Prostate Examination

[Guest Delaware Man]

Has a routine check up today. My doctor who is straight apologized all to hell about shoving his finger up my ass. I didn't say much to him. Trust me it was not a big deal. I am wondering what some of you other gay guys have experienced, said to their doctor about prostate exams?

[trilingual]

I always wondered why it was so fast! Not that I enjoyed it particularly (not really my thing) but I would assume that if the doctor is looking for abnormalities he would need to at least spend a minute or two probing to see if it was large, or there are bumps, or whatever, and not 5 seconds!

[poiuyt]

Well, I just had my annual physical last Friday, and my doctor was VERY thorough.

 

I guess I was right about him.

[Samai139]

During my annual physical, I make it a point not to engage my MD in conversation when he's doing the prostate exam---I want him to focus on finding or not finding something. Two things to keep in mind:

MDs who find any pleasure(erotic or masochistic) in shoving a gloved finger up your anus, probably should be avoided---at least for medical purposes; remember in every graduating class of medical students, there are those who do graduate at the BOTTOM of their classes---but that information is never plastered on the wall.

[LovesYng]

Within that 5 seconds the Doctor can find plenty, I know. Guys starting in your mid 40's range make sure you get checked and have that PSA blood test done once a year also. Make sure your "FUCKIN FAMILY DOCTOR" knows what the hell he or she is checking for. I bitched to my family doctor for over a year about different problems. I finely went and seen a urology doctor on my own and I'm glad I did ;(

 

When in doubt I whip it out :-(

[doctordoctor]

I'm 43 and had my first digital prostate exam soon afer turning 40 when I had a regular physical. I joked with my doc, who is highly rated, that I've never been fingered before (true) and he din't say anything that I remember. Gee, I felt a very slight brushing of his finger against my butt and it was over in about 1.5 seconds, it seemed. No pressure, pain, etc. I do need to go get another basic physical since it's been more than three years, but I'm trying to lose the 20 pounds he told me to lose last time before I see him again. He was all serious about the exam, but we get along well and have similar interests in the outdoors.

[Lankypeters]

After my doc checks me and says everything's okay I always ask him to double check.

 

A friend says doctors know who in town are the tops and bottoms.

 

When I was headed to college, the university asked for a complete physical. I noted on the form that there was to be an anal exam. At that time and place, I was really apprehensive about THE FINGER. I went in and my doctor just scrawled his name across the form. The next day I talked to one of my classmates who was also headed to the same university. She was female, and she said when she the same doc had really fingered her butt. The nasty old cuss. How dare he not finger me as well -- he was so handsome!!

 

 

Lankypeters

[Lankypeters]

>

and she said when she the same doc had really

>fingered her butt. The nasty old cuss. How dare he not finger

>me as well -- he was so handsome!!

>

 

Should read: "she said when she saw the same doc, he really-----"

 

It pays to proofread.

 

Proctoscopic checks can also be fun. Doc lubes a tube about the size of a cigar and checks for piles. Again, I always ask for a double check.

 

 

>

>Lankypeters

 

 

Lankypeters

[spiro3]

I HATE having my prostate examined. It is the one thing I dread about my annual exam, and before my (nice, young) primary care physician jams his finger up my anus I break out into a cold aweat, and begin shaking and trying to avoid that probing finger. I feel like such a wimp, and wonder what sort of childhood trauma could cause me to behave this way.

 

Because of this reaction, I know I could never bottom and find it pleasurable.

 

Anyone else with a similar problem?

[Lankypeters]

> wonder what sort

>of childhood trauma could cause me to behave this way.

>

>

>

>Anyone else with a similar problem?

 

Did anyone ever take your temperature with a rectal themometer? Or administer an enema with one of those bags and a long tube -- when you didn't even know what an enema was?

 

Oh how a parent's best intentions still hurt.

 

 

Lankypeters

[Guest TNT Ted]

>I HATE having my prostate examined. It is the one thing I

>dread about my annual exam,>

 

 

You'll really have a problem when it comes to a proctoscopic exam -- or worse, a sigmoidoscopy (up to 25 inches). Doesn't that make the sphincter tighten up!!

