Yearly Physical Exam, Prostrate & Urination

[13788]

cinderian: I am a 45 year old male, and have just booked a physical exam with my doctor. I have not had a physical exam for 2 years and I am noticing changes in my health.

My immune system is good, my recent blood work appears fine other than higher than normal sugars levels I am HIV Positive for twenty years, and I do not use any of the HIV medications or cocktails. I am 6'4", 210 pounds with a muscular build.

My Health Concern #1
I have had difficutly peeing for as long as I can remember. :hurts: When I have the urgency to go, I sit on the toilet and it feels like my bowels are turning inside out (involuntary pushing). I need to sit because the Prince Albert I have has turned by piss hole into a sprinkler. I try to relax and can then start a very small flow. If I want to empty my bladder I really have to push. I know this is bad because I have developed a herniated navel in the last six months.

I went to see my doctor about it last week and he prescribed Terzosin, a hypertensive for high blood pressure that should help relax the area. He asked me to give it a try.

I have had a full STD checkup last week. I was reported as the contact person for Syphillis, and was given double shots of penicillin to my buttocks, :cry: . The male nurse who screen me was easy to talk to and I found myself flirting with him. As I left his office, having my hand on my ass, I said " Oh wow, you must have be really big because my butt sure hurts." He laughed. If you have not had a double shot for Syphillis, it feels like a charlie horse in both hips.

So today, a week later, I get my results back and all tests were negative. No Sexually Transmitted Diseases!!! You don't know how happy I was to get this information.

My Health Concern #2
For the past 3 months, I was experiencing sweats, night and day. Just walking to the store, my shirt would be soaking wet. I began having cold showers just to cool down. If I just sat and calmed my mind, I would lightly perspire on my forehead, cheeks and neck area. This was a stupid idea, but a few times I began using anitpersperant to my face and neck area so as not to attract attention. :dunce: I do not reccomend this! So here is the puzzler. After starting the medication for high blood pressure, and after having the double penicillan whammy to the buttocks, the sweating has stopped. :wow: Any ideas? Was it the penicillan or the high blood pressure?

My intial thought was that if the body could not vacate fluids thrrough the kidneys and bladder, that the body was pushing the fluids through the skin as persperation.

I have asked alot and probably could have made several topics out of this one, but they are all somewhat interrelated.

Final Thoughts
Knowing the symptoms I have listed, what specific tests should I be asking from my doctor, that he may possibly overlook. And with the prostrate exam, would it be okay if douched before the exam?

Thank you so very much for your assistance.



:wow:

 

[Pecker]

1. Keep the appointment for the physical. Don't put it off even one day.

2. Take a list of your concerns with you so you won't forget to bring anything up. Nothing's more irritating than to get home and remember something too late. And don't be embarrassed to bring something up - your goal is to add years to your life.

3. You don't have to ask for specific tests - just let the doc know what you've told us here and let him make suggestions. But don't let him sluff anything off, either. Nail his shoes to the floor if you have to. You are paying him for help - insist on it.

4. Don't douche. When he does the digital check of your prostate he will probably also want a small amount of stool to check and he'll get that easier if you're 'natural.'

5. Do everything he says to do and take all the meds as he prescribes them.

6. Good luck! Be sure to let us know the outcome!

 

[Supportive Female]

First: follow Pecker's advice!

Then...

This is going to sound trivial, but I'm absolutely serious: buy a notebook at the store; not the large school-sized ones, but 4" x 6" or whatever. Write down EVERYTHING! Be sure to include times, dates, whatever. Check for any patterns relating to food/beverage, time of day, urination patterns, high energy/low energy...everything!

Since you are HIV positive, in a metro area, see if there is a support organization that can recommend an "advocate" to either help structure your notes for the physical, or even accompany you for support during the exam. Be sure you understand that "advocate" doesn't mean someone confrontational, because the M.D. will suspect (lawsuit?) activity (not in Canada, but in the US, just stating for the record).

There is a "magical phrase" when it comes to dealing with issues that require you to obtain info from professionals in their field, who might leave you slightly intimidated:

"Be Pleasantly Pushy."

If you just ask the question again(concerning an aspect of your health), just rephrase it, lean in toward the doc, smile weakly and ask for clarification, and you should get the info you need.

Good luck, I'm wishing you the best, and good health!

 

[13788]

cinderian:

Originally posted by Pecker@May 25 2005, 03:22 PM
1. Keep the appointment for the physical. Don't put it off even one day.

2. Take a list of your concerns with you so you won't forget to bring anything up. Nothing's more irritating than to get home and remember something too late. And don't be embarrassed to bring something up - your goal is to add years to your life.

3. You don't have to ask for specific tests - just let the doc know what you've told us here and let him make suggestions. But don't let him sluff anything off, either. Nail his shoes to the floor if you have to. You are paying him for help - insist on it.

4. Don't douche. When he does the digital check of your prostate he will probably also want a small amount of stool to check and he'll get that easier if you're 'natural.'

5. Do everything he says to do and take all the meds as he prescribes them.

6. Good luck! Be sure to let us know the outcome!

[post=314676]Quoted post[/post]​

Thanks Pecker. Good advice to follow!

