Cytoscope question

[save_me]

1) How should I go about choosing a doctor?
2) Can I drive after it's done in the office setting?
3) I have obstructive urinary symptoms, get this test or a retrograde urethrogram?
4) Would a urinary strictue and it's symptoms be made worse by eating or drinking certain foods?

Thanks, Save_me!

[kevin]

Hi save_me,

(1) That's a tough question. The easy way is to ask your GP to recommend someone. If you really want to be fancy about it, you could go on PubMed and see who in your area has any publications in your field of interest. There are also websites that rate doctors. Other ideas? I feel like there has to be a better way.

(2) Probably not a good idea, especially since the doctor might put you on valium beforehand.

(3) Depends on your exact obstructive urinary symptoms. I recall you mentioned dribbling -- what happens if, after urination, you press on your perineum? If urine is accumulating in your urethra, it'll probably come out upon pressing. This would give more information about what test is best. But the question of the best test is best left to a doctor's judgment.

(4) Don't know.

[healthyforlife]

1) Try to go to a big hospital. There may be more than one urologist there. If they have any doubts about your condition, they can discuss with their colleagues. Also, big hospitals tend to have better equipments. Or try calling up your insurance company and see if they have any suggestions.

2) It differs from person to person. It's best if you don't drive. The cysto may make your urethra uncomfortable.

3) Definitely get a cysto. The scope tube has a camera in the front, if there's a stricture, the doctor can see it and he/she can tell you for sure.

4) IMO, maybe, since strictures causes you to not be able to completely get rid of all your urines. The remaining urine may irritate you and what you ate can be in the urine.

Btw, make sure you take antibiotics after your cysto to prevent infections. Your doctor/nurse would prolly tell you this.

Lastly, I'd like to remind you I am not a doctor. The above are just my thoughts, not medical nor professional opinions.

Good luck.

[Astrotitan]

3) I have obstructive urinary symptoms, get this test or a retrograde urethrogram?

Video urodynamics or a cystoscope will reveal this. The later needs to be used by a Uro who has experience. My first uro said everything was ok which turns out to be a load of bull.

4) Would a urinary stricture and it's symptoms be made worse by eating or drinking certain foods?

Yes it will, but can vary from person to person. I find eating to much red meat, spicy foods and caffeine worsens problems. You have to find what effects you and what doesn't.

[LightningTree]

When I was having lots of urethral burning sensations, I found that alcohol made the burning worse.

You are what you eat (and drink) and the stuff in there can definitely affect your body when it is inflamed and unhappy. Some things can help, other things can hurt.

[Sleeper Service]

Just as a note, I had my flexible cysto last Monday and it was no bother at all. It was a five minute procedure and there was only pain twice - once when the lubricating gel was put down the uretha and again when the scope entered the bladder. Both times it was a stinging pain that lasted no more than a few seconds.

Apart from that it stung a bit when I urinated for the next day or so but that's about it. No hassle at all really.

[latte]

Me too, it took about twenty minutes to set up and the procedure was done in about three minutes. I had driven 100 miles to see my uro so I had no choice but to drive home. It was easier than I had planned. It burned for a day or so and I actually felt better after they did it.