Heard something surprising from my uro...

[hiphuray4peas]

So I made another venture to my uro yeshterday...
I had a zillion issues to address, but my PCP recommended that I have a cysto w/ hydro cuz I've never had one.
(I was diagnosed by symptoms, "classic history", and the potassium sensitivty test)
His reply after I mentioned it: Those tests are obsolete now. :confused:
I was surprised to hear it after how much I hear about them.... but he's allegedly one of the best specialists in socal.
I just wanted to comment on that... see what anyone else has to say...
should I get a second opinion from a uro if my PCP really recommends it?Heard something surprising from my uro...

[massagedoula]

My uro also recently stopped doing the hydro unless a patient requests it. She is the leading IC specialist at the University of WA.

When I say recently, I mean she just stopped doing them in the last 3 months! So I think that we will hear more about this as more doctors catch on...

[ICLori]

That's very interesting! I think the IC field is changing so fast. I think that's good - I read on the ICA site that there is a big effort out by a professional organization to get the word out about IC to the public and to doctors. And for the first time ever they have finally gotten IC on conference schedules, in the middle of the day instead of late at night when most doctors won't attend.

So what I'm seeing from this is that the medical community is at long last starting to recognize 1) how common IC really is and 2) how serious it is.

I think we will see a lot of positive changes in the next several years. I'm guessing that will mean changes in treatment, changes in diagnosis, and I sure hope fewer doctors who don't treat IC patients very well.

Blessings,
Lori

[Babs RN]

Peas,
I live in So Cal as well and go to UCLA. If you would like to chat please PM me or email me.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[vm]

Which test is the doc saying is obsolete? The cysto w/ hydro or the ones you already had?

[hiphuray4peas]

He said the cysto w/ hydro was obsolete.... personally they just sound very invasive, agitating, and just plain scary.

[Ginny]

I never heard this but boy I would be very happy to hear that the hydro would become obsolete. Until they come up with something else I can not see the cysto being obsolete. I have one scheduled in a few weeks.

Ginny

[massagedoula]

It was not the cysto--she still does that all the time. It was just the hydro part.

[vm]

There is a movement away from the cysto w/ hydro for some doctors. That is true. Many still do it.

[hiphuray4peas]

He's one of those guys who does more reaserch than treating patient....

[Baba Yaga]

HipHuray,
What does the uro say is the basis for diagnosing IC, in that case?

I was diagnosed on the basis of a hydrodistention and cystoscopy, or so I thought, and came across some literature a few days ago that indeed implied that hydro- may not be conclusive or necessary -- something like that.

[rhea]

My IC was originally diagnosed 16 years ago by biopsy...I am going to see a new uro next month who is suppose to be one of the best in Tampa and that was the first question he asked me...how were you diagnosed...when was your last biopsy..and he wants me to bringt the actual biopsy slides to the apt.

[massagedoula]

I was diagnosed by exclusion. I had a CT scan, urodynamics, cystoscopy, ultrasound, blood tests, urinalyses, etc. There was no other reason for my symptoms. After 9 months they diagnosed me with IC. I have done lots of research myself, and I agree. There truly is nothing else it could have been.

[hiphuray4peas]

Well... with me a combination of the potassium sensitivity test, exclusion, lots of blood and white blood cells in my urine but no bacteria and a perfect example of history.
I was diagnosed on the spot! (After a childhood of having no clue what was going on.... we figure I was born with it or got it sortly after birth)
I think he firmly believes in the PST...
He's one of those guys who thinks he's a God in the IC world tho... maybe he is, or maybe he's stubborn.