Confused on what I have

[Astrotitan]

I have been to several doctors, had all the tests done, ultrasound of the kidney, bladder and prostate. Everything normal except the report stated that the prostate is a little bulky, no calcifications, nothing life threatening. My GP thinks I don't have prostatitis but its BPH because of a PSA of only 1.1. The doctor said that if the prostate was inflamed then the PSA would be higher. Is this true?

The symptoms I have is slight urge to urinate to, at times, moderate urge. There is a discomfort in the penis, the opening to the urethra being slightly red. There is also pain in the abdominal area, let and right of the belly button. If I drink lots of water (3 litres) as the doctor suggested, it seems to make the urge to urinate worse. He also checked the pH of the urine which was 5 and said this is far to acidic so advised me to drink water with an alkalyzer. Sometimes when the bladder is full the urine gushes out ok and most other times its restricted.

One urologist suggested anti-inflammatories to reduce symptoms, but my GP said this can make things worse.

I am booked in for a cystoscope in two weeks to check for strictures and polyps and to check inside the bladder. Is this a straight forward procedure?

Sorry for the long post, just trying to make sense of it all. And sorry about the profile name, couldn't thing of anything so named it after my favorite hobby, Astronomy and my computer name, Titan.

[webslave]

PSA does not correlate well with pain and voiding symptoms, so best ignore that. You are in the early stages of investigation. The cystoscopy (yes, fairly straight forward and a nice money earner for uros too ) will tell more. Come back and report the findings. If the cystoscopy is inconclusive, you are probably one of us!

[MastCells]

Yeah...I'm a tad skeptical about his diagnosis of BPH too.

[Dj Smitty]

i had the cystoscopy...it's nothing to worry about as long as he's using the flex tube and gives you a sedative under the tongue, which makes you feel stoned for about 20 minutes. Just keep really still and calm, because it does hurt quite a bit (only for about 3 seconds) when the scope penetrates the bladder neck and into the bladder. The scope coming out is fine...your first few urinations will feel strange and may be difficult.

It's pretty standard these days. They used to have to knock you out cold. I'm glad I had it done so as to rule out anything major. Good luck.

also, just a question for the veterans here.....is the variation in bladder voiding pressure simply a case of a lazy bladder? I also have the variance in the urge to urinate...when I drink a lot of water, I pee magnificently. Other times it's a bit poor and there's a bit of hesitancy. Nothing like I was two months ago and I'm grateful for that.

[Astrotitan]

Thankyou to all for your advice and info, very helpful. Urologist said that I will knocked out, just in case of a stricture. He said he will try to widen te passage with pressure first, and if this does not do the trick, he will cut an incission to widen (this sounds like "OUCH!!" ).

One thing I forgot to mention, when I ejaculate it not really painful, it just feelss like it is being restricted, colour and odour seem ok, quantity I think is a little diminished.

Will let you all know of the outcome to the cystoscope.

[SickofCP]

My advice, for what it is worth, is to not be knocked out. You need to make sure they are going in with a flexible scope, not rigid. If they are putting you out, then chances are it's rigid.

There's likely no stricture, but do you want to be asleep when the uro decides what you have and then starts tampering? You want to be part of the decision process, and have an opportunity for a second opinion, etc.

I'm not a medical expert, but the above is mostly based on a conversation I had with Dr. Potts of the Cleveland Clinic. She says that the recovery from the rigid scope is longer.

[CppsDad]

One thing I forgot to mention, when I ejaculate it not really painful, it just feelss like it is being restricted, colour and odour seem ok, quantity I think is a little diminished.

What pain do you have when you ejaculate? I was CONVINCED that I had a blockage when ejaculating. The pain in the perineum and behind the testicles was so sharp I didn't think there was any way it could be anything else. But a month of work with my Theracane on the perineal muscles and the sharp pains were gone completely. So can you describe your ejaculatory pain in more detail so we know what you are dealing with?

Mike

[Astrotitan]

Again, thanks for the reply and advice, much appreciated.

There is no sharp pain at all when I ejaculate, just very mild disconfort, clamp like feeling, on penis for a few seconds after but then settles down quickly. The only pain I have is on each side of the belly button, sensitivity in the penis and the constant urge to urinate which varies throughout the day. I am starting to think its stress related.
I've purchased a thera cane and am starting to do some work on the perineum muscle. Its a learning process at the moment to see what works and what doesn't.

