Author Topic: Have you had your HRA yet this year? (Read 27880 times)

Wade · « **Reply #50 on:** September 08, 2014, 11:17:21 am »

My understanding is the pap determines if the HRA is necessary, if results show low or high grade , the pap is followed up with an HRA . I will ask my Doc on Friday to confirm. I usually find out the results of the pap same time as my labs, then go from there. Again this is from my own experience, hope it helps.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #51 on:** September 08, 2014, 11:30:38 am »

Yes, I understand initially as a new patient a PAP indicates that, but once you show irregular cell structure indicating that you need annual anoscopy monitoring is when a PAP appears redundant to me, and like I said my colorectal specialists do not do them. Mind you, I've had a total of three colorectal specialists over the past 11 years.

Wade · « **Reply #52 on:** September 08, 2014, 11:51:38 am »

I am monitored every six months, I think the results of the pap determines how often the HRA is done, if my results were not high grade, and showed no dysplasia I might only have the HRA on a yearly basis.

buginme2 · « **Reply #53 on:** September 08, 2014, 01:39:59 pm »

The clinic I go to does an hra and pap at the same time. I've never had a pap without an hra and vice versa.

I was told paps are not always accurate and neither are hra's. With each there are areas that could be missed.

Wade · « **Reply #54 on:** September 08, 2014, 08:41:59 pm »

Till Friday ......

Wade · « **Reply #55 on:** September 12, 2014, 08:17:57 pm »

Had my HRA today, GOOD NEWS , only had one small spot to be biopsied & treated,
six months ago had two large spots, maybe next six month check up( Pap )will show no dysplasia ,and will have only have to have yearly HRA screenings !
Small spot , small pain in the ass !!

buginme2 · « **Reply #56 on:** September 12, 2014, 08:26:54 pm »

Nice! Sounds like it's going in the right direction. Better to have the small spot be treated then to not have the HRA and not know about it. It took me years to go from consistently testing high grade dysplasia to finally my last screening was clear.

Besides...no one wants ass cancer

Wade · « **Reply #57 on:** September 12, 2014, 08:46:40 pm »

THANKS ! Good to know & congrats , This was my third round of being tested & treated . Doc was pleased, and me too ! He is the first Doc to be so thorough , hope everyone reading this thread insists on a simple pap smear their next lab check up , only takes a minute. ( and a wandering Q-tip )

Rem · « **Reply #58 on:** September 14, 2014, 09:06:26 pm »

My ID specialist did an anal Pap back in May that resulted in low-grade dysplasia. I had to wait for a pre-authorization from my insurance company before I could schedule an HRA. My doctor e-mailed me today to let me know the HRA is scheduled for October 6th. May I ask what exactly I should expect at this appointment? Is it pretty simple?

buginme2 · « **Reply #59 on:** September 14, 2014, 09:49:28 pm »

Super simple

Basically they are looking at your ass with a camera, magnified, in hi-def. They put a vinegar solution on which will highlight areas of dysplasia. If they see an area of dysplasia they may take a small biopsy. The biopsy doesn't hurt. Usually they will put some numbing gel on it then take a small little snip out and send it to the lab. Whole process takes about 30 minutes.

Wade · « **Reply #60 on:** September 15, 2014, 11:13:29 am »

Bugin pretty much covered it , my doc took the biopsy , then did a laser TX on the one spot I had. Little sore the next day, not as bad as you are probably anticipating.
Be well

buginme2 · « **Reply #61 on:** September 15, 2014, 05:05:59 pm »

Yeah bubba is right n. I forgot to mention what the treatments are if you have dysplasia. Toy can have the laser (it's called infra red coagulation). Doesn't hurt, 2 seconds, sizzle, it's gone. They can also put acid on it. Doesn't hurt. And there are some prescription creams they can prescribe that you put on yourself. There is Aldera and 5-FU. Some people have a bad reaction to the Aldera. I didn't but it also didn't work for me. The 5-FU cream for me was absolute hell. I got caught at the Philadelphia airport with my ass inflamed, was horrible.

Rem · « **Reply #62 on:** September 15, 2014, 06:46:56 pm »

That doesn't sound too bad, aside from getting caught in the airport. I appreciate the firsthand experiences.

Slightly awkward question (that I plan on asking the doctor as well), but am I expected to give myself an enema prior to the procedure? It's a midday appointment and I can't exactly excuse myself to the teacher's lounge bathroom with my bottle of lube and enema bulb before I leave work. "Don't mind me, everyone."

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #63 on:** September 16, 2014, 08:48:51 am »

Why would you need an enema? A colorectal doctor doesn't care if he sees a giant turd in your body.

