On my final visit with Dr. L, she found a basil cell which had to be removed by a MOHS surgeon. The procedure went well and everything is fine so I did some reading on basil cells and discovered once you have had basil cell there is a 50-60% chance of getting another on your body. The cells are triggered by sun exposure. I further read other articles about what you should tell your dermatologist. The list included, parental history of basil cells, blistering sunburns and sun exposure. I also read in the Journal of American Dermatology about what are the parameters of a full body skin exam. Basically, once you have had a basil cell, the exam should be more through. Reason is, a basil cell found early and removed causes you no problem.
So I had a first visit with my new dermatologist, Dr. G., this Fall. Here's how it went.
I checked in with reception and was soon escorted to an exam room by a medical assistant. She asked all of the usual questions and took my blood pressure and temperature. I was instructed to removal everything except underpants. Then she handed me a gown and said I could "wear it or not...however you are comfortable" , and left the room. I stripped down to my boxers and debated on wearing the gown or not....then put on the gown, opened in the back, and sat in the exam chair.
In a minute or two there was a knock on the door and in came Dr. G. She was late 30's, long hair, fit build, dressed in scrubs. With an energetic voice she said, Hi Mr. Z, I'm Dr. G. She looked like she was smiling, but the dreaded covid mask covered half of her face. She checked the spot where the basil cell was removed and asked how the Mohs surgery went and said it has healed very nicely. Then she asked if I wanted a full body exam. I replied, yes and discussed my reading on once you have had a basil cell there is a 50-60% chance of getting another on your body. Also, how cells are triggered by sun exposure. I further mentioned other articles about what you should tell your dermatologist and then discussed parental history of basil cells, blistering sunburns and sun exposure. I also recapped the Journal of American Dermatology parameters of a more through full body skin exam once you have had a basil cell. Reason is, a basil cell found early and removed causes you no problem.
Then as my heart rate increased, I told Dr. G. I was a nudist. Told her my wife and I tan nude on our deck and also go to nude beaches. Without hesitation, she asked if I would like her to include the buttocks and genitals in the full body exam. I replied yes. She finished checking my face and neck then began my shoulders. I stated I did not need the gown and she agreed and removed it. She said some patients like to keep "covered up" and agreed the exam is easier for her without the gown. She finished my chest and asked me to lean forward in the exam chair so she could check my back. She then checked my arms, hands, legs and feet. Then Dr. G. asked me to stand with my back toward her and she lowered my boxers and checked my butt. She then said to turn and face her. Once again, Dr. G. lowered my boxers and checked all sides of my scrotum and penis. "You can pull up your boxers and have a seat in the exam chair". Dr. G. said I had a clean skin check. Needless to say, she did not miss a spot. But, good news....no basil cells. She suggested I come back in six months.
So the question is; have you told your Dermatologist you are a nudist?
Tom, Jill's hubby
Replies
- PA
PaulDec 5, 2021That's an interesting response as it does not address any of the issues raised during this discussion. [quote]Lies.[/quote] I won't bother repeating the issues, if you're interested in reading them, I'm guessing that's a possibility. From your profile: [quote]I'm not well educated. I did not finish school. I have a condition that my psychiatrist attempted to define, but I don't really believe he knows how. I have great difficulty forming relationships with people. Either as a result of my condition (or as I believe) a separate condition. English is my first language; I'm just not good at using it yet.[/quote] Putting it all together it seems like it could be something within the autism spectrum. So, let me suggest: Try asking questions rather than making and expressing judgments. Doing that one thing would make a huge difference.ReactReply - PAPaulDec 5, 2021I would seem that copying and pasting stuff right out of your provide is your definition of making stuff up.[quote]I don't see the point in interacting with you further. You just make stuff up.[/quote]From your profile: [quote]I'm not well educated.I did not finish school. I have a condition that my psychiatrist attempted to define, but I don't really believe he knows how. I have great difficulty forming relationships with people. Either as a result of my condition (or as I believe) a separate condition. English is my first language; I'm just not good at using it yet.[/quote] Putting it all together it seems like it could be something within the autism spectrum. Allow me to repeat my suggestion: Try asking questions rather than making and expressing judgments. Doing that one thing would make a huge difference.ReactReply
- GO
Gordy57Dec 5, 2021To the discussions of medical people who are uncomfortable with the human body.
