How often do ou see your GP?

Gael23

As an apparently health person or otherwise, how often would you typically visit your doctor?
Im a young fairly healthy guy, I have some long term conditions that dont make me unwell but require medication. For this my doctor asks to see me every 3 months, most of those times all he does is check that im doing ok with everything and writes my script for the next 3 months and its all over in less than 10 mins

pappyodaniel

Doctors? dem fellas are only interested in putting dare fingers in yer bum.

wazky

Everyday, he lives beside me.

Temptamperu

Every month for meds. They need a few cushions on the chairs in that waiting room.

cloud493

Never been to a GP :cool:

Fr_Dougal

Haven't been to the doctors in about 4 years.

Ruu

5 years ago or so was my last check up. I need to be a little better on that, stubborn like the auld lad.

marozz

I'm on pills for blood pressure so I have to visit my GP every six months. It is just to renew my prescription and have the blood pressure checked, but I still have to pay the full whack.

Mariasofia

Worked with a fella once who asked "why do fellas always see a doc but women always have to see a "specialist"!"!!!!! :-D

Gael23

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Doctors? dem fellas are only interested in putting dare fingers in yer bum.

I've escaped that one so far.

Jamie2k9

Have not being to a GP in 3 years and counting. Thankful that I am healthy.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

whenever the panic attacks get so bad that I convince myself this time it's actually cancer

usually once or twice a year

Vito Corleone

Every month or so. I rarely get charged actually.

Freddy Smelly

ryanf1 wrote: »

As an apparently health person or otherwise, how often would you typically visit your doctor?
Im a young fairly healthy guy, I have some long term conditions that dont make me unwell but require medication. For this my doctor asks to see me every 3 months, most of those times all he does is check that im doing ok with everything and writes my script for the next 3 months and its all over in less than 10 mins

when i need my stomach meds prescription renewed

LETHAL LADY

I've to pay the fecker €60 a visit and with all the videos on youtube and such I thought I'd do some self surgery. I took out my own stitches with a tweezer and some Dettol (it was only three stitches) but it did hurt. I'll admit if I thought I had something seriously wrong I would pay him a visit though.

shruikan2553

I go if I need a sick cert for college. Tends to be a 2 minute conversation when I say I think I have the flu or whatever, the doctor looks at me and agrees and then gives me a piece of paper and says get rest, drink lots etc. Thankfully I have a medical card so Im not forking out 50 euro for this.

Gael23

I was lucky enough to be able to get a medical card because i've got a couple of different medical issues so cost isnt so much of a barrier for me.
The way things are this year i'll have been 6 times at least. So far this year i've had one regular trip. At that visit he changed one of my creams to one that didnt work so back to get it changed and I ended up being sick with tonsilititis a few weeks ago. Three more reviews to come during the year make up 6

Stained Class

I met the Missus when I was in my mid '30s.

She was astonished when I told her that I never had a Check Up from the GP.:eek:

It's something that I never thought of. I promised I'd get one when I turned 40.

Never happened.:D

Then it was 45.

Never happened either....

Maybe I'm unwise with this policy, but I feel well. I'm not a hypochondriac or anything.

Plus it costs over 50 sheets to see one, not to mention time off work etc..

pajor

As little as possible. A distrust in me has grown for doctors.

I didn't need to go from February 2009 until September last year, since then I was there 3 times. Panic attacks. Hoping now that I'm past that stage and it'll be another while before I have to go again.

blatantrereg

Once last year. Was told there was nothing wrong with me, I was just taking on too much work, and was already addressing this myself.
One other time in the last 8 years because my ears were blocked, and needed to get them syringed.

Not sure when before that. I very rarely get sick since becoming an adult. I smoke, don't exercise much (very little aside from walking), eat plenty of junk food (as well as good food), have experienced long periods of significant stress and periods of missing sleep without falling sick. I attribute my good health partially to not having used antibiotics much in my adult life. I think that they are hugely over-prescribed. The popular view is that this is a bad thing because it can lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria, which it does. There is not much research into the effects of antibiotic use on the immune system in general, but certain ones are shown to weaken it. There is no evidence that it helps it. It makes sense that you'll develop stronger natural resistances by dealing with infections by yourself. Obviously sometimes they are necessary or well-advised.

