I have a doctor's appointment this morning. I'm getting a routine physical, all the tests etc etc. Somewhere in the vague recesses of my memory, I think they told me not to eat or drink anything (other than water) for 12 hours prior to the examination. Does that sound right...? I ask only because I would dearly love a cup of coffee right now. In fact I would shove my grandmother down a flight of stairs for one (but only if the stairs were, you know, carpeted and all). But I don't want to drink any caffeine if it's going to screw up the tests. Anyone?
That's what I asked for. That's what I hope I'm getting. If I see him pulling on a rubber glove, I'm out of there.
Unless you're getting a millitary physical where they stick a finger up your ass and feel around, then you should be okay. Actually, you can drink coffee before those too. I just wanted to point out that if you join the millitary, then they will stick a finger up your ass to check for stuff. Funny to laugh at, not funny to experience.
And again, I salute our men and women of the United States Armed Forces for their sacrifices. OK, I'm sold. Coffee it is. If they seem freaked out by my heart rate or blood pressure, I'll just tell them I was listening to NPR on the way over.
I've always heard that you are not supposed to eat prior to getting your cholesterol tested. However, the last time I went in for a physical, I told my doctor that I had breakfast and he said that it didn't matter for the cholesterol test.
I was told that when I got a job on an Air Force base 7 years ago. So, I followed their instructions and didn't eat anything for 12 hours before the physical (I ate 2 huge waffles from the Waffle House as my last meal). I get there for the physical and they tell me later that I COULD have eaten something beforehand!
So, BK...are you in your 30's? That's usually when doctors start to perform prostate exams. If getting a finger shoved up your sphincter once a year can help prevent having to get your prostate removed and living with a limp dick the rest of your life, I think it's a small price to pay... Remember, Viagra isn't 100% effective!
I was supposed to have a routine physical in June, and they said nothing 8 hours before, but that I could have unsweetend tea and coffee, plus water. I've also had the finger before.
Obviously, it's too late now, but I think it is for the cholesterol test. My doctor has been trying to get me to take one and he says, Come back tomorrow before breakfast and we'll do it for free. But that means it will be something like 10 o'clock before I have my coffee and breakfast. I'm still young (sorta); I bet I can go a few more years without worrying, despite my diet.