For those that have not gone thru the cleansing process for a colonoscopy, I will describe it so the following makes sense. The day before the procedure you take 4 pills that are a strong laxative first thing in the mourning. The instructions are to stay close to the toilet, and only clear liquid diet till after the procedure. I was given a jug with a white powder (propylene glycol and electrolytes) in it, add 4 liters of water and later in the day drink half of it rapidly, 8 ounces every 10 minutes. I was on the toilet after each glass, with the liquid coming out getting clearer each time. Stopped drinking anything 2 hours before going to bed to let the gut drain and avoid night time issues. The day of the procedure, drink the rest of the jug 6 hours prior to the procedure, you will be on the toilet a lot again. 4 hours before the procedure STOP drinking anything, eventually the trips to the toilet slow and stop. The liquid coming out was brite yellow, the nurse told me that was normal and is the color of the bile.
Anyway to the story. At the VA, I was out of my street clothes and into hospital garb, with a young good natured female nurse doing the usual BP, temp, insert IV, and go over my medical history. She asked how the cleansing went, I said "OK, but it was strange peeing out the front and back at the sametime". She started laughing, BUT a nurse walking by stopped dead in her tracks and scowled at me saying "OH you are one of those". I responded "You don't need to be a psychiatrist to know about fight or flight syndrome and that some people deal with a stressful situation like their first colonoscopy by trying to make light of it by cracking jokes. And if you are uptight about the human body and bodily functions, maybe you are in the wrong line of work. You might be better off stuck in an office where you don't have to deal with patients. Or see one of the psychiatrists here to help you with your issues, like not being able to keep your mouth shut and mind your own business". The first nurse put her hand on my arm and said "calm down", and turned to the other nurse and said look at what you did to his blood pressure. I was still hooked up to one of those automatic BP machines, I thought I was relatively calm but the machine showed differently. The first nurse then told me that, that was my anesthesiologist :-0. I told her I needed to talk to the doctor or someone incharge. I relayed the story to him, he chuckled at the peeing thing but got a concerned look on his face about her reaction. I told him I was uncomfortable having her around in that state of mind with me in such a vulnerable situation, and I would call off the procedure if she was not replaced. He looked at the BP machine and tapped a few buttons to bring up the history, and said he'd be right back. When he came back he said we have a replacement, you will not see her again.
ReactReply - PAPaulDec 5, 2021Allow me to repeat my suggestion: Try asking questions rather than making and expressing judgments. Doing that one thing would make a huge difference.[quote]In my profile I say. I have a condition that my psychiatrist attempted to define, but I dont really believe he knows how . To which you conclude Putting it all together it seems like it could be something within the autism spectrum Thank you for solving that, Ill let my psychiatrist know an old dude on the internet has put him out a job. Like I said, you just make s*** up.[/quote] " it seems like it could be" Expresses a huge amount of doubt. Prove me wrong. In the meantime: Try asking questions rather than making and expressing judgments. Doing that one thing would make a huge difference.ReactReply
- GOGordy57Dec 5, 2021
Mensa,
Grandpa had a saying,
When teaching a pig to sing, you accomplish 2 things. 1. You waste your time, 2. You annoy the pig ;-)
Please be the adult here and drop it.
ReactReply - PAPaulDec 5, 2021OK.[quote]Mensa, Grandpa had a saying, When teaching a pig to sing, you accomplish 2 things. 1. You waste your time, 2. You annoy the pig ;-) Please be the adult here and drop it.[/quote]ReactReply
- PAPaulDec 5, 2021
Re: Colonoscopy
The prep procedure seems to change each time. I'm pretty good about what I eat anyway, and I always go on a liquid diet a day before they say I need to. There's really nothing left to rinse out -- but I still do all the stuff they ask. The extra day of liquid diet makes it more pleasant for me and I'm totally clean inside for them.
I've had three of them. At the first one, the male nurse did all the usual stuff, told me to strip, and left. I stripped, couldn't find a gown, and figured it didn't matter. When he returned, I was standing at the window (third story, glass mirrored on the outside), taking in the scene. He said, nonchalantly matter-of-factly, "Oh, let's get a gown on you." He found a gown and helped me put it on. No big deal, no incident, nothing.
