Questions for Dr. Scholz

I am starting to formulate some questions to ask Dr. Scholz. I am just starting the file, but I plan to get my money's worth!

Here is what I have so far and I'm sure it will be greatly expanded. I seek comments and input. When I see Dr. Scholz I will be doing my first post-SRT PSA. I may not need any further tx., but it does seem the latest sentiment from the experts goes towards HT (perhaps regardless of the PSA). I'm not sure. But here is my small list:

(David -- this may be helpful to you for your upcoming meeting(s). Please add any questions you may have -- we can compare answers!)

His office has my complete file (it was sent as part of my new patient application).

The complaint from Anonymous was mostly about prices. His office people (I've spoken to a few of them) were extremely nice. They checked on a bunch of things for me (contacting my insurance to get some specifics) and they advised me up front regarding prices (the ones I quoted).

He does do telephone consulting and I think one of his patients said this was $45, but I'm not sure. I can find that out when I go there. I definitely want my first appointment to be face-to-face. If I feel he is arrogant, I will so indicate that on HW. Frankly, I found Strum, in his p2p postings, to be unbelievably arrogant, to the point where I would just not consider seeing him, despite his stellar reputation. Each to his own, I guess. Scholz's office did indicate that he will consult with doctors, for a fee. I agree almost all doctors do this for free, but usually that is just for some quick information.

Regarding his book, I have read some pretty negative things about the book, mostly about the very weird chapters written by his patient. Most of the reviewers indicated that Scholz's comments were very good. But I do have to question the doctor's judgment in picking such an idiot patient to work with. That was on the nagative side.

However, I also saw Scholz's videos and spoke with two patients. I was very impressed. Additionally, he works with Dr. Richard Lam, who is also among the very best PC experts. That could matter, in a pinch.

Regarding the questions, that would not be my first order of business. My first order is to get his input/expertise on my situations. Eventually, we will get to the "any questions" part!

Mel

As you can see, the devil's in the detail.  Never said anything about his knowledge or experience, and the key word following is "but for me personally".

Go back to to the post discussing the doctor's book, more than one person had a low opinion based on the book.

David in SC

Post Edited (Purgatory) : 5/15/2011 8:18:36 AM (GMT-6)

The next challenge for me might be following his advice!!

I have a sneaky suspicion that he might say I should do ADT regardless of the PSA result. I'm not sure I'm ready to do that!!

(Don't worry, I won't worry about THAT now!)

John, in their general commentary on prices, his office mentioned a color doppler and I see you had that done. Am I correct that it's main use is for dx. purposes for those WITH a prostate? In my case, without a prostate, no use for a color doppler (?).

Also, having had a colonoscopy in 2008, I might actually get to avoid that, too!! I would be very hesitant doing that anyway so soon after SRT.

It would seem an echocardiagram makes sense.

Mel

I assume you are referring to my posts.

I really won't argue with you too much. You make excellent points. Clearly, what we can do is also a function of our health and resources. In many cases, the costs would be prohibitive. Also, in many cases, it is just way too difficult physically to travel.

In fact, I know one concern I have in the deeper recesses of my brain: fast forward and suppose one has advanced PC with significant, disabling symptoms. It would be great to have a great doctor locally.

All that being said, if you have complete confidence in your local medico and feel this person is extremely knowledgeable in advanced PC, that's fine. These folks are few and far between.

I have no confidence in anyone locally, in this tri-city area. (I live in a major tri-city area). We have a number of medical oncologists. NONE of them are true specialists in PC. One of them spoke at our local support group and in response to a very clear question, to wit "I recently had an RP; at what PSA level would SRT be required" he INSISTED that it was 2.0.

C'mon. We KNOW that's not true. We can debate 0.20 vs 0.30 vs. 0.50, but 2.0?? Yeah, if that person was not an internet person and just blindly relied on his great local oncologist, he could follow that VERY POOR advice. Fortunately, that participant knew better.

We are all dealing with a life-threatening illness. There are no guarantees. Period. I picked arguably the best surgeon. As David keeps reminding me, and I readily agree, it did not stop the BCR. Fortunately, I avoided incontinence and I recovered very well from the surgery, so at least that wasn't bungled. But there are no guarantees.

I am not amiss to going local if you have a good expert. In fact, my RO is local and I can only HOPE he is good and did a good job.

I maintain your chances are better when the doctor is better.

Mel

Well said and much more eloquently than I.

I don't understand why some folks seem to feel threatened or insulted or angered or whatever it is when I express the desire to seek out the best available doctor and then act upon it.

I guess we all have a desire to defend our choices. This thread is akin to saying something like "I chose surgery and I don't understand why you would choose radiation as a primary tx." But this is even worse. How can one even question the fact that 1) You have a better chance of doing better with a better doctor (you best better believe it!) and 2) For most of us, the very best doctors are not local.

I can understand the financial points and the physical ability to travel points made. Those are valid points. But to "get something off your chest" (because somehow you've been insulted or what?) makes no sense.

I apologize for being so argumentative. I asked for possible additional questions, but instead folks seem to be questioning my desire to seek out the best possible physicians. I don't understand why.

David, I forgot to answer your post that said "why would you want adt, even if you have no rise in psa post srt? wouldnt you rather want to wait and see if you even need to go down that path? you may not need it forever, if not for years to come. "

Trust me, man. Like you, I ABSOLUTELY want NO PART of ADT. The latest research seems to be shifting towards advocating ADT even before SRT and now even post-SRT regardless of the PSA. At least that's the sense I get. I don't have a source at the moment. I am just hypothesizing: Suppose Dr. Scholz, who is up on the latest research, says this is going to be the new standard of care. Suppose he says I should go on ADT NOW and suppose my PSA is say <0.1. I REALLY do NOT want that. I would much rather wait and see what my PSA does. But then I'm consulting a top guy. What to do? So, as they say, be careful what you wish for. I might see the top guy and not like what I hear!

David, things are changing in the PC world regarding drugs and tx. It would sure be nice if they could come up with an ADT tx. that also prevents the SE of ADT!

Mel

Mel