Question for the Men

[Old Cruser]

I'm directing the question at the men as I'm told this condition mainly affects men.
At 65years old men are to be offered a screening to check and see if they have an 'aortic aneurysm'
My hubby has his test in February.
Whilst at the Royal Hospital today there was a nurse standing by a large board advertising the checks which are available for this condition.
I spoke with her and she told me that it's a condition that men can have but don't know they have it - it can be fatal if left untreated.

I watched the nurse try to engage various 'older men' walking past and ask them if they had had the test - many were not interested.

How many of you will have this done ( it's only ultra sound  scan and they can tell a person on the day the result ) when your letter comes?

[Pete]

I had it done week before last.

I got an appointment sent to me out of the blue because I had just hit 65 years old. I don't like hospitals so I was shitting myself when I went in - but after 5 minutes the guy testing me declared no problemo! Had quite a spring in my step when I went home.

[Pete]

Totally agree - I was one of those guys until a couple of weeks ago.

It's not like I drink and smoke to excess...

[Fly]

I've had the full heart and body check done this last year. I'm fit 
The main thing is, if you have a medical problem, get to the doctors FFS. Especially men !!

My mate who died the other week lived with a problem for 18 months.
After being diagnosed, he lived another 5 years. He could still be alive if he'd seeked medical attention earlier 
Yes it was cancer, I didn't want to mention it, but he could have saved himself. 'Could have'

[Old Cruser]

While I'm far too young for this test I really do think men have a habit of 'it cant happen to me' or feel too embarrassed to ask. A lot of diseases can be cured or slowed down if caught early Prostate cancer is one and Testicular cancer are classic examples. I think there's more awareness for women's health than men's . So many men die because they felt too embarrassed to ask for a test that could have saved there lives.

Which is why I decided to post the question, I know my hubby needs poking and prodding when it comes to going to the GP's and speaking with other lady friends it appears to be 'the norm'
Certainly judging by the amount of negative responses by the men in the hospital it's a very common thing.

[Big Dave 2]

It's been a while since I was here but this seems an appropriate topic to reappear in - also had computer problems hence the 'Big Dave 2'.

I had seven and a half weeks of daily radiotherapy sessions for prostate cancer, finishing at the end of November. Since then I've been dealing with the side effects and only in the last week or so have I begun to feel better. You'd think I'd had enough of hospitals but last week I went for the aortic aneurysm scan (I was 65 in November). I was very apprehensive having discovered last year I have a serious, inoperable, heart problem due, apparently, to a heart attack I never knew I'd had - it can happen, a heart attack with no pain...

So I had the scan last week - and would have done cartwheels down the corridor if I could, everything normal!

I've lost three very good friends to cancer and last week I learned another has colorectal cancer. It never releases its evil grip, striking where and when you least expect it - like me, I thought I was the last person who'd get it - but doesn't everyone?

I went to my doctor for the simple reason that I was having to pee every twenty minutes or so and had been for around three weeks. He was on the ball, sent me for tests and there you go... two biopsies and a positive diagnosis. I know men (including one of my brothers in law) who have gone for months, one for 18 months, after developing waterworks problems before seeing their GP.  Do the sensible thing, for your family's sake if not your own and visit your GP as soon as you sense something's not quite right. Forget about being embarrassed; there's nothing you can see or do that they won't have seen before - do it gents, don't leave it too late!

[Old Cruser]

Dave!!
Welcome back!!
I have wondered how you were getting on.
Very pleased to hear you have had your treatment and are on the mend, it's good to hear you went for the test as well.
There does seem to be a lot of cancer victims around, both my brothers were diagnosed at the end of 2013 with cancer, sadly the youngest one lost his fight in July last year.

Good to see you back and ready to join in.
Pam x

[Gerty Gumdrop]

I'm glad all you guys are fine now and you've given out some sound advice between you.

My husband rather typically of most men, ignored a number of symptoms for quite a while and refused to go to the doctor.  I insisted he go when something trivial but rather annoying occurred, and went in with him.  He got the trivial thing sorted and when the doctor asked if there was anything else he said "no"  I was having none of that so I had to get all bossy and make him tell the doctor his other symptoms.

Cutting a very long story short, he had a triple bypass three months later.  He wouldn't be here now had he not had that.  And a bossy missis.   

[Old Cruser]

I'm glad all you guys are fine now and you've given out some sound advice between you.

My husband rather typically of most men, ignored a number of symptoms for quite a while and refused to go to the doctor.  I insisted he go when something trivial but rather annoying occurred, and went in with him.  He got the trivial thing sorted and when the doctor asked if there was anything else he said "no"  I was having none of that so I had to get all bossy and make him tell the doctor his other symptoms.

Cutting a very long story short, he had a triple bypass three months later.  He wouldn't be here now had he not had that.  And a bossy missis.   

Well done Gerty, we sometimes have to be bossy with the other half don't we?
Not being sarky here but men are terrible for burying their heads in the sand when it comes to medical matters, it must be just a 'man thing' so yes it's good to see that we have members who will get things checked and sorted - even if it's because they have had a kick up the bum!
My hubby was very reluctant to do the 'bowel' screening sample which starts at 60, but he had a kick up the bum from me and did it!

[Umpire]

I saw it advertised about a year ago  and replied and was sent all the information.In Chesterfield  you could go to the Royal or the Whit Moor surgery.I went there and was given the ultra sound  and thankfully came through with flying colours.
The nurse who did the scan told me the blood flow to my heart was excellent and there no fatty deposits anywhere.
I put it down to giving up the fags about ten years ago and walking at least two miles a day at a pretty brisk pace.
My objective is to get to 90 to see how my beloved grandsons life pans out.He is twelve at present.
Hope anybody else who has it done  comes through  successfully.

[Fly]

Was at the hospital myself this morning for an endoscopy. I have an 'Hiatus Hernia'. I had to google it.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hernia-hiatus/Pages/Introduction.aspx
The doctor also took 4 biopsies. I have 'Barrett's Esophagus' by the looks. I had to google that too.
I didn't like the findings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett%27s_esophagus
Will get the biopsy results in 4 weeks time.
The small area I believe is the Hernia and the larger area is the Barretts.

[Old Cruser]

@ nicheuk you are probably right about the macho thing with men and illness and also I am sure there are some women who stick their heads in the sand!!!

@ umpire - all good stuff and I do hope you reach 90 and see your grandson's life in adulthood.

@ Fly I hope your biopsy results are ok, you sure are having a rough time at the moment aren't you

[Fly]

@ Fly I hope your biopsy results are ok, you sure are having a rough time at the moment aren't you

You do 
If the doctor I saw last Feb took more interest in my 'sickness' probs, I could have had this test nearly 11 months ago.
I feel really let down. My doctor spent too much time looking at my Marfan symptoms, the hospital didn't look into my sickness thing. I wasn't aware of this. They were only checking me for Marfan. My doctor should have made this more clear to me.

[Old Cruser]

You do 
If the doctor I saw last Feb took more interest in my 'sickness' probs, I could have had this test nearly 11 months ago.
I feel really let down. My doctor spent too much time looking at my Marfan symptoms, the hospital didn't look into my sickness thing. I wasn't aware of this. They were only checking me for Marfan. My doctor should have made this more clear to me.

I understand where you are coming from Fly, sounds like they were on the wrong trail, but try to think positive. I have read through the link you shared x
when's your next appointment ?

[Fly]

4 weeks at the hospital. Can't see the point in going back to the doctors.
I'm already on the right tablets for the condition at this stage.
Not like the doctor prescribed it. I asked !!