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I have an appointment coming up with a urologist whom I thought was good when I first saw him sometime around 2018. When I google search him, some things come up about him specializing in men's sexual health so that would seem like the right kind of doctor. He's the one that prescribed clomiphene citrate and daily tadalafil for me, which I think had some success. Since 2018 he changed locations, and at my last visit I recall him saying that he no longer prescribes for hormone related issues, and mentioned something like that was for the endocrinologist. Since my urologist changed locations, I sort of wonder if he has scaled back his areas of expertise or something. It just makes me wonder if he sort of moved into the "general urology" territory and not so much a specialist for ED.

Another thing crossed my mind, but maybe it shouldn't. This could just be my insecurities, but I wonder if he is trying to get rid of me. So by not being very knowledgeable about new ED treatments or tests is he hoping I'll just go somewhere else? Or I wonder if he thinks I'm gay or have nothing better to do but whine and complain about my penis. With urologists I often feel like I'm getting a little bit of a cold shoulder or they just don't want to work with me. I don't know why I have this feeling. Maybe it's a sense of shame of my body and issues surrounding ED.

Finally in closing I would just like to say that I don't feel very hopeful that my annual visit will amount to anything new. Probably all I'll get are some refills on tadalafil. How many issues are too many to discuss in one office visit? I feel like I'm having some urinary urgency issues as of late, but I don't want to overwhelm the doctor by having too many complaints.

Happy to have a convo. PM me and we can set some time to chat.

Unfortunately, some docs will blow off a young guy complaining of ED. "It's in your head!" Then they prescribe pills that may or may not work, not to mention the possible side effects of those pills.
My suggestion is find a new doc. Search for a men's urologist who does implants. They can run tests to determine if it's a physical issue.

Old Guy wrote:Search for a men's urologist who does implants. They can run tests to determine if it's a physical issue.

Tests are good, but I don't want to get a doctor that will view me as the next customer on the assembly line. I'd rather have a careful conservative approach rather than invasive surgery if it's not really time for that.

PSSDorAmINormal wrote:

Old Guy wrote:Search for a men's urologist who does implants. They can run tests to determine if it's a physical issue.

Tests are good, but I don't want to get a doctor that will view me as the next customer on the assembly line. I'd rather have a careful conservative approach rather than invasive surgery if it's not really time for that.

Your signature says no tests done? I have to say if your ED is due to a previous injury, and hasn't healed yet, being conservative might only offer you partial results if any. A good surgeon won't treat you like the next customer but realize that a good doc will be a busy person.

So I had my appointment with Dr. Michael C. Sweeney in Marietta, and it was mostly a waste of time. I got there early so I could relax after driving about 50 miles. I ended up sitting there for nearly 45 minutes past my appointment time. In the meantime while I waited I prayed that I was in the right place and in good hands. I felt like I had somewhat of a confirmation to this when I saw printed brochures in the office with Dr. Sweeney's credentials and areas of expertise all listed very plainly. Internet searches also list him as being a specialist for men's sexual health, and sexual dysfunction. I sort of had it planned out the questions and concerns I was going to ask him about.

When I finally got called back I did a urine sample and waited a little more. I knew with how the appointment was going, I was going to be rushed. To make a long story short Dr. Sweeney informed me that he is only involved in the most basic general urology despite what is advertised. They could have saved me a lot of hassle and time to be up front about what he currently specializes in. And finally don't advertise that you've got all these areas of expertise and lead men to believe they are in the right place.

The only good thing to come out of it was that he seems very convinced that I do not have a plaque. Other than that he rushed my time, and mentioned I had blood in my urine. It must be microscopic amounts, because my urine looks light and clear throughout the day. I don't understand it and nothing further was explained as to the cause. Needless to say my appointment was a big disappointment and once again nothing really accomplished.

Old Guy wrote:Your signature says no tests done? I have to say if your ED is due to a previous injury, and hasn't healed yet, being conservative might only offer you partial results if any. A good surgeon won't treat you like the next customer but realize that a good doc will be a busy person.

