I can relate to Gerrard's comment about being scared to go to the doctor,I have the same fears,they'll find something serious wrong and I'll end up in a hospital,and maybe not come home--and I have an appointment Tuesday to see my doctor ! ..
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--and Poncho's comment about being old and lazy,well,that applies to me too lately,chronic pain in my back and legs and stomach troubles have made the couch and recliner look much more appealing than a cold garage..
Keep ignoring symptoms and instead of being alive, you will be dead or worse. Find a good doc that will take good care of you and you will be happy. There are many diseases for which there is no cure, however the doc can help minimize or eliminate the symptoms. In the end it is your choice. Live in misery and die early from a treatable disease, or be happy and active and play with the grandkids. I would not be here if I had ignored those little symptoms. I would be dead from a stroke or heart attack or have lost my eyesight, etc. Nothing hurts worse than a heart attack.
Misery is being blind, crippled, or having a stroke that takes out one side of your body.
If you are 50 or older, there are some basic things that you can do to see if you need to see a doc ASAP.
Go to the grocery store or pharmacy and take your blood pressure. If it is larger number is 175 or higher, see a doc next week. If it is 200 or more, see a doc yesterday. High blood pressure == stroke.
Find a diabetic and check you blood sugars. If you blood sugars are high, go see a doc asap. The pills to take care of that are cheap. Untreated, Diabetes leads to blindness, kidney failure, foot amputation, and possibly death.
Stomach problems can lead to ulcers. Get a perforated ulcer and you can die from internal bleeding. My father nearly died from a perforated ulcer. Found out the ulcer was caused by an infection. Took some antibiotics and recovered fully in a few weeks. Then he could eat anything he wanted without heartburn.
Don't be one of those people that wind up dead because they don't see a doc. If you don't have a doc, find a nice female doc. I went to see a woman doc and when she walked in she instantly asked how long I have had that enlarged right thyroid. I didn't see it, but she did. I had it removed before it turned cancerous. Now I take one tiny pill every day to compensate. If it had not been spotted early, things would have turned ugly. I could go on and on.
If you are 60 and haven't seen a doc, go see a doc and have him or her give you the once over. What you don't know can, and usually will, kill you... or worse.
I can't tell you how many docs have said "If you had come to see me when these symptoms first appeared....."
It is like ignoring a rod knock. Ignore it long enough and it will kill the engine. Same with your body. Don't ignore it because "It is just a little rod knock" The doc is there to help you live as long as possible and be active, happy and healthy. Get that little rod knock taken care of asap.
In the end, the choice is yours. Die early from being purposely and willfully stupid, or live a happy long life.
rich