things that make me feel old

[planetsusie]

Im wondering what expectations there are about MOT-ing, in so much as how much do people in general expect to find out?
Eeek

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by planetsusie

Im wondering what expectations there are about MOT-ing, in so much as how much do people in general expect to find out?
Eeek

It just convinces me that 'The New World Order' plan, to ensure that human lifespans are shortened in order to reduce world population, is TRUE

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by churchman phil

I'm 40 this year and I have an annual MOT at the doc's every April. BP, Blood Test, etc.
I don't smoke at all or drink heavily (maybe 6 units a week, tops!!), eat good wholesome food and get regular exercise.
Can't see anything wrong in getting it done as when you get told you're fit as a fiddle when the results come through that more than makes up for it.
If anything is found to be wrong (touch wood it isn't) chances are it would be in the early stages and can be more readily treated.

If you feel that the MOT's for the over 40's are a good thing then I am not about to change your mind.
Personally it isn't for me.
I have a healthy lifestyle too, I do not smoke and I never have done.
I drink so little alcohol that i could be considered teetotal........I take two half hour walks every weekday amounting to over 7500 paces......I eat healthily and in spite of this I have put on some weight since I have got that bit older.
When i have had the need to visit the GP and they have checked my BP, it
has been found to be raised( a common phenomenon known as 'white coat
syndrome') yet when I check my BP at home, it is always within acceptable levels.

I feel that it is going to be a worrying situation for some people......they will go into the appointment as a fit and healthy 40yr old and will come out with perhaps hypertension and high cholesterol.........making them a 'patient' for the rest of their lives........being given medications for the rest of their lives.......medications that are not without side effects.......medications that will cost them more than £7 per item........they will worry about their health from that day forward......worry makes you ill.(doesn't it?)

All this so that this government can be seen to be doing 'something'.......so that GP's can tick boxes and meet targets.

If the government really wanted to be doing something useful they could make sure that all patients diagnosed with early Alzheimers were given effective treatment.......they could make sure that all cancer sufferers were given the very best medications(not just the ones sanctioned by NICE)....they could make sure that ill people weren't penalised when going for treatment at hospital by having to pay parking charges(which incidentally are no longer levied in Wales and Scotland).
They could abolish prescription charges( again these are free in Scotland, I'm not sure about Wales.
They could make it so that you could see your OWN GP in a timely fashion, like when you are actually ill....rather than having to wait a week or 10 days(by which time you are better).

They could make sure that alternative therapies are freely available for all who would like a 'gentler' kind of treatment.(I know that these are available in some practices....but not all)



So until they become compulsory, I won't be attending.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Thats a really interesting thought.
Like aging is an illness.
Im actually running through my head 'when was the last time a patient of mine died of old age?'
Brilliant. Thanks for that[/quote]

You never had a patient die of 'old age'....because the health service made them into a 'patient'.

I am glad my post has provoked some thought about seeing ageing as an
illness.

I do not wish to be made into a 'patient' just because I am geeting older/elderly.

[shillelagh]

well im never out of the docs anyway .. so knowing me i'll get nabbed anyway .. at least i got my medical exemption card for the next 5 years anyway so dont need to pay prescriptions so thats ok.

What makes me feel old ..... well last night after spuggie left me i went on facebook and ended up on my old schools facebook page ....... and im telling you that made me feel old ... plus my nieces and nephews make me feel old ... but spug makes me feel young ...

[katex]

Understand where you are at Margaret, but they reckon they could save over 600 lives per year with these checks, so could be a worthwhile effort at the end of the day.

I tend to get 'white readings' on blood pressure too, and never go back again for a second reading, as know adrenalin will start to pump as soon as that band gets on my arm, so never really sure.

Aren't they going to cancel prescription charges ? Sorry, to be vague, but think is being considered. What surprised me, during the discussion I heard, was that a very low percentage of the population pay ... so not going to make a lot of difference really. Think was about 7% ... took me back a bit when I heard it. Maybe it's because us pensioners get it free and living longer, overtaking the younger and healthier.

[cashman]

live life by my laws, when yer 50 yer n official old fart, i though am now a coffin dodger, but have 9 yrs to think what the next category is.

