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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People who say "I haven't been to the doctor in years"

84 replies

moutonfou · 14/10/2017 13:47

Not if it's just a neutral statement of fact.

But when it's the type of person who says it smugly, usually in response to you having been to the doctor, as if any illness is just a weakness of your own making, AIBU to want to tell them where to stick it? And the same for people who proclaim in a superior tone that they "don't believe" in painkillers/vaccinations/antibiotics/etc, because they've never bothered and "it's never hurt me."

Angry
OP posts:
lljkk · 14/10/2017 14:02

They aren't worth the energy, OP.
People like to believe all sorts of stupid things. Let 'em get on with it.

isseywithcats · 14/10/2017 14:10

i can honestly say i go to my doctors once every four years for a smear test, other than that if i can buy it from asdas pharmacy over the counter medicine thats what i try to cure minor aches and pains with, if asdas stuff dosent work then i will go to the doctors, im not being smug im just extremely lucky that i have good health and very grateful too

FenceSitter01 · 14/10/2017 14:16

I haven't seen a doctor since child birth 20 years ago, bar smears. I have extremely rude health. I fully expect this to catch up with me in retirement and get my moneys worth of hip replacements and osteoporosis meds.

I'm going to really piss you off, DC have never had antibiotics either. Never needed them. And very grateful I am for our health. DH on the other hand rattles with the pills he has to take and very grateful we are for the help and care the NHS provides.

Neoflex · 14/10/2017 14:17

Our mentality is changing and people are starting to think if you are ill then it must be your own doing. Sometimes I see the point with obesity, smoking etc. But that's not really the truth is it. So many illnesses can come for us all at any time and we should all look after each other. But this type of thinking isn't in line with the agenda to slowly cripple the NHS. Yes I realise I sound a bit of a loon but really it's true. Nobody really enjoys going to the doctor do they? I for one hate it but sadly over the counter medicine won't cure me.

Ktown · 14/10/2017 14:17

I rarely go to the docs, but am not smug about it.
Having said that I am particular about my diet these days because I feel old.
I do use the pharmacy for things that some others on mumsnet consider to be GP appointments e.g. Vit d, fungal infections, fevers
Each to their own.

HadloxB · 14/10/2017 14:18

They’re the same people who “never take a day off work/DC school”

Nope you just come in and give it to us instead Hmm

Shockers · 14/10/2017 14:19

I haven't been to the doctors in years because by the time you're offered an appointment at our surgery, you're either cured or dead.

noeffingidea · 14/10/2017 14:33

I never go to the doctors other than for pregnancy/smear tests. I've never been ill enough to warrant it. I rarely took my children either.
I'm not been smug about it, but I used to be a nurse and I know how to treat routine things like coughs and colds and tummy bugs at home, and also when medical intervention is needed.
I do know some people who go to the GP when it really isn't neccesary.

Topseyt · 14/10/2017 14:34

Ignore them. Bully for them. We aren't all so lucky.

If I hadn't sometimes been willing to go to the GP then I might well no longer be here now.

I am not a regular there by any means but I have a couple of significant health issues which nerd monitoring and medication.

whoareyoukidding · 14/10/2017 14:46

I would say that those smug ' I don't ever go to the doctors' type are lucky. And one day their luck might run out. Doctors can pick up on all kinds of things that most of us wouldn't have a clue about. That's why they are doctors and that's why we go to them.

Some people, if they hadn't gone to the doctor to get something checked out, would be dead by now.

TroysMammy · 14/10/2017 14:51

A GP once told me if an older person, especially male, makes and appointment and they haven't seen a GP for a number of years or are not on any medication, give them a double appointment because it will generally be serious.

OuchBollocks · 14/10/2017 14:52

Lucky them. The DC and I haven't been away from bloody doctors this year. Badly broken leg requiring 2 ops and MRSA in my leg wound picked up having a c section in hospital, the baby has had bronchiolitis twice, and DD fell out of bed face first, giving herself concussion and a nasty mouth injury meaning she refused all food and drink for 4 days. How the smugsters suggest I could have avoided all of those I would love to know.

Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 14/10/2017 14:53

Welll...