I missed your message somehow. My injuries were not what I would consider life threatening and I've never had a priapism. That being said I did have a straddle injury around age 12 where I fell onto a bicycle frame but I seemed okay after the initial pain was gone. In my early teenage years I had some potentially damaging masturbatory habits due to lack of good sex education and proper guidance. I feel I may have caused the bit of hourglass shape that I get, but that has never been confirmed. Probably no way to confirm that.

I agree good doctors would have a lot of business, but they should always make time for their patients and share their knowledge and expertise. Dr. Sweeney has combined MD and PhD degrees, but for whatever reason he's no longer specializing in men's health issues. So he don't have to worry I won't bother him again.

PSSD: first things first. Don’t give up. Yes, my fight with ED started a long time before Your’s (dinosaurs roamed the earth, it was the 1980s, some doctors’ offices still had ashtrays, and any number of specialists told me it was all in my head, relax, have a glass of wine beforehand).

Frankly, I say piss on the doctors who start with a urine specimen for an ED visit. I knew I was going to the right doctor when the check in desk started to give me a cup, then took it back, saying “you’re here for an ED consult, we don’t need a specimen unless the doctor says to get one after he examines you.

I can’t tell you what to do. Well, I could try, but ultimately every adult has to make his or her own decisions.

Dr. Sweeney & his clinic took your money (or your insurance company’s money) under false pretenses. You made a good faith effort to find the sort of doctor who could address your issues and he really doesn’t do everything he advertised. I’d probably go back down there and demand a refund. Then again I’m 66, a retired Army officer, and pretty cantankerous. It would not hurt, however, to make contact. I might even suggest they have the doctor call you when he can. At that point I would insist (for insurance and other purposes) that he provide you with a referral to a clinic that does specialize in sexual health issues. Don’t take no for an answer. You may or may not choose to go where he refers you. But don’t tell me a urologist doesn’t know which other doctors within traveling distance are good and cutting edge and can get you where you need to go. That’s how I’ve handled my medical care for years. I made friends of one of the guys that followed my son’s CP. he’s at a large teaching hospital. Then, when I’d have an issue, I’d call him up and say “who’s the best in that department?”

I went thru similar shit 1999-2000 time frame. After a busted visit to a urologist who had me pee in a cup and tell me he thought it was all in my head (despite a 1988 DICC study that said otherwise once and for all) I ended up at the University of Kansas med school for a full work up.

It’s a lick on Dr. Sweeney for overpromising and underdelivering. Don’t let neglecting to insist on a referral to somebody who can help be a lick on you. You don’t even have to be a crusty, obnoxious asshole like me (although sometimes that’s fun).

The right doc is out there. It ought not be such a challenge to find him or her, but it is. Good luck.

Txagq8 wrote:PSSD: first things first. Don’t give up. Yes, my fight with ED started a long time before Your’s (dinosaurs roamed the earth, it was the 1980s, some doctors’ offices still had ashtrays, and any number of specialists told me it was all in my head, relax, have a glass of wine beforehand).

Frankly, I say piss on the doctors who start with a urine specimen for an ED visit. I knew I was going to the right doctor when the check in desk started to give me a cup, then took it back, saying “you’re here for an ED consult, we don’t need a specimen unless the doctor says to get one after he examines you.

I can’t tell you what to do. Well, I could try, but ultimately every adult has to make his or her own decisions.

Dr. Sweeney & his clinic took your money (or your insurance company’s money) under false pretenses. You made a good faith effort to find the sort of doctor who could address your issues and he really doesn’t do everything he advertised. I’d probably go back down there and demand a refund.

I was assuming it was regular procedure to get urine specimens at the urologist. In the past I've never really had urinary issues infections or complaints of bleeding. So if they want to check my urine I just go along with it. It's certainly an easy non-invasive little test. I have no idea what all they look for in urine. Once again they don't willingly share that information.

As much as I'd like to go back and complain, I better just let it go. It would be all too easy for me to turn into a cantankerous a-hole but I don't think it would make a difference. They aren't going to change. Despite the ED concerns, I did mention some recent issues of urgency with urination and leaking out so they have that on their side. I'm not a big money maker for them, so I'll just stay away from there. Navigating the american healthcare system is becoming a lifetime effort for me and so far all I'm getting is bad results. Doctors can't even cure a toenail