just got a physical, first time in a decade!
 

I went and got a physical today, the first one I've ever got voluntarily. I used to have to get them through my work when I was still doing the firefighting thing.

Doc told all the things I already knew, BP is slightly higher than normal, cholesterol is slightly higher than normal, need to lose some weight (I'm 6'2", 240#).
I'm 49 and still have decent muscle tone and still spend time in the boxing ring a few times a month so I'm not sloppy fat but I don't carry it as well as I used to back when I was your age. ;)

But one thing was weird, he said my vitamin D level was really low. Said it was 16 and should be over 40.
He prescribed a booster pill to be taken once a week and over the counter 1000 mg daily.
I asked why it would be low, he said I don't get enough sun.
In So Cal? With a pool? Spending 3 hours a week at soccer games?
Didn't see that one coming.

Oh, one other thing.
I've been quitting smoking on and off for over a year. Mostly off but once in a while I slide. A pack will last me a month at least.
He prescribed chantix just in case I want to try it. I read the other thread about it, not sure if I want to try that stuff. I'm not into medicine either prescription or recreational.
I'll think I'll just get serious and quit for good.

But that vitamin D thing has me wondering. Guess I need to go see the google doctor.

You almost have me convinced to get one- last time was exit physical around 1 Oct 97.

I'm not a big fan of meds either even though I had to start on one for the cholesterol. Odd since last year it was slightly high but so was my good and doc said total was in line and I was really conscious about watching my intake. This year bad went, well bad.

As far as Chantix, I was on it. It does work, after a week or so cigarettes became really nasty to me. I stopped the Chantix for two reasons. I was doing some voice over work at the time and I could not speak a complete sentence without running out of breath. The other and primary reason was the stuff made me really angry and short tempered. What it did to my personality was downright scary.

LOL, I finally woke up and realized that I'm not bullet-proof anymore and one of these days I'm going to start getting old and if I don't do the right things now, eventually things will start to not work right. That's a heck of a thing to admit.

Funny thing is I was really nervous about going. Not quite anxiety attack but definitely out of my comfort zone.
I turns out the only bad part was the stupid paper gown.
I would mention the prostate check but I already put a mental block on that. Didn't happen ;)

Did he also point out that next year you should probably have a colonoscopy? :D

I don't have to worry about that, I'm too mellow and laid back to ever get grouchy ;)

That's funny because I really am, everywhere except in PARF.

did ya get the 2 finger salute? Man I hate that, thats where a Chinese Doc is best , they have skinny fingers

Doc : does that hurt?
G2 : not really but next time take off your ring.
Doc : Thats not my ring thats my watch

Mental block #2. If I don't remember it he didn't say it.

Did he have both hands on your shoulders?
Not that there's anything wrong with that ......

Would be a strange place to wear a watch...................

Congrats. You all have convinced me NOT to go to the doctor for a physical until I have a testicle grow to the size of an orange or I start sh**ting blood on a regular basis. Or maybe both.

:)

So if I'm 6'3" and weigh 235 - I must be in better shape than you?

LOL, I keep telling myself that muscle weighs more than fat.
That was true at one time ....................

Two fingers? really? man you were abused. The check should be done with one finger. Women docs are best for this check.

Nah. Two fingers is best. Always good to get a second opinion.

LOL Moses! Dr. Jelly Finger strikes again. :D

My doc warned me about that too. I am the same age as Sammy. The big Five O is coming next year. I'll do it. I would rather something be found or NOT be found during a routine check up. Better safe then sorry.

HEY! Enough with the fingers! You all WANT me to avoid doctors for the rest of my life?

Its when you feel both hands on your shoulders that you NEED to worry.

I do one every six months if not every year.

After 50 you need to colonoscopy but I went another direction and did a full body scan and checked everything out. Either way get a good checkup every couple of years if you are over 45.

yep, get ready!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/100_8466.jpg

I read the title as: "just got physical, first time in a decade!"

I was about to say congrats! I'm glad it didn't fall off, and that must suck.

But it seems I misread.

I am sooooooo going to shoot myself on the eve of my 40th.

Problem is the suckage is gradual and sneaky.

Ah, who needs doctors and physicals. I can tell you for free, with 100% certainty, that you are gonna die. At some point.

Seriously, I need to drag my butt in as well. It has only been 1.5 (or is it 2.5) years but I've been feeling a bit sketchy, off and on. I know I don't get enough exercise or sleep and he'd probably just harrass me about that. I did lose 10 lbs though over the last few months, which is a good thing.

Plus my vision just started to slide, quite suddenly, so I just went to an ophthalmologist for that.

Getting old sux.

crazy about the vitamin D.

for the most part, you described my health. i need to up my lung capacity. jogging again..i dont smoke.

I got one a few mos. ago for the first time in several years. Quitting smoking has gained me some weight and doc said my cholesterol and BP were kinda high. He put me on meds. A month later my blood test showed my cholesterol went up! He told me to take the meds religiously only before bedtime. I need to go back soon to see if it's done any good. I did have my first prostate exam last time I was there. That was no fun.

I should add that I eat steamed greens every night, fish (usually steamed or baked) 3-4x per week, oatmeal 4-5x for breakfast per week, only use egg beaters, 1% milk (just for cooking, never drink it) and work out 4-5x per week. Doc says my issues are hereditary.

A colonoscopy sucks, but it sucks less than a colostomy bag.

eeewwwww!

Maybe if I just keep eating cereal, drinking Diet Coke and shoveling down aspirin I won't age.