I guess I'm kind of like that. I haven't had a day off work in ..oh about 4 years. But....

I "wait" until it's the weekend to be ill or on the holiday of a lifetime to end up in hospital Hmm instead.

DaughterDrowningInJunk · 14/10/2017 14:54

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

OuchBollocks · 14/10/2017 14:54

In fact it's the smugsters who put me off getting the DC seen, but luckily I did as DS's oxygen was around 80% and the GP called an ambulance, and DD's blood sugars were dangerously low.

Ecureuil · 14/10/2017 14:55

My uncle hadn’t been to the dr’s for 6 years. He died last week of heart failure in his sleep at 62.
I hate it too OP. Like a PP says, it’s almost like they’re insinuating that if we’ve been ill it’s our fault.
Unfortunately I have to go for a smear every 6 months due to a history of (and treatment for) pre cancerous cells. I also developed mastitis when breastfeeding which led to sepsis and a 4 day stay in intensive care. Neither of those things I could have treated myself with tablets from the supermarket. And it doesn’t make me a lesser person!
(My DC have never had antibiotics either. I’m sure they probably will one day though)

ShotsFired · 14/10/2017 14:58

It could just be a reaction to people who DO go to the GP for EVERYTHING without any recourse to normal remedies or pharmacist advice etc. Cold? GP. 1 day cough? GP. Cut their finger? GP. Stubbed their toe? GP etc.

Landy10 · 14/10/2017 15:00

I didn't go to the GP for over 10 years.
Then I found myself unable to conceive. Ended up having 3 lots of IVF, while also finding out I have a thyroid condition. A miscarriage with major complications (hospitalised 3 times). Then a twin pregnancy which went relatively fine but ended up with post natal pre eclampsia (lots of appointments) and then a further post natal gross medical problem and to top it off referred to dermatologist to have 2 moles removed which has so far required 3 hospital visits and another next week! Literally feel like I've not been away from the doctors for the past 2/3 years!

So I think these things come in waves and we all go through medical issues of some despcription at some point.

WelliesAndPyjamas · 14/10/2017 15:00

What shockers said!

And there is always the matter of the courage required to try and tackle our medical receptionist and convince her in as much detail as possible that you are genuinely in need of medical care on not just calling for fun and attention. That's once you have tried unsuccessfully to get through fifty times from 8.45 to 8.55am. ☹️

orzal · 14/10/2017 15:04

Or you could just be grateful that some people don't visit their GP much making it easier for those who do.

eurochick · 14/10/2017 15:05

There's obviously a degree of good fortune, but there's also a degree of choice. Some people seem to be at the GP all the time for things I wouldn't have bothered treating at all, or just got some OTC treatment from the chemist. Maybe their approach is the right one and I will ignore something serious one day, but for now I'm happy with my way!

viques · 14/10/2017 15:08

Well I "didn't go to the Drs for years" , for years. But then things caught up with me, and I now have regular medication reviews . I also had a bit of a heart scare, so had the joy of proper hospital clinic visits and assorted cardiac investigations, but that is all clear now thank heavens. Compared to many of my age I am hale and hearty, but am only too aware from friends experiences that good health is to be treasured, not taken for granted and that your credit at the Good Health Bank can run out at any time.

AgentProvocateur · 14/10/2017 15:11

I've not been at the doctor for about 10 years, apart from smear tests. But I'm not smug - I'm just lucky to be healthy and able to bypass the viruses and colds that people around me catch. I don't eat particularly well and I don't exercise. I don't sleep well and I commute on public transport, so it is literally down to luck rather than anything I do/don't do

RoryItsSnowing · 14/10/2017 15:12

Some people are lucky to have good immune systems though. I haven't been to the doctor as an adult other than for smear tests or to the midwife for pregnancy appointments, but I wouldn't go into work if I was quite under the weather to avoid passing it on.

I would never go to the dr for a cold or cough though and find it ridiculous when people do who aren't elderly or vulnerable.

Rachel0Greep · 14/10/2017 15:12

I worked with one of those 'I never go to the doctor and I never take painkillers'. Tbh, I think it will catch up with her at a later stage. I have overall good health thankfully but if I need to see a doctor I do.