# Want to play "guess the diagnosis"? (I've been to the clinic) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957 "2023-06-22T21:50:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/61 "2023-06-28T23:35:03Z")
They absolutely don’t. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/62 "2023-06-28T23:36:02Z")
I, too, wonder about this. Glad not to have been born in an era where women were to politely shut up. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/63 "2023-06-28T23:37:39Z")
I suspect by now you know more about Cytoxan as a risk factor than I do, so sounds good to me! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/64 "2023-06-28T23:40:34Z")
Eh, reading doesn’t compensate for experience. I’m grateful for all of these suggestions! Let us note the end of another day with no contact from my PCP. I have begun to research new docs. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/65 "2023-06-28T23:55:35Z")
You’ve been happy with them up til now? Maybe try leaving a phone message before jumping? And seeing how the in person goes in roughly two weeks? Reality is that none of the labs you want are urgent. The one potentially urgent question is whether or not cystoscopy is as warranted as some of us think it is, and if they concur then that is a referral to a urologist to get that done. It would be nice to have the labs out of the way before you meet to inform that discussion but not really horrible to get done that day with if this then that plans in hand as you leave. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/66 "2023-06-29T00:00:43Z")
> [@susan](#): > > The nurse I’d seen sent a message via the portal that included “If you have new or worsening concerns about your health, … please call or return to the clinic or office where you received care. If your symptoms get worse, or if a new problem starts, call the clinic.” I can assure you that this is almost certainly written on every communication they send and was not tailored to your case. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/67 "2023-06-29T02:19:32Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Whenever I see stories like yours, **susan** , I wonder how people who aren’t as intelligent, educated, and assertive get decent medical care. Maybe they don’t. Bingo. They don’t. Signed: weary, cranky, grizzled old night nurse ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/68 "2023-06-29T02:54:32Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Maybe try leaving a phone message before jumping? > > And seeing how the in person goes in roughly two weeks? Oh, sure. I’m looking for someone at the end of summer when I’m going to switch my insurance anyway. This medical group doesn’t like phone calls, and getting through on the phone can take up to 2 hours on hold. > I can assure you that this is almost certainly written on every communication they send and was not tailored to your case. Yes, so apparently this boilerplate is their policy, which I followed. > weary, cranky, grizzled old night nurse Thank you for your service! These systems are hard to work in. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/69 "2023-06-29T11:17:19Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Cytoxan as a risk factor A friend’s dog was on cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) and did well. But my friend was warned to wear gloves when handling the tablets, the drug is that dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/70 "2023-06-29T11:21:22Z")
I always read the medical mysteries columns in the New York Times (probably not a good idea for my mental health), and they usually describe someone’s slog through the medical system, often for decades, until they finally find a doctor who will actually take the time LISTEN to them. And then, as if the article isn’t upsetting enough, the reader comments will curl your hair! Many, many comments are from women who have been dismissed by medical personnel with “it’s your imagination,” “your life is too stressed,” “you need to relax,” “you need a vacaton,” “there’s nothing wrong with you,” blahblahblah. But not just women. Many doctors are irritated by well-informed patients and scoff at research done with the help of “Dr. Google.” A dear friend of mine (now deceased) lived with a congenital condition and knew more about it than most doctors. In fact, some doctors had never heard of it. One doctor actually called my friend his “Nemesis,\*” as though the patient’s difficult health picture were a personal challenge intended to make the doctor feel inadequate. This comment really hurt my friend’s feelings because all he wanted was help and relief from pain. Sorry for the rant. Hope you get some relief, @susan. * * * * * * * * * \* 1. the [inescapable](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=inescapable&si=AMnBZoG9fGMZkoPgk-g4eVoaZFdEhkbQ5nOmDeRW-yyVCgshDhFA58UNsZNOgKqSzS9w6Lm0skAK6an0AuU9GgVpnt3H6_FGlonUeTT0ZImfcAOqvRskzm8%3D&expnd=1) agent of someone’s or something’s [downfall](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=downfall&si=AMnBZoFm76bvId4K9j6r5bU9rVYrEnogno-MeYx_fWRtzU6mEcOJFMjY0nZaslBN0MullMLVhDUES1kYcRGvUvQKGaqftjUMsQ%3D%3D&expnd=1). 2. a [long-standing](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=long-standing&si=AMnBZoEFBhyZNIanF2PLYT1JPeYe6-rUHsD4rVvxdsjbt0RK1KHeh1jpUwBEkQv8QeaAhKdm2dFtwvfWBmK7jLeTrCQJFk5ulJmom0vKdtLXIW06YpQZDw4%3D&expnd=1) rival; an archenemy. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/71 "2023-06-29T15:56:34Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Whenever I see stories like yours, **susan** , I wonder how people who aren’t as intelligent, educated, and assertive get decent medical care. Maybe they don’t. As an educated, intelligent, not-assertive woman, I can assure you that we don’t. The level of knowledge and self-advocacy in this thread makes my head spin. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/72 "2023-06-29T15:59:17Z")
Yeah, it’s good stuff. Again, though, the major bladder cancer risk, as far as I can tell, comes from longer-term, daily oral cytoxan. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957/73 "2023-06-29T17:52:33Z")
Update: The culture came back negative. I spoke with a friend who’s an OB/GYN (going to a liberal arts college pays off in older age with many MD friends who have great online ratings and no substantiated malpractice findings). Her suggested sequence of events is: - Negative culture is good and suggests a UTI, but doesn’t rule out other age- and health-related possibilities. These should be watched for. - Discuss recent events with PCP, request urine and blood tests for bladder cancer and renal issues. - If PCP won’t order them, consult my oncologist. - If blood or other symptoms recur/occur, request kidney CT and cystoscopy, or a referral to urologist or go to my oncologist She thinks requesting these procedures now would be excessive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-play-guess-the-diagnosis-ive-been-to-the-clinic/985957.md?page=3)