Medicare Wellness visit part 2...
So I left the doctor's office with 3 prescriptions and an appointment for a recheck in a few weeks. I had the prescriptions filled (they weren't expensive), but didn't plan to take them at the time. I wanted to have my chest x-ray done first and get the result of that before even considering taking any drugs.
A few days to a week later I got the results from all the tests through the email on my iPhone (isn't technology wonderful?)... and we are also told at this time what other tests and/or vaccinations may be needed or possibly overdue.
My tests were basically all normal - Vitamin D is low (as always) - and they recommend taking Vitamin D mega dose once a week or daily capsules. Well, since we spent a week in the sun in Hawaii recently, my Vitamin D should have increased...
So at this stage I feel the same as I do after my annual Oncologist visit - that apparently I'm good to go for another year. Which is exactly what I heard from my Oncologist a few weeks later. My chest x-ray was fine... lungs clear (hurray!).
As for the reason for the cough - possibilities that came to his mind (beyond the original radiation cause) were reflux, aspiration, or adult onset asthma. He recommended having my family physician have me take a breathing/swallowing test.
Oh, one thing that I did do this year (with both doctors) is that I gave them a written list of 'Things my physicians should know'. These included not referring me to any doctors not taking Medicare, not running any tests not paid for by Medicare, and not running even routine testing until checking with me to see if I want that test run. I'm not sure that doctors like 'lists', but I wanted this information put into my file... and neither doctor seemed to object.
Well... that sums up my annual Wellness Visit. Hope yours goes/or has gone as well. I didn't mention some of the strange questions they ask you these days... among them: "Do you have anything in your house that you could trip over?" (Only 3 cats!)
Take Care and as always, thanks for reading. It's Friday! TGIF!
Hugs,
-Rian
Hi Rian. As you have probably read on the blog, Tom has ipf a lung disease that comes with a cough. We have asked time and time again for help and been offered oramorph or codeine linctus neither of which Tom wants at the present time. On Monday we spoke to a new gp and he sent us a leaflet on how to control a cough, you may be interested in it, here is the line. It certainly works for Tom if he uses the dropping your chin and swallowing one. https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/slt/Controlling-chronic-cough.pdf
ReplyDeleteHope this helps.
Briony
x
Thanks, Briony. I will check it out.
DeleteMy Wellness visit was pretty humdrum. No meds except for my statin, which I've taken for ages. Glad to hear everything is going well for you, since I very much enjoy your blog and would like it to continue for a long time to come. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, DJan. I can say the same... meaning I enjoy your blog too and hopefully you have no plans to discontinue it any time soon.
DeleteI had a cough for years, and about two years ago it got increasingly worse until several times a day the cough was so bad I couldn't get my breath. Finally an ENT doc noticed Lisinopril on my list of medications. i stopped taking that one and within a week the coughing had subsided dramatically. Now it recurs once or a few times during pollen season, which in our region seems to be almost all year long. Kudos to you and your medical team. Seems all are thorough and on top of things.
ReplyDeleteTrue, my Oncologist's first thought was a medication... but since I'm not on any meds, that couldn't be it. So glad you were able to find a way to help (if not eliminate) your cough.
DeleteI guess boring covers my visit, even with a new PC. Lovely woman.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I would think that 'boring' is probably good when you get to our age.
DeleteI like my Doctor but she does not focus as much as I would like and I think I have to take better care of monitoring my health. I do not know when my next well visist id due. Now wondering if they will call or ignore it.
ReplyDeleteTabor, I keep a list of all my doctor appointments in the notes section of my iPhone... (as well as other things like the dates of my last flu shot, etc.) If I didn't I'd never remember when anything was due. Sometimes the doctor's office will remind you, sometimes not...
DeleteI haven't been the doctor in ages, I dislike the whole thing and avoid going unless I feel ill. Probably not the best way to be. I hear you on the tripping hazards, I swear Saku is trying to make me fall.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand that, Mae! I actually believe that my body has the ability to heal itself with most things - if given time, rest, and care. But there is a point where it's probably a good thing to have a doctor check you out. As for tripping - yes, cats do tend to get underfoot. But perhaps because of that, those of us with cats underfoot may be more careful??
DeleteJust about everyone I know has a cough of one sort or another, and most of the time the doctors can't figure it out -- acid reflux, allergy and post nasal drip seem to be the top three candidates. But it's always important to get it checked out . . . and I like the way you're taking control of your health care. You're a good example for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThis is true too, Tom. I call it a part of aging... and have ignored it for a long time. It's only when it gets to a point that it interferes with your life that gets me to the doctor. And having to run a barrage of tests doesn't exactly sit well with me.
DeleteI love the list you gave your docs and just may copy it. So glad your lungs were clear and basically you had a good check up. Hope you can find the culprit for the cough.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important that doctors know your wants and don't wants, Patti. And since we don't see them terribly often, I'd imagine they wouldn't remember it all... hopefully a list in our file might help.
DeleteI am due a wellness visit and hope my doctor will be as thorough. Our doctor has really cut back on the blood work lately. Glad your visit went well. That is always a relief.
ReplyDelete