POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: next2u on September 01, 2011, 01:23:06 am
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as much as i hate to talk about it i have to today. i am co-infected with hpv. i found out a week or two ago that the abnormal external growths were not cancerous.
the dr was pretty much done at this time. like some of us have had to learn if we feel something isn't right we must press forward. i requested a colonoscopy. that was sheer hell. i got the partial one today and they did not use any sedatives. mind you, my gastro dr referred me to a derm. i then went back to the gastro dr and insisted on an exam. i am a gay man afterall.
so after all is said and done he finds something. he tells me he cannot remove them and i will have to be referred to yet another dr, a colorectal surgeon. yikes!!! needless to say im scared shitless and don't know what to do or what to expect.
i don't know how invasive the procedure will be, what the downtime will be or how effective it will be. i dont know how serious my case is or if i have alternatives. all i know is i have read the stories of others on here and i am scared. and i dont have anyone i will talk to about this either. that fucking sucks too but i understand it is a choice.
like watching all those people at the gasto unit with their loved ones and me being there by myself again. whatever. ill throw myself a vodka laden pity party later.
for now i have to ask for your help. where can i find more information about the procedure? i stopped a while ago after reading about cutting open a person's abdomen and nearly started bawling.
best,
d
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I've never heard of a "partial" colonoscopy before.... Perhaps he performed an anoscopy, which examines your internal anus, not your colon? I don't quite understand your situation, so perhaps you can clarify. Is the "something" and the "them" you refer to in your colon or in your anus? Didn't the doctor give"them" a more specific name? If not, can you ask him to be more specific about what he found? There is a difference betwen removing polyps from the colon and removing internal warts and/or dysplasia from the anal canal. Don't work yourself into a frenzy until a more definitive diagnosis, or a more defining tentative diagnosis, is made available.
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I had a sigmoidoscopy. It revealed internal hpv warts/growths. I had the external ones removed about a month ago and biopsied by a dermatologist. The polyps are in the lower part of my rectum and we believe they are non cancerous based on the lab results from last month.
The gastroenterologist who examined me yesterday was not able to remove them and he will refer me to a colorectal surgeon to have the polyps removed.
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I would have just gone to a colorectal surgeon to begin with. This route you were sent on is strange.
I see my colorectal master in two weeks :P
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its my hmo. not really gay oriented. i was my gp's first hiv case. he sent me to the gastro dr without examining me. the gastro dr referred me to the derm without examining me. the derm removed what he saw and thought it was good. i pressed forward and got the other dr involved. the derm and gastro decided i needed to see a colorectal specialist.
this is why i need a dr with more gay/poz patients. only prob is my id dr is booked for about 2 1/2 months in advance.
this fucked little dance has been going on for months. the appt to see the derm was 2 and 1/2 months down the road to begin with.
i don't know how long it will be until i see the colorectal surgeon.
best,
d
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I am so, so, so glad I am a girl, and promise to never complain about my pap smear again ;D
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We missed you in Seattle. maybe next time.
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Yea...I have my consultation today with the colorectal surgeon. Strange thing to be happy about. I just want this to be over and to move on with the other things that have been vexing me. What questions should I ask him/her when we meet? I've come up with a few...do you think they are appropriate?
How invasive will the surgery be? What are my removal options? Will recovery be painful? What is the typical recovery time. What are the chances of the little fuckers coming back after this procedure?
Also, I had to call the gastroenterologist and pester them to get this appt setup. I need to really look into getting a advocate from my aso, this is ridiculous.
Best,
d
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I saw the title and was ready to report you for violation of the new way of working around here! But then I saw the detail....damn details. Not sure about your specific butt surgery but mine was a bitch. Be afraid. Be very afraid. I took, I think, two weeks off from work and the first few days were very painful....as in the most pain I have every felt in my life (but then this is coming from someone who hasn't had much happen to him, no broken bones or such). Pain maintenance was good but then had became too reliant on them and took too many, leading to a hospital trip. Not sure if this helps (likely not) but there you go, mister.
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I saw the title and was ready to report you for violation of the new way of working around here! But then I saw the detail....damn details. Not sure about your specific butt surgery but mine was a bitch. Be afraid. Be very afraid. I took, I think, two weeks off from work and the first few days were very painful....as in the most pain I have every felt in my life (but then this is coming from someone who hasn't had much happen to him, no broken bones or such). Pain maintenance was good but then had became too reliant on them and took too many, leading to a hospital trip. Not sure if this helps (likely not) but there you go, mister.
If men had babies, the human race would have died out years ago. Talk about pain!
D, just get what needs to be done, done. You'll get through it ok. A bit of transient pain is better than anal cancer.
