Welcome to the original Rectal Temperature Message Board.

Rectal Temperature, Normal 100.2° F or Less.

VoyForums
Oklahoma Disaster Relief










American Red Cross
Together, we can save a life


See Kare11.com's page for more ways to contribute.

VoyForums Notice -- Quick Contributions:
Donate $10 to the Red Cross: Text the word REDCROSS to 90999
Donate $10 to the Salvation Army: Text the word STORM to 80888
* The charge will appear on your cellphone bill.

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]
Subject: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Simon
[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
Date Posted: Sunday, February 05, 2012, 06:33: pm
 I had to get my temperature taken rectally every time I visited my doctor until I turned 13.The reason the nurse always gave for taking it that way was that 'your chart indicates that you have a learning disability'.Can anyone else relate to this?Although I was told I was a slow learner and had to go to special classes from the age of 6 to 9 years old,I don't think I should have had to take a thermometer up my butt til such a late age.
[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Frank
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Monday, February 06, 2012, 10:31: am
Probably you should have transitioned to having your temperature taken orally after the age of 10 years old. It can certainly be understandable for a youngster with learning issues to have his temperature taken rectally with a glass thermometer up to that age. For such a youngster, the only thing that is required of him is to remain passive while the doctor, nurse, mother, etc., performs that activity on him. One added benefit is that while his mouth is unoccupied he is free to talk. Another benefit is the it is a lot more physically comfortable (though not necessarily be psychologically comfortable) with a glass rectal thermometer being securely lodged in his rear end rather than having the entry end of a glass oral thermometer poking the tender underside of his tongue and experiencing the fatigue of sealing his lips around the glass oral thermometer while at the same time keeping his mouth slightly open.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Tim to Simon
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Monday, February 06, 2012, 11:47: am
I think it's a form of discrimination to require anyone to have a rectal temp. ....why, because they didn't perform up to grade level academically ? What a crock !! IF you are in fact mentally challenged, or have a disorder that would have prevented you from having an oral temp., then I can understand, but that doesn't sound like the case. There are kids who cannot safely hold a thermometer under their tongue, but your situation wasn't like that.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
whyrectal
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 08:31: am
Simon, I know how you felt. I was told that I needed to get rectal temperatures at the pediatrician because I was a mouth breather. It was common practice to switch kids after their eighth birthday, but I was not switched until my fourteenth birthday. I was so ashamed of what was happening that tears would start to form when I would see the nurse select the stubby bulb thermometer. I knew the difference and when she held that stubby bulb invader up and began shaking it down I began feeling like I was the only one my age still getting his temperature taken up his bottomhole. The tears would form and my eyes would stay fixated on the thermometer as the nurse would shake it down and then dip it in the vaseline. Then she would hold it up to the light one more time all covered in vaseline. I could not stop the tears from beggining to run from my eyes as I realized that the vaseline was to help it slide smoothly up my bottomhole.

The nurse would ask why the tears and I would say that I wanted to be like the other kids my age and get my temperature in my mouth not my bottomhole. The nurse would say something like you get it taken in your bottomhole because you are special then she would ask me to pull down my pants and underpants. Pulling down my pants would fill me with shame and then as I slid down my underpants the shame would usually overflow and I would start crying. The crying almost reinforced that I was not big enough to get the thermometer in my mouth. Once my shame was complete and pants and underpants were down the command was now lay down bottom up. Tears flowing I now would turn over and lay down presenting the nurse my bottom for her taking. She would move over once I was lying flat and I could feel her fingers enter my crack and spread my cheeks apart. Now my shame was thick, while kids younger than me were having a nurse stare at their tonsils and inserting a thermometer in their mouth in other rooms. I was having a nurse stare at my bottomhole. Then came that awful feeling of the thermometer being placed on my botomhole and I knew what was about to happen. Next instant I felt it sliding up my hole and the vaseline squishing in my crack and up the thermometers track inside my bottomhole. This was the peak of my shame feeling something going up a hole that most kids my age only used for stuff coming out. The closing of my crack and the nurse's hand holding the thermometer and gently patting my bottom felt strangely nice but I could not get my mind off the feeling that something was up inside my bottomhole. It was left up there for five minutes but it always seemed to me to be up there forever. Finally I would feel parting of my cheeks again and would realize that now the nurse was staring at my bottomhole which was glistening with vaseline and had a glass rod sticking out of it. More shame.

