Monday 8 December 2014

“Do you think I'll live to be 85?”

Health advice from a recent email:

I recently picked a new G.P.
After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing 'fairly well' for my age. (I've just reached 65).
A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, “Do you think I'll live to be 85?”
He asked, “Do you smoke tobacco, drink beer, wine or hard liquor?”
“Oh not much grog these days and don't smoke” I replied. “I'm not doing drugs either!”
Then he asked, “Do you eat rib-eye steaks, fatty roasts and barbecued Ribs?”
I said, “Not much.... my former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!”
“Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, boating, sailing, surfing, hiking or cycling?”
“No, I don't,” I said.
He asked, “Do you gamble, drive fast cars or have a lots of sex?”
“No,” I said.
He looked at me and said, “Then why the f*** do you want to live to 85?”

3 comments:

paul scott said...

When I went to my doctor. I said:
I need this medicine, for this condition, .and I name it and tell him tell him.
If he says no. .. : I say don't worry no worry I can buy it on the streets of Bangkok cheaper than you can fleece me. .
Blood pressure 1 year supply $NZ40
Tramadol for back pain 1 year supply 1 year supply $NZ320

Cost in New Zealand for a Christchurch prescription doctor idiot = too much.
And I have never ever been properly examined by my previous Christchurch Doctor; Mu**ay Sm*th .
He doesn't have time . He is a Pegasus doctor, he looks at a computer screen.


I said ... "I am sorry Nurse, I can not make today's appointment I feel crook, I think I may die "
Answer " OK if you get better you come in to see us "
If you feel cynical about NZ medical practice go here

http://paulscottstories.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/amoxicillin-tale-about-our-medical.html

Sally O'Brien said...

I recently spent $80 to see a GP about foot pain. He spent 2 unhelpful minutes on my agonizing concern then proceeded to quiz me about smoking and breast and cervical screening. He took my blood pressure and said it was high. I reminded him that people who are in a lot of pain usually have high blood pressure before storming out with a prescription for Tramadol. Tramadol frequently causes nausea and constipation neither of which he warned me about.

Peter Cresswell said...

@Sally, I can replicate your story almost to a word or two. I spent $80 several years ago to see a GP about neck pain, with which I said I had been unable to sleep. He spent a few unhelpful seconds nodding his head then proceeded to quiz me about smoking and drinking and diet. He took my blood pressure and said it was high. I reminded him that people who are in a lot of pain and not sleeping usually have high blood pressure before storming out with a prescription for amitriptyline -- an anti-depressant that made me feel like a zombie that I swiftly curtailed -- and appointments to have my blood pressure taken by his nurse every day for three weeks.
I changed doctors after three days.