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just met my surgeon. omg...what a gem & gentleman. he had me so calm and jumped right into our consultation. he started talking about all his hiv poz patients and how he's done the procedure more than a hundred times this year and how gay men's health needs more everything.
and his office boy was hot...little blond with a faux hawk ;). it was kinda awkward at first but i knew why i was there.
he answered ALL my questions and recommended a yearly pap, that i get Gardasil (i started loving him right there) and then he had me disrobe.
he put a finger up my love canal and then got the scope out. he told me to hold my breath, placed the anoscopy device against me and then stopped. he reassessed the situation and decided he needed a smaller device! (im not the hoe you girls think i am...). i wish the dr that had given me my last exam would have done so, that shit burned something mighty fierce.
so he found what he was looking for. ill be in surgery in the near future.
and yes cliff, he told me it would hurt something pretty fierce and that i'd be in a great amount of pain. im not looking forward to it but i am looking forward to it being over with.
thank you too ann.
best,
d
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(im not the hoe you girls think i am...)
Puh-leeeeeze girlfriend, do your kegels and you can still be tight no matter how often your love canal is being navigated.
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omg...that is even one more reason why it is oh soo good to know you!!!!
best,
d
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omg...that is even one more reason why it is oh soo good to know you!!!!
best,
d
You bet, sweetie. I'm a virtual compendium of sexual knowledge. ;)
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As I had the opportunity/horror to witness at the gym today, kegel excersizes are as important as deadlift squats. What has been seen/shat, cannot be unseen/shat.
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I love that your doctor is well versed in gay men's health and treating those who are HIV+ it sounds like he is a great doctor.
I also like that he recommended Guardasil. Sounds like you are in good hands. I have an appointment to get a high Rez anoscopy in a bit and hope my appointment goes as smoothly as yours did. Let us know how it all plays out.
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do your kegels and you can still be tight no matter how often your love canal is being navigated.
^Yippee! Look P! ^
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As I had the opportunity/horror to witness at the gym today, kegel excersizes are as important as deadlift squats. What has been seen/shat, cannot be unseen/shat.
I'm afraid to ask ---- but what is a kegel? And can you get one at a NY Deli? Or is it what they call a large vat of beer in Germany?
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I'm kegaling right now ;D
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I'm confused why a doctor is giving someone that already has HPV Gardasil. Did I miss the memo?
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I'm kegaling right now ;D
me too.
one and two and three and hold.
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I'm confused why a doctor is giving someone that already has HPV Gardasil. Did I miss the memo?
I'm confused by that as well, Miss P. Next is too old for the vaccination to do any good. HPV is so ubiquitous in the gay community that infection occurs almost immediately upon the beginning of sexual activity. Gardasil in this case would be off-label as well; no insurance company will pay for it for the reason already stated. The cut-off age is 26 (and should probably be much, much lower). If it isn't administered pre-puberty, it's useless.
so he found what he was looking for.
d
What was he looking for? Internal warts or pre-cancerous dysplasia?
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I'm confused why a doctor is giving someone that already has HPV Gardasil. Did I miss the memo?
because it protects against strains of hpv i may not have. my biopsies have revealed that the growths are non cancerous. the dr assumes ill be having more buttsex and that having the vaccination can't do too much harm.
edfu:
also, 26 is a threshold. thresholds and guidelines change over time and my doc recommends it. ive had sex but i havent had a great deal of unprotected anal sex. if getting this vaccination prevents more warts or cancer then im all for it. dr also said a lot of what goes on down below is still unknown and understudied, especially when it comes to gay men's butts, hiv and hpv. the gardasil website also says there is potential for sexually active people who haven't been exposed to all the strains it covers.
best,
d
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Regarding the guardasil usage. One of the main HIV practices here in Seattle advocates that ALL HIV+ individuals get vaccinated with guardasil. They have blogged about it frequently on their website at www.capitolhillmedical.com
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Also, since this will be happening pretty soon does anyone have any post care advice? I called my boss and will be taking time off from work. Anything else?
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Also, since this will be happening pretty soon does anyone have any post care advice? I called my boss and will be taking time off from work. Anything else?
I had this surgery this Spring and wasn't ready for the recovery. The surgery was a piece of cake. If you want practical advice, I'll give it to you.
You lose a lot of humility and result to everything that eases the pain. I'll pm my recommendations if you're interested.
Wolfie
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Have someone around that can help you if needed. Warm/hot baths will be your very best friend (more on that later).
Don't be shocked if there is lots of blood during bowel movements in the few days after your procedure.
Get the pain med script filled and don't hesitate to take them, as they will help you rest and heal! However don't overdo it as it tends to make you constipated which makes BMs even worse! I think the dosage was every 4 to 6 hours, which I think I started being too aggressive about (like every 3 and half to 4 hours) to help with the pain, but that made me constipated, nausea, dizzy and nervous (not good at all). So be careful.
I found the pain was manageable, especially with the vicodin. However what was extremely painful were bowel movements, even several days after the procedure. I tried (very hard) to avoid going to the toilet it was that bad! However, I found that I could get through it by screaming/grunting and once done jumping straight into a warm/hot bath (so start running your bath before you begin the BM)!
Know that the pain will soon subside and you'll be back to your oldself again (hoe or not). Good luck next, you'll be fine.
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thanks cliff. what about those sitz baths, is that what they are called?
i am sure i am consciously blocking all of this and just going through the motions. may this be over soon and i hope not to return to my former hoey self, lol.
best,
d
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Cliff beat me to it, but here are some of my suggestions:
*Get over-the-counter Dulcolax stool-softener gel pills.