 

[13788]

cinderian:

Originally posted by Supportive Female@May 26 2005, 03:34 AM
First: follow Pecker's advice!

Then...

This is going to sound trivial, but I'm absolutely serious: buy a notebook at the store; not the large school-sized ones, but 4" x 6" or whatever. Write down EVERYTHING! Be sure to include times, dates, whatever. Check for any patterns relating to food/beverage, time of day, urination patterns, high energy/low energy...everything!

Since you are HIV positive, in a metro area, see if there is a support organization that can recommend an "advocate" to either help structure your notes for the physical, or even accompany you for support during the exam. Be sure you understand that "advocate" doesn't mean someone confrontational, because the M.D. will suspect (lawsuit?) activity (not in Canada, but in the US, just stating for the record).

There is a "magical phrase" when it comes to dealing with issues that require you to obtain info from professionals in their field, who might leave you slightly intimidated:

"Be Pleasantly Pushy."

If you just ask the question again(concerning an aspect of your health), just rephrase it, lean in toward the doc, smile weakly and ask for clarification, and you should get the info you need.

Good luck, I'm wishing you the best, and good health!

[post=314802]Quoted post[/post]​

Advice from a Supportive Female is well taken. I liked the idea of using a 4 by 6 notebook to right everything down relating to my health and any patterns that may form. I believe there is a PSI test (?) my father told me to get one years ago, but in Canada, insurance does not cover the cost if the doctor thinks the test is not needed. Was it the prostrate or diabetees? I cannot remember.

Why the physical exam and all the questions
I have two close friends battling cancer and they are hospitalized. They are both receiving radiation and chemotherapy treatments for Non-Hodgkinsons and Burkitts Lymphoma. Both of them appeared healthy, so they ignored the early signs or symptons that indicated something was wrong. Most people think it's not going to happen to them. Well, better be safe than sorry.
Thanks again!

 

[iggy]

I Think its PSA. Prostate Specific antigen...

its for the prostate. males aged above 50 are recommended to undergo the test. its for the diagnosis of prostatic cancer.

iggy

 

[Freddie53]

Add To the list:

1. put down everything you take for any ailments or to prevent ailments even if it is just tea. Garlic. herbs, wine at night for sleeping.

2. And check your medcations you take and write down any medication even if taken only occasionally and when you take that medication, how it helps and what side effects the medication has.

3. Get on the internet! www/mayoclinic.com other online healht web sites and d0 google searches and if spend enough time on it, you may find help there. Many people have done that. I found a medication myself and asked for it and it helped me tremendously.



With the problems you are having urinating, I suggest that you ask for a referral to a urologist. Be sure that you see the right one. I suggest one that deals with nerve function. I have a bladder condition from the damaged nerves in the spinal cord. A "regular" urologist did not catch the problem. It took a urologist specialist in nerve problems relating to the bladder.

I am suggesting this because I don't have your situation exactly, but similar. My problem now is that the bladder muscles don't want to contract and empty the bladder completely. So the ads for Detrol are worthless in my case. Detrol is the worst thing I could possibily take.

I dp believe in natural vitamens and anti oxidents to enhance health. The artificial ones are limited in value. But garlic, tea. blackberries. salmon. oysters, wheat, germ, yoguert, grapes. dark red wine in moderation. olives and olive oil and a host of other super foods have been studied and have been found to enhance overall health. The prepared foods in a box are generally not as good for you.

My urologists has me on natural vitaman E The kind that has all four components of E. Not the kind at Wal Mart that only has the d component. And it is for the penis itself. There is some scaring and vitaman E helps stop further scaring and in my case stopped it.

You may benefit from some natural herbs. However, my doctor said to treat them as the same as medication. And medication has side effects and herbs and medications taken together can have bad side effects.

BOTTOM LINE THAT I SEE IN EVERY COMMENT: YOUR DOCTOR MUST KNOW EVERYTHING YOU TAKE, SYMPTOMS ETC. NOTHING SHOULD BE LEFT OUT.

 

[13788]

cinderian: Thanks for the great advice. For many years I studied nutritional foods, vitamins and supplements and followed the recomendations that I could adopt as my own. And you are correct. My general health and well being improved significantly. It is unfortunate though, when in my case, I receive a small disability pension and can no longer afford those products. My choices are limited to non organic vegtables, generic vitamins, meat 3 times a week, and packaged food. Sad but true.

My physical exam showed an elevated heart rate at 100 beats per minute resting, and my prostrate was actually smaller than the norm. Interesting. In regards to my urinary problems, my doctor asked if I stand or sit when I pee. I sit because I had a Prince Albert piercing done years ago, lost the jewlery, and need to sit or I spray piss everywhere when I stand. My doctor suggested that when sitting, it is difficult to empty the bladder because of the way are bodies are designed. He suggested that when I get home I compare peeing a full force sitting and then peeing a full force standing and I will likely see a definite difference in volume and pressure. He did not offer to clean up the overspray for me, and I have yet to try this. Otherwise he said I was in good health.

 

[Knight]

LOL wrong topic ignore this post...