problems with my dad advice needed

even if the cardiologist told him he needs to see one?

i know this seems really really dramatic--but i think you need to just sit him down and let him know that if he doesn't take care of himself--he's gonna die and miss out on his grandkids. heck, i would probably be dramatic enough to have the grandkids go to him and say 'Grandpa--why won't you go to the doctor? Don't you want to see me grow up? I want you around as long as possible...I can go to the doctor with you'

something like that would probably break my dad's heart cause he's a sucker for his grandkids

that's so frustrating... my dad, who's 62, had 2 heart attacks and the man does NOT stop either... In fact, this week he's on his *jungle gym* (scaffolding) painting the house.. I'm terrified it's all going to catch up to him.. I love my dad more than anyone in this world (besides my son)

good thing is that he DOES see all these doctors on the regular.




oh and I agree with MJ.. talk to his doctor and maybe HE can approach your dad

Maybe your dad is scared. My nanny was like that she only liked one doctor. The doctor my grandmother liked made her the appointment with the other doctor that my grandmother refused to go to. The doctor set it up so that she had an appointment with her at 1 and then an appointment with the other doctor at 3 on the same day.

Maybe ask his doctor to do something like that. If he only trusts him he will take his advice seriously. Also ask your family to get involved it is not fair on you to have his care being on your mind only .

I can understand your frustration...stubborn parents!

A cardiologist is typically board certified in internal medicine as well as cardiology so he's capable of managing the diabetes. Also, many times cardiac issues and diabetes go hand in hand so the cardiologist will be well-versed in treating patients like your dad.

Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do in terms of getting your dad to a PCP or discussing his conditions with his doctor due to privacy laws.

With regard to the colonoscopy, that's something that is recommended for everyone after the age of 50. But that's just it, a recommendation, not a specific order. If your dad has been under a pretty significant amount of medical management (which it sounds like he has considering the history you gave) he probably was given a prescription for a colonoscopy at some point.

The best you can do is, like MJDOC said, have a sit down with him, even make the appointment with the PCP for him and see if you can get him to go for an overall physical examination. HTH! Good luck!

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Posted by MJDoc12

even if the cardiologist told him he needs to see one?

i know this seems really really dramatic--but i think you need to just sit him down and let him know that if he doesn't take care of himself--he's gonna die and miss out on his grandkids. heck, i would probably be dramatic enough to have the grandkids go to him and say 'Grandpa--why won't you go to the doctor? Don't you want to see me grow up? I want you around as long as possible...I can go to the doctor with you'

something like that would probably break my dad's heart cause he's a sucker for his grandkids

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my 9 year old did that on his own last night

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Posted by thelastresort

I can understand your frustration...stubborn parents!

A cardiologist is typically board certified in internal medicine as well as cardiology so he's capable of managing the diabetes. Also, many times cardiac issues and diabetes go hand in hand so the cardiologist will be well-versed in treating patients like your dad.

Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do in terms of getting your dad to a PCP or discussing his conditions with his doctor due to privacy laws.

With regard to the colonoscopy, that's something that is recommended for everyone after the age of 50. But that's just it, a recommendation, not a specific order. If your dad has been under a pretty significant amount of medical management (which it sounds like he has considering the history you gave) he probably was given a prescription for a colonoscopy at some point.

The best you can do is, like MJDOC said, have a sit down with him, even make the appointment with the PCP for him and see if you can get him to go for an overall physical examination. HTH! Good luck!

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unfortunaltely he isnt ....the cardiologist is a putz I do understand a colonoscopy points you made however when colon cancer runs rampant in your family it should be done at the very least order a psa level when he gets blood done. I am a nurse. and I think that makes it more frustrationg for me. I dont believe the cardiologist is taking proper care of him. The man hasnt had an ekg in 2 years........I dont know...I just want him to get a better level of care. I do understand a cardiologist can treat his diabettes .the problem is I dont think this doctor deals with his heart problems well yet alone adding more to his care. It scares me. He hasnt ever been given a script for a colonoscopy. this is where my problems come from....he is seeing one doctor not often enough and that doctor isnt giving what I would consider even mediocore treatment.

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by thelastresort

I can understand your frustration...stubborn parents!

A cardiologist is typically board certified in internal medicine as well as cardiology so he's capable of managing the diabetes. Also, many times cardiac issues and diabetes go hand in hand so the cardiologist will be well-versed in treating patients like your dad.

Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do in terms of getting your dad to a PCP or discussing his conditions with his doctor due to privacy laws.

With regard to the colonoscopy, that's something that is recommended for everyone after the age of 50. But that's just it, a recommendation, not a specific order. If your dad has been under a pretty significant amount of medical management (which it sounds like he has considering the history you gave) he probably was given a prescription for a colonoscopy at some point.

