XL
February, 2008
I’ve been thinking about getting those letters emblazoned across a sweatshirt–not because it’s my favorite size sweatshirt, but because that’s how old I am now, courtesy of my latest birthday.
There’s something about that number that puts a gleam in the eye of anyone in the medical profession. “Ah, you’re 40 now. Pretty soon you’re going to need bifocals.”
“Well, things tend to change as you get older…”
And my most recent, “You’re 40? Time for a mammogram!”
Ahhhhh.
This was at my most recent well woman visit. “Annuals” as they now like to call them.
At least the nurse in this office is sympathetic. And at least now I’m with a female gynecologist. Problem is, she’s so young! And skinny, ugh.
Sigh. I knew their scale was going to register higher this year; I just didn’t know how much higher.
Turns out it was nine pounds.
Ahhhhh.
I actually went to this appointment planning to talk with her about a different problem I was having. I get a tremendous headache at the beginning of my cycle each month. Lasts a whole 24 hours, makes me sick to my stomach, and nothing will even touch it for lessening the pain.
A friend of mine had told me that her doctor recommended going back on the pill, at age 40, to reduce the symptoms she was having related to her cycle. I just wanted to see what my doctor might have to say about it.
I like to know my options.
So here are the options she gave me: birth control pills, a low dose of estrogen for the few days before my cycle starts in order to prevent the headache, and a prescription-strength migraine medicine to combat the headache–if the estrogen didn’t work.
Oh, and come back in three months so we can check out how well it’s working for you.
And here’s your form to get your mammogram done.
Plus, you really should see your family doctor for a basic physical. You know, cholesterol screening, diabetes, etc.
Oh. One more thing…don’t gain any more weight.
And I thought she’d have some words of encouragement and motivation for me.
I was wrong.
Now, I know what I need to do in order to lose weight and lessen the effects of the headache. Some of it is common sense, some of it I can research, and the other bit I know is just plain change I should make for my better overall health. The problem is that I haven’t experienced enough consequence yet–apparently–to compel me to change.
Now, I sense that you may not really be seeing what the big deal is. The doctor’s just doing her job to keep me healthy, as she should. Right? After all, prevention is the best cure. Right??
But perhaps some of you are like me. You don’t like lots of doctor’s appointments. You don’t want to be taking medications on a regular basis. What you really want is someone to help keep you accountable to the things you know you should do but have trouble doing on your own.
Yeah!
And even if you’re not like me, perhaps you will understand this: insurance. My husband is self-employed. Mm hmm. Our insurance stinks. And I have four appointments and two prescriptions.
What I really need is one appointment, no prescriptions, and an accountability partner.
Doctors don’t give you that. Honestly, they don’t make money off healthy people. Well, except through lots and LOTS of prevention…
But I’m not as timid as I used to be. It’s my body–my health–and the internet has made it much easier for us ordinary folk to research the topics of concern in our own lives. That doctor has known me for a sum total of thirty minutes in my entire life. I’ve known myself for 40 years. I guess, ultimately, I’m a better judge of what I need than she is, as long as I’m basically healthy.
Now, I realize that I asked. I wanted to hear her thoughts on the headaches. And honestly, her information has helped guide and direct me in my search for more natural answers to the problems I’m having.
Therefore, the prescriptions are sitting on my desk, unfilled. The follow-up appointment is written on the calendar, but it has the words, “Probably cancel” written right after it. I’m endeavoring to monitor my diet, exercise, and cycle a little more closely. Three months from now, instead of going back to the doctor, I hope that I can have corrected some of the lifestyle choices I’ve been making that have contributed to my headaches–and all the other health concerns that, ahem, do seem to pile up as you get older.
Darn it. All the nonsense they tell you is true: ”Now that you’re 40…”.
I just don’t want to hear it!
Ultimately, what I hope is that I can use this latest experience as that one final motivator I’ve been seeking to help me get healthier. Not that I’d turn down an accountability partner.
Anybody want to volunteer?
