Medical checkup question

[Sammy]

My employer (suddenly!) decided that all employees should undergo routine medical checkup which is actually kinda mandatory thing (but nobody had bothered during those ten years I have been there).

So, I looked this stuff up with my GP (she is also my therapist) and she said that I should undergo standard ophthalmic exam (which is OK, cause I need new glasses, or at least frames anyway) and photofluorography (chest X-ray). I have no issues with the former, but latter is causing me some psychological inconvenience.

The therapist part of my GP said that this might opportunity to expand boundaries and push myself out of comfort zone, but anyway, medical staff should not really care about anything "unusual", nor even ask questions apart of the standard X-ray routine.

Anyway, I looked this stuff up and it seems to me that as long as You dont wear any metal items,You should be able to undergo X-ray while wearing a tee. Has anyone underwent this kind of procedure recently and can it really be done while being dressed? I could just say that I am shy and whatnot, or hate when medical equipment touches my skin... .

[immortal gypsy]

I have had a few chest x-rays wearing my normal everyday tops or a hospital gown. My last one was around 2003

I even had one with a  head neck spine brace on,  I think metal is the only thing that gives the machines trouble

[Eris]

I think as long as you don't take in anything metal you ought to be fine.

[immortal gypsy]

You just might of been a special case for her.

In all seriousness choose your reason why you don't want to take your top off carefully, nurses have seen pretty much everything and nothing should phase so what sounds reasonable to you or I. May not be such a good reason for them

[Cindy]

This topic is good timing, I'm giving a talk to the Society of Occupational Medicine about the issues that trans*people have in the work situation.

Emily can you expand on your concerns, if it isn't triggering for you.

[LordKAT]

Last time I had one done, I just asked for a gown cause I an uncomfortable being undressed. They gave me no hassle and I see no reason they should for you either. It never hurts to ask.

[Julia-Madrid]

Hi Emily

I think that LordKat's point is perfectly valid - you can always request a gown.

Also, thinking about it, in most places the radiographer only handles the x-ray situation and shouldn't deal with any other follow-up.  At this point in time, you can always cite gynaecomastia, but I really fully and totally understand how you feel.

Regarding your worst nightmare, you remember how I looked when I got thrown off a bike 6 weeks ago and broke my arm?  It was a nightmare.  The local police radio'd the emergency services to say they had a girl down, and when they arrived my wig got pulled off when they put a neck brace on me.  In the ambulance to the hospital I just calmly told the paramedics about my trans status, and in the hospital they just didn't care.  I did care however, A LOT, because there I was, dressed like a girl, with a bit of makeup, but quite clearly "something different".  Honestly, when you're feeling so battered and bruised you just get on with it.  Of course, we are talking about Spain, and I am part of a formal transgender program, so I have social/legal protection.  But yes, it was one of the more humiliating days of my life.  On the other hand, in accident and emergency departments the staff just deal with cases, not people.  Their job is to patch you up and get you out, and not to worry about anthing other than treating the fundamental trauma problem.

[Joan]

I had an x ray for my medical at work in June and I was fine in a t shirt. No problems.

I also had an ECG and was asked to lift my shirt, which I only half did. She just put the things on my chest from underneath and didn't say anything. I guess they see all kinds of things

[Sammy]

Yes, Julia - I did remember Your story and when I heard about that unfortunate accident the first thing which I thought was how You will be able to handle the psychological pressure (I was sure that medics effectively dealt with any physical issues). I did admire You - in Your case I would have probably disappeared (if noone else was involved, ofc) and licked my wounds. But You were braver and had no choice anyway . The part which worries me is that this internal feeling of shame or whatever it is - it actually prevents me from seeing a doctor when I might really need to, because I know I would do anything to avoid or postpone that visit...

Another thing which just came to my mind was to take my bff with me (we work together and she will need to undergo exactly the same stuff) - so we might just get over that with a good portion of laughing and giggles .

[Cindy]

Emily and Julia,
Thank you. That was my understanding but I wanted to make sure.

BTW I was asked to talk because these medics thought most trans*women were sex workers and were 'amazed' that I'm a prof of medicine. We have a way to go!!