*Use over-the-counter Ciitrucel, a powder mixed with water, for a drink that provides fiber and promotes regularity. The last thing you want is to become constipated and have to pass a hard stool. Most pain medications your doctor will hopefully prescribe can cause constipation, so you have to counteract that side effect. Begin both of these before the procedure, since the first bowel movement after the procedure will be the worst. The fear of having a post-procedure bowel movement will also contribute to the possibility of constipation.
*Soak in a bathtub with hot water several times a day for pain. It can be more effective than any pain medication.
*Get some Depends. There may be some bleeding, and the Dulcolax may cause some leakage. It's difficult to adjust the Dulcolax for optimum effect without "accidents."
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thanks cliff. what about those sitz baths, is that what they are called?
I didn't use/have a sitz bath...just a regular old bathtub filled with very warm water, so warm that it was near uncomfortable yet not hot enough to burn. And Ed is right, Dulcolax will be your other best friend.
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OK, I was afraid of being too graphic but now I see it's ok to post these things...lol
Be prepared for lots of "accidents" Spread several layers of old towells over the area you plan to spend at least a week.
I was almost crying with my first hard BM. I then discovered it hurt less to take the sitz pan and fill half way with hot hot water and do my business in it. Sounds gross, but you'll see.
Stick with soups and broths for a couple of days. For BM purposes.
Never thought I'd admit this, but femine pads are good when you finally start feeling the motivation to walk. I found out the wrong way. Thought I was ok to walk the dog until I got 50 yards from the house and...well you guessed.
Have your laptop close enough to your bed so you can bitch and vent to anybody who hasn't temporarily blocked you.
I was given a prescription for pain pills that I almost didn't have filled. I've never needed them for any of the massive procedures I've had done. This time, they were my freaking best friend. The one time I was glad that wine intensified their affect. BTW, any alcohol is bad, bad, bad. Yeah, learned that one the hard way too after I was mostly healed.
Hopefully, you have somebody to be an assistant. I would logon to FB to tell my mom down the hall what I needed.
I'm sure there's a lot more, but I can't think what it is.
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Yeah, screw the sitz bath. Not needed. As Cliff says, just a regular old bathtub with warm to hot water, as warm/hot as is still comfortable.
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Awww man Dee, that sucks. My mama, bless her soul, use to say if you piss on a wart it will go away. I told Lori Bednarski this in the 5th grade and got 3 days indoor suspension for it for some reason. It also works on grass stains. :)
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thanks edfu and cliff,
even though i am officially scared shitless i am sure i will survive. i wish someone from the forum lived closer. wait, i know of a friend or two from here i can confide in. i still haven't told any of my people about this. funny, they know about the hiv but not about the hpv...
so, ill be doing this alone as well. hmm, its about time to open that closet and get a friend. i have a nephew that could help but i don't want him to see me as anything less than how he currently sees me. uggh, that old specter of weakness and disease rears its ugly head.
hmm, i have two people i will ask and ill pick up that stuff too.
best,
and thanks a ton.
-d
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It should be pointed out that not everyone will have the same post-procedure problems, as is the norm for most medical issues. Much depends also on what exactly is done and how.
For instance, my last time I had four dysplasia lesions removed via electrocautery. I didn't have horrific pain afterward, and I took my hydrocodone for only one day. I didn't want to exacerbate the constipation problem, and my bathtub soaks were sufficient for pain relief. I also didn't need any assistance. The Depends worked for bleeding and leakage, and I didn't have to worry about staining anything. The Dulcolax and Citrucel worked so that my first bowel movement was only mildly traumatic, although there was a lot of blood.
The main problem I had was prostate-related, although my doctor (he was a jerk, I must admit) denied that it was related to his surgery. I felt the urge to pee every ten minutes for several days afterward. However, when I went to the toilet, I was lucky if two drops appeared. I tried to ignore the urge after a while, but it was so strong that I had no choice but to go and pee two drops (and I would so sitting down :o).
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The OP asked what to expect. It's no different than when someone starts drug therapy. Not everyone will have every issue but it's best to be prepared. If you prepare for the worse case scenario, then anything less than that is a benefit.
I've had this procedure done twice and I was lax in my preparations because the first one wasn't much of an issue. Every situation and person is different. It's always best to be preapred.
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My experience wasn't as extreme as many have painted here.
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After dr lee removed his finger from my butt (I must admit that man had good technique, I think he is gay) he said surgery would be painful and he advised that I take two to three weeks off from work. He also mentioned I had them in two places and then casually mentioned I had hemrhoids.
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He also mentioned I had them in two places and then casually mentioned I had hemrhoids.
i had the surgery, used no pain pills (though I did soak in the tub quite a bit) and had a few days with guaze in my underwear until the outside areas healed up some. by week 3, everything was healed up and all nice and shiny new. LOL at the check up, my doc mentioned the Hemorrhoids too but said he couldn't have done anything then because I was drugged up and hadn't given permission for that surgery.
