Some Practical Health Information

Wow, and thank you about the colonography

Good news about the colonoscopy. It will be some years before I need another and hopefully this protocol will be widely available.

I second the recommendation for the Hep C test. My brother was recently diagnosed and it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride but as you say Ronni, newer better treatments are just around the corner. This can be a treatable disease if caught in time, but it can also lay hidden for decades.

Fortunately my HMO sends out dates when they will be giving flu shots. You can make an appointment and be in and out in ten minutes. No more waiting in long lines in pharmacies or grocery stores. They also will give flu shots while you remain in your car.

I no longer have to have a colonoscopy, but I sure wish it had been around the last time I had one. This is great news for all elders.

There are a few advantages of being an elder as they no longer give many of the tests that we regularly had to have done. No more mammograms, colonoscopies, or pelvic exams. I haven't decided whether they are no longer required because they figure 'you are going to die soon anyhow so why bother' or it's because 'if it hasn't killed you by now you are probably not going to get it'.

The CT colonography sounds like a huge improvement on the standard procedure. I'm due for a colonoscopy, so I'm definitely going to ask about availability of the virtual procedure in the Seattle area.

It was time for me to have a colonoscopy several months ago. I had ducked and dodged but my doctor finally insisted. I asked about the "virtual colonoscopy" and he was aware of them but felt too much radiation was needed in the procedure. I had the old fashioned one.

Ronni,

Thanks for the reminder and news about the annual flu shot and the new one they suggest for elders.

Our County Health Dept. has the flu shot distribution down to a science.

They put up huge tents and the Health Dept. people set up their needles etc.under the tent and then you drive your car through and two nurses come to both sides of your car and give the appropriate shots to anyone in the car.

You are in and out of the tent in minutes.

Don't you love it when a government agency works in such an efficient way?

I just heard somewhere (NPR?) that Walmart was getting into the immunization business. Actually, I was kind of glad to hear this, because it weirdly seems like private providers around here seem to have trouble getting vaccine. They have starting referring people to pharmacies. What gives? I had to get my shingles shot at a pharmacy (it required a script). My doctor typically doesn't get the flu vaccine until October and I'd rather get the shot earlier than that.

Marilee...
I'm betting that if Walmart has a pharmacy, it has been in "the immunization business" for a long time already.

Any place that has a pharmacy such as supermarkets and drop-in medical clinics throughout the U.S. have been supplying immunizations for a decade or more.

I'm sure there must be a business reason for it (someone's making more money this way), but I find it quite convenient.

It's time for my five-year pneumonia shot this year, plus the annual flu vaccine and I'm finally going to get the shingles shot this time.

It sure is easier than setting up a physician's appointment and I think it probably saves Medicare money - no physician visit to be billed for a two-minute procedure.

BTW, I'm curious about the prescription for your shingles shot. That is not required here. Is the requirement for prescriptions different in each state, do you think?

I am one of those who refuse to shop Wal-Mart for their treatment of employees and the way they avoid providing health benefits through part-time hirings. But your comments, along with a recent report in the Consumer's Report news letter, "On Health" suggest that Wal-Mart could serve some future needs for me with certain prescriptions.

Like you, I agree that keeping Rx prices as low as possible should supersede politics.

I had to have a prescription in Calif. a year or so ago for the shingles shot, given at my small independent pharmacy across the street from my doctor's office. They also give all the immunization shots anyone needs to travel anywhere in the world.

A larger Calif. chain of CVS Pharmacies gives a lot of standard shots, flu, etc. Local hospitals often offer free shot days at auto drive-thru locations. I prefer to wait a month or so for the flu shot, lest its effectiveness wear off too early after the first of the year. Last I knew the lasting strength, duration for effectiveness wasn't completely understood.

I'm not a Walmart fan either, for the reasons Larry states, and other issues, but have made a few purchases in years past. Economics can challenge efforts to protest and make a statement. I still persist in supporting my one remaining independent pharmacist when possible, though they'll likely go the way of my beloved independent, even chain book stores.

Colonoscopy adm. much improved my last one, but Dr. recommended it best, especially if polyps could be an issue. Will be interested in Mayo Clinic results over time.

Darlene is right to question the motivation for why some tests are determined to be "no longer necessary for elders." We would all be very wise to attend to this issue and many others in future health care -- no matter who gets elected in Nov. Age is a factor in health care issues, but should not necessarily be the sole basis to determine health care practices -- that is what may need to be guarded against -- not only with the pure bean counters, but select medical personnel who may embrace such practices for whatever their reasons are.

For example for some years, some in health care, nurses and therapists, unofficially monitor the relationship between patient age and administration of TPA which can minimize stroke effects under certain conditions for some individuals.

Glad to hear about the Nursing Home database. Now if there is just the pressure brought to bear to provide the quality of care needed in such settings -- screening of employees, adequate staffing with quality help if there are that many employees available, funds to provide care in SNF or other less expensive settings including for those who have little money.

Well, I still disagree with you about the flu shots and would rather die than get one. Otherwise, I really appreciate all the other health info in this post. Thanks! :)

(It's also interesting to me that as much as they push colonoscopies (sp?) on Americans, no doctor here in Sweden has EVER suggested I (age 64) should have one. Same for my 67-year-old husband. I just wonder what that means.)