I've also noticed that if my urine is acidic it tends to aggravate the feeling to urinate so I am taking ural to settle it down, seems to work a little. I have also noticed that diet definitely has an effect.

[CppsDad]

You definitely want to work on the transverse perineal muscles (the ones right in front of the anus). That helped me a lot.

Also do not discount the effect that abdominal trigger points can play in your pain. Some of my worst trigger points are below the belly button to the left and right. I work my abdomen like a cob of corn with the Theracane, and press pretty darn hard. I get more referred pain from these areas than any other, and it wasn't until I got serious about the external work that I really started to see results. For urinary pain, consider working down by the pubic bone (you have to press hard to get in deep there), as that area seems to affect my urinary symptoms more than any other.

Make sure you also work on your glutteus muscles, hamstrings, and lower back. Those areas can cause pain too.

Lastly, do stretching as well. Reducing trigger points is one treatment course, but stretching and giving your muscles extra blood flow helps tremendously.

I am starting to think its stress related.

When I hear "stress", I start to think "muscles". Muscles affect nerves and soft tissue, and can be the root of a lot of problems. It's all a mind-body thing. You can be as metaphysical as you want about it all, but it comes down to daily stretching, relaxation, and healthy habits. This gets your body working in peak condition, and will no doubt help you.

Mike

[Dj Smitty]

yeah mate, believe me, I was fretting that procedure up and down. As long as your uro is competent and using a FLEX scope, there is no need to go under general anesthetic. My uro initially thought I might have strictures because as a kid, I was kicked in the jewels a few times after slapping girl's asses. One time it was bad that I even discharged a bit of blood. Remarkably, he said my urthera was absolutely fine. He said that he rarely finds serious strictures......they are quite rare and are hardly ever the case for prostatitis.

Insist upon a flex scope....dont' let them use that archaic metal rod! he showed an old one to me and said he will never use one!

[MastCells]

Urologist said that I will knocked out, just in case of a stricture. He said he will try to widen te passage with pressure first, and if this does not do the trick, he will cut an incission to widen (this sounds like "OUCH!!" ).

If he's going to dilate or cut your urethra (if he "thinks" he sees something), he's going to use a rigid cystoscope. Man, do uros love to perform surgery!

See: https://ucpps.men/prostatitis-cystoscopies-and-urethral-strictures

[Astrotitan]

Thanks mj, dj and Mast. I will definitely want to know if the Uro needs to cut anything. Wouldn't want him to slip and get the sack

My symptoms have calmed down a little, sometimes it seems like they are not there, especially at night during sleep. They tend to beaggravated after a bowel movement. Anyone get the same thing happening?

I've purchased a tape on Prostate Health in 90 Days. Makes a great deal of sense what they say - toxins being caught/trapped causing the problems. Before my symtoms started I was waking up with a stiff upper back for a few months. It started nidly and then progressively got worse. The doc told me I needed to exercise.

My dad had similar problems but was diagnosed with arthritis, and he had frequent urination, especially during the night. After just over one year with physio and a change of diet he is 99% better. He has worked out that if he eats too much protein it gives him problems with the water works.

Last time Dad saw his physician, his physician said he was astounded at his recovery and could not tell him what kind of arthritis he had for it to go away.

Sorry for rambling on, but maybe some of this may help.

[MastCells]

My symptoms have calmed down a little, sometimes it seems like they are not there, especially at night during sleep. They tend to be aggravated after a bowel movement. Anyone get the same thing happening?

Yes, that's very common.

Glad to hear your father is doing much better. Good luck with the urologist!

[Astrotitan]

My urologist cancelled my appointment for a cystoscope because they can't get an anethetist so I have been rebooked for January.

I ask which type of cysto they are using and they told me it was the rigid one!!! I've made an appointent to discuss this with him and to see if I can get the flexi one instead.

My urine flow seems to be much better since I've been doing some work on my muscles and my sysmptoms are greatly reduced.

If things keep going this way I might opt out for the cysto. What do you guys think? Should I get one done just to check if for any other problems?

[webslave]

Please read https://ucpps.men/prostatitis-cystoscopies-and-urethral-strictures