ElegantlyWasted

Have not had a physical in 5 years. Any suggestion as to specific tests I should make sure to get as someome who drank fairly heavily for about 15 years? Not soliciting medical advice, just other's experiences. I already plan full disclosure with the Doc re: my DOCs.

suki44883

I've never had a "real" physical, so I have no clue as to the tests. However, if you are going to tell your doctor about your drinking, etc., then he will know what tests should be done. They can tell quite a bit just by blood work. That would alert them as to other tests needed should anything abnormal show up.

Mat

I believe they will give you blood tests. If they come back bad a biopsy is next.

I am getting my own done in Sept. The doctor said that they will always come back abnormal if you haven't been sober for a few weeks.

Good luck to you!

CarolD

By telling your doctor about your drinking/drugging past
good plan...
I expect you will be given a full panel blood test.

It's takes a few days to have it read....then your doctor
can zero in on what ..if anything...needs treatment.

As I am now a diabetic...every 3 months a blood test
is done....just to keep me paying attention....

ElegantlyWasted

Just a thought... Will hypoglycemia show up on std blood tests?

suki44883

Probably only if they check glucose levels. I'm not sure they do unless there is a specific reason to.

CarolD

Hmm Matt....
My lung specialist did not go directly into a cell biopsy
this May. I did a X-ray... CAT ....Broncoscope..MiIR..PET then
a cell biopsy.
Had to have heart stress test before surgery.

4 Cyber Knife surgeries in a row
Zapped my bit of fresh lung cancer.
The whole deal took 6 weeks.

Having another MIR this month and then see the surgeon again.

BTW...my type of lung cancer was directly caused by
cigarette smoking according to my doctors.

Supercrew

I had a physical about 3 months before I stopped drinking completely. I had all of the blood work done. I only had a week to get ready for the tests, because my wife scheduled the appointment without my knowledge.

I was drinking heavily 4-5 times a week, lots of vodka and beer, quit for a week to sober up for it, and was told that I was completely healthy. Although I drink like a fish, I was taking supplements, sticking to a low carb diet, (aside from the lite beer), and I have walked about 5 miles a day for the past 6 months. I know this sounds weird, but I was hoping for bad news so I would be forced to make a decision and quit drinking, instead i got a clean bill of health and stayed pretty drunk for the next few months. So the good news is you can probably detox faster than a few weeks, but for me it just helped me to drink more because I was healthy.

Impurrfect

I believe if you tell your doctor about your DOC history, he/she will probably order the standard tests, which include a liver profile.

If you think you are having hypoglycemia, tell your dr. They usually want to do a "fasting blood sugar" test on you, meaning you don't eat/drink anything for several hours before the blood test. I'm just telling you this, so you know that they may not be able to determine hypoglycemia from the initial bloodwork, unless you've been fasting.

The best thing would be to tell your dr. why you suspect hypoglycemia, and let him/her determine the best way to handle it. I have hypoglycemia, usually because of my lousy diet, but I've learned to manage it. I never had any "official" testing, but when I was a nurse, I would check my blood sugar when I got to feeling "funky" and it was always low. Your dr. can tell you which foods are good for keeping your blood sugar stable.

Hugs and prayers,

Amy

sleepie

I think the best thing is to be completely honest with the doctor, and then let them decide what to do. I have always done this, I have an unusual compulsion regarding honesty! I tell any person attending to me medically that I have been a heavy drinker for "X" amount of years. And they can proceed as best they can. The point is, no matter what you say or don't say- the facts will remain. Sorry for rambling... Just tell your doctor of your concerns and if their bedside manner is not to your satisfaction, talk to those who care and find a new doctor.

yeahgr8

I'd be guided by the doc...they will probably ask have your family got history of certain ailments...if not maybe a blood test will suffice...although you could always get a full medical including chest xray if you would be more happy with that...up to you:-)