[JoanB]

I have been going to PT, mostly just to humor my last-hope neuorologist who is supposed be the PN specialist in this town. He sent me to a specialist in rehab medicine, who, no surprise, sent me for PT. So, as I've said, I've been doing the PT so as not to be labeled as an uncooperative patient. A big waste of time, as far as I'm concerned. I've never seen any empirical evidence that it helps with PN. Oh well.

Then two weeks ago, my PT guy decides that I would benefit by seeing a "women's rehab" specialist, so I see her, and during her exam, she wants to do a pelvic exam, which I agreed to. She says that I have pelvic floor weakness and that I can strengthen it with exercises. So after our session, she decides that I should have a session with her once a week. I said "OK."

Well, this past week, I realize that the pelvic exam is part of the session...every week! This freaked me out the same way that I'm pretty sure it would freak most of you gals out. What do you think? Have any of you ever heard of this, or are they just dreaming up new things to charge money for?

[mrsD]

Do you have trouble holding urine? Do you have pain down there? Pain after a bowel movement?

All women lose some elasticity down there with age. When I had my PT, they would only do what was on the RX my doctor wrote .... It was a groin injury... but never did they suggest pelvic exams.

I think you have the right to refuse, or at least call your doctor.
If he did not order it, they shouldn't be doing it, without authorization.

You can do exercises yourself. One easy one is to start and stop a stream of urine several times during emptying. That's all that most of us need. (this is best done with a very full bladder).

Sounds odd to me. Don't be afraid to refuse if that is your wish.

[JoanB]

They asked me if I ever have leakage accidents and I said that I do every once in a while (maybe a minor leak once a month or so), but that's not why I'm there. I'm there according to the neuro for the PN pain, loss of leg function and loss of balance.

They gave me the Kegel exercises, and yes, you're right, anyone can do those at home. Actually, there's hardly any of the general PT stuff I can't or don't do at home (and don't see a bit of improvement).

They also keep putting "lumbago" and "back pain" on all my forms, which I'm sure is just so they can con the insurance companies because I betcha dollars to donuts that insurance doesn't pay for any of this for a DX of PN.

I hate it that they can get away with all of this nonsense and because:

1. It's humilating.
   
2. I have to put up with it or else get labeled in their database forever.
   
3. This healthcare could be going to someone who could benefit from it, but it isn't because they don't have the coverage that I do.

[JoanB]

Oh, I didn't answer your other questions. No, I don't have those pains you asked about.

And you betcha I have the right to refuse this. Like I said, I'm hesitant to become labeled as uncoperative, but I think that I might want to call the doc's office (this is not the unresponsive office that I had the month-long saga with in that other thread over meds). I think I want to go to another rehab place for starters. This place is within the Evil Empire (anyone in the Pittsburgh area knows exactly what I'm referring to).

I'm just really freaked out over this. I had to stop seeing my radiologist for follow-up exams after uterine cancer treatments because his pelvic exams were so violent that I felt raped. And yes, there was a nurse in the room. So anyway, these kind of exams are less pleasant to me even than they are for most women.

Sorry for dumping.

[mrsD]

Oh, I hear ya!

I have NEVER met a woman who enjoyed or wanted this kind of medical exam!

[antonina]

It's your body. This sounds so medieval to me...a pelvic every single time? This is nuts/unreasonable. Also, where did they dream up "lumbago?" Sounds like something the girls in the bridge group would complain of back in 1930!! And it appears that they're padding the bill to amp up their reimbursement claim.

If you refuse the pelvic and they insist, tell them you will sue them for battery. No one can touch your body without your permission. To do so constitutes battery. (I'm a retired litigation lawyer).

BTW, labelling a female patient "uncooperative" smacks of patriarchal bs with which women have been controlled for centuries. I'll bet a male patient would get no such label and furthermore, they would respect his wishes and back off.

End of feminist rant. My advice is to vote with your feet.

[JoanB]

Thanks antonia and thanks again mrsDs.

You know what it reminds me of? Those Victorian doctors who claimed they could cure "hysteria" and "frigidity" and whatnot.

And lookie what I found: women's physical therapy pelvic examination My people aren't using the little gizmos...maybe they figured they can rake in the dough without even having to buy that stuff.

Scroll down and look at the price tag. My dectuctible hasn't been met yet, and I just can't wait to get the bill.

Well, I have a regular PT appointment today. I'm telling them that I'm cancelling everything. I've had it. I don't have time now, but I'll explain later why I've been so sheepish about refusing the PT.

[Marlene]

These links may provide some additional information. It sounds like they are dealing with legitimate "female specific" issues but I wonder if they can assess you in another way. Or, at least only once every 4 -6 weeks. You have to communicate with them and tell them your concerns about the exams.

The first link is paper on what's being treated regarding pelvic disorders common to women. I guess I would have to ask why they recommend this if your are not having these complaints.

http://www.rimed.org/medhealthri/2009-01/2009-01-10.pdf

http://www.womenshealthapta.org/plp/index.cfm
http://www.womenshealthapta.org/rese...eliability.cfm

I would contact this association and ask them what the standard protocol should be.

[JoanB]

Thanks Marlene. I do think that if I had come in there complaining about those problems, then yes, that would be appropriate.

Right now, I'm worried about getting up and down the stairs. Having a teaspoon of leakage every six weeks or so is really far down on my list of concerns and I think they know that.

I feel very taken advantage of by them because I have good insurance. I know I'm lucky for that, but believe me, it's amazing the treatments they come up with when you have the coverage.

[Jomar]

The times I went to PT for my RSI injuries they would never go beyond what the dr had RX on his note.

So either this place is a total scam -or somehow they got the dr to OK this baloney.
But I sure would not let then do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable like these exams every time - that's just crazy...

If someone had specific issues in that area of the body then maybe it would apply but - it is not even your area of complaint.

Best of luck & stand firm for what you want & need.