Health Thread....

[Tommy Gun]

So those that are so adamant (look that word up Loco ) about health check ups....



What should one ask to have done when getting a check up?

I had a check up last year and don't feel like he even told me much?

They take blood and probe you, but that can happen on a date.

I heard Wood Boy mention something, but no one will respond to my constant questioning about what he meant?

Are there certain things you should ask to be done at a yearly check up?
















Not that I would have one, but.....

[Grabber]

Have them check inside your kiester.

[Grabber]

BTW...I am having all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled out this Friday. Fun fun !!

[Boston Mike]

Be happy that they haven't told you anything. It likely means you're in pretty good health. Make sure they do a PSA check (that's an alternative to date rape) which measures something about the prostate and has become the standard for detecting prostate cancer. But, if you're like Grabber and prefer to turn your head and cough, go for it.

[68fastback]

Bill, I have an annual check-up ...just a physical with a prostate check, urine check, and traditional bloodtests done a couple weeks beforehand (blood complex including cholesterol, prostate cancer marker test, etc) ...pretty standard stuff you should have every year. If you don't feel right, etc that's the time to tell your doc so he can have additional tests done if necessary. Some docs have you visit first and then order the blood tests -- some will have you do the blood tests between when you schedule the appointment and when you go to see the doc.

Once your over 40 you should have a colonoscopy every 5 years (some insurance companies now prefer 10 years, but that's because they like paying less that way -lol ...5 years is better). The most difficult part of the test is the day before -- you have to do things on a specific schedule ...take laxatives and drink special stuff (differnt docs like differnt preps but all o fthem clean you out). A colonoscopy views the whole large intestine. A sygmoidoscopy only views the lower large intestine. You want a colonoscopy because you want to know if any problems are found higher-up because they are generally more serious and more important to find early or -- better still -- know there aren't any! I've had 5 colonoscopies since I was 40 and have had a couple of polyps removed during two of them -- no big deal and commonplace.. The idea is to get them early so they never have a chance to progress. Any removed polyps will be tested to see if they are cancerous or pre-cancerous or benign (fortunately none of mine anything bad), but that's very important because, caught early, such problems are totally simple to eliminate (if they exist at all) and colon cancer takes a long time to progress, so every five years keeps you safe from surprises.

Anyhow, I think that's what was going on in the other discussion (Jan, Dave, etc). When you get a colonoscopy shop for a gastro-enterologist (specialist) who does them all the time -- like 20-50/week! The reason is that guiding the probe around the bend/kink in the large intestine on the left side of your body and up into the upper large intestine is where experience pays off since that's where anintestinal perforation is most likely to occurr if a doc is not experienced in working with many different body shapes/sizes, etc. Docs who do them all the time have more experience negotiating people with more difficult colons and usually have their own facility right on premises (colocated with their office) to do them. Alternativey, you can have either procedure done in a hospital (same doc differnt place), but that usually costs more for the same procedure (hospital has to get their 'take' and doc is away from other work longer). In either case an anesthesiologist will adminsiter a drug to mellow you out or put you out (usually propofol to put you out) and will monitor you while you're out. There is no time-lapse with propofol ...so they inject you and within 10 secs you're out and then you 'immediately' wake up and it's done (of course it actually takes about 30 minutes or so). Some doctors will give you the option to not be knocked-out completely so you can actually watch the entire procedure on a high-res monitor -- the same one the doc is looking at as he guides the probe which has a camera, fluids and light built in. If a polyp needs to be reomoved the probe also can clip it -- easy peasy -lol. You'll have a pre-meeting with the doc or his/her PA (physicians assistant) before hand where they will explain the procedure, answer any questions, and give you written instructions to read so you know how to prep the day before the procedure. I've had it done both in a hospital and in a doc's specialized office and I've watched it done and also been put-out ...I'd go with whatever the doc recommends (but it was cool to watch it on the monitor too -lol). If you're nervous about it, they'll probably recommend they knock you out.

Hope that gives you some idea of what's involved with a colonoscopy and what to expect. The annual physical/checkup and blood tests are a really good idea -- every year. The doctor's office should contact you afterward and tell you your cholesterol numbers and whether the prostate test was negative and info on any other tests they prescribed. If you had the tests in advance, the doc should explain it when you go for your actual visit/physical. If they don't, just ask or call afterward -- they have to give you the info because you legally own your medical records -- the doctor doesn't own the 'car' or the info ...he's just the 'mechanic.'

Anyhow, not to worry ...you're probably fine. Once you find out you actually are, you'll probably feel ever better ;-)

[Evil95GT]

68, you offered EXCELLENT advice. :)

Totally agree on the colonoscopy. I've had one, the husband has had one - and with the proper drugs, you won't care what hose they're putting where. They could have shaved my head, pulled all of my teeth, and tattoed Rosie O'Donnell on my forearm, and I wouldn't have cared. Granted, I might have cared after the drugs wore off, but at that time, I was in outer space. :) The "clean-out" procedure isn't exactly a picnic, but it's not really that big of a deal. IMO, it's worth it for the peace of mind when you get 4 pictures of your intestines (that really look like NOTHING), and a clean bill of health.

Prostate check was really good advice too. You should ask for a couple of blood tests. PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a blood test that corresponds with the ummmmm physical portion of the prostate exam. Ask for cholesterol screening, and Thyroid as well. Since you'll be fasting, they may want to go ahead and check blood sugar as well.

*Please* have an annual check-up. I loathe doctors, but because regular check ups are important, I force myself to go. I usually rant to myself the entire time I'm driving there.

[Tommy Gun]

BTW...I am having all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled out this Friday. Fun fun !!

I did that like 35 years ago.

[Tommy Gun]

Have them check inside your kiester.

I'm not going to even ask what that is.

[Tommy Gun]

This all sounds like a pain in the butt.


.

[Carnut]

I get one every year.

The idea is preventive medicine, to take care of problem while it is easy to fix. Not doing it could allow something really nasty to progress to a point where nothing can really done for you. My nephew has stage 4 colon cancer, it's not a pretty thing. It's likely they would have caught it while it was easily treatable. Now if he lives, it will be a miracle.

The choice is yours.