Mycroft H

When I'm sick, which is rare enough and rarer when I've to see the GP. Haven't been on antibiotics since the 90s, the GP was amazed when he read that out to me the last time I was in there.

Novella

Pretty much never go see my GP. I can't remember the last time I was really sick (as in not just a minor cold).

hoodwinked

yeah went to him a few months back as my daughter was sick,

as it turned out last time we saw him was when she got her shots, so when they were updating their systems from paper to electronic he assumed we had gotten a new doctor and never added us, luckily they still had the paper files though...

so *note to self* pay him a visit once every 4 years...or send a christmas card.

Gael23

Stained Class wrote: »

I met the Missus when I was in my mid '30s.

She was astonished when I told her that I never had a Check Up from the GP.:eek:

It's something that I never thought of. I promised I'd get one when I turned 40.

Never happened.:D

Then it was 45.

Never happened either....

Maybe I'm unwise with this policy, but I feel well. I'm not a hypochondriac or anything.

Plus it costs over 50 sheets to see one, not to mention time off work etc..

You can look forward to a finger up the bum at your next visit! Seriously, prostate checks will be done on 40+ men

lertsnim

Quite a bit lately.

Stained Class

ryanf1 wrote: »

You can look forward to a finger up the bum at your next visit! Seriously, prostate checks will be done on 40+ men

LOL. Yeah, Father in law had prostate cancer a few years ago.

All good now thankfully.

Of course this has increased my wife's fervour to get me checked out.

I've been to the GP the odd time, but that was for injuries incurred at work & the company was paying.

TBH, I've no fear of Doctors or anything, it's just not in my routine or nature to go to them.

Karl Stein

Wouldn't go near him at all if I could by inhalers OTC and the odd course of anti-biotics.

Rhyme

ryanf1 wrote: »

Seriously, prostate checks will be done on 40+ men

I seriously hope it's on more than 40 men alright.

Once or twice a year for the past few years as I tend not to get sick and then, bam, serious illness. So far it's been pericarditis, spontaneous pneumothorax, suspected unspecified testicular condition, ectopic heartbeat, digestive problems and crippling muscle cramps around a wad of scar tissue on my right side.

Right now I have the flu and there's no point in going in as berocca, lots of sleep and fluids cost a lot less than a 55euro GP visit.

LETHAL LADY

Charles Rocher wrote: »

Wouldn't go near him at all if I could by inhalers OTC and the odd course of anti-biotics.

Asthma?

hfallada

I dont have a medical card so literally never. I have seen the doctor once in 6 years and she always comment on how she never sees me. I cant justify €60 for a 5 mins so she can write me a prescription.

hoodwinked

Charles Rocher wrote: »

Wouldn't go near him at all if I could by inhalers OTC

i think thats ridiculous too, if you need an inhaler (like the one you have been taking all your life for asthma) you have to pay €50 for the prescription to go pay the pharmacist for the inhaler refill...

LETHAL LADY

hoodwinked wrote: »

i think thats ridiculous too, if you need an inhaler (like the one you have been taking all your life for asthma) you have to pay €50 for the prescription to go pay the pharmacist for the inhaler refill...

It stinks of a greedy cartel and it overloads the health system.

Reedsie

Went in for a tetanus recently and he informed me it has been 13 years since I have been in!

Nonoperational

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

It stinks of a greedy cartel and it overloads the health system.

It's actually the law of the land that prescriptions are only valid for 6 months. But rant on...

Femme_Fatale

I have chronic respiratory trouble starting at the sinuses and if it gets bad it spreads to the throat, then chest, making me quite sick. I don't just pop to the doctor's as soon as I feel it starting. If it gets to the point of me feeling absolutely dreadful and unable to go to work, then I drag myself to the doctor's for a check-up and usually an antibiotic prescription. I don't just take an antibiotic at the drop of a hat, as they are the last resort, and I think most people are the same. Doubt they're as over-prescribed as some people like to say they are (without evidence). I sometimes need steroids as well and I have to get a prescription for these.

I have a great relationship with my GP too - been attending his practice for years and years.

pajor wrote: »

As little as possible. A distrust in me has grown for doctors.

They're not all one thinking-alike hivemind.

