Uro Visit

**miami-mama** · 09-24-2004, 10:15 AM

Ok, so I went to the urologist yesterday. A really nice man I had seen before when I had kidney stones during my pregnancy. I explained my symptoms to him, bouts of urgency and irritation of my bladder/urethra following a UTI 4 weeks ago. His first reaction was if it didn't bother me that much I could just live with it, which shocked me. I told him I couldn't, that it keeps me up some nights and it's a constant worry. I also told him I had changed my diet which he said to go off of and of course don't be afraid of sex. He is doing a cystoscopy in his office next Thursday though. So after the appointment I tried eating normally. I did take some Prelief which I think seems to help. No problem last night, but today I have some pressure and tingling/burning which I am hoping don't get worse. I don't know what to think. I just know I wish I knew what was wrong and how to fix it or if it can be fixed. This is all taking so long it's frustrating.

**shennan** · 09-24-2004, 12:56 PM

you can always call ic of america (ichelp.org) and ask them for a good uro in miami. if that doc doesn't take you serious, find another one who does.
not all these uro's know or care to know about ic, unfurtunately!

good luck....

shenna

**Rebecca M** · 09-24-2004, 01:12 PM

I know what you mean about the waiting! I got my diagnosis today and there's lots more waiting to do. You know, it wouldn't hurt to eat more IC-friendly until the cystoscopy results came back. It won't hurt anything & if it makes you feel better, then I'd say that's a great thing. I've heard a lot about this prelief- think I may need to gt me some of that! Now the sex part, I guess if it doesn't hurt that's wonderful. But I've read that several IC patients do have pain during sex so good luck with that!
Hang in there. & if you don't get treated right by your doc remember you can get a second opinion.

**XoChelsey03Xo** · 09-24-2004, 07:34 PM

I got my results back the same day of my surgery. However I have a really good uro. If I were you I'd find another uro. Sometimes I think the male uro don't really understand females very well. I hope they find something out for you. Chelsey

**miami-mama** · 09-24-2004, 11:25 PM

I definately will get a second opinion if I feel this dr. isn't going to help. I did contact the IChelp site and got a list of drs. One of them was the son of a dr. I had been to that has since retired. Unfortunately none of those drs. were on my insurance plan. I think you are right too about male urologists not understanding females very well. Do they really think you get your kicks from visiting the dr for nothing? And as far as just living with it, I'd like to see him do it. He's probably never even had a UTI, much less having to live with a constant urge to go to the bathroom.

**shennan** · 09-25-2004, 10:56 AM

try ichelp and ask them for doctors in the next town over from miami. your insurance company should have a list of all the uro's. call them and get all the ones in the town close to you, then call ica back and ask about those doc's/uro's.

don't give up!!

this new guy that you go to, bring him stuff from the ichelp.org and ic-network web page telling all about ic. ask him if he is willing to help you and give you the necessary meds, muscle relaxants, ic therapy, and procedures, etc. diet and just plain old support!!!

sometimes the doctors can be helpful if you show them that they can help you.

good luck.

shenna

***kadi*** · 09-25-2004, 01:31 PM

I think the problem isn't necessarily that male doctors don't get it, it's just that a lot of doctors don't get it & most urologists are male. I've had good & bad treatment from both male and female doctors. I think the most important thing is to learn to be your own advocate, seek out information on both IC and pain management, and to walk away from anyone who does not believe in or know how to treat IC adequately. We are so lucky to have the internet & some really good books ("The IC Survival Guide" & "Managing IC & Overlapping Conditions" are the ones I use most) so that we can learn about newest treatments & speak up for ourselves.

Just saying this because the 2 doctors who have helped me most are both male urologists --they have been both knowledgeable and compassionate. I don't want people to make assumptions based on gender, which may mean not seeing someone who might really help them!

I've fired a number of both male & female doctors in the past 2 years - I'm disenchanted with the medical system overall, but am so grateful for the 3 good doctors (2 male & 1 female) who've helped me get my life back!!!

**XoChelsey03Xo** · 09-26-2004, 03:14 AM

I'd try to find a female uro. Chelsey

***ICNDonna*** · 09-26-2004, 03:57 AM

If your current urologist is scheduling tests, it means that he is moving towards a diagnosis. The cystoscopy is part of the process of ruling out conditions other than IC.

If you've only had symptoms for four weeks, it could still be irritation from the infection you had --- and while it could end up being IC, I think your uro is wise in not immediately scheduling a hospital procedure until he has done some testing.

Both my uro and my primary care physician are men and I couldn't ask for better care from either one. My worst experience with a doctor was with a female!

Donna