[Lankypeters]

Anyone want to play doctor? I'd have let Richard Chamberlain as young Dr. Kildare give me 14 inches.

 

Lankypeters

[jack]

Before laughing ourselves out of this thread, if anybody does have an elevated PSA, please do yourself a favor and go on line to http://www.nccn.com That is the National Cancer Comprehensive Network. Further, get yourself to a clinic that is apart of this network. These guys are trying to solve the prostate cancer problem. Local urologists tend to want to keep their surgical teams in play, put their daughters through college, or get that new Benz -- all of which are done a your expense , at the expense of your life style. That's why going to a networked clinic will spare unnecessary operations or radiation treatments. Plus, don't do anything without getting that slap on the butt from your local urologist saying, "I'd do it".

[Guest zipperzone]

>Before laughing ourselves out of this thread, if anybody does

>have an elevated PSA, please do yourself a favor and go on

>line to http://www.nccn.com

 

I have several friends who are doctors and the subject of prostate cancer is one that has come up on many social occasions.

 

They all claim that the PSA test is not the be all and end all that everyone thinks it is. Evidently false positives and false negatives are common, so it is an indicator, but not all that reliable.

 

A biopsy is the only sure way to test and that is a pain in the ass, if you'll pardon the pun.

[+ Oliver]

>...the PSA test ... is an indicator ... A biopsy is the only sure way to test and that is a pain in the ass, if you'll pardon the pun.>

 

Had the PSA every six months for eight years when the first one was higher than "normal" (family history was another indicator - father, uncle, brother). Also had about six biopsies over that period (and, yes, they are literally a pain the ass) until the last one showed positive. Found it very early, chose the treatment (read everything, had two or three other opinions, consulted the Big Guy) and it's gone! and has been for six years now.

 

Early detection is the key, and then you can choose what to do.

[Guest Tristan]

I'm glad you mentioned that false positive and false negatives are common. I've been through the whole biopsy thing, so I personally know something about it. BPH (which is benign prostate enlargement) and other factors can cause a false positive, especially if your PSA is between 4.0 and 10.0.

 

Prostate biopsies are painful, so do think twice about it as already suggested. They take a high speed gun, stick it through the rectal wall and zap a sample. There is also the risk of prostate infection, though they give you an antibiotic to take before having the test done. If you do have a prostate biopsy done, make sure you get a 12-sample test, which is very reliable. Some urologists are still doing a 6-sample test, which is not enough for accuracy.

 

You can also request a second test. It's called a "free PSA." It measures the percentage of PSA that is free, or not attached to proteins. That's the good stuff. Even if your PSA is betweem 4.0 and 10.0, a high percentage of free PSA almost certainly rules out a malignancy. A very low percentage is usually bad news. If you Google the Net for free PSA, there is plenty of information on it, including what the cut-off percentages are. There is also more recent research that dramatic changes in PSA over a short period of time are an indicator of a problem, even if the changes don't put you in a high zone.

 

Keep in mind that if your PSA is high, and you go to a urologist, most urologists will run for the knife. That's what they do. So be prepared how you want to handle it if you do get an abnormal PSA and see a urologist.

 

I personally think the PSA is a very bad test. We need something more reliable. Too many people suffer biopsies unnecessarily.

 

There is some research that lycopene, which is found is any form of cooked tomatoes, or can be taken as a supplement, helps keep your prostate healthy.

 

- Tristan

[jack]

I screwed up the last sentence of my post above. It should have said someting about be sure to get a Gleason Score along with the PSA. The Gleason Score is the result of the biopsy. If your Score is 6/6 you're in pretty good shape. In any event, a medium low PSA and a 6/6 should be encouraging.

 

The most important thing is that http://www.nccn.com where you can find the nearest clinic to you and serf around in the site regarding prostate problems.

 

Certainly, this has been an elevated discussion here, with peoples indicting that your urologist is more anxious to geld you that to practice medicine. The old slap on the butt saying I'd do it, just doesn't work any more.

 

This prostate situation has caused thousands of guys to have their lifestyles delapilated unnecessarily (since any of the fixes fix you with impotence within two to three years) on an operation that may to bogus. Good intelligence here. Get to wwww.nccn.com and talk it up.

