What no rectal examination!
 

I went to the doctor for a yearly checkup yesterday and asked for a rectal exam to check the prostate. He said I will give you a requisition for bloodwork including psa. If the psa is normal then no rectal exam is needed. Amazing. Good news. Over 75 no more colonoscopy is required unless you insist. Am very happy not to have to be probed as much.
Cheers, Guy.

My doctor :
https://youtube.com/shorts/3UnMrCHbBpQ?si=A17zX0q7DD85LwWJ

One of my doctors visits in the past was the bend over and get probed. I mentioned I really hated that part. He replied, he hates it as well.

My last colonoscopy the doc said all was fine, and see you in 10 years. That was good news to me.

Yeah they have changed quite a few things; I asked my Doc why to urine sample only stool. he said it's not needed unless requested. so when I go this year I am going to ask for everything.

He also said stool sample is only required every two years, I mentioned that a LOT can happen in a year so I will be getting it each year.

It worries me when he puts a hand on each of my shoulders but I go with it.

Did it when I turned 50. Waiting on that table with my gown on and open out back, anticipation sets in so I asked, Doc, is it normal to have an erection? His reply was: it happens to me each and every time.

I didn't mind the probe all that much. I guess it helps that my doctor has small hands. She's very professional and happens to be beautiful

I have Kaiser. I commented to a nurse a few years ago that when you get old, they seem to kick you to the curb. She answered that I might have something there. I haven't been probed in years (psa very low). & my last (for ever) colonoscopy was almost six years ago. When I had insurance from work, it seemed they had me in for a battery of tests every six months or so. I had a face to face with my doc once a year or more. I commented to my current doc some time back about the old people getting kicked to the curb, & he commented it wasn't true. Now I haven't seen him for two years, and just gave blood for some tests a month ago and got an AI generated response from my doc regarding the results. I'm assuming no more face to face meetings and assuming they're taking the attitude that if you live past 75, you've lived long enough to go without much attention.

Our system here the lab sends the bloodwork results to me online. I can see if the bloodwork results fall into the normal or abnormal range. If outside the normal range it shows it. The doctor should review the results and if abnormal he/she should inform you. That is the case here. Not sure about your situation Marv.

As being kicked to the curb at age 79 I don't see it yet. I am electing to do less testing now. I think you can insist on more results if you ask for them. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.:);)
Cheers, Guy

My doc has been sending the test home with me for many years now. Never had the probe. I’m 57

I’ve been going to the same woman doctor for probably 20 plus years and she used to do the drop your pants, turn your head and cough routine then after a few years just asked if everything was okay down there and didn’t do a check; she hasn’t even asked in the last five or more. It has been at least ten years since she gave me the check and now that I’m older, I keep thinking I should get it done, but she doesn’t ask or do it, so I think it might be weird for me to ask and now I wonder if I should change doctors.

Knowing you guys, I will add that I never acted weird or got aroused during the procedure and always was clean and had clean shorts.

What do you think? Do you get checked?

A lot of it has to do with life expectancy of us 'seniors' and the insurance and CMS criteria. My brother died from rectal cancer so they will continue all us bros every 3-5 years up to like 80. If we request it. I get mine done this year (5 year cycle) but doc says maybe one more test and that's it. More likely to get shot by jealous husband than rectal cancer. PSA is a different issue, mine has spiked the last 5 years and I"m likely to get a biopsy in a few years. More to just help make an informed decision as to getting treatment, or not, and just let nature take it course. Sadly, a lot has to do with the money aspect for the providers and sort of why bother too much on the old folks attitude that surfaces.

West, I have an annual appointment in two weeks. I am ready for it. Really, it isn't too bad just like colonoscopy. Two bottles of large Gatorate mixed with two Miralax. The morning of, I didn't feel a thing. Wife drove me home laughing her azz off while I was groggy from being out. Dare I say, it was a wonderful experience. That was 5 years ago, right after covid ended. Woohoo, good for another 10 years.

I had my annual physical in June with a new doctor. An attractive middle aged Indian woman. My regular doctor's annual just consisted of blood tests and few questions with no rectal prostate exam. The new doctor informed me that the blood test isn't 100% accurate and asked if I also wanted the rectal exam. I wasn't ready for that question so I said no but now I'm second guessing my choice.

My doctor in 2015 caught my prostate cancer very early during a routine physical . Yep the finger probe . Since we moved NONE of the doctors have done that exam on me . They rely on bloodwork .

I get a yearly physical, but I don’t get alien probed. He checks my PSA, among other bloodwork, which I get copied via email.

At 66.5, if I got some drastic disease/bad news, I’m not sure what I would do. I would make sure I have everything in order, spend time with my family, do things I want, and go out on my terms. Both of my parents had Alzheimer’s for years and I’m not going through that.

its been awhile for me. I dont mind it, since I kinda imagine a doctor isn't having any fun with it either.

if it saves my life...go for it. just dont go making it all weird. hahahaha

My annual anal isn't too bad. Lady doctor with long slim fingers - could have been a piano player.

Joke for yer. Guy gets the finger treatment and doc says you have an enlarged prostate. Guy says he would like a second opinion so doc shoves two fingers up.

I heard the joke as:
Doctor says take your clothes off.
Doctor then says totally normal to get an erection.
Patient says I was going to get an erection.
Doctor says I wasn’t talking about you.
Steve Sweeny I believe

In case you missed it the other three times I've posted this...

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My now deceased Internist was doing the probe and I commented, "Isn't this fun"? His response - "The view back here isn't much better"?

Having Crohn's disease gives you the pleasure of a digital every three months plus a colonoscopy every two years. I had a c-scope yesterday and he now wants to do it every year. Throw in the visit to the urologist every six months for another digital exam and having my anus as a revolving door is no big deal. I always tell the docs that the least they can do is send flowers the day after.😁

My understanding is Crohn's sucks. Are you able to keep it at bay to some extent with regular medical attention or treatment?

I think it's:

Doc: Ok, here we go. And don't get an erection Steve.

Patient: My names not Steve.

Doctor: I know, I'm Steve. I was talking to myself.

The another joke punchline is "Read the card! Read the card!"

Since my PSA's were always good, at my request, the PA I go to never did the procedure. She's very attractive...I was afraid the erection would be mine. Hey, made it to 81...I'm sure no need to exam now...

Mine was the exact opposite. She must have been 31 and a brunette.

You'd think she'd be retired before turning 81.

lol!

Steve, yes it is in remission due to a bimonthly injection of Humira.

Cheers,
Mike

If my PA gave one like this, I may have wanted one. Alas, despite her attractiveness, my PA is 100% business...

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