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D, it wouldn't hurt to get yourself some baby-wipes too. Much more comfortable than using regular (or even a really soft) toilet paper. Pamper that rosebud! ;)
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got my bloodwork done today. also got my appt for surgery. next thursday my ass will be fixed...lol
best,
d
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next thursday my ass will be fixed...lol
d
Nothing like a 100k mile tune-up ;D
-WIll
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I saw the insides of my asshole on a video monitor this afternoon, courtesy of Dr. Butcher of Wyndmoor, PA. Biopsy results in one week. HOPE I DON'T DIE.
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omg, they didnt knock you out. that must have been painful :/
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For a biopsy? No, it just feels like a one second pinch? What the hell is your doctor doing to you over there?
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@ miss p - he is torturing me. i had that sigmoidoscopy without anesthesia.
wish me luck. i turn in my letter to my employer tomorrow. tomorrow will also be my last day of work for up to two weeks. my appt is scheduled for thursday morning. i have arranged my ride, signed all the paperwork and my apt is almost clean.
all i need are the baby wipes and to be brave. i wish the dr would have let me fill out the pain script before seeing him for the procedure. that way the pain pills would be here for me when i got home :/. well, i could ask him to write it tomorrow!
thanks all for your support. i'll post again after the procedure.
best,
d
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Good luck! Keep us posted.
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Sorry, this post has gone on so long I'm not confident that what other doctors are doing to their patients is what is being done by my doctor -- for example in therms of HRA ability, when in fact they're using NON-HRA, just plain anoscopies. It's all unclear to me in this thread, most because a proper biopsy after an HRA should not require anesthesia.
Then there's the anal wart vs. dysplasia issues that I'm not sure patients here understand the difference, much less the doctors. And this is all part of the fact that there aren't proper protocals fully a decade later on the proper treatment of this issue in MSM patients.
There are so many red flags in this thread, and other threads like it, that I don't know even how to comment. Much of which patients haven't even educated themselves on these issues to know if they are seeing the appropriate doctor that deals primarily with MSM patients.
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Im home and waiting for the pain to kick in. Surgery was a success and I have a follow up in 2 weeks. So far so good. My nephew is here with with me just making sure im good :).
When did the pain kick in for the rest of you?
Ann - I got the baby wipes, thanks again. I also got the stool softener
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My doctor phoned me today to say my two biopsies were not worrisome and I don't need to go back for six months.
ps: I'm still no clear on what next2u had done to him by his doctor -- can you clarify?
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Hope your procedure goes well D, the anticipation of these things is often the worst part. Lots of great advice here regarding post-op care. Be well and hope the pain is minimal for you.
Jody
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things are going along rather nicely. just had my first bm and i didn't cuss or scream at anything. pain, check. back to bed and curled in fetal position, check. back on facebook, check. total duration - less than 5 minutes of praying :). there is a lingering soreness from that first bm but it is a far cry from hell fire. im not going back to work till this goes away though, thats for damn sure. im not immobilized but i am in enough discomfort to not concentrate for 8+ hours at any given task.
ill be back at work sometime this week. i dont need the pain pills, only needed them the first day. guess we caught the buggers early enough.
i will go back for gardasil when i have money, thats for sure. i plan on starting that in november.
thank you all so much for your advice. if i have to go back and have this done in the future (which im sure will happen) i won't be as worried. I'll go as soon as i find out and i'll be more cautious sexually moving forward. thats right, condoms are a girl's best friend.
best,
d
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My doctor phoned me today to say my two biopsies were not worrisome and I don't need to go back for six months.
ps: I'm still no clear on what next2u had done to him by his doctor -- can you clarify?
umm, yeah. the dr went in and gave me a HRA (high resolution anoscopy) and he fulgurated the growths he came across. he did not mention dysplasia but he said the growths were non cancerous and they would most likely return. the growths were non cancerous, he did not mention lesions and they were caused by hpv. i will get clarification when i see him again in 2 weeks.
it's kinda hard to get info and clarification as well. miss p, why don't you drop some knowledge and clarify for those of us who have had the treatment and for those of us who will be going through the treatment? dysplasia is heavily linked to cancer in all my searches and i was not able to determine if all abnormal growths are dysplasia or if only cancerous (in any stage) growths are dysplasia.
Sorry, this post has gone on so long I'm not confident that what other doctors are doing to their patients is what is being done by my doctor -- for example in therms of HRA ability, when in fact they're using NON-HRA, just plain anoscopies. It's all unclear to me in this thread, most because a proper biopsy after an HRA should not require anesthesia.
Then there's the anal wart vs. dysplasia issues that I'm not sure patients here understand the difference, much less the doctors. And this is all part of the fact that there aren't proper protocols fully a decade later on the proper treatment of this issue in MSM patients.