[jack]

Lastly, (I promise), Tristan is correct regarding the diet and the tomates he recommended. A cup a day will keep the doctor away along with broclli, dark green vegies as in Caesar Salads, and high protein/nutritious pasta, breads, especially dark beans, cooked baked beans: you can easily see how good and filling and tastie diet you can plan on each day and when you eat out can all add up to reduced prostate cancer risks.

 

The more you know, the better you are.:-)

[Epigonos]

The last time I had a physical my G.P. wasn't happy with my PSA so he sent me for a second free PSA which he liked even less. He then sent me to a very young urologist. After our initial appointment and office examination the urologist said he was convinced it was a false reading but that only a series of biopsies would tell the absolute truth. When I asked what he recommended he in turn asked how concerned I was. When I answered that on the way home from his office I was stopping off at the cleaners with my suit to be cleaned and had an appointment at the local morturary he laughed and said it was biopsy time. When I asked him again what he thought he said that without the biopsies he couldn't be sure but that if he had to bet he would bet a great deal of money on a false reading. I found the whole biopsy proceedure painless but a little disconcerting (the zap startled me). The resutls indicated no cancer but rather a bacterial infection of the lining of the prostate for which he gave me an antibiotic. I liked this doctors attitude and approach from start to finish. He presented the fact, as he saw them, and then gave me options. My point is find a doctor you both like and trust.

[LovesYng]

The biopsy is the best way to find out. After finding out I got in touch with Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philly, in my book one of the best places in dealing with any kind of Cancer. The treatment I went for was called IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radio Therapy). Treatment was 5 days a week for about 8 weeks, lasting about 20 mins. for each visit. If you have any questions check out http://www.fccc.edu If I can be of any help send me a E mail and I'll get back to you.

 

Also I was told that it's starting to hit guys in your 40's now. PLEASE guys get checked out, so glad I did.

 

When in doubt I whip it out :+

[Guest]

If I can add a little sanity and fact to this discussion, I would like to add the following tidbits:

(1) PSA screening has never been shown to improve either mortality (i.e. save lives) or morbidity (i.e. improve lives)

(2) A recent study with tens of thousands of U.S. veterans confirmed a complete absence of improvement of morbidity or mortality with PSA screening

(3) The vast majority (certainly over 90%) of prosate cancers "found" by PSA screening would never impact the life of the man whose cancer was "found" (unless he has a procedure, that is)

(4) The United States Preventitive Task Force, the most evidence-based body in this country which makes preventative recommendations, does not endorse PSA screening

(5) Treatment of prostate cancer caries with it serious risks, including incontinence and impotence

[Guest Tristan]

Unicorn, I'm glad you posted these studies. I also read the findings of the study of vets. I don't think most doctors even know about these studies. They just keep doing what they learned in medical school and post-medical school training.

 

I believe I once read on the web site of NIH (National Institute of Health) that an individual should think twice about getting a PSA. I would have to check their latest position.

 

It's amazing how many doctors don't seem to care about the consequences of highly invasive treatments for the patient's quality of life.

[Guest icon513]

Getting back to the ol' finger up the butt.

 

How many of you (like me) feel obligated to grunt and squirm in "discomfort" for the doctor's benefit, when really it's about as uncomfortable as a walk in the park?

[LovesYng]

>Getting back to the ol' finger up the butt.

>

>How many of you (like me) feel obligated to grunt and squirm

>in "discomfort" for the doctor's benefit, when really it's

>about as uncomfortable as a walk in the park?

 

I'm upset he don't keep it in long enough, wish he would use more than one finger

 

When in doubt I whip it out :+

[Guest PWIT]

>>Getting back to the ol' finger up the butt.

>>

>>How many of you (like me) feel obligated to grunt and squirm

>>in "discomfort" for the doctor's benefit, when really it's

>>about as uncomfortable as a walk in the park?

 

It's no walk in the park for me! I'm on the other end of the spectrum - IT HURTS LIKE HELL!

 

I could never be versatile or a bottom. Well, unless I am able to find a true pencil dick guy. Any one got a lead on a pencil dick escort? ;-)