Galwayguy35

Twice in the last 10 years, no medical card so I would want to be dying on me feet before I give a doctor 50 euro.

LETHAL LADY

Nonoperational wrote: »

It's actually the law of the land that prescriptions are only valid for 6 months. But rant on...

And where did I say that?

Penny Tration

Have to go every six months because I'm on the pill, so need to have my blood pressure checked regularly. Aside from that, usually three to five more times each year because I get several bouts of bronchitis each year (stupid lungs) and I see a specialist for a long term health condition once every three months.

I should also be seeing a cardiologist and endocrinologist once a year but fcuk that. I go to the doctor a ridiculous amount of times as it is, can't take more time off.

Juwwi

marozz wrote: »

I'm on pills for blood pressure so I have to visit my GP every six months. It is just to renew my prescription and have the blood pressure checked, but I still have to pay the full whack.

I wouldn't say that's doing your blood pressure any good

The Backwards Man

Had to go in December for a bit of a problem with my arm, time before that was 2001 when I got gangrene in my wee finger.

Doc says she's lucky she's not depending on me to pay the mortgage.

LETHAL LADY

Nonoperational wrote: »

It's actually the law of the land that prescriptions are only valid for 6 months. But rant on...

Ok, I don't recall having mentioned it in any of my posts but you can correct me if I'm wrong? I'm sure you will prove it. My issue with the current system is that a person who suffers from a mild, mediocre or long-term debilitating illness, according to the means test is disregarded on financial grounds, whereas if you fit into an income bracket, regardless of your health, you are entitled to free healtcare. IMO anybody with a medical condition should be prioritised. It really is that simple

Femme_Fatale

Think they were referring to you speculating that a prescription expires after six months, as part of a cartel agreement. They were just saying that's not the case and that it's actually due to legislation that a prescription expires after six months.

Washington Irving

Whenever I'm ill. Been about two years. Don't mind going to the doctor, it's the dentist I don't like.

Karl Stein

Nonoperational wrote: »

It's actually the law of the land that prescriptions are only valid for 6 months. But rant on...

The fact remains, regardless of whether the individual or state pays, permission to purchase an inhaler must be granted by a doctor.

I've had asthma for 25 years and do not need a doctor to tell me that I need an inhaler. In other countries, like the UK, you can purchase inhalers OTC but, nope, not here in rip-off Ireland.

Another thing- we're being fucked over by pharmacies big-time here too.

12 Ibuprofen in Ireland? €3/4. 16 Ibuprofen in Tesco in the UK? 65p.

A Salbutamol inhaler in Ireland that requires a script is €8/9. Similar product in the UK is £2.50 without the need for a prescription.

We.
Are.
Being.
Fleeced.

BetterThanThou

When I feel I'm sufficiently ill to require treatment. I hate taking drugs for anything I think my body can sort out itself. I'd say I end up going every 1.5 years or so.

Magenta

I go every month as I have to get a specific injection monthly.

looking_around

ryanf1 wrote: »

As an apparently health person or otherwise, how often would you typically visit your doctor?
Im a young fairly healthy guy, I have some long term conditions that dont make me unwell but require medication. For this my doctor asks to see me every 3 months, most of those times all he does is check that im doing ok with everything and writes my script for the next 3 months and its all over in less than 10 mins

You can, (I have done this), ask your doctor, if you can just phone in for a repeat prescription. Depending on what you're on, most will be ok with this.

c68zapdsm5i1ru

I go every few months to get my prescription renewed (and will always try and just renew it over the phone if I can). Otherwise I go as little as possible. I hate going to the doctor's and I hate being charged €60 for a couple of minutes consultation or just to get a cert for work. I have to be really sick or really worried about something to make an appointment with my GP.

username123

I have to go once every 6 months for meds renewal for pill, ventolin inhaler, nasal spray.

Outside of the above I think I went 3 years ago for a kidney infection. Since I had sinus surgery a few years back I never seem to get sick. I had quit smoking a few months before that so possibly a factor too.

Ilyana 2.0

About 3-4 times a year between pill prescriptions, stomach complaints and my yearly bout of tonsillitis. Could be worse, but I try to avoid it outside of those three issues.

Thankfully the college GP only costs 25e (wish it was free), but tonsillitis always seems to come on when I'm away from college so I end up paying full whack.