There are so many red flags in this thread, and other threads like it, that I don't know even how to comment. Much of which patients haven't even educated themselves on these issues to know if they are seeing the appropriate doctor that deals primarily with MSM patients.
the first dr was kind of a douche and he did not perform a HRA, he went in and did a sigmoidoscopy and did not put me under for the procedure. that was painful. this was not an anoscopy. a better protocol would have been beautiful. im thinking of contacting my hospital and voicing concern over this but it may be wasted time as im sure im in in the minority here.
there are a lot of good drs around here that deal with MSMs but that would require a bit more of a journey for me. half of me wants to work with my dr to help him become a better dr through experience because i am his first hiv poz patient and he does what he can. he also cracks me up but is he a little wet behind the ears. the majority of his decisions around my health have been good and ive stuck with him. he also got me in with the only dr we know of that provides medical marijuana scripts to severely ill poz patients (my id dr has been in the field 20+ years).
i should have talked to my id dr about the growths. instead i spoke to my gp. now the 2 drs i saw after my gp were unnecessary but it did lead to the correct dr albeit 6 months and 3 visits later. the colorectal surgeon was amazing. he was very direct and handles clients from all over the palm springs and los angeles area (even san diego) so he has his hands up gay butts on a regular basis. i think he may be a homo himself and he said the same thing you did, there is not enough research or education for gay men's health.
so, i guess if i were to take away things from this experience it would be get to the dr when there is a problem. if you have internal growths (and sometimes you won't know unless you've been there) you should see (or be referred to) a colorectal surgeon first. if there are external growths than they can be removed by the dr or the dermatologist. just get there as soon as you find out and be sure to get checkups!
fuck, im just happy its over and the bms aren't too bad. ill take your stuff one step further and suggest it as a topic for my men's poz group.
and congrats on the news! good news is always welcome, worrying sucks :p
best,
d
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We missed you in Seattle. maybe next time.
i missed the entire group as well. i will attend again in the future :)~. from what ive seen and heard you all had a blast!
best,
d
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I found this info, and it's kinda interesting, I also found a lotta things I didn't know about this subject, I do hope it helps someone out @ least help them understand: If anything it's a very good read :)
http://hab.hrsa.gov/deliverhivaidscare/clinicalguide11/cg-607_anal_dysplasia.html
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the dr went in and gave me a HRA (high resolution anoscopy)
So should I assume that there was a video attached to the anoscopy and you could watch what the doctor was seeing in terms of lesions on a video screen next to the chair/stirrups you were in?
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Next,
I'm glad your recovery post-procedure is relatively mild and not as severe as some experience. I'm particularly glad--though not about the reasons--that you seem willing to be an activist on these issues of anal health in gay men. As I've posted elsewhere on this site before, the extremely high rate of anal cancer will, I believe, increase even more and become a major problem for HIV+ gay men, what with the extended life spans and the simultaneous accelerated aging that is now occurring because of HAART and/or HIV itself. That there still is no standardized medical protocol for all of this, that more GPs and IDs do not perform anal pap smears or believe in their usefulness, and that it is so extremely difficult to find colorectal specialists who are familiar with these issues and perform high-resolution anoscopies, remains a major scandal, in my opinion. We must fight to overcome these problems, just like in the early days of the HIV pandemic it was PWA's like Michael Callen and doctors like Joe Sonnabend who fought the F.D.A. to standardize the use of Bactrim as a PCP prophylaxis over the somewhat useless aerosolized pentamidine.
However, I must admit that I remain as puzzled as Miss P about your particular problem(s) and what your doctor has done.
You've talked about warts, dysplasia, and even hemorrhoids. Now, when you talk about the "growths" he fulgurated, what exactly were they? Perhaps you could ask him specifically when next you see him. Dysplasias are, indeed, abnormal cell growths that are commonly referred to as lesions. They are PRE-cancerous and MAY become cancerous. Dysplasias are classified as minor, moderate, or severe. It is generally agreed that severe dysplasias should be destroyed. It is still a matter of debate whether minor or moderate dysplasias should be destroyed or just followed by further additional HRAs. (The accelerated-aging problem, though, is anecdotally causing an extremely rapid progression, much faster than regularly seen, from minor and moderate to severe amongst HIV+ gay men.)
What really baffles me even more now is your statement that "he said the growths were non cancerous." I would suggest you also ask him about this, because the only way he could determine this would be by having a biopsy done of some of the tissue he fulgurated. The tissue would have to be sent to a pathology lab, and the biopsy would not normally be completed while the anoscope was inserted and you were anesthetized. It usually takes a week or so for biopsy results. Once again, though, "non cancerous" does NOT mean the samples could not be PRE-cancerous. And the all-important dysplasia classification of mild, moderate, or severe can be determined only via biopsy.
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With ever tightening bottom clenching I have finally read the whole thread. It is a very useful, important piece , I wish I had had the equivalent before chemo etc , so thanks Next and all who contributed . I am sending get well big time thoughts to you, Next .
t
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So should I assume that there was a video attached to the anoscopy and you could watch what the doctor was seeing in terms of lesions on a video screen next to the chair/stirrups you were in?
i dunno. ill get all the facts straight at my next check up. the colorectal specialist said he was going to do a HRA and he put something up my butt before he did this also (2 separate visits). There was not a screen in the room but he did see something and it was not as painful as the procedure before.
when i met with the gastroeneterologist i was able to see up my butt (not something i particularly enjoyed seeing as it was accompanied with a lot of pain as he filled my bum with air) because the device he was using during my sigmoidoscopy was hooked up to the monitor.
