Full Physical - What Questions To Ask (Read 883 times)

Hey gang, my Father just had surgery for prostate cancer a few months back and because of that (also because it's long overdue) I'm scheduling a complete physical for myself in the next month...I'm turning 31 on the 26th of this month so I'm starting to get where I should probably have a full physical every couple/few years... Any ideas of what things I should mention to the doctor? I mean, obviously I'll tell him/her that I run but is there anything else I should put on the table? Or for that matter, what should I ask him to check on me?

May want to make sure all your shots are up to date. I went to the doctor last year after a long respite to find that I needed a tetanus booster. We also discussed vaccination for Hepatitis A & B (Twinrix) as my wife and I like to travel to Mexico and the Caribbean once a year, budget permiting.

"You're going to stick that where exactly?"

Nice...how did I know that would come up?

Sorry, I couldn't resist Dave.

I got my doc when I was ~33 to order a stress echo so that I could be cleared to run. The benefit of doing the stress echo is that they will do an ultrasound of your heart after you peak out on the treadmill (not just hooked up to an ECG machine) and look for changes indicative/predictive of problems. Set my mind at ease (coupled with a lipid profile).

"You're going to stick that where exactly?"

Better yet, "Ever serve time, Doc?"

I work in a lab and I ALWAYS see people with no prior health problems that come in and wind up having bad cholesterol and other labs. So even though you are young and you obviously run, I would at the very least ask the doc for a script for Cholesterol panel. Many times, people are amazed that their cholesterol would be considered high at such a young age. Plus, if you did have a problem, now would be the time to start correcting it before the real problems start to take effect. Also, since you have a history of prostate problems in your family, it is definitely NOT too early to get a prostate screening test done. Dont worry - theres no "digital" aspect to it (unless the doc wants to), but its a simple blood test that cant be done at the same time as any other blood work. GOOD LUCK!!

Thanks for all the input folks...Glad I started up the thread, I'll have to make up a "grocery list" of things to ask when I get the physical... Thanks again! Reason #4531 that I love RunningAhead (This Thread)