Got copy of medical back yesterday...

[Emancipation 2]

Before you go for your physical get the chest x-ray, blood tests and any vaccines you may need from your family physician. Or follow Emancipation's advice and don't.

I didn't in anyway state or infer that people shouldn't go for regular health check ups and you know it. To state that everyone should do a pre-medical medical IMO is overkill if you have a healthy person who has had regular check ups. In Canada, I have NEVER had a Dr. order a chest x-ray every year as part of a routine physical exam and I am an asthmatic. I do think you are being a bit melodramatic on this particular issue.

[~Nini~ 2]

I don't really go for the pre-medical chest x-ray myself. All that radiation might make your bones liquefy, you know.

In all seriousness, I'm for preventative medicare myself, but there are instances where you can go too far with it. I agree with Emancipation when she says that people shouldn't subject themselves to pre-medical physicals. Pre-medical vaccines, I agree with - we get them for free, why not get 'em done while we can? But theoretically no one should have to do pre-medical blood tests for the sake of "finding out surprises" if they're maintaining their health.

Everyone is definitely allowed to their opinion though. Us Canucks are allowed to disagree every once in awhile. And yes, I do go for my annual each year. I'm sure that's more info than all of you wanted to know

</derail>

MandE I hope things work out for the best. All our best thoughts are with you.

Edited October 29, 2007 by Nini & Bee

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Before you go for your physical get the chest x-ray, blood tests and any vaccines you may need from your family physician. Or follow Emancipation's advice and don't.

I didn't in anyway state or infer that people shouldn't go for regular health check ups and you know it. To state that everyone should do a pre-medical medical IMO is overkill if you have a healthy person who has had regular check ups. In Canada, I have NEVER had a Dr. order a chest x-ray every year as part of a routine physical exam and I am an asthmatic. I do think you are being a bit melodramatic on this particular issue.

I must respectfully disagree with you. How many people go for a regular yearly checkup in the first place? When was the last time any of us had a chest x-ray or a metastatic report? You state that you never had a doctor order a chest x-ray and you are asthmatic. What does this mean? Specious reasoning. Just because George Burns smoked two cigars a day from the age of 13 and died at the age of 100, does this mean that we should all smoke and we too will live to 100? Some doctors are screw ups, some are apathetic and some don't follow current guidelines. I have several friends who are asthmatic and they all get yearly chest x-rays. Of course they all live in the GTA so maybe a lack of resources may prevent a physician from ordering the appropriate tests. The fact that you have never had a "NEVER had a Dr. order a chest x-ray every year as part of a routine physical exam..." means that if anything, you should have gotten a chest x-ray. That's my point exactly. I don't think there's anything melodramatic about one's own health. What price do you place on it or piece of mind? There is an old Chinese proverb, "health is capital for life." How many people with asymptomatic illnesses pnly learn of their condition when it's too late? An x-ray, a few blood tests and a urine sample take only a few minutes of your time.

MandE, we can hardly wait until you come back with a clean bill of health.

Emancipation, thanks, it's been a while since I've had a good argument. At least the furniture wasn't upset this time.

[misa 2]

I get general bloodwork done each year (along with the girly exam) to check for specific things in my blood related to general health (cholesterol, b12, iron, etc.), but not an xray. My doctor did do lung capacity tests each year though along with listening to my breathing because I'm a heavy smoker. I should probably A ) quit smoking and B ) get chest xrays.

I think at the very least everyone should get yearly bloodwork to check to make sure your diet is actually decent. And for girls, get your yearly girly exam done!

Edited October 29, 2007 by misa

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I don't really go for the pre-medical chest x-ray myself. All that radiation might make your bones liquefy, you know.

In all seriousness, I'm for preventative medicare myself, but there are instances where you can go too far with it. I agree with Emancipation when she says that people shouldn't subject themselves to pre-medical physicals. Pre-medical vaccines, I agree with - we get them for free, why not get 'em done while we can? But theoretically no one should have to do pre-medical blood tests for the sake of "finding out surprises" if they're maintaining their health.

Everyone is definitely allowed to their opinion though. Us Canucks are allowed to disagree every once in awhile. And yes, I do go for my annual each year. I'm sure that's more info than all of you wanted to know

</derail>

MandE I hope things work out for the best. All our best thoughts are with you.

As I said it's a personal choice. I'm no fan of x-rays but how many of us actively take an interest in our health. Very few of us that's for sure. Chest x-rays can show things that other tests might miss. The physical for US immigration is not the same as the yearly physical you get from your doctor.

