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

[moutonfou]

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."

People didn't have asthma and allergies years ago because they conveniently died from them, their deaths registered as "weak chest" or "coughing". It has nothing to do with a mythical modern weak institution, no matter how much daily fail readers would love that.

I've seen people avoid doctors and receive diagnosis too late to save their lives, or miss the boat on medication that could slow down progressive illnesses.

Oh, and my great aunt had a hip replacement in her early 90s. Dr asked if she was allergic to any antibiotics, and she said she didn’t know because she’d never had any!!

Next time just put on s really shocked face and ask why in gods name they don't go for check ups-yes I know that it doesn't work in Britain but in first world countries with real healthcare services no body goes that long without getting a check up.

I would love to be in the fortunate position of not needing to go to a doctor. Unfortunately I have a chronic condition that needs management.

I'm lying here in enough pain that if it wasn't a regular occurrence I'd think I had appendicitis. I want to cry. I'd love to say I never go to the doctor. YANBU.

Thing is, it means nothing. Your luck can run out at any time. I know someone who was fit, exercised regularly, didn't smoke yet had a stroke this year aged late 40s, out of the blue. Tell them to count their blessings and walk away.

I don't go to the GP because I think I'm unwell

I go because THEY insist on seeing me for medication reviews because I am on long term opioid therapy

I saw a neurologist when I was diagnosed with epilepsy

I've been treated by a pain consultant for a spinal injury for the last 10 years

I see a physio weekly because of the issues causes by my spinal injury and hypermobility syndrome

I saw a fertility consultant and umpteen miscarriage specialists for 2 years of non stop fertility treatment / IVF / miscarriages / surgeries

Every single one of these has been private. No funding for pain medicine or fertility treatment or miscarriage investigations, so all done outside the NHS. The only time I see my GP is for medication reviews, and smears. They referred me on for cancer investigations and I was seen in the gynae oncology clinic at the NHS hospital

I don't ever go to the GP because I'm not feeling well!

When my health anxiety was bad I went far too much, but those appointments were also spent discussing and getting referrals for my MH and trying different medication.

I have an under-active thyroid, multiple lipomatosis (possible dercums disease), IBS, off and on reflux and up until the derm took over I had to see a GP a lot for acne treatment. I haven't seen a GP for things like chest infections, viruses, etc for years but the above means I will usually see the GP once every 6 months for one of those conditions.

I don't catch many infections or viruses touch wood but that is pure luck.

Some people (those who imply such things about those of us who are Not Well from their position of entirely unearned good fortune in being Well) are just ignorant cunts really.