Will travel anywhere in the world to find a urologist who can help

[xula]

I am 66years old(look much younger).  I have always kept myself in good physical condition.  About 7 years ago I was experiencing bladder infectins followed by thrush, the conditions then changed to spasms and pain in the bladder.  I would have the symptoms of infection but tests would prove there was no bacteria.  I was daily using a trampoline as part of my fitness regime, and noticed once or twice I would loose a few drops of urine.  I had a check up and the urologist suggested a bladder repair which I had. About 2 years later the pain and spasms in the bladder commenced again and were even worse than before.  I did the rounds of Urologists, and each one would try something different but nothing worked.  I then found a Urologist who was helping women with incontinence problems and thought he may be the one to help me.  He said yes he was sure he could slove my problem.  Well 5 operations later and after he had inserted some tapes (not sure how many) I gave up on him and returned to my original urologist.  He referred me to a Gynacologist specialist who also performed 2 operations on me to put right what the last Surgeon had mucked up.  2 years ago I was starting to have one infection after the other, and was referred to another Urologist who said he had to remove one of the tapes that he thought had become infected.  He removed it after digging into a lot of tissue but within 4 days of being in hospital I got sceptecemia and nearly died.  The trauma of this led to 2 years of trying to get my general health back on line, and I went through a period of Panick attacks and having to take anti-depression medication for that.  I am now building my strength up again but the spasms, pain, and infections have continued.  I am told more surgery would possibly render me incontinent and I would hate to have that burden, but I really don't know where to turn now.  I have started seeing an infections specialist to manage the infections better.  Often I am sure I have an infection but a test will show nothing.  I am sexually active and My husband and I have a wonderful sex life, but ofcause all of the problems I have had has made this part of my life very difficult.  Often after intercourse I will have the symptoms of infection but a test will show nothing.  Could it be inflamation (inflammation)?. I do all of the right things like urinating before and after intercourse, I am extremely concious of cleanliness, I eat yoghurt daily etc. How can I get to the bottom of this problem, even on good days I am never without the feeling of wanting to go to the toilet, and it is a terrible situation.  Just want my life back and will go anywhere to find the answer.   Please help    

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I'm not sure that I can offer anything more that the many physicians you have seen in the past.  Certainly the many procedures that you've had can contribute to the symptoms you are experiencing.

One consideration may be interstitial cystitis - which can cause the symptoms if the urine cultures come back negative.  You can evaluate for this using a potassium sensitivity test.  There are some cases of this where treatment may be difficult - but most cases start with a medication known as Elmiron.  

ther considerations to diagnose this would be a cystoscopy and possible biopsy.

You may want to discuss these options with your urologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[prchute]

0

[amt16]

0