have not been doing regular cardio or strength training exercises. I'm scared of what doctors may find. I'm scared that I might chicken out and not request the labwork, even though I should probably get it checked at least once as an adult?
2)Medical. I'm 27, female. What tests do I need?
My vaccines are all up to date (that much I DO know!).I had my thyroid function tested in May. It was smack in the middle of the acceptable range.
Heart disease- not prevalent in my family (grandmom has arrhythmia and congestive heart failure that began to be a problem when she was 78, but it's under control now). Both parents have normal blood pressure and cardiac function.
Diabetes- my mom has some tendency to be diabetic, but she's obese, and hypothyroid. When she gets her thyroid function under control and eats a lean diet, she is okay. (never has taken medicine for diabetes). Dad had diabetes for 6 mos when he was taking predinsone. Resolved when he quit it.
Cancer- family history of colon cancer (grandmother), lymphoma (sibling), skin cancer (father. I had skin cancer screening last year, and a mole removed for cosmetic reasons (that was also negative for s.c.)
Neurological- grandmother had Parkinsons, father had childhood epilepsy. father and grandmother have had strokes.
Other- I have at least one copy of a common gene that makes my blood more likely to clot than the average person. Father has 2 copies and has lots of blood clot problems. (this is the reason I don't take oral contraceptives, plus, they make me crazy!!)
So, what kind of check-up do you guys think I should ask for? Here is my list so far.
1) gyno exam with pap smear
2) cholesterol screening
3) triglycerides screening
4) blood sugar screening
5) breast examany others? please feel free to add to my list. Thank you SO much :)
-Li
Posted by SatinDoll on October 24, 2006, at 22:51:12
In reply to Anxiety about getting my health checked gyno etc., posted by Lindenblüte on October 24, 2006, at 10:04:15
How old was your grandmother when she got colon cancer? They do say what every age they got it, you need to get a colonospy 10 years before that. For me that will be next year at 38 since my dad got it at 48.
I understand the anxiety of doing anything that has anything to do with the doctor. Sometimes it feels better to be ignorant instead. But eventually the worry will get to you, so I am glad you are going to get checked out. GOod luck!
Posted by Lindenblüte on October 25, 2006, at 7:48:58
In reply to Re: Anxiety about getting my health checked gyno etc., posted by SatinDoll on October 24, 2006, at 22:51:12
> How old was your grandmother when she got colon cancer? They do say what every age they got it, you need to get a colonospy 10 years before that. For me that will be next year at 38 since my dad got it at 48.
I think she was 65-70 when she got it. She lived for a few years after diagnosis.
Posted by Dinah on October 25, 2006, at 9:56:09
In reply to Re: Anxiety about getting my health checked gyno e » SatinDoll, posted by Lindenblüte on October 25, 2006, at 7:48:58
I'm glad you're going to bite the bullet and get it taken care of.
I always just do whatever my doctor tells me to. Although I'll confess to paying the lab my doctor uses for one of those full profiles because I figured there must be some reason I was feeling so awful (there wasn't).
If you've got a decent doctor, and you tell them your complete family history, they'll make sure you get what you should get.
Although they do differ. My last internist was big on tests. My new internist is less insistent about them. Which I like because my new internist isn't bugging me about a colonoscopy yet.
Posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2006, at 17:30:58
In reply to Re: Anxiety about getting my health checked gyno e » Lindenblüte, posted by Dinah on October 25, 2006, at 9:56:09
Age 50 for first screening colonoscopy unless history says otherwise and I just heard that they are recommending mammograms at age 30 now . News to me. Heard this from a cancer survivor. But Li it sounds like you're covered. If you doc thinks otherwise she will add them. Love Phillipa
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 26, 2006, at 21:18:27
In reply to Anxiety about getting my health checked gyno etc., posted by Lindenblüte on October 24, 2006, at 10:04:15
Your list looks complete, except that you should have, and will probably get, a complete blood screening, including your blood counts, kidney and liver function, and triglycerides and "good" cholesterol. I'm sure you are healthy, but it's great that you are going and finding out more about your body while you are still so young; if you have a tendency towards anything that might become a problem years from now, you'll be in a position to practice preventive measures.
Things to think about: young women frequently have slight anemia, so it's good to know your RBC, hemoglobin and iron levels. If you have had frequent urinary infections (also very common in young women), you could work on lowering the pH of your urine, if you aren't already. Other thoughts: a Hemoccult test- for blood in the GI tract- very unlikely, but still good to do to detect cancer early, and discussing with your gynecologist about the new vaccine for cervical cancer. Because there seems to be a tendency towards diabetes in your family, you can find out your BMI, and discuss what would be ideal with your internist. Of course, yours may already be ideal!
This is the end of the thread.
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