Do you go in physicals on a regular basis?

[jspeicher]

My friend told me the other day that GUYS should have a physical done yearly. I haven't had a physical since I was a senior in high school, about 4 years ago.

I know it's not a bad thing to get them done, just to make sure you're healthy. HOw many of you men out there do this?

Also, I heard that they have to check your anus for problems. Like, going in with a gloved hand? What is this atrocity my friend speaks of?

 

[tfinch2]

Stick lubed finger in your butt to check your prostate gland.

 

[jadinolf]

I have had an annual physical for many years.

They are not checking your anus, they are checking your prostate for cancer.

 

[Tiamat]

I havent gone to an "annual" physical since I had an ulcer. that was last year. Before that, i had a 3 year vacation from these physicals since sen. year in high school.

 

[Hoober]

I had my first physical in about 6 years last August. I plan on having them annually from here on out.

Edit: And I think I'm too young for anal probing.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I have had an annual physical for many years.

They are not checking your anus, they are checking your prostate for cancer.

normally they don't start checking your prostate until you are 40 (or somewhere close to that age).

 

[Mojoed]

13 years since my last physical, but I'm going for one in January. I'm not looking forward to that at all. I'm real nervous about this.

 

[maziwanka]

you should be getting your physical every year, but i've never had my prostate checked. i guess thats b/c im 23.

 

[dullard]

I think studies have shown that physicals generally are a waste of time for the doctor and patient and a waste of money. The reason is that the tests done in a physical generally have a near zero chance of detecting anything that the patient wouldn't have come in for anyways. However, the benefit that they have is that it gets the patient comfortable with the doctor so that when there is a real problem the patient is much more likely to go to see the doctor sooner. Thus indirectly they have a benefit.

Note: this is in reference to the typical young and healthy ATOT reader. If you have a problem or are older, then yes you should have regular focussed checkups (not necessarily physicals).

 

[MrChad]

I got a physical last year because I couldn't remember the last time I had one. The doctor told me that unless I had a serious health problem, there was no need for me to come in on a yearly basis. He suggested every 5 years until I get older (I'm 24).

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: TheNinja

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I have had an annual physical for many years.

They are not checking your anus, they are checking your prostate for cancer.

normally they don't start checking your prostate until you are 40 (or somewhere close to that age).

IIRC, my Dr. suggests doing the digital exam every other year starting at 30, and every year + the PSA blood test at 40. Unless you have a history of prostate cancer in your family (which I do).

 

[Mayfriday0529]

I get it done yearly and i'm 24, to anal stuff or prostate, they do that after a certain age. My doctor actually told me that insurance companies frown about prostate exam if your under 25.

 

[moshquerade]

yep, a yearly gyno checkup

 

[randomlinh]

haven't gone since junior year in HS... I really should go just to make sure everything is within reason

 

[jemcam]

I started getting the finger wave around the time I was 35 and had a full colonoscopy at age 40.

Cancer runs rampant in my family and my Dad died of colon cancer. It's a nasty way to die, so I'm trying to follow the Dr's advice on avoiding such a terrible demise.

I think having a finger stuck up my ass once a year and a colonoscopy every five years is worth it to avoid it, as unpleasant as it may be.

The colonoscopy isn't bad at all, they give you lots of demoral (sp?) and something else to induce amnesia during the time they have a six foot, one inch diameter tube stuck up your ass. (Yes, they stick the whole thing up there) When you wake up, it's really a nice buzz that lasts pretty much the rest of the day, but you sleep a lot.

 

[silverpig]

Apparently guys should go at 20, 25, 30, 35, 36, 37...

I'm 23 and haven't gone. Wanna keep my anal virginity for a while yet.

 

[scauffiel]

Just make sure to question what's going on if the doctor is calming you down during the procedure... And he's got both hands on your shoulders....

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: scauffiel
Just make sure to question what's going on if the doctor is calming you down during the procedure... And he's got both hands on your shoulders....

Yep beware of that....

 

[CraigRT]

I've only had 1 my entire life

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Armitage

Originally posted by: TheNinja

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I have had an annual physical for many years.

They are not checking your anus, they are checking your prostate for cancer.

normally they don't start checking your prostate until you are 40 (or somewhere close to that age).

IIRC, my Dr. suggests doing the digital exam every other year starting at 30, and every year + the PSA blood test at 40. Unless you have a history of prostate cancer in your family (which I do).

I've read of people getting prostate cancer sooner than 30 years of age. My father just got done with therapy for it, radiation therapy, so that increases the likelyhood that I will get prostate cancer.

Oh, and I do regular checkups/physicals with my doctor.

 

[NuclearNed]

I have a job-required physical every year. I've yet to have the butt probe, mainly because I'm not at the age when prostate problems usually begin.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid

Originally posted by: Armitage

Originally posted by: TheNinja

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I have had an annual physical for many years.

They are not checking your anus, they are checking your prostate for cancer.

normally they don't start checking your prostate until you are 40 (or somewhere close to that age).

IIRC, my Dr. suggests doing the digital exam every other year starting at 30, and every year + the PSA blood test at 40. Unless you have a history of prostate cancer in your family (which I do).

I've read of people getting prostate cancer sooner than 30 years of age. My father just got done with therapy for it, radiation therapy, so that increases the likelyhood that I will get prostate cancer.

Oh, and I do regular checkups/physicals with my doctor.

Wow, never heard of it that early.
My dad had it also, as well as my uncle (by marriage). My dad had the radiation implant + external radiation therapy and his PSA levels are almost back to normal, so its looking good. My uncle, who waited longer (tried homeopathy first :roll: ) for the same treatment hasn't responded as well. Early detection & treatment is key!

My Dr now wants to do the digital exam every year, and the PSA every 3 years (I'm 35), bumping up to every year for both @ 40

 

[daniel1113]

Up until I was 18 I had a yearly check-up. However, I refuse to go to another check-up, and as a general rule, refuse to step into a doctor's office unless it is absolutely necessary.

As dullard mentioned above, yearly physicals rarely catch anything that a patient wouldn't notice on their own, such as a missing testicle (two as of this morning, so I'm all set).

 

[Injury]

And a question about butt-probing. Serious.

Nothing is serious in ATOT. Sorry.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
Up until I was 18 I had a yearly check-up. However, I refuse to go to another check-up, and as a general rule, refuse to step into a doctor's office unless it is absolutely necessary.

Why not?

As dullard mentioned above, yearly physicals rarely catch anything that a patient wouldn't notice on their own, such as a missing testicle (two as of this morning, so I'm all set).

If I've got insurance, I might as well take advantage of it. Some stuff ... by the time you notice it yourself (like the prostate issues), its to late.