Second time, there was a gown left out in plain view. I put it on. Whatever.
Keep in mind, it was several years between each of these. Different nurses each time.
The third time, there were two female nurses. VERY uptight. Humorless. Very tense. Stressful.
They made a big deal about the gown. Waving it around. Deliberately setting it down in plain view. Explaining that the opening goes in the back. "Your gown in RIGHT here." Must have told me three times to put it on. They left, I stripped and put the grown on. Whatever.
They are always trying to put socks on my feet. I have to refuse repeatedly. No problem that I arrive barefoot and leave barefoot, but they want me to have socks on while I'm up on the gurney. Makes no sense.
I also have to refuse sedation at least a dozen times. Everyone wants to sedate me for a procedure that takes less time than a routine dental cleaning and is much less of a bother. If you get sedated, that's totally ok with me, none of my concern, but I don't see the point in it.
They do put in an IV line just in case -- but they never hook anything up to it.
During the procedure, your ass is hanging out -- obviously. I'm guessing that's an issue for textiles and that's why so many of them get sedated for an uncomplicated, simple, painless, 20-minute procedure. And they miss the fascinating cave exploration movie.
ReactReply - TD
Tom DDec 6, 2021I get sedated because I really don't want to be awake when a tube is being pushed up my butt and taking pictures.
ReactReply - PAPaulDec 6, 2021
It's considerably less of an ordeal than getting your teeth cleaned. The "hose" is not even half an inch in diameter.
If you do not get sedated, then when the procedure is over, you just get dressed and go on about your business. No prolonged stay while you come out of sedation. No need to have someone drive you home. No activity restrictions for 24 hours. Nothing. Except for having to get dressed, it's just like walking out of a dental office after a dental cleaning.
Some insurance companies have already begun refusing to pay for sedation for a routine colonoscopy unless there is some specific medical justification for it.
ReactReply - GOGordy57Dec 6, 2021
I agree, cool cave video ;-)
The first time I had sedation, I was so far under I was almost 4 hours late departing the hospital and brain not functioning normally for 2 days after. When I finally came to the nurses looked terrified. I found out later from Mom (Docs agree) it may be hereditary because my Dad had issues with sedation also. I told the VA docs about it with documentation of what I was given, they cut the dose way back saying they could give me more if needed. I remained conscious through the procedure. There was some discomfort and minor brief pain, But as you said I have suffered worse at the dentist.
I had a couple small polyps, it was cool how they removed them. Lay a hoop over it them grab the polyp with the suction tube, pull a bit and tighten the hoop and apply electricity to heat it up and burn the polyp off, the polyp disappears down the suction tube.
ReactReply - J.
J.Dec 6, 2021Not sure how this thread progressed from Dermatologist visits to Colonoscopies, but that is a topic I know quite a bit about since I am coming up on my 20th one next year. I do get sedated for mine, but not anesthetized. The sedation is fully reversible with a second injection and you wake up while still in the exam room. Anesthesia puts you fully out and I can see why you wouldnt want that for something as simple as a Colonoscopy. Only one time I was awake for part of the procedure and got to watch the movie as the tube was on its way back out. I think that was the same visit where I was asked if it was okay for trainees to observe the procedure. Three or four female interns or nurse trainees stood in the corner and watched. I am given two gowns. The inner one is worn with the opening in the back and then an outer one worn more like a bathrobe over it until just before we head into the exam room.
Mrs. J&C does pick me up so I dont have to drive home, but Im fine to walk out and spend the rest of the day at home (not allowed to go to work after being sedated). Mrs. J&C will be getting her first one this year so Ill get to be the one who comes in to pick her up after the procedure.
Getting back to Dermatologist visits, I just had my bi-annual exam and didnt know to ask about a full body exam. I had a skin tag removed and was told to come back next year rather than waiting 2, so I guess I will ask if I should get the full body exam when I set up the appointment.
ReactReply - SA
Stone AndyDec 6, 2021This has a been a wonderful thread as it continues on its own positive energy meandering from skin tags to autism spectrum to tubes up ones' ass and proctologists' anesthesia. I appreciate everyone's wisdom and insight.