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What really baffles me even more now is your statement that "he said the growths were non cancerous." I would suggest you also ask him about this, because the only way he could determine this would be by having a biopsy done of some of the tissue he fulgurated. The tissue would have to be sent to a pathology lab, and the biopsy would not normally be completed while the anoscope was inserted and you were anesthetized. It usually takes a week or so for biopsy results. Once again, though, "non cancerous" does NOT mean the samples could not be PRE-cancerous. And the all-important dysplasia classification of mild, moderate, or severe can be determined only via biopsy.
when i saw the dermatologist he had the growths he removed biopsied. the results were non-cancerous. I will get clarification as well. I'm not sure if the colorectal surgeon had biopsies ordered as well but i will find out and follow up accordingly.
best,
d
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pain update.
so the day after the procedure the agony was gone. what i hadn't wrapped my pea-sized brain around was the daily reoccurring pain from the bms (bowel movements). everyday they are becoming less and less severe. its kind of a dull general pain, more discomfort than pain, that can last for an hour or 2 after the bm. immediately after the bm i head to my bedroom and assume the fetal position.
after 5-15 minutes things return to normal and i have this dull accompanying pain/discomfort for an hour or two.
but lets talk about today's discovery and the importance of healthy eating during recovery. so, last night i had a craving for shit food from a gas station. this morning i had diarrhea. Not the bad stuff fueled by med nightmares, just 2 additional trips to the john. what this meant was a lot of pain come bm number three. too many bms in a short period of time are murder. on the third bm i was clutching the toilet paper roll about to rediscover religion.
the duration of the dull pain has also been longer because of the amount of times my rectum had shit passed through it.
cheers,
d
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i dunno. ill get all the facts straight at my next check up. the colorectal specialist said he was going to do a HRA and he put something up my butt before he did this also (2 separate visits). There was not a screen in the room but he did see something and it was not as painful as the procedure before.
when i met with the gastroeneterologist i was able to see up my butt (not something i particularly enjoyed seeing as it was accompanied with a lot of pain as he filled my bum with air) because the device he was using during my sigmoidoscopy was hooked up to the monitor.
Sounds like a regular anoscopy then, not a HRA. I hate to be a pessimist with you, but either you're not clear on everything going on with this doctor or the doctor isn't clear... or something. I don't even know what you're referring to by "growths" -- are discussing anal dysplasia or something different? Anal dysplasia is a lesion, not a growth.
Also, who the fuck eats food from gas stations?
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and the update.
meet with the surgeon today. that guy is pretty awesome. he answered the door and had me wait for a moment. then he took me to the back and reviewed my lab results with me and answered my questions. he spent damn near an hour with me and get this, i didn't have an appointment!!!!
i had low grade dysplasia (aka the growths). it was caused by hpv and was benign. he said the condyloma was removed by surgery and that the surgery involved cauterization. during my first office visit he gave me an anoscopy and when i was under anesthesia during surgery he gave me an hra.
he recommends a yearly anoscopy, a hra every 5 years and that i get vaccinated with gardasil.
best,
d
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i don't think my insurance company approved my vaccination with gardasil but when i went to my dr's office today to get my flu shot they had two syringes for me, one with a flu vaccination and the other was gardasil. guess i have to see how much they will charge me and hopefully get my insurance company to pay a portion of it.
so, my colorectal surgeon, nurse and gp have recommended it.
best,
d
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Also, who the fuck eats food from gas stations?
Nachos from EXXON..mmmmmmm. ;D
-W
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and my two copays for this procedure have come to just under $1000. talk about a slap in the face and a pain in the ass. i have to look for other health insurance options.
i dunno, when i was hospitalized after the heart episode a few years back i only paid $700 out of pocket for a two day stay and the tab was $26,000. i was at the hospital getting these buggers rotor-rooted out and i think it came to $3000 and im paying $1000 out of pocket.
i know my plan has changed but fuck :-[. i guess that'll be another week of deciphering medical records and picking out a new plan for 2013 (enrollment and changes for health plans for 2012 have already passed).
:-\
best,
d
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Oops, should have logged in earlier. I've posted a few times about this, but I'm still surprised so many HPV/HIV+ men are treated with surgery for this. Infrared Coagulation is far less invasive and usually less painful:
IRC is a very simple and effective procedure to treat mild to moderate cases of anal dysplasia or warts of the anal canal. The procedure takes place in our office and has minimal discomfort to you. This procedure is done using High Resolution Anoscopy only after the diagnosis of dysplasia and or warts have been confirmed.
http://www.oicorlando.com/anal-dysplasia.html
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"IRC is a very simple and effective procedure to treat mild to moderate cases of anal dysplasia or warts of the anal canal. The procedure takes place in our office and has minimal discomfort to you. This procedure is done using High Resolution Anoscopy only after the diagnosis of dysplasia and or warts have been confirmed."
http://www.oicorlando.com/anal-dysplasia.html
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All-RIGHT! The incomparable Dr. Edwin DeJesus, who has appeared on this site before, in 2008 ;):
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=21403.0
How fortunate you are to be able to be subject to his kind ministrations, and that his medical practice is so completely aware of what needs to be done regarding anal dysplasia for the HIV+. Would that every HIV practice in the U.S. were so competent.
