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Posted 1/24/2008 2:46 PM (GMT -5)
I thought one of the benefits of having the old walnut removed is never having to drop my paints again for a DRE.

Everybody else get the finger with their PSA test or is just my doctor?
Posted 1/24/2008 3:09 PM (GMT -5)
Nope, not on my one time post-surgical visit so far.  

Posted 1/24/2008 3:24 PM (GMT -5)
I've had 2 now, and no DRE. I can't imagine what he is checking. There's nothing left. Just one hand on your shoulder....right?
Posted 1/24/2008 3:32 PM (GMT -5)
tongue  My Doc told me one advantage of having the prostate removed was I would NEVER have another finger wave (DRE) again!
Posted 1/24/2008 3:40 PM (GMT -5)
My urologist has never mentioned it in the three post op appointments that I have had. I am not sure what he is feeling. Perhaps he just wants to charge for it.

Tamu
Posted 1/24/2008 3:55 PM (GMT -5)
Ripandburn I will pay more attention next time for sure.
Posted 1/24/2008 4:27 PM (GMT -5)
Actually, I have heard of several docs who still do the DRE. Apparently they are checking for any growths, scar tissues that may be of concern and anything that may seem out of whack. One friend I know...his doc invited several students in to feel what a DRE felt like after the prostate was removed. The doc asked my friend's permission, but he said it was a bit odd to be the show and tell exhibit!
Posted 1/24/2008 5:46 PM (GMT -5)
I've had three post surgery visits and no DRE.
Posted 1/24/2008 6:31 PM (GMT -5)

Yes,

My post op Uro did it every time. Then I got a new Uro about a year after and he did it to! That Doc didn't work out and I was shopping for a Doc who wouldn't call me names for asking for testosterone replacement theropy which wasn't easy to find. I was called crazy, insane, stupid, and a couple of bleep bleep bleeps!! but every one gave me the cold croocked finger of fate! I don't think it was my good looks that made them dig deeper, maybe it was just punishment for wanting to throw gas on the fire! Anyway I finally found the Uro who would give me the gas (TRT) and have been with him since 12/06 and sure enough, I drop them and bend over every appointment! I guess I'm just lucky like that!

Your friend,

Pete  

Posted 1/24/2008 7:21 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Pete,

One advantage of being ugly is no more DREs. My TRT friendly uro just reads my PSA report and writes another T script. He's a keeper...

Jim
Posted 1/24/2008 7:48 PM (GMT -5)
Personally,
I see no reason for the DRE unless there is a PSA rise. So no, I would not understand a DRE when there is no prostate. But that stated, if the PSA rises, it could be in the prostate bed where the accumulation is (like 90% of the time) and I could understand a physical inspection. As it was, I was pT3b after surgery with a pre-op PSA of nearly 20 and cancer all over the place. My DRE's were negative. Must not have aimed their fingers well?

Tony
Posted 1/25/2008 12:54 AM (GMT -5)
I'm in Germany and it looks like they do some things differently here. I rarely had a DRE (even during the diagnosis period - maybe twice) - it was always an ultrasound using a nasty-looking probe - something like a light-sabre out of Star Wars. I came to hate that thing, but even I was interested to see the real-time images on the screen. Like others here, I thought one advantage of RP would be no more big probe where the sun don't shine. First visit post-op: no mention. 2nd visit: out came the big stick. He said he wanted to check the cavity where the prostate had been. Using this thing, my Urologist found traces of tissue and seminal vesicles, which he was concerned about (and followed up with the surgeon - another story for another post). "Bottom" line is that he wants to do this each time now to check that the tissue traces don't start growing again. When I rolled my eyes, he said I didn't have to if I didn't want to. I said anything that keeps that disease away is OK with me.
Posted 1/25/2008 2:10 AM (GMT -5)
I've heard about these post-op DREs too and wondered why the docs would want to do them. I think Paul1959 may have the answer to this riddle -- some docs want to check for any weird growths, scar tissue, etc.
So far, I'm having my post-op follow-up through my family doctor via PSA tests every six months.
Coincidentally, the other day I asked my doc what she thought of DREs for post-op guys with undetecable PSA levels and she looked at me as if to say, "YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT?"
I said thanks, because after what we fellows go through in our diagnoses and treatments, the last thing we want is another probe of any kind stuck up our "gazoos."
We shared a laugh when I told her if I had as many things sticking out of me today as I had stuck into me a year ago, I'd look like a friggin' porcupine.
Best to y'all..
Tom
Posted 1/25/2008 10:36 AM (GMT -5)
I am not there yet but my wife and I thank ya'll for the laughs. yeah
Posted 1/25/2008 12:05 PM (GMT -5)