[planetsusie]

A miracle? hahaha

[West Ender]

One thing that made me feel old when I was in hospital, at New Year 2008, was when a young doctor came to see me. He was obviously quite new to the wards but, far worse, he was obviously no more than a year older than my grandson. I don't want little lads explaining my Xrays to me, I want dapper docs in grey suits and bow ties (yes, I know they're not allowed ties any more) with warm hands and impeccable manners and who call me Mrs C..... and not Cath. Oh hell, that's showing my age.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Well, Mrs C.......if you tell them that is how you wish to be addressed then that is what they will call you.
I know that when I was admitting patients I asked them how they would like to be addressed....some wanted formality, others didn't.
When the new Junior Doctors started on the wards each February and August, we(the nurses) used to joke that some of them were still wiping breast milk from the corners of their mouths......not PC I know.....but that was how young they seemed.

I am not sure about the statistics of the population who pay for scripts....but I always paid for mine, and I knew many others who also paid.

It is interesting to note that prescription charges went up again recently, so I would be surprised if they are going to be abolished.

600 lives may be saved by this intervention, but it is going to cost a lot of money to do this and in the course of this action, this group of the population are going to be medicalised.......I was going to say the older end of the population, but 40 is quite young.
It strikes me as being a ploy to get everyone on a database(or am i being paranoid here), or at best a political gimmick........and an expensive one at that.

Maybe the drug companies who will make money, are going to bung the government some dough eh! (oops..... my paranoia is showing again)

[accyman]

Originally Posted by katex

I feel old when in the programme '10 Years Younger' (which I love), is when they show different outfits for varying decade age groups.

They do the 30's, 40's, 50's .. I await in anticipation of one for my age group ... humph ... nowt !! Off the scale then ...

they did do an 80's special but the outfits they were picking left a lot to be desired




just in case that reads bad im not saying your 80

[katex]

Originally Posted by accyman

they did do an 80's special but the outfits they were picking left a lot to be desired




just in case that reads bad im not saying your 80

Bet ya' enjoyed that ...

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I am not sure about the statistics of the population who pay for scripts....but I always paid for mine, and I knew many others who also paid.

This must have been the article that the discussion sprang from Margaret .. sorry 11%.

Department of Health Review - Prescription charges for those with long term conditions - British Medical Association Response

It is interesting to note that prescription charges went up again recently, so I would be surprised if they are going to be abolished.

600 lives may be saved by this intervention, but it is going to cost a lot of money to do this and in the course of this action, this group of the population are going to be medicalised.......I was going to say the older end of the population, but 40 is quite young.
It strikes me as being a ploy to get everyone on a database(or am i being paranoid here), or at best a political gimmick........and an expensive one at that.

You have the choice to respond or not.

Maybe the drug companies who will make money, are going to bung the government some dough eh! (oops..... my paranoia is showing again)

The drug companies have to make money Margaret for future research. Don't find this comment very fair to be honest. Know you are well at the moment, but lots of people, like Jaysay for instance, who rely on drugs, etc., to maintain their life will not agree with you.

[accyman]

Originally Posted by katex

Bet ya' enjoyed that ...


.

i did put a disclaimer at the bottom of my reply excluding you from the 80's club

[Margaret Pilkington]

Kate, the drug companies make billion and billions of pounds(more than enough to continue with research.....lots of the money that drug companies spend is spent on frivolities, like sending GP's, consultants and the like on junkets that are supposed to be 'seminars') from people who are taking medications every day....the type of drugs that the government want to put all of the over 55's on.......things like aspirin, and statins.
These drugs are not without side effects and they may actually only be of benefit to something like 2% of the population.....but of course the drug companies will not mind if all of the over 55's go on their products as it is cash in their coffers.......and sponsored by the government.

Yes Kate, I made the point that we have a choice as to whether to attend(and I won't be doing), but how long will it be before some GP practices will say you can't be on their list of patients if you do not attend for pro-active screening?

[lettie]

I feel old when I see someone whose baby I've delivered and they tell me that "she's 16 now, you know"........

Even worse is looking after someone in labour who I delivered and is now having her own baby

I am inclined to agree with Margaret about the health checks. I don't know if it's a health professional attitude, but I don't want to know if my Cholesterol is high. My BP has always been fine (when I have allowed someone to take it). I have never been hospitalised with a serious illness and have never taken regular medications. I have no intention of taking Statins or anything else for that matter. The side effects of some of these drugs can ruin your life.

I have also not known anyone die of old age for years. Everybody has to be classified into some sort of disease these days and getting old seems to be treated as an illness in itself rather than a natural progression of the body's state.

I would like to grow older with a modicum of dignity and not be poked around by some 12 year old Doctor or Nurse when I have forgotten more about nursing than they will ever know.

So yes, some things about my job can make me feel old but....... I am definitely going to be growing old disgracefully....