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Post op DRE

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Posted 1/5/2011 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
A quick question for those who have had their prostate removed.  When you visit the doctor for checkups do they do an DRE?  My doctor instists on this and says that if anything starts growing he will be able to feel it.  I told him that if the cancer has grown big enough to be felt my psa would be off the charts.  I am about to cancel the next doctors visit because I just don't think it is necessary.

Bob

Posted 1/5/2011 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, they do it

Mel

Posted 1/5/2011 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
yep..get used to it.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 1/5/2011 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
My doc still does one as part of my annual physical. 
Posted 1/5/2011 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
I have to agree with you Bob, if it gets big enough to be felt, it must show up first in the blood. I have not had DRE since surgery, mainly because I have not seen my uro, since my surgery, I am just vigilant with my psa test instead.
...................Kev
Posted 1/5/2011 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
As your prostate has been removed, your doctor must have super sensitive fingers to find or even look for any change in the area, how would he know what he was feeling? I have not had a DRE since my op, which was more than 3 1/2 years ago, find another Doc.

Mal.
Posted 1/5/2011 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Appreaciate the replys on this subject.  I guess I am whining a bit, but have been (like everyone here) poked and proded so much that I don't want anymore unless its for a good reason.  Fourth PSA coming up at the end of this month which includes the DRE, don't really want either but guess I need to get a grip and realize that there are worse things in life to deal with.  I plan on asking the doctor again if this procedure could be dropped, that would just leave the PSA to worry about.  Thanks for listening and your imput.

 

Bob

Posted 1/5/2011 9:41 AM (GMT 0)

Both I and my brother, would stand as proof that your Doc could have a flawed attitude.
Neither had ANY symptoms.
Neither had anything to show via the DRE. ( Totally Normal feel )
Both had G7 cancers.
The Bro would have been dismissed to "Watch and Wait", except that I had already been cut !
When the DRE Doc heard that I had been cut, he dismissed caution and demanded a biopsy.

BUT - this is not quite the same issue as you are asking !

"My doctor instists on this (DRE) and says that if anything starts growing he will be able to feel it. "
I would think that the only thing that would be feeling after an RP, would be the sharp pricks from all the bloody surgical clips..  Gee they annoy at times !

"I told him that if the cancer has grown big enough to be felt my psa would be off the charts."
I would agree with that suggestion, and especially with your having the "Zero-Club Membership".

I think your Doc loves you ! .. . HeHe !   shocked ..
.

Posted 1/5/2011 10:52 AM (GMT 0)

My doc still does one as part of my annual physical.  -> He also gets a stool sample that way which allows him to test it - which is important smhair

Posted 1/5/2011 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
I started a post on this subject a couple of years ago asking the same question.  My doctor has not done the DRE since surgery. 
Posted 1/5/2011 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 4 since my original surgery, 2 by my uro/surgeon, and 2 by the radiation oncologist, and I saw no reason to object to any of them. If it could be for your own benefit, why buck it? It's no big deal, part of the service.

David in SC
Posted 1/5/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I am 3 1/2 years post op and every six months I go to the uro and she gives me a dre. She says just checking for any growth that might reappear.  
Posted 1/5/2011 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
My uro still does one. He says there's lots of other things to be examined while he is up there. I know he does do a good rectal sweep while he is there and samples for blood in stool.
Posted 1/5/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Seems to me I remember some where that highly aggressive cancer cells gives off little to no psa, which the only precurser to know if there is progression would be the DRE.
Posted 1/5/2011 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
My doc says he's checking for scarring and such things.
We don't get close and personal every time, just once or twice since surgery 20 months ago.
Posted 1/5/2011 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
My Uro doesn't do one, but my PCP still does.  First time I said "you sure this is still needed?" and he said "yep" (unfortunately I don't recall his exact rationale).
Posted 1/5/2011 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
interesting....my doc never did, and i assumed nobody did..

bob

Posted 1/5/2011 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon checked me at 3 months, 6 months and one year. I asked him if he was looking for his forgotten watch or something.
I figure he does it so he can justify charging for a full office visit just to tell my PSA.

I will be going for my 1.5 year check tomorrow. I'll let you know if he finds his Rolex.

Jeff

MY PSA is <0.01 . (I always have a copy of the report sent directly to my home.)

Reminds me of this scene from Family Guy.
Posted 1/5/2011 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
All of my guys have stopped the 'stoop and grope'.  PCP and surgeon both said "no need for it".
Posted 1/6/2011 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've not had one since DaVinci from the uro, but it is because I did radiation, and he says next visit, I'm due.

I've had worse treatment from customs inspectors in countries that will remain unnamed.

Posted 1/6/2011 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
No way anyone's giving me another DRE
Posted 1/6/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
My urologist has never done a post op DRE.  He laughed when I asked and said that it is not necessary and will not find anything wrong anyway. 

I do have a bi-annual colonoscopy (because of family history)  so I must still suffer that indignity.

Posted 1/6/2011 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
14 months and 3 visits to the surgeon since my RP and never had a DRE since the prostate was removed.

It seemed obvious to me that there was no reason do do it anymore, now I'm wondering if there might be a benefit.

Today, I'll celebrate my newest zero PSA but I might ask about a DRE at my July visit.

I pay the $20 copay so if there's any benefit, what the heck. It adds 30 seconds to the appointment.

Food for thought as they say.

Mike
Posted 1/6/2011 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm home from my visit to the surgeon. At 18 months, apparently he still could resist the urge to root around in there.

As I said to Sonny in another thread, I agree: "Every Day is a Bonus. The surgeon found a couple of hundred bucks up my butt and I got more action than I've have in a month."

Jeff
-----------
Surgeon said "You were pretty well developed. I had to cut wide to get it."
PSA <0.01 I'm not complaining
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