I went in two weeks ago for my regular 6-month check up with mly regular doctor.  I was surprised when he said, "bend over" as he put on his gloves.  I prostested, "But I no longer have a prostate!"  "I know!" said the offended doc. "Then why do you want to do that?"  He replied with somewhat of a smart attitude, "I am feeling for other things... like anything unusual."  So I bent over and endured it one more time, just like a good little boy.  But I still get flushed when I think of his attitude.

Gene

Posted 1/25/2008 12:17 PM (GMT -5)

I heard a true story about a guy who showed up at a free community prostate cancer screening that included a PSA and a DRE. At the check-in he was told that he would have his blood drawn first, followed by a prostate exam by a physician.

He replied, "I thought they were going to do a computer check of my prostate?"  The woman at the check-in looked puzzled and said, "I'm not sure what you mean."  The man said, "Well, it said on the notice that we would get a blood test for PSA and a "digital" rectal exam.  The woman laughed and said, "In this case, digital doesn't mean by computer, but means a finger."

Blame it all on the computer age in which we live...Tim


Posted 1/25/2008 12:31 PM (GMT -5)

I have found out that the DRE is a secret handshake that most doctors use. I have had it almost every time by my radiation oncologist. If my dentist ever trys it, I'm gonna blow a fuse.

War Eagle to all.

Walt

Posted 1/25/2008 12:45 PM (GMT -5)
LOL,
Walt, when I had my first one the doctor joked, "there it is, oops, no that's your tonsils." So I think your dentist comment rings in here. If my dentist ever tries it, he will become his own patient.

Tony
Posted 1/25/2008 1:11 PM (GMT -5)
I had a DRE 3 months post surgery but that was it so far. He was just checking for anything unusal - scar tissue, etc.

Posted 1/25/2008 1:27 PM (GMT -5)
I agree with Walt. For months everytime I met a doctor he wanted to stick his finger up my whazoo. Well, after meeting over a dozen physicians, iit became such second nature that I accidentally mooned my boss when I entered his office.....sigh.
Posted 1/26/2008 8:35 AM (GMT -5)

Ain't it great the way we can joke about a subject that the rest of societies male population is teriffied even to talk about? Like Paul said, after what we've been through, the DRE is almost like shaking hands w/ your Doc when you see him! Y'all crack me up! Keep the funnies coming, they are good for the soul!!!

Your friend,

Pete

PS>>> Jim, if UGLY was protection from DRE's I'd still have my prostate! 

Posted 1/26/2008 12:31 PM (GMT -5)
A couple of years ago prior to my surgery, I happened to have my physical scheduled on Halloween. Everyone in the doctor's office was dressed in costume, including my doc. As a result, I my DRE was done by Elvis.

Posted 1/26/2008 2:15 PM (GMT -5)

Had Hifu March "07, and seen my Uro 4 times.

3 with DRE

0 DRE last time 

Posted 1/26/2008 3:33 PM (GMT -5)
First week in feb is my first psa test date. I will post if I have a DRE, if I fell two hands or if I find myself . . . enjoying it.
Posted 1/26/2008 7:20 PM (GMT -5)

I have set here today laughing over the Elvis DRE. CaPCA, don't tell me your doc said' "thank you..thank you very much"?

Every time I think about another DRE one image keeps coming to mind and I laugh till I have tears. Anyone remember the movie Cannonball Run with Burt Reynolds? Remember the doctor that rode in the ambulance? If I were to walk into a doctors office and see him there, I think I would run from the room screaming. 

Sweet dreams to all.

Walt

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