Slowly she would begin pulling the thermometer from its tight location and I would feel it sliding up leaving a trail of vaseline behind. Once it was completely out I would waste no time in pulling up my underpants and pants. There was still one more moment of shame as I would look over to the nurse and see her holding the stubby bulb thermometer all smeared in vaseline to the light to get the temperature reading. I could never get it out of my mind where that thermometer had just spent the past five minutes. I kept staring thinking that thing was JUST up my bottomhole and the vaseline squishing in my crack and inside my hole was reinforcing that thought. So yes being different was shameful although I am sure looking back now their were other mouth breathers at that practice. The moment when it was happening I thought I was the only one.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
John
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 12:32: pm
I can't understand any of the reasoning behind these circumstances for a rectal temp. What is a "mouth breather," and why would someone's academic performance play a part in this ???? Was the nurse also your teacher !!? If your nose is stuffed up, wouldn't nasal spray fix the problem ? plenty of kids aren't functioning at the same level academically as their classmates. If you were smart enough to write this post, then I don't understand why you wouldn't be capable of holding a thermometer under your tongue. Is there some missing information from either of these posts ?

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Ed
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 10:00: pm
My guess back then it was the standard protocol because the glass thermometer was the only instrument used for taking a kid's temperature. Although there was a trend reversal upon the development of electronic devices, the only thing I can figure out is that for those times when glass thermometers were used, perhaps some medical professionals had their own standards on what conditions to apply a glass rectal thermometer. At least that's all over now.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
whyrectal
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012, 08:50: am
By mouth breather it meant that when breathing normally most people breathe through their nose. In my case as a child I would breathe through my mouth more often. The pediatrician I guess, felt that I would open my mouth to breathe and therefore be unable to keep my mouth closed with the thermometer in it. So therefore he determined it was better to plant the thermometer in my rectum. It was the 1970's and the only thermometers in the office were glass. I hope that helps.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Marianne
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012, 10:50: am
I think the doctor was afraid you would breathe through your mouth - with the result cold air would have rendered the reading useless.
Hugs
Marianne
BTW I also didnt like to have to breathe only through my mouth when I didnt feel well (especially when a cold blocked my nose) - so I asked to do it rectally myself.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Simon
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012, 12:04: pm
I was also hyperactive which got me into alot of trouble at home and at school.I really felt humiliated and wronged about having to get my temperature taken this way especially as I was getting older.And to make matters worse my cousins and older sister always got to watch while they got their temperatures taken orally.I was told to get on the examination table,pull down my pants and lay down on my tummy while they all sat there watching me.Every time I questioned the nurse about why I had to get my temperature taken rectally,she told me that my chart still said to take my temperature rectally.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Tim
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 11:44: am
I've read alot of posts regarding the need to take a rectal temp. because the child was labeled "hyperactive," or "ADD." It really irks me to hear about a kid being labeled by a so-called "expert," and being stereotyped as well. I was a hyperactive kid, was born with ADHD, ADD,or whatever acronym you care to use, and I never once required a rectal temp. past the age of 5, neither at home, nor at the doctor's office. I'm not a special or isolated case. I believe that the majority of kids, ADD, hyperactive, slow-learners, or whatever labels were applied to them, by some insensitive, ignorant, and destructive psychologist, social worker, or other useless "expert," were in reality, perfectly capable of functioning without the need for rectal temps., restraints, or other forms of abuse and discriminatory pracices. That kind of crap really makes my blood boil.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Simon
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 01:42: pm
I do believe that my diagnosis was used as an excuse by that office to take my temperature that way.There were 4 women who worked at the front desk and they always smiled when they saw me,I think because they knew that I would soon be on the examination table waiting for 1 of them to come along and stick a thermometer up my butt.Through the years all 4 of them had taken my temperature that way,so they all knew.I wonder if they ever talked about it.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Kalib
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 04:47: pm
You could not have said it better. There are a lot of medical care associates that were partial to taking a youngster's temperature rectally. As mentioned before the patient has nothing to do but lie down and remain passive while the person pulls his trousers and underwear down and spread his cheeks and insert the thermometer.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Frank
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 04:35: pm
There are different reports from contributers of this forum on the best default age to transition from a rectal to oral temperature at a time when the (mercury-fill, four inch) glass thermometer was used to take a youngster's temperature. This variation is reflected in the medical literature where most authors agreed that five or six years old was the right age to begin placing a glass in the mouth of a youngster, but there were notable exceptions that suggested that a rectal temperature should be mandatory up to the age of ten years old.

It comes down to a question of attitude about taking a youngsters temperature rectally with a glass rectal thermometer. In general, the attitude of the staff of a medical clinic or practice would reflect the attitude of the doctor(s) that operate it. If a doctor would finds taking a youngster's temperature rectally using a glass rectal thermometer appealing in some circumstances, a medical assist would be on staff would also have to share that view. The same situation would apply should there be a bias toward taking a youngster's temperature rectally using a glass rectal thermometer as well. Whatever attribute(s) that that a youngster possesses that triggers a medical associate to choose to plant a glass rectal thermometer in in his rear end, it does insure an absolutely successful conclusion both in terms of capturing an extremely accurate reading and maintaining an intact glass (rectal) thermometer while it is being securely lodged in his rear end by his tight anal opening and its the surroundings in his rectal interior, which in itself would likely generate a great deal of relief to the medical associate.

