I handed the nurse the customary urine sample, required at every appointment.
The doctor began to take a look at my urinary tract with an endescope. After he had inserted it a bit and was evidently peering around, he said: "Ah..ah...have you ever had ah..ah.. surgery before here?" There was a worried tone to his voice. I replied in the negative and said: "Why do you ask? -- Do you see scar tissue?"
Ignoring my first question, he said "No" to the second and quickly went on to tell me the prostate was very large. Now this was not news to either of us as he had digitally examined me months ago and reported it was large. He also knew from the ultrasound that his nurse had performed on three prior visits, that I experienced a high amount of retention of urine after voiding. He had told me this was caused by the enlarged prostate encroaching upon the bladder.
He finished the scope exam and left. When he returned he sat down, turned to me with finality, and said it was now time for invasive action rather than drugs. I knew he was about to talk about two procedures involving laser and radio frequency treatments as he had given me slick brochures and a DVD to take home at the last appointment. So I told him I had asked a relative, who was a urologist, about those procedures and that he recommended a combination drug treatment instead. He said my symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such invasive procedures which could be problematic. The doctor paused for several beats, and said "Well, he hasn't just seen what I have."
The doc was obviously disappointed I was not at this time electing either of those hi-tech treatments. He changed course to now say, "I make my recommendations based upon my patients' level of discomfort." I found this interesting as I had never said I was fed up with my two nocturnal trips to the bathroom. I had only come to him originally because I was concerned about attacks of urgent urination caused by an infection which he had successfully treated with an antibiotic prescription.
He then launched into a rapid, mumbling monologue about several drugs, saying nothing especially positive about any of them. He ended up by giving me prescriptions for the drugs my relative had suggested and said to see him in four months. In parting, he was more abrupt than usual and showed no interest in further conversation. His customary smile was missing.
He didn't make the sale. From what he said and his behavior, I gotta feel this guy makes big money from those hi-tech procedures. His every action seems to point the patient toward that goal. Probably the one drug he prescribed for me does work for some men, but when it did nothing for me, why didn't he prescribe others?
And get this: In the bathroom which all male patients must use at every visit to produce pointless urine samples, there is an advertisement for Prostiva Radio Frequency therapy. It is the only thing on the four walls, and is located right over the toilet! It contains phrases like "Aren't you fed up making all those trips at night to the bathroom...or" Tired of dribbling after you thought you were finished?". "Use Prostiva therapy and your problems are over". The advertisement is right there staring you in the face at every appointment while you fill the required cup. The doc has a captive audience; this is real point-of-sale advertising!
Well, I get the real point, and he will get no more of my business.
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