I'm no doctor and labels mean little to me. Some who are reading may have the background to make qualified diagnosis of others, but no one can do so without offering a full examination. That's why asking questions and sharing experiences has worked so well in maintaining civility and dialogue.
My 17 year old son who is nudist-friendly has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum, but the psychiatrists didn't all settle on that diagnosis among themselves. They did agreed on something called oppositional defiance disorder. If you put that in layman's terms regarding singing pigs it means: 1) you can't get a pig to sing 2) it annoys the hell out of them 3) the freedom of nudity and the nonjudgmental demeanor of nudists can be transformational 4) people only change on their own terms 5) it's that time of year for my son to sing Joy to the goddamned world, so bring out the roast beast!And what happened then?
Well in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light
And he brought back the toys! And the food and the feast!
And he
HE HIMSELF!
The Grinch carved the roast beast!ReactReply - TDTom DDec 6, 2021[quote] Getting back to Dermatologist visits, I just had my bi-annual exam and didnt know to ask about a full body exam. I had a skin tag removed and was told to come back next year rather than waiting 2, so I guess I will ask if I should get the full body exam when I set up the appointment.[/quote] Were you nude during the entire exam or did you have some cover that the doctor removed or pulled aside?ReactReply
- LA
Lakeman221Dec 6, 2021No I did not.
ReactReply - TDTom DDec 6, 2021[quote]No I did not.[/quote] Does he check your complete body anyway, including the area where most people don't get sun?ReactReply
- PAPaulDec 6, 2021I know this was directed at someone else, but the first dermatologist I saw really only looked at my face and back. Everything else was covered by the paper gown and she just barely peeked under the gown.[quote]Were you nude during the entire exam or did you have some cover that the doctor removed or pulled aside?[/quote]ReactReply
- LALakeman221Dec 7, 2021[quote]No I did not. Does he check your complete body anyway, including the area where most people don't get sun?[/quote] Not all dermatologists are male. I was only there for a spot on my arm that my GP was concerned about, so no she did not.ReactReply
- PAPaulDec 7, 2021Based on this discussion, it would seem, in fact, that most dermatologists are women.[quote]Not all dermatologists are male.[/quote]ReactReply
- TDTom DDec 7, 2021[quote]No I did not.Does he check your complete body anyway, including the area where most people don't get sun? Not all dermatologists are male. I was only there for a spot on my arm that my GP was concerned about, so no she did not.[/quote] Do you ever get full body exams from a dermatologist?ReactReply
- GOGordy57Dec 7, 2021[quote]Not sure how this thread progressed from Dermatologist visits to Colonoscopies, [/quote] That would be my fault ;-) I have not been to a dermatologist yet. But wanted to comment on up tight medical personnel, others had mentioned ;-) So told the story just to for context of my experience. And maybe those who haven't gone thru this yet, might find it useful as to what to expect.ReactReply
- PAPaulDec 9, 2021And it's perfectly reasonable explore related topics and tangents. It happens in normal conversation all the time.[quote]Not sure how this thread progressed from Dermatologist visits to Colonoscopies, That would be my fault ;-) I have not been to a dermatologist yet. But wanted to comment on up tight medical personnel, others had mentioned ;-) So told the story just to for context of my experience. And maybe those who haven't gone thru this yet, might find it useful as to what to expect.[/quote]ReactReply
- J
JDec 18, 2021I go to a VA dermatologist that I used to work on weekend with in military. He knows I am a nudists as I told him when he was going to start being my dermatologist. I dont have to wear a gown when he performs the full body check. He even has had a few interns come in as he knows I am am open and professional about my nudism as only a portion of my life.
ReactReply - JJDec 18, 2021
I go to a VA dermatologist that I used to work on weekend with in military. He knows I am a nudists as I told him when he was going to start being my dermatologist. I dont have to wear a gown when he performs the full body check. He even has had a few interns come in as he knows I am am open and professional about my nudism as only a portion of my life.
ReactReply - JJDec 18, 2021
I go to a VA dermatologist that I used to work on weekend with in military. He knows I am a nudists as I told him when he was going to start being my dermatologist. I dont have to wear a gown when he performs the full body check. He even has had a few interns come in as he knows I am am open and professional about my nudism as only a portion of my life.
ReactReply