Jeff...That's why they say you should ask your doctor - but that is bullshit
to (no disrespect to our kind and caring, and extremely knowledgeable Dr.
Sancha).  There is no way any one person can even come close to knowing the
*vast* amount of data available on searching the Internet (and not even the
specialist or sub specialist).  Like I said my uro didn't even know what a
PVP was.  Dr. Sancha was very polite in trying to explain that, but I think
every uro on the planet should know what a PVP is, even though he doesn't do
them.  They have been doing them for 7 or 8 years now I believe.

And then (like I always say, and I hate it), if we do read something and ask
our doctors about it we risk them getting pissed, and tossing you out.  We
have every right to study our diseases, and that is published in many
medical publishing's (can't think of the word I want).  But IMO most doctors
(way more than half) will get pissed at you if you sound like you know too
much, or if you give them any kind of indication that you may be questioning
them, no matter how diplomatic you try to be.  I could give you many
examples.

Here is one example (and I hope Dr. Sancha will respond).  Say your doctor
tells you something that you *know* is wrong, or he just may be misinformed
about.  And you have read a documented study or whatever that proves this
(or let's be polite and say it may re-inform him).  How the hell are you
supposed to tell him that without losing him.  He can say a number of things
like "if you don't have faith in my judgments, I suggest you find another
doctor" or "if you are going to doubt me or question my diagnoses you can
find another doctor" (I could keep going and reword it ten more ways).  So
what the hell is the patient supposed to do.  Because as soon as you say
that you read or saw something different (no matter how diplomatic you may
try to be), chances are he is going to going to feel offended.  And if he
dismisses you he will probably say something like "if you are going to
diagnose yourself, etc,etc, why did you come to me".  If it gets to that
point you are probably gone even if you try to apologize.  This is tough
stuff.

I think it is generally okay these days (because of all the friggin TV ads
by the drug companies which are so damn misleading and bias it's ridiculous)
to tell your doctor you saw "such and such" on TV  and "could I try it".  He
may not know what it is and certainly not have any experience with it, if it
is new, and at best he will only know what the sales rep from the drug
company pitched to him when they left the samples off at his office, and I
doubt if many of the doctors even read the package inserts or even know all
the different strengths etc.  That last part pisses me off.  If I read all
the package inserts for a drug I'm taking, I would like to think that the
doc who prescribed it to me at least read it once in his life - even though
the drug may be discontinued - lol .

But getting into details about studies you have done on your disease or
condition can be difficult at best.  And the more you tell them, the more
trouble you get in (like including bad relationships with other doctors when
explaining your history).  And my problem is I am too honest, and want to
tell them everything so they might have a better understanding of my
problem, but most of the time it is going in one ear and out the other
anyway (doc is not writing, and he may look disinterested or yawn, etc -
hell they may even start closing their eyes), so they can quickly get to the
next patient.

I have been to many bad doctors in my life, so if I sound negative, it is
because of what they have done to me.  Dr. Sancha is a good doctor, but
there are many who just treat us like a chart, and don't even know who they
are talking to (ie "next" - as in next patient).

Anyway, we should never stop studying our diseases, maladies, conditions.
But we certainly do have to be careful that what we read comes from a
credible and reputable source.  Sorry for getting carried away again.  I got
to go soak - lol .

Pete