potassium test

[tinker47]

I was wondering, I am going to get a potassium test from my doctor this wek and wondering how reliable are they? thanks

[grace 2]

I can only tell you my experience as I really don't know any statistics. I couldn't tell much difference between the first solution and the potassium solution, neither one was too uncomfortable for me. In fact the thing that bothered me the most was just being cathed. But from my symptoms my doctor still diagnosed me with IC. I did have a cysto/hydro to confirm it. Good luck to you! Grace

[Justalamp]

I didn't notice that much of a difference between the 2 solutions. I had to have a cysto several months later to confirm my IC.

[mallenajolie]

Hi:

I couldn't tell much difference either between the solutions. I did get horrible pain the next day. I had a cysto several months later.

[lisacar]

Hi Tinker,
I had one the beginning of this month, and although originally the doc seemed to lean away from IC, after the potassium test, he decided I DO have IC. I could DEFINITELY feel the difference between the solutions. The nurse who performed the test on me (and that was a surprise in and of itself) used a very small pediatric feeding tube, rather than a regular catheter. I found it A LOT less painful than any urinary catheter I'd experienced (which usually feels as if it's a sharp blade being jammed up me!). The doc told me he uses this soft feeding tube, because he didn't want pain from a catheter affecting the test results.

The urologist felt this was sufficient as test of IC - because I'd had a cytoscopy as an older teen and it was essentially normal. I was also still healing from having my bladder super distended thanks to not being able to pee easily after my gallbladder surgery. I'd just assume pass on the hydrodistention thing.

After the test they used a solution of heparin to calm things down. It did relieve the bulk of the test's discomfort (which was really tolerable), and I had the next 48 hrs to continue to feel a bit sore.

Good luck!

Lisa

[TeaselOne]

I could tell the difference right away; the potassium began burning as soon as they started to instill it- this ended up being about a 15 second test since they stopped as soon as I said "That stings!"

Didn't really hurt after (at least not anymore than I was hurting) as they did a lidocaine instill right away.

Lynne

[Katie14]

There sure seems to be controversy over which tests are needed to diagnose IC which is unfortunate! Some doctors still prefer the hydrodistention, some seem to prefer the PST, and some will diagnose by symptoms alone because neither of the others are 100% accurate. I found this article interesting: http://www.ichelp.com/TreatmentAndSelfHelp/ICAndTheKClSensitivityTest.html

Good luck with the test. I had it and it wasn't bad for me. I did feel like I felt a difference between solutions but it was mild and not outright pain like some experience. I got the calming solution after which took away any discomfort. I hope the day comes soon when IC can be diagnosed by a urine sample or blood test!

[Angeles]

I dodn't feel much difference either. No pain. I had mine last Friday. Sitll, my dr diagnosed me with IC mainly based on a questionaire. I have a mild case of IC that started just afew months ago after my 4th UTI.

[patricia1]

I for sure could tell the difference the minute the potassium was inserted into the bladder. I had been going on over 5 yrs of symptoms when I had it done. Also usually when they do the PST and you have a postive reaction to it they will instill numbing meds into the bladder to help with the pain. I then had a cysto with hydro just to confirm what the PST stated.