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All-RIGHT! The incomparable Dr. Edwin DeJesus, who has appeared on this site before, in 2008 ;):
He's porked up a bit over the past several years, don't you think? Workin' that pernil and red beans diet, fo' sure.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/OrlandoImmunologyCenter_DrEdwinDeJesus.jpg)
Still, if anyone in Orlando needs a doctor that's where he's practicing currently. Can't find him on facebook, unlike Frank (https://www.facebook.com/frankspinellimd) who we all know gets around (https://twitter.com/#!/spinellimd). Seriously girl, what is this look she's trying to work? So not featured!
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/194753_10150333364691157_659266156_8521074_495266360_o.jpg)
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Please. What's a few pounds? He still looks fine to me.
And Frank, according to his blog, just LOVES Halloween (like quite a few others on this very site):
http://spinellimd.wordpress.com/
(You'll note I had a recent exchange with him there about the HPV vaccine.)
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Please. What's a few pounds? He still looks fine to me.
And Frank, according to his blog, just LOVES Halloween (like quite a few others on this very site):
http://spinellimd.wordpress.com/
(You'll note I had a recent exchange with him there about the HPV vaccine.)
I just read your comment regarding his post. I've also still not seen a proper explanation regarding this year's "trend" about recommending Gardasil to HIV+ men that are already infected with the strains of HPV that this vaccine protects. It's redundant and a waste of money as far as I can see. Where are the studies showing any beneficial outcome? Frank's just a general internist anyway.
I will pick my colorectal specialist's brain about this topic during my next visit. He's also friends with my specialist I had when I lived in NYC, who I know participated in the Gardasil trials so I want to know his opinion as well. As far as I know Dr. Joel Palefsky, UCSF, that's done so much with this topic says it has zero benefit for men already infected with those four strains. The issue for such patients isn't prevention itself (obviously), but lessening any recurrence of dysplasia.
Frankly this would be an appropriate subject for Poz.com to explore.
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BREAKING NEWS
See my new post about the NEJM 10/27/11 Gardasil study among gay men, which I decided to put under "Off Topic." This is the study you referred to, Miss P. Dr. Palefsky seems to have changed his mind!
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He's porked up a bit over the past several years, don't you think? Workin' that pernil and red beans diet, fo' sure.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/OrlandoImmunologyCenter_DrEdwinDeJesus.jpg)
Love Handles, Woof!
GROWLER
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Love Handles, Woof!
GROWLER
Ah, another in a long conga line of obesity loving cocksuckers, I presume?
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Ah, another in a long conga line of obesity loving cocksuckers, I presume?
No one wants a thin bear :(
GROWLER
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No one wants a thin bear :(
GROWLER
I love a lanky, hairy guy -- preferably Jewish and nerdy.
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I love a lanky, hairy guy -- preferably Jewish and nerdy.
Watch out Jody, Miss P's gonna get ya!
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I love a lanky, hairy guy -- preferably Jewish and nerdy.
I've never had Kosher before, sounds Yummy!
But I understand you can't mix meat and dairy, so does that mean I shouldn't swallow?
GROWLER (Who's too polite to spit)
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So, I had a little follow up procedure this last Friday. The little fuckers wont stay away this time! So, I've been in a shitload of pain and I finally figured out why yesterday. I have an external hemorrhoid.
My colorectal dr told me during one of my first visits that I had hemorrhoids. I didn't know because they were internal. Fast forward to five days ago. I took the biggest, hardest shit I've taken in YEARS. Like, Lamaze inducing shit fit, thinking about pregnancy and whether women were the stronger sex shit fit and a whole bunch of other anal-centric thoughts that i won't mention.
Less than 48 hours later my colorectal dr is removing two small critters. I go home, have diarrhea and fuck, my ass has been in pain since. It is healing from the removal of the critters (excision and cauterization) and my first external hemorrhoid.
My ass hurts worse than it ever has. I've been laying on my side for two days now fearing bowel movements. This time I needed pain meds and baby wipes (thank you Ann, you are an ass saver).
God, I have to be up for work in 4 hours. My ass is still throbbing and I don't know how to fix it. This sucks. I've been drinking more water and will start eating more fiber.
My dr wants me to start this aldera stuff but now I'm loathe to do anything as my ass appears to be under attack. I haven't bottomed in over a year, what the fuck. Ass, please go back to normal soon, this really sucks.
Any practical advice is appreciated. I'm showering more cause it makes the pain go away and I'm using a triple antibiotic after showering cause the lubrication helps and I've bleed a bit. I'm fearful of infections as well. Will this really take a month to two months to heal? I will ask my dr for more info when I see him for my follow up in two weeks as well.
Regards,
d
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And what the fuck is up with these muscle spasms? Does my sphincter know no mercy!
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(thank you Ann, you are an ass saver).
