The new doctor

I am having a hard time keeping doctors.

Right before covid my old doctor I've had almost since we've lived in Indiana decided to retire. I found a new one the next time I needed my annual prescription for blood pressure renewed. This past year he decided to relocate.

So... on Friday, September 23rd I had my first visit with my next doctor.

I'd had this appointment from last year for my annual physical. Fortunately Doctor "W", as I will refer to him, is in the same building as my last one. So I just kept the appointment.

He's fairly young, and seems pretty easy going. I have to say, though, I didn't leave his office feeling better than when I arrived.

For starters, he was concerned about my blood pressure. Granted, it was high (178/88), but I told him I'd drank a bunch of coffee, plus it's always high at the doctor's office. I showed him my monthly readings compared to the last several visits to the doctors office. ALL of my office visit readings were in the same range. Just this morning it was 126/70 at work though.

Then he wanted me to get a colonoscopy. I talked him into letting me do one of those at-home tests. I don't wanna be messing around there if I don't have to (plus I think it's a racket!).

Then it was a tetanus shot, shingles vaccine, and he said due to my smoking history I'd have to start getting lung screenings in a few years. What the heck!?

It's like he was looking at the service manual for an automobile and simply going down the list (at 60,000 miles do this; 100,000 miles do this, etc.). I didn't feel like he was at all treating ME!

He said he wouldn't make me come back for a year, provided some stipulations. 

1. I have to check my bp daily for a week or two and send him the results.
2. I have to send him the results of my wellness screening I have scheduled through work.
   
3. I have to do the cologuard screening.
4. I have to get a tetanus shot and shingles vaccine.

I don't know. I mean, I get it, he probably needs to cover his butt... but I much preferred my old, old doc who was always like, "So, do you feel okay? As long as you feel okay I'm good with that. What do you need?" 

Meh. Anyway, I weighed in at 163, and my heart rate was 55. I was glad to get out of there.

I know he's just doing his job and trying to keep me healthy (I guess), but if I didn't need a bp prescription I don't know that I'd even have a doctor.

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