[immortal gypsy]

Sorry Emily for being flippant

As I said earlier I have had them with clothing on so I would say the burden on proof is on them.  However when someone goes against the grain one should expect to be challenged. (Why are you wearing a yellow shirt, we all wear blue) To confront this it is best to have information, facts and data. Talk to your GP see if she can provide you with the information you need. LordKat's suggestion is also valid if you ask for one there should be no reason why they would ask why do you want one

[Sammy]

Sorry Emily for being flippant

As I said earlier I have had them with clothing on so I would say the burden on proof is on them.  However when someone goes against the grain one should expect to be challenged. To confront this it is best to have information, facts and data. Talk to your GP see if she can provide you with the information you need. LordKat's suggestion is also valid if you ask for one there should be no reason why they would ask why do you want one

Nope, You were not flippant at all - You made very valid remark and essentially confirmed my suspicions that people who stick to routines are often quite conservative and might challenge any "trouble-makers" simply because they break up the usual order and cause extra work. It simply means that when I go there, I need to be prepared, polite confident but un-yielding .

[luna nyan]

Emily,

Interesting list of checks.  Ophthalmic is understandable, chest X-Ray is a bit huh? for me.  I suppose there is higher prevalence of TB where you live.  I would have thought a blood test would be required as well as urine, but that depends on the type of work insurance etc.

As others have said, there is no need to be bare chested for a chest X-ray.  Either have a singlet handy or insist on a gown, and just state that you are uncomfortable with stripping down.  They probably just presume males aren't afraid to bare all and wish to save costs on the disposable gown.

Go with your BFF, you'll feel better regardless.

Cindy,

That's the beauty of presumption at work.  It'll be a long time before that improves sadly.  :/

[Cindy]

Cindy,

That's the beauty of presumption at work.  It'll be a long time before that improves sadly.  :/

I'm going to twirl and say, I'm trans* get over it.

<sorry Emily for posting in your thread>

[luna nyan]

Indeed so . TB is quite prominent in this region, so that is the main reason. Blood test is actually mandatory too, providing that it has not been done within the course of year, and being on HRT, I have done it more regularly, so we will skip that - unless I will feel like I want to know my current cholesterol levels .

If the test is for free, why not?

The great thing about my HRT blood tests are that I pretty much have everything else checked at the same time.  Cholesterol, blood sugar, even hepatitis and HIV annually.  Saves me an additional trip to the GP.  The only thing I haven't worried about is PSA testing as theoretically, HRT should pretty much protect from that.  (And I have another 10 years or so before hitting the more important age to start screening).

Am I paranoid much?  Probably, but I'm being time efficient. 

[EmmaD]

I had to get an ECG a 2 weeks ago.  I was in work mode (male suit etc).  The nurse said to strip to the waist and take shoes and socks off.  So I did.  She was very good place the electrode thingies around my breasts.  She did draw the curtain though.  Same sort of thing with a physio a few months ago.  I just act like it is normal (what choice do I have?) although at my GP, it is pretty normal! Lots of trans peeps go there.  If I had been wearing a bra, then I would have left it on.  But no, the singlet came off too.  I think that a tear ago, I would have been very very anxious.  Roll on full time and it is just one gender presentation rather than somewhere in between and a mismatch.

[Cindy]

I have to say this. I went to my GP recently (he is great and I'm his only trans*patient) I walked in and he  said 'great rack' then went bright red

[luna nyan]

I have to say this. I went to my GP recently (he is great and I'm his only trans*patient) I walked in and he  said 'great rack' then went bright red

Foot meet mouth.  Freudian slip @ realising your pulchritude. 

[Cindy]

I have to say this. I went to my GP recently (he is great and I'm his only trans*patient) I walked in and he  said 'great rack' then went bright red

Foot meet mouth.  Freudian slip @ realising your pulchritude. 

In which case he needs glasses

[luna nyan]

Foot meet mouth.  Freudian slip @ realising your pulchritude. 


In which case he needs glasses

Who are we to criticise his vision?  Remember to never antagonise the person who might give you a shot. 
(Either that or you better make sure he's not wearing beer goggles...)

Emily, sorry for the thread hijack!  But you're going to be fine so long as you are insistent.  You don't need to give a reason for not going bare chested.  I'd get the blood test but that's me - I want to know, in spite of being slightly phobic about blood tests.  (Had a bad incident once, rationally I'm fine, but the stupid reptilian hind brain thinks otherwise.)