I just got home from my first visit with a urologist. I told him what I had been experiencing and that ever since my "episode" on Saturday afternoon, I've felt fine. He took some notes and asked a few questions and did a quick listen to my heart and lungs. Then, out of the blue, he said that he needed to do a
pelvic exam on me! My chin must have dropped to the floor! I told him that I'd had a Pap smear/exam about 6 months ago, but he said he needed to check for any growths. He tossed me a paper cloth to drape over myself and left the room. I sat there sweating bullets, almost convincing myself to walk right out that door! I'll spare you the details, but the exam went quickly (with a nurse present, thank goodness!) and he said I might have a fibroid tumor, which I've had before. No biggy. It just caught me completely off-guard that a urologist would do a pelvic exam! Has anyone ever encountered that before? Isn't that for the OB/GYN or a family physician to take care of? I have to admit that it made me extremely uncomfortable, but I wasn't sure if it's standard procedure or not. Is it?
He has ordered me to have another CT scan on Tues. of next week, which I'm not real happy about. I had the last one in Nov. of 2008 and I just don't like getting them with the radiation that's involved. He said he felt it was necessary. Then, I'm supposed to go back in to see him on Thursday. I am at a loss as for what I should do. Should I make an appointment with another urologist for a second opinion before proceeding since I'm not currently having any pain? I really could use your advice! Thanks a bunch!
33 comments:
April that sounds so icky because it was unexpected. It seems reasonable to me though, that a urologist would need to do that. All of those organs are so close together...maybe a growth elsewhere could cause symptoms that are similar to what you've had? Oh, maybe one of our blogging friends will be a nurse or doc and can answer you better. Have a coke and relax..that part is over.
Gyno-urology is an up and coming field and is totally normal in the assessment of female urological problems. Check to see if this physician is trained in this field.
Sometimes, this is the only way to diagnose certain issues.
You have every right to question the validity, but to me...I would rather go through it than not. Now, if there had been no nurse around...I might have a different view.
I would agree with the others......I assume they did a urinalysis on you, right? That could be kidney related. However, I can see why a pelvic exam might be used to rule out any issues. Going thru the CT scan again may be a good thing, to show any problems that may have developed since November.....go ahead, with full confidence and courage that God is in control and knows all things. Sorry for the yucky day....hope it looks up from here!
Suzanne
Well...i have no experience in this area but i will pray that you will find the advice you need to put your mind at ease and that God would give you peace with whatever decision you make! Hugs!
Sounds normal....have a glass of wine!
sandy toe
I am no help either. I don't think anyone in my immediate family has been to an Urologist.
None-the-less... keep us updated on the outcome! Don't make me go to GA to check on ya! ;)
Personally I would have walked. If I don't "feel" comfortable with something then I walk-It's just that simple...
I would have said, "thank you kind sir (OR lady) but no thank you...I'm going to my OBGYN and will get it all checked out. If my OBGYN thinks I need to come back to see you then I will."
I see most the ladies here feel it was okay...I'm not saying it wasn't but I had the same thing happen to me with a doctor though he was not a urologist/I felt very uncomfortable just like you, there was a nurse present also-Then a week later I get a personal letter from the doctor (coming on to me) I stopped going to him (and he was a very prominent doctor in our city) YEARS later 4 women got together and had cases in court against him.
So the moral of my story is: IF you feel uncomfortable with someone EVEN a doctor, Male OR female - WALK.
Like everyone else said, this was probably all procedure and everything is okay but it's your body April-You have other choices that might have made you feel more comfortable.
Robin~♥
It is probably procedure but you have the right to ask the doctor and others in the medical field if this is normal, to be sure. I think the fact that a nurse was present indicates that the doctor had no ulterior motive. Worth asking, if for no other reason than to ease your mind.
good luck.
Hi April
I would tend to think that the doctor was just being thorough. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and praying about this.
Lindsay
x
I too would feel that this would be normal. And, you would ALWAYS have a nurse present when any pelvic exam was done....that is just standard procedure. Hope you find out all is well quickly.
April,
I don't think that you have a thing to worry about. I did a little research for you. Check this out:
http://www.dukehealth.org/Services/Urology/Programs/Urogynecology/YourFirstVisit
Always ask the doctor a lot of questions. Some folks feel it is none of their business, but it IS your business. Since the nurse was present, nothing fishy was going on while he was 'fishing', so don't worry - unless the nurse has a camera and asks you to pose on a leopard skin rug!
April....talked to my daughter who is a surgical nurse and has been an OBGYN nurse and she said usually your GYN does that not the urologist...she has been a nurse for over 6 years now and she is a teacher also for clincals for MGC and she said in our area your Urogolist does not do this...now it might be different in ATL she said....she was also a nurse in Macon so I trust her judgement on this...she said if you feel unsure to call your GYN and ask him/her why they would have done that?
Hope this helps and hope everything is ok with you!