Wade · « **Reply #64 on:** September 16, 2014, 01:59:23 pm »

My HRA was at 3:13 in the afternoon, my doc never suggested it,
or mentioned anything during, so I assume it is not necessary.
I did jokingly tell him I had an egg salad sandwich & side of baked beans for lunch
Wanted to see how big his eyes could get !!

Jeff G · « **Reply #65 on:** September 16, 2014, 04:01:40 pm »

I had a colonoscopy today ... I guess that off topic in this thread but the doctor told me my rectum was pristine and pure .

Wade · « **Reply #66 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:14:10 am »

Would make great Christmas cards !!! LOL
Good News !!

pittman · « **Reply #67 on:** September 18, 2014, 12:10:25 am »

I too do not get the PAP smears, just the HRA. I am guessing based on what others said it may be related to justifying the HRA for insurance, assuming they only do the HRA when the PAP comes back abnormal.

If it's not that, then I couldn't see the reason for it either.

Irish Eyes · « **Reply #68 on:** September 18, 2014, 04:07:52 am »

Quote from: Jeff G on September 16, 2014, 04:01:40 pm

...but the doctor told me my rectum was pristine and pure .

Dream on buddy. Wishfull thinking. NO?

Jeff G · « **Reply #69 on:** September 18, 2014, 08:36:48 am »

Quote from: Irish Eyes on September 18, 2014, 04:07:52 am

Dream on buddy. Wishfull thinking. NO?

I do not have to be seen again for 10 years ... that is what he said .

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #70 on:** September 18, 2014, 08:51:19 am »

I must have colonoscopies every five years because I am a very, very filthy little boy

wolfter · « **Reply #71 on:** September 18, 2014, 08:57:59 am »

I must be a really, really dirty boy as I have to have them every 2 years. I don't mind though after surgery to remove AIN III masses. One of the worst procedures I've ever endured. It had grown into the anus that had to be cut away. Stitched me up tighter than I had been in years.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #72 on:** September 18, 2014, 11:40:12 am »

My previous colorectal specialist wanted them every 3 years after I had my first one in 2012, but when I changed specialists he was willing to go to a 5 year cycle pending review of medical documents from the other doctor. IIRC all I had was 2-3 polyps removed/biopsied all benign, which is typical for our family history.

By the way, I may have mentioned -- both my previous colorectal specialist and my new one do not do HRA's just plain anoscopies. They used to do them, but now believed it was leading to "over-treatment" saying by the time something is high-grade dysplasia it's clearly visible with a normal anoscopy. I think even medium grade ones are. This also allows the procedure to be available to more patients at less cost, though IMO most HIV doctors are still not doing the screening for this that should be done, and this is a subject we've discussed on these forums for almost a decade now.

Jeff G · « **Reply #73 on:** September 18, 2014, 01:01:46 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on September 18, 2014, 11:40:12 am

My previous colorectal specialist wanted them every 3 years after I had my first one in 2012, but when I changed specialists he was willing to go to a 5 year cycle pending review of medical documents from the other doctor. IIRC all I had was 2-3 polyps removed/biopsied all benign, which is typical for our family history.

By the way, I may have mentioned -- both my previous colorectal specialist and my new one do not do HRA's just plain anoscopies. They used to do them, but now believed it was leading to "over-treatment" saying by the time something is high-grade dysplasia it's clearly visible with a normal anoscopy. I think even medium grade ones are. This also allows the procedure to be available to more patients at less cost, though IMO most HIV doctors are still not doing the screening for this that should be done, and this is a subject we've discussed on these forums for almost a decade now.

That is what my docs have been saying all along about the HRA test .

tednlou2 · « **Reply #74 on:** September 24, 2014, 09:16:15 pm »

I saw my colorectal doc this week. He said, because my anal pap came back with no issues, that he doesn't see the need to do an HRA. I was his very first anal pap.

When I first saw him, I explained how I keep hearing we should have them, but I cannot find anyone in town doing them. He asked a nurse about it and she said they have the equipment to do it. So, she showed him how to do it. She seemed to know what she was doing, so I don't imagine they did it wrong. They did the swab and sent it off for results, so I trust the results were good.

After asking all around town for docs doing them, I think I was the first in town to get an anal pap. Well, one performed here in Louisville. He told me to spread the word he can do them, and he would do the same. There's another member on this forum, who lives here in KY, who went to him.

He told me he discussed with the University hospital how he wanted to focus more on gay men health. He said, at first, they were supportive. But, then they changed their tune. He said they wanted him to do more money-making things, like surgery, colonoscopies, etc. So, he will still do anal paps. I guess they just don't want him focusing so much on marketing gay men's health and don't want him attending conferences on gay mens' anal health. That's how I understood what he was saying. That was unfortunate to hear. But, we had another good conversation about the need. He said he was invigorated again to push it.

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Author Topic: Have you had your HRA yet this year? (Read 27880 times)