Getting the most out of your check-up

Tips for getting the most out of a physical exam? Im a male in my early twenties and going to go for a complete exam soon. Not sure whether to go to a male or female doctor? Any suggestions for getting the most thorough exam possible?

Well, my personal preference is a female since I'm more comfortable with them. I've also found that they seem to be generally more thorough, but that may just be my luck. Your own mileage may vary.

If you're going to a practice that has multiple doctors, then you have a choice. When you call to make the appointment, why not ask the person which one they'd recommend and which one they think is most thorough. They probably have a very good idea which doctor rushes through their exams and which one takes their time and is very thorough.

Another idea is to book a physical with a nurse practitioner instead of a doctor. I have found that a NP give the most thorough exams I've ever had -- bar none. They take much more time with you and you don't feel rushed. Plus, most of them (not all) are female 😃

Finally, when you're actually there for the exam, make sure you undress as much as possible. If they hand you a gown and tell you to just take off your shirt, go ahead and take off your pants too. If they tell you to strip to your shorts, go ahead and take them off too. In other words -- go the extra mile and send a signal to your doctor/nurse that you expect a very thorough and complete exam.

This makes sense. Any hope for getting a DRE at my age? I do have a family history of prostate cancer but i think they may still find it early.

Any one else care to put their two cents in?

Thanks

Ask a question or two about testicular cancer and say you're worried about it. You'll probably be checked anyway but this may make it much more thorough - and it is a risk at your age.

[quote author=jengajohn link=topic=31933.msg291900#msg291900 date=1273289820]

This makes sense. Any hope for getting a DRE at my age? I do have a family history of prostate cancer but i think they may still find it early.

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Really press the family history issue when it comes to prostate cancer. That may help encourage them to give you a DRE. If not, you could also mention that you sometimes have hemorrhoids -- not quite the same as a DRE but it might get them in the general area.

Let us know how it went.

All good tips, hopefully i get a thorough exam. Ill make the appointment in the next few weeks so hopefully It goes well.

You can press, but it may not do much good - I think my first DRE was around 36 with the same type of history...and think it was done primarily because my next checkup would not be for three or four years.

Well I can give it a shot but it doesnt sound too promising

1) Do NOT undress more than you are asked. If you are a "serious" patient you will listen to what you are told. This is a sign of respect to the physician. We can tell if you're there for more and we can also have you remove more clothing if need be for an exam. I can lay you on your side with your pants unbuttoned and still get enough access to your rectum by pulling your pants below your bottom to examine your prostate.

2) At 20, many doctors will not do a testicular cancer check, it's the reality. Your best bet would be to ask about testicular cancer, say it runs in your family (even if it does not) and ask if the physician would teach you how to do an exam. If they do not do the exam but teach you by telling you, just say that you felt something and don't know if it's normal. Will probably work.

3) At 20 the ONLY way you will get a DRE, even with the cancer history, is if you complain about dark red blood in your stool/filling the toilet paper when you wipe. This is a sign of one of many things, all which need to be explored. You may even end up with a proctoscopic examination, as well. If the practitioner doesn't do a DRE based on the blood, you've found one that has some serious problems.

Always treat your practitioner with respect and generally when you meet them, a response of "yes sir" or "yes ma'am" on the first few yes/no questions tells them you respect them. Also, you could just use "yes doctor".

Hope that helps!

Janet

Thanks Dr. Janet for the information. So know real easy way to get an easy fondling huh? Haha only kidding, sort of!

The fun--embarrassment at the time but exciting to think about later--is not knowing what is going to happen and when. Let the doctor be in complete control.

Well it took me a long while to get into see the doc but my exam is this week. Labs drawn and debating whether or not to do the hemocult card (stool samples) im only in my twenties.

Im getting mentally ready for my exam, any last advice or ideas of what i can expect....?

Maybe you need a detailed exam form to have completed to by your doctor!! I have forms that I make my male dancers have completed. its really detailed.

DRE are hard to get. I went to the urologist several times and I only got them twice when I didn't expect at all. Making doctors perform certain exams is difficult at least I fail most of the times.

Let us know how it went

I disagree if you want a DRE just tell the doctor you are concerd about dark blood in your stoll. She will have to give you a DRE just to make sure you are ok. They would rather be safe the sorry.

Well i had a very dissapointing exam. After the ekg and stress test the doc came in. Went over some labs and such, moved my arms and legs, listened to my lungs and abdomen and thats it. Shirt didnt even come completely off, not even a look in my ears, mouth, etc. Whats the deal?

Don't feel bad, jengajohn. I am scheduled for cataract surgery later this month and had to go to my PCP for clearance for the surgery. I thought it would be a complete physical and was looking forward to it. The nurse took my weight and blood pressure and asked me to wait for the doctor. He came in and listened to my heart and breathing (through my shirt) and then started to look into my eye with a device that lights and magnifies the image. I offered to remove my glasses and he told me that wasn't necessary. He asked me if I was still taking the prescriptions he gave me for high blood pressure a few months ago and I said I was. He signed off on my surgery without me even removing eyeglasses or shirt.

My first internist, by chance, was an old school, head-to-toe, step by step doctor, skin, nails, etc. So whenever I arrive for an appointment with a new doctor, IF he isn't someone obviously in a rush to begin with- if he goes over my history in his office before taking me into the exam room- I comment about that first doctor, I comment that since then I have only received cursory exams: I paint a picture of the exam that I am after and that seems to get across to a new doctor. Again only if he has the time built into the appointment.

Getting a testicular exam can be difficult. She just pointed me to a website that explains what to do. I had to go back several times in order to get it done. Basically I said that I had no idea if I was healthy or not so I couldn't tell what was anomalous. She did do the exam but I couldn't see anything because I was flat on my back. It took 60 seconds and wasn't really worth it!

Since you are in an age group in which testicular cancers are common, I think it is safe to guess that just about any doctor is going to check your testes. I do not think most doctors would do a rectal exam in your age group. I did have one in my 20s, but it was because the form from the insurance company that was requiring the exam included it. I guess if you wanted a rectal exam, you could voice a complaint that could be related to the prostate like frequent urination. I would guess that a male doctor might be more thorough, but I have had an exam by a female that was very thorough.

So as i had posted my last exam was pretty dissappointing (almost 2 yrs ago). What can i do to get at least my pants off for this physical, i feel its important to be thoroughly examined. Should I ask for a different doc in the practice ? Maybe see if a Nurse practitioner can do the exam? I just know when i call to schedule they will put me with same doc, will same office different doctor be any better exam?

Maybe you can try a different practice. Some persons have a gender preference. I like women doctors/nurses. Others want a man. Up to you. Either one can be cursory or thorough. Ask friends who've had physicals. Ask the receptionist, "will the nurse practitioner/doctor have me disrobe completely for the exam?" If she doesn't know, hold the line until she asks. "How long will the exam take?" If it's only 10 min it's cursory.

I guess i'll give that a shot. If i wanted to stay in the same office, there are 4 docs, what are the chances they all operate about the same and just give me the cursory look over?

thanks

Jengajohn, sometimes it's the practice which decides, for example, to supply paper gowns in each exam room, dictating that aspect of procedures. I would look at where the four doctors trained, any at military bases, and their ages. Older doctors often predate new approaches.