April....talked to my daughter who is a surgical nurse and has been an OBGYN nurse and she said usually your GYN does that not the urologist...she has been a nurse for over 6 years now and she is a teacher also for clincals for MGC and she said in our area your Urogolist does not do this...now it might be different in ATL she said....she was also a nurse in Macon so I trust her judgement on this...she said if you feel unsure to call your GYN and ask him/her why they would have done that?
Hope this helps and hope everything is ok with you!
Yeah, I've never heard of that too. But maybe he's just being thorough?
I just hung up with my cousin who's a nurse said Urologists are doing this more (not a lot) but to be thorough. I think it would save time since you are already there but I understand being taken off guard to immediately have it done. I hope everything goes well!!
Well April we certainly have lots of experiences with urologists, but only because of Joshua's condition. I personally have never been to a urologist, but Joshua's urologist always examines his private area...I know this is totally different but I still could see that a pelvic exam could be useful to help diagnose you. I too would probably feel uncomfortable though!!
Hey sweet one,
I hope this relieves your mind some...my daughter works at a urologist's office and says this is normal in their office when the doctor feels it necessary.
I'm sorry you felt uncomfortable and I'm hoping that whatever is going on inside of you will be revealed and taken care of speedily.
I'll be praying for the Father's touch upon you!
Love you!
Yep this is what you should expect! I can imagine your shock and dismay when you did not expect this procedure! I would feel icky too! The CT sounds like he's ruling something out. Best to do that then to just let it go.
Good luck!
Kim
April, I don't know you, you don't know me...but was just 'visiting' and saw your post. I have kidney stones...a lot! One time I when I went to my urologist, he "examined" me...yeah, it was icky for sure! I mean...he wasn't my gyn and I'm really picky about that...but I also found out it was on the up and up (and because of that exam I had to have a scan and found out I needed surgery.) So...I guess you have to grit your teeth and get thru it..that's all I've got, sorry. But I do understand how you felt.
Oh girl, I'm so sorry you had to experience that. Who enjoys that? But especially went you aren't expecting it! I pray the doctor gets to the bottom of this (no pun intended) and puts an end to this pain.
Bless you dear!
Beth
April I don't know if that's normal or not? Hmmm... I sure would not have liked that either.
If you are not comfortable get another opinion for sure. It's your body and your right to do so. I hope you are okay my friend.
On another note....:)
~Happy Birthday to you today!!!!
~Enjoy your special day and may it bring you many blessings.
I am sorry you felt so uncomfortable dear, praying for you.
It sounds standard, to me. Sorry it was uncomfortable. I hope you get some answers soon!
xoxo
I had my dentist say he needs to do that exam too... JOKING!! Trying to get a smile from you!
I've never been to a urologist... but maybe you can even call your OB/GYN & ask them about it - or let them check you for what he's saying?
I have no idea, April. I have had a kidney stone, but they found it because I had blood in my urine and did the kidney scan for it.
I probably wouldn't have thought of anything offbeat, and maybe he was thinking it could have been the fibroid. And with a nurse present, it doesn't sound like he was doing something too far afield.
It sounds to me like he is brusque and has no bedside manner. Ask around and see if there is another urologist who people like.
It sounds like you are uncomfortable with him, and I don't believe in going to doctors who make you feel uncomfortable. You have to have confidence in your doctor. I don't know what to say, but there has got to be a reason that your radar went up.
Maybe you didn't like the fact that he didn't explain to you what and why he was doing the exam. That is his fault. I think doctors are supposed to explain things to patients. You have a right to know what he is doing and why when it's your body.
XO,
Sheila (who is leaving to go on break and wanted you to know I'll miss you! I might have to check back in and see how this is resolved!)
April, somehow I just missed saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it is lots of fun!
XO,
Sheila :-)
wow, i don't know if it's normal or not, but i sure hope you get some answers and results soon.
I have absolutely no clue or experience here. Are you nervous or afraid? Or just feel uncomfortable? You are a smart woman and if you really feel like something is off, go with your gut. Could your husband come with you on your next appointments?
Keep us updated!
April,
I don't if I've mentioned on the blog that my husband is CT Technologist. Yes, there is radiation involved in CTs. However I think people don't realize that it takes a TON more radiation to affect you. So, please do not be concerned about having CTs. It's really the only way to detect where the stones are at. IVPs are less common now.
I have never heard of the pelvic exam but no females in my family have stones. Only the men. I'm sorry you went through that. I would have had an anxiety attack over that for sure!
I hope you are feeling better!
I'm late getting in on this April. I would've been very uncomfortable too presented with the need for a pelvic by an unfamiliar doctor. I suspect he probably was just being thorough, but it's such a personal thing for a woman, that I could completely understand if you would've preferred to go back to your OB/GYN and then had the two confer.
It is normal for a urologist to perform a pelvic exam, though I can see why you'd be shocked! :)
Hope everything turns out okay.
Hmmm...I won't be much help on this one, but I've never heard of a urologist performing a pelvic exam. WOW! Would have caught me off guard too for sure! Shoot, I probably would have ran out and left. Since I am late in reading this, I hope that everything has turned out okay....
I'll keep reading!
Post a Comment