Liquid bones? Might just improve my dancin'

[LadyJane 1]

I almost hate to get into the fray here, but I feel compelled to speak up. There seems to be two issues in discussion here:

1. Yes, I totally agree that preventative medicine is a great way of taking care of ourselves. I don't think anyone here will disagree with that. Yearly checkups with blood work and Pap smear or prostate tests etc. should be on everyone's list of things to do! And taking care of our bodies help us feel better about ourselves and improve our outlook on life, so visiting the doctor each year is only half of the battle. Ultimately we are responsible for our own health.

2. A chest x-ray is by no means part of a standard physical examination. There are no current guidelines for regular chest x-rays from healthy, asymptomatic people meaning that doctors do not consider it a critical test to administer each year to healthy people. Unless a patient presents with chronic lung problems, such as coughing or pain with breathing, a doctor will assume that all is well. Is that assumption correct? Well, for most folks including asthmatics the answer is yes. For asthmatics, there are standard tests that do not involve x-rays and a chest x-ray is usually performed on asthmatics only if there is the possibility of another disease. It is possible that asthmatics who do get yearly chest x-rays have complicating issues which require the yearly x-ray. However, it is not standard practice.

I agree that getting titers before your immigration exam is a good idea. My husband found that he needed to get a couple of new immunizations, and finding that out now saved us a bit of anxiety. But I disagree that getting an x-ray beforehand is necessary, especially if the person has no history of prior lung dysfunction. There are other tests for lung function that do not require x-rays, which may be requested at the time of your yearly exam.

I would jump off the soap box, but it's slippery. So I'll carefully step down. Ahoy!

Lady Jane

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I almost hate to get into the fray here, but I feel compelled to speak up. There seems to be two issues in discussion here:

1. Yes, I totally agree that preventative medicine is a great way of taking care of ourselves. I don't think anyone here will disagree with that. Yearly checkups with blood work and Pap smear or prostate tests etc. should be on everyone's list of things to do! And taking care of our bodies help us feel better about ourselves and improve our outlook on life, so visiting the doctor each year is only half of the battle. Ultimately we are responsible for our own health.

2. A chest x-ray is by no means part of a standard physical examination. There are no current guidelines for regular chest x-rays from healthy, asymptomatic people meaning that doctors do not consider it a critical test to administer each year to healthy people. Unless a patient presents with chronic lung problems, such as coughing or pain with breathing, a doctor will assume that all is well. Is that assumption correct? Well, for most folks including asthmatics the answer is yes. For asthmatics, there are standard tests that do not involve x-rays and a chest x-ray is usually performed on asthmatics only if there is the possibility of another disease. It is possible that asthmatics who do get yearly chest x-rays have complicating issues which require the yearly x-ray. However, it is not standard practice.

I agree that getting titers before your immigration exam is a good idea. My husband found that he needed to get a couple of new immunizations, and finding that out now saved us a bit of anxiety. But I disagree that getting an x-ray beforehand is necessary, especially if the person has no history of prior lung dysfunction. There are other tests for lung function that do not require x-rays, which may be requested at the time of your yearly exam.

I would jump off the soap box, but it's slippery. So I'll carefully step down. Ahoy!

Lady Jane

You are right about there being no "standard" for how often a chest x-ray is indicated. Having said that, if you have an history of heart disease in your family, are over the age of 30 (this is changing depending on your physical condition), have respiratory problems (depends on the severity of your condition), are a smoker (of any age) and have various other physical abnormalities or conditions then I see no problem with choosing to get a chest x-ray before your medical. It is probably the easiest test to schedule. Is it necessary, probably nought, if you're in good shape and get tested often. Many doctors are choosing to be more agressive in these areas (the published standards often lag behind practice doctrine) and the chest x-ray is often one of many tests ordered. It is by no means the best test but no doctor would refuse a request for a chest x-ray, which is what Emancipation was suggesting and what I was disagreeing with. The other issue was whether you should go to your doctor and get a complete medical with, at the very least, all the tests that the immigration doctor will order and that includes a chest x-ray. I believe you should. Fear mongering? Maybe. But since we all would like a smooth trip through the MTL it certainly couldn't hurt and you might just turn up something (I hope not!). That's all I was trying to say. Some people are afraid of x-rays and the radiation. I can understand that. There are too many x-rays scheduled in Canada mainly due to the lack of resources for other tests. But the decision is up to you and you must make it of your own volition.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I almost hate to get into the fray here, but I feel compelled to speak up. There seems to be two issues in discussion here:

1. Yes, I totally agree that preventative medicine is a great way of taking care of ourselves. I don't think anyone here will disagree with that. Yearly checkups with blood work and Pap smear or prostate tests etc. should be on everyone's list of things to do! And taking care of our bodies help us feel better about ourselves and improve our outlook on life, so visiting the doctor each year is only half of the battle. Ultimately we are responsible for our own health.