A youngster objecting about the glass rectal thermometer that is being parked in his rear end and in doing so also expresses a lack of understanding the purpose of being placed in that position, so to speak, might suggest to the medical associate that his lack of comprehension reinforces the declaration that he is unfit to have his temperature taken orally using a glass oral thermometer.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
whyrectal
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 07:52: am
I see people saying they cannot believe this happened that pediatricians would order rectal temperatures for things such as having ADHD or being a mouth breather, but this was the 1970's and early 1980's and the thermometer of choice was glass. Pediatricians also felt that an inaccurate reading could lead to a wrong diagnosis, therefore my breathing through my mouth was considered to be detrimental to getting an accurate reading. I always felt at the time that I could keep my mouth closed and breathe through my nose if asked. I was switched to an oral thermometer at home at the age of eight with no problems, but my pediatrician felt in the office he wanted a guarantee of accuracy and in his mind that was satisfied by having the thermometer lodged securely up inside my rectum.

I was ashamed because I knew that he switched kids at eight and I felt he did not think I was as mature as them. It was a shot at my ego, then when that shot includes having to pull down your pants and underpants and baring your bottom the shame grows. Then turning over and passively presenting your bottom just like the other little boys makes it grow more. Then as a boy feeling the nurse spread my crack and expose what to me was my most private body area was humiliating, but that would soon be topped by feeling something being pushed up inside that private place and feeling it lodged up there for five minutes. I knew most kids my age got to keep that spot private but I was still exposing it like the other little boys. Finally the humiliation of the nurse spreading my cheeks and counting down the last ten seconds before removal was crushing. I always wondered if she thought wow he may be older but he looks just like the other little boys with that thermometer sticking out his rectum. I doubt most were thinking that but I sure thought they were.

So yes times were different and the shame of my pediatrician visits was physically there when it was happening, but they are less about shame and more exciting as memories.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Wayne
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 11:12: am
I found a Voy RT forum that is focused on taking youth rectal temperatures: http://www.voy.com/216950/

I don't know where it came from but it has been around for a while and not used very much.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Yakima Sex Clinic
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 11:59: pm
I think anyone that got there temps taken into their teenage years were very lucky. I'd trade places with you any time!

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Caleb76
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Saturday, February 25, 2012, 05:33: pm
I consider myself a quick learner. When I turned 6, the nurse at my children's clinic was going to try to start taking my temperature orally. My mom was also trying to get me to cooperate by telling me not to bite down on it. It went okay for a couple minutes, then I started rolling it around from side to side between my teeth and the nurse said "WHOA! STOP!". She promptly took it out of my mouth. Next thing I knew, my pants and underwear were pulled down and legs raised, and out came that dreaded vaseline and thermometer with the thick, stubby bulb. Then I suddenly felt the oh so familiar cold invasive discomfort up the butt that had terrorized me for my first 6 years. I cried too. Next time she tried taking it orally I knew damn well to keep my mouth still.
I can also remember vividly the first time my wife wanted to take my rectal temperature. She didn't have to ask me twice because my drawers were down in seconds..I'm a VERY QUICK learner.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Tim
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 01:37: pm
I was around 6, and the nurse gave me an oral temp. I started to talk with the thermometer in my mouth, and she gave me a stern warning....I stopped talking immediately, because I wasn't going to have my temp. taken rectally...no how, no way. I absolutely hated rectal temps. as a kid, and made every effort to switch to oral. The fetish started 20 years after that.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
ben
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 09:25: am
good post tim...i understand, man...it was so intense you didnt want anyone to know...get in touch

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> [> [> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Ed
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 05:43: am
So you hate it, then like it but hate it anyway?

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[> Subject: Re: I was a 'Slow Learner'


Author:
Rob
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: Thursday, March 01, 2012, 02:35: am
I have L.D. too,but that had nothing to do with the way my tempeture was taken. When I was little,I had an over bite,so it was taken rectally. Once my braces came off,it was taken orally.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ VoyUser Login ] Not required to post.
Post a public reply to this message | Go post a new public message
 Note: This forum is moderated -- new posts are not visible until approved.
* HTML allowed in marked fields.
Message subject (required):

Name (required):

  Expression (Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:

Choose Message Icon: [ View Emoticons ]

Note: This forum is moderated -- new posts are not visible until approved.

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.
 The Voy.com User Agreement applies to all visitors.

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2012 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.
[ Search the Rectal Temperature Message Board. ][ Main index ]  [ Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]