You're welcome, D. (http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/dash1293_2010/Emoticons/heart.gif)
I've been called a lot of things in my day ( (http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/dash1293_2010/Emoticons/dodgy.gif) sometimes including the word ass), but never an ass saver. (http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/dash1293_2010/Emoticons/019.gif) Guess there's a first time for everything!
I hope this clears up for you ass soon ass passible. (http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/dash1293_2010/Emoticons/1-calin.gif)
If you have to sit a lot at work but don't have one of those doughnut shaped cushions, you may be able to make a reasonable substitute by using two or three strategically placed cushions, or even a couple of rolled up towels. It might make others laugh, but screw them, they're not the ones in pain.
If you don't start feeling better soon, don't take it sitting down - get in touch with your doctor to see what else may be done.
Just be careful with the painkillers - opiate based meds (like codeine) can make you constipated and make things worse for you. It may actually be worth foregoing the painkillers for a day or three if they're making you constipated. Passing rock-hard stools will only hinder the healing process.
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By the way....
All you ever wanted to know about hemorrhoids....
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239454.php
Ray
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And what the fuck is up with these muscle spasms? Does my sphincter know no mercy!
"D" everyone get hemorrhoids, I have an external one on my left side ( as well as a groin muscle pull too) I've had for a week now, it it hurts like a mofo, I'm currently sitting on a pillow as I type this post, I've done a lotta hot-tub-baths, and I'm gonna get rid of this sucker soon ( I hope) Bob keeps laughing @ me the way I'm walking around the house right now :-[
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I see you're taking showers. Are you taking baths to soak? Sorry you're going through all of this D.
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Try to look on the bright side of dark situation?
Its well known that one must sometimes suffer for beauty. You're getting rid of all the invaders and eventually your dude-erus, your bulging ol' brown eye, will be transformed back into a seductive silk man purse, ready for action once again.
I hope it comes soon for you. Keep your mind off it by whatever means possible. You're a hero for taking care of business, at least!
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I'm with Meehie on this one "D" let me put it another way, when it's all said & done, you'll have a pretty ass hole to look at :-*
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Ahh, thanks everyone :). The pain has subsided greatly. Now I have to wait for this external hemorrhoid to disappear. I didn't have as many cursed spasms today either.
Regards,
d
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http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=36786.msg458070#msg458070
Wtf, has anyone here had good results with Aldara? Based on the thread above it seems like it comes with a host of problems. My shit was just removed and I'm not in the mood for anymore butt torture anytime soon.
I'm supposed to start it in 10 days. Is it always painful? My dr hinted that there might be some discomfort but it sounds like there will be great discomfort. He prescribed it to me to prevent another immediate outbreak and to stimulate my immune response down there.
Regards,
d
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http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=36786.msg458070#msg458070
Wtf, has anyone here had good results with Aldara? Based on the thread above it seems like it comes with a host of problems. My shit was just removed and I'm not in the mood for anymore butt torture anytime soon.
I'm supposed to start it in 10 days. Is it always painful? My dr hinted that there might be some discomfort but it sounds like there will be great discomfort. He prescribed it to me to prevent another immediate outbreak and to stimulate my immune response down there.
Regards,
d
It stops them from growing back so you won't have to go through all this again, right? If that's the case seems like an easy answer.
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They can still come back. I think it is supposed to be used for treatment. My dr wants to use it to prevent more from coming. Ass fire for four months does not sound like fun.
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I didn't realize Aldara could be used as a preventative measure. Personally, I'd rather wait til they returned and have them zapped again, rather than use that cream. I had severe burning issues with it.
I had a huge internal roid that was protruding out that had to be surgically removed this past Spring. Of all the BS I've been through, this was by far the worst. I had spinal taps every week for 2 months that felt like a cake walk compared to the recovery of that surgery. They also removed some polyps and highgrade AIN warts.
The first 2 weeks were the worst and then gradually got easier. I just made sure I was never more than a few feet from a restroom. And I ALWAYS started filling the tub with hot water prior to doing my business. I avoided eating because I didn't want to have BM's.
Best wishes.
Wolfie
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Thanks for the info-linky on the hemorrhoids Ray ;) I always get them, but they always go away on their own :D
WOW Greg :( I hope I never have to get any hemorrhoids removed, sure doesn't sound like a walk in the park to me ??? I don't even enjoy anal-sex all that much :-[ maybe once or twice a yr. are during times of lint
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WOW Greg :( I hope I never have to get any hemorrhoids removed, sure doesn't sound like a walk in the park to me ??? I don't even enjoy anal-sex all that much :-[ maybe once or twice a yr. are during times of lint
Not sure what anal sex has to do with it unless someone is penetrating you with a switchblade. ;D
Wolfie
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Not sure what anal sex has to do with it unless someone is penetrating you with a switchblade. ;D
Wolfie
It really doesn't, both Bob & I will do it to each other, just not very often, we've found a lot of other things we can do besides that after all these yrs. guess were not really anal-boys so to speak ;)
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At this point I've decided to forgo the Aldara. I'll tell my doc when I see him again. If they come back within six months or so then I'll go ahead with the next round of removal and dual treatment.