2. A chest x-ray is by no means part of a standard physical examination. There are no current guidelines for regular chest x-rays from healthy, asymptomatic people meaning that doctors do not consider it a critical test to administer each year to healthy people. Unless a patient presents with chronic lung problems, such as coughing or pain with breathing, a doctor will assume that all is well. Is that assumption correct? Well, for most folks including asthmatics the answer is yes. For asthmatics, there are standard tests that do not involve x-rays and a chest x-ray is usually performed on asthmatics only if there is the possibility of another disease. It is possible that asthmatics who do get yearly chest x-rays have complicating issues which require the yearly x-ray. However, it is not standard practice.

I agree that getting titers before your immigration exam is a good idea. My husband found that he needed to get a couple of new immunizations, and finding that out now saved us a bit of anxiety. But I disagree that getting an x-ray beforehand is necessary, especially if the person has no history of prior lung dysfunction. There are other tests for lung function that do not require x-rays, which may be requested at the time of your yearly exam.

I would jump off the soap box, but it's slippery. So I'll carefully step down. Ahoy!

Lady Jane

You are right about there being no "standard" for how often a chest x-ray is indicated. Having said that, if you have an history of heart disease in your family, are over the age of 30 (this is changing depending on your physical condition), have respiratory problems (depends on the severity of your condition), are a smoker (of any age) and have various other physical abnormalities or conditions then I see no problem with choosing to get a chest x-ray before your medical. It is probably the easiest test to schedule. Is it necessary, probably not, if you're in good shape and get tested often. Many doctors are choosing to be more agressive in these areas (the published standards often lag behind practice doctrine) and the chest x-ray is often one of many tests ordered. It is by no means the best test but no doctor would refuse a request for a chest x-ray, which is what Emancipation was suggesting and what I was disagreeing with. The other issue was whether you should go to your doctor and get a complete medical with, at the very least, all the tests that the immigration doctor will order and that includes a chest x-ray. I believe you should. Fear mongering? Maybe. But since we all would like a smooth trip through the MTL it certainly couldn't hurt and you might just turn up something (I hope not!). That's all I was trying to say. Some people are afraid of x-rays and the radiation. I can understand that. There are too many x-rays scheduled in Canada mainly due to the lack of resources for other tests. But the decision is up to you and you must make it of your own volition.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Being a first year RN student, I can admit I know nothing,lol The focus in the medical world has gone through many phases. The big kick is now on preventative care! If your family has a history of certain diseases, I'm sure it would be easy enough to convince a Dr in most cases to get the tests done, or the DR may state because of ur age group he would not advise it. People now a days are much more informed (which is good and bad,lol) of medical problems.

[Caladan 19]

Don't take any changes, see a specialist immediately

tee hee..

that one made me laugh..

"see a specialist immediately"

In Canada..

tee hee..

*sigh.. I'll shut up now..

Puts on her serious hat..

MandE... i'll add my voice to the others who said. it's probably nothing.. and I think i would bring additional documentation from my Dr.. as well.. I think that's a good idea..

Is there anyway they could Re-do the x-ray (the US approved Dr. that is?) for your peace of mind?

I am not from C-a-n-a-d-a so don't get the humor but still recommend that a specialist be seen quickly. Lung problems truly isn't very funny to me

The humour comes from the fact that we have socialized health care ... you have to see your doctor who refers you to a specialist and then it takes a while to get an appointment ... so immediately isn't really immediate at all

It works like that in the U.S., too. My GP referred me to a specialist for my knee, and so now I have an appointment for.... December 10th. (ohnoes private medicine!) I don't think X-rays regularly are good for your health; it's a low dose of radiation, but my GP was telling me that she had a patient doing it six times a year by going to clinic screenings.

MandE, rumor has it that if you take a healthy person and run a battery of tests, you'll always find at least three things 'wrong' with them that turn out to be just quirks of their anatomy. Get it tested, good luck, and keep us posted.

[Carlawarla 1]

Hoping for the best of news MandE! Thinking of you...

Carla

[MandE 0]

Thanks everyone!

Still waiting for appointment for ct scan. Every minute that passes seems like an eternity!!

[trailmix 77]

Thanks everyone!

Still waiting for appointment for ct scan. Every minute that passes seems like an eternity!!

Hang in there! Did they give you any indication of how long you would have to wait for the appointment?

[MandE 0]

my doctor said he requested an urgent appointment, and that he will do what he can to ensure that the ct scan and results are back before my interview. I need to relax and trust him... I just can't help think that every minute that passes is time wasted!!

Edited October 30, 2007 by MandE

[trailmix 77]

my doctor said he requested an urgent appointment, and that he will do what he can to ensure that the ct scan and results are back before my interview. I need to relax and trust him... I just can't help think that every minute that passes is time wasted!!

It's got to be hugely stressful, but you are going to be ok! Once you get the appointment date and time maybe you can call them and tell them you are available for any cancellations at short notice and you can get in even earlier.