The best you can do is, like MJDOC said, have a sit down with him, even make the appointment with the PCP for him and see if you can get him to go for an overall physical examination. HTH! Good luck!

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unfortunaltely he isnt ....the cardiologist is a putz I do understand a colonoscopy points you made however when colon cancer runs rampant in your family it should be done at the very least order a psa level when he gets blood done. I am a nurse. and I think that makes it more frustrationg for me. I dont believe the cardiologist is taking proper care of him. The man hasnt had an ekg in 2 years........I dont know...I just want him to get a better level of care. I do understand a cardiologist can treat his diabettes .the problem is I dont think this doctor deals with his heart problems well yet alone adding more to his care. It scares me. He hasnt ever been given a script for a colonoscopy. this is where my problems come from....he is seeing one doctor not often enough and that doctor isnt giving what I would consider even mediocore treatment.

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Say what? He's had 3 MI's and hasn't had an EKG in 2 years as part of a cardiac physical examination? That makes no sense at all. You are right...the doc is not doing the right thing by your dad.

Is he that comfortable with this doctor that he won't change? My uncle is like that...he is like a walking tin man but thinks his ortho is amazing. The guy was really meant to be a butcher. Back to you...he definitely needs a new medical group and a pep talk from your family. Good luck!

based on what you said about the doc--i would get stern...and let him know that if something happens to your father you WILL sue the cardiologist for malpractice...and inform him that you have noted all the things that your father is in desperate need of and the doc is ignoring these things.

maybe try and scare the doc into listening to you and assisting.

Treat your dad like you would a child.
Make an appointment, don't tell your dad, and just take him.
Be firm with your dad and let im know that you love him so much and that you want him to be around for a long long time, and to be able to enjoy life. A little preventative health maintenance goes a long way. You wouldn't drive a car for 100,000 miles without some basic maintenance like changing the oil. Without it, the car would never last that long.

A cardiologist cannot treat diabetes properly.
Your dad will need regular monitoring of his blood sugar and to see a nutritionist for dietary advice. But, the cardiologist can tell him that left untreated, diabetes does a LOT of harm to the body, especially the cardiovascular system.


It's not easy when your parent get older.
I joke that I have three children, all on social security. My dad is 73, my MIL is 83 and my FIL is 74. All are doing ok, my MIL has cancer but she is doing da mn good with her treatments

Bottom line is that I take a proactive approach to the health care of all the parents. I (and my husband to a degree) are very involved in their care and treatment. We go to doctors appointments when necessary and when we can;t go, do talk with the doctors themselves.

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Posted by thelastresort

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by thelastresort

I can understand your frustration...stubborn parents!

A cardiologist is typically board certified in internal medicine as well as cardiology so he's capable of managing the diabetes. Also, many times cardiac issues and diabetes go hand in hand so the cardiologist will be well-versed in treating patients like your dad.

Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do in terms of getting your dad to a PCP or discussing his conditions with his doctor due to privacy laws.

With regard to the colonoscopy, that's something that is recommended for everyone after the age of 50. But that's just it, a recommendation, not a specific order. If your dad has been under a pretty significant amount of medical management (which it sounds like he has considering the history you gave) he probably was given a prescription for a colonoscopy at some point.

The best you can do is, like MJDOC said, have a sit down with him, even make the appointment with the PCP for him and see if you can get him to go for an overall physical examination. HTH! Good luck!

---

unfortunaltely he isnt ....the cardiologist is a putz I do understand a colonoscopy points you made however when colon cancer runs rampant in your family it should be done at the very least order a psa level when he gets blood done. I am a nurse. and I think that makes it more frustrationg for me. I dont believe the cardiologist is taking proper care of him. The man hasnt had an ekg in 2 years........I dont know...I just want him to get a better level of care. I do understand a cardiologist can treat his diabettes .the problem is I dont think this doctor deals with his heart problems well yet alone adding more to his care. It scares me. He hasnt ever been given a script for a colonoscopy. this is where my problems come from....he is seeing one doctor not often enough and that doctor isnt giving what I would consider even mediocore treatment.

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Say what? He's had 3 MI's and hasn't had an EKG in 2 years as part of a cardiac physical examination? That makes no sense at all. You are right...the doc is not doing the right thing by your dad.

Is he that comfortable with this doctor that he won't change? My uncle is like that...he is like a walking tin man but thinks his ortho is amazing. The guy was really meant to be a butcher. Back to you...he definitely needs a new medical group and a pep talk from your family. Good luck!

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I think he is jsut happy the guy dosent bother him.....he sees him once every 6-9 moths he does a cmp and lipid panel renews his meds and he is on his happy way ......................................God I wish I was a kid again with no worries