High blood pressure (in athletes)

[ny biker]

Well, let's see...doctors...GYN annually for check up and rx for mammogram, pulmonologist annually for check up and to get asthma prescriptions renewed, pulmonary function test every 2 years. I used to go to the neurologist annually for migraine check up and rx renewal, but since the migraines are not as bad as they used to be I go the PCP for that rx now. Also dentist checkup/cleaning 2x per year and eye exam annually because my contact lens rx expires every year. And the annual dermatologist exam.

Then there's the as-needed stuff. Last year I had two trips to an allergist to deal with head to toe hives, plus one emergency Saturday PCP visit when the hives first appeared to get prednisone. Also two visits to an ENT, plus a CT scan of my sinuses, to address bad sinus pain. Then there were the visits to the dentist for the root canal, which wound up also solving the bad sinus pain.

In previous years my as-needed doctor visits have involved long-term neck and shoulder pain, knee pain, frequent periods and breast pain. Plus various upper respiratory infections that turned into breathing problems, injuries from cycling crashes, that insect bite that turned into cellulitis...

Plus the flu shot every autumn.

[Crankin]

Susan, you don't need to be training for an event to be a "serious" athlete. Your lifestyle most certainly qualifies as "serious." The same way I would put myself in this category. I do think medical people have difficulty envisioning this lifestyle, especially if they are more casual exercisers or extremely competitive.
As far as the the doctor visits, what I mentioned before is pretty much my visits to my pcp. I go to the dentist 4X a year, as both of my parents had pretty bad periodontal disease and I was going in that direction. This has helped get it under control greatly. I get a mammogram yearly, and a bone density scan, as osteoporosis is the only real "thing" I have, other than allergies/asthma. I see the endocrinologist a couple of times a year, for tx of the osteoporosis.
I spent most of 2007-2008 going to various specialists to diagnose my mysterious pain, tingling, headaches, stomach issues. Although I ended up under the care of a rheumatologist for fibromyalgia, there really was no definitive diagnosis. I may have a mild presentation of the disease, as I never had the cognitive symptoms. Because of this experience, I know my body a lot better and now know the pattern of what happens if I am over training, stressed, etc. I also don't run to the doctor as much. But, my tipping point is if I think I might have bronchitis or if my asthma is acting up because of a cold or sinus infection. My asthma is 100% better and under control than it was 20 years ago, so I do not ignore that.

[tulip]

Susan, I hope you find a resolution for your husband's high blood pressure. My ex MIL had it (but was/is obese with serious anxiety and hyperchondria) and it was very difficult her and everyone around her.

I figure I am just a normal person in the doctor-visit department, but I am very fortunate that I only go when I need to, which has been very, very rare. I don't have allergies or any other issues that would require a visit. I've never been to a dermatologist, although I would have benefited as a teenager! I have olive skin and no trouble spots as far as I can tell. I have had high cholesterol in the past, but that is under control through diet and exercise, and I was never on the high end that would require meds, just careful habits.

When I was a total stressbag a few years ago, I had back issues and hip issues and sinus issues...but those went away when I changed my situation.

So I go to a nurse practitioner for an annual exam and mammo every 18-months to 2 years, and my eye doctor every year for monitoring (no active issues for 25 years, but since I only have one good eye, I err on the side of caution for that). My glasses prescription haven't changed in about 10 years or more. I suspect that will change as I creep toward 50, though! I have good intentions about going to the dentist twice a year, but it's usually only once a year, if that, for a cleaning.

I'll count my blessings and do all I can to keep it this way!

[emily_in_nc]

I guess I am guilty of under-reporting! In addition to my yearly preventive physical with my PCP, I also go to my dermatologist once a year for a full body scan (I have lots of moles but nothing has been a problem yet), get an eye exam and new glasses yearly (seems like my Rx is forever changing), and go to the dentist twice a year for cleanings. Other than that, I did just go for my first colonoscopy since I turned 50 in April, and I also went to a pain managemant doc recently for my old cycling accident injury (fractured pelvis). He prescribed a TENS unit, which has helped a LOT. So, I don't anticipate any more doctor visits for some time to come!