OK.
I'm scheduled to have a Urethrascope.
It is really the last stone unturned.
I've had it all - from 5 different ultrasounds of my testes & abdomen - to contrast dye (anally) and X-Rays, CT Scan - you guys know the routine.
So much bloodwork - prostate exams - etc.
My Urologist says I have the prostate size of a 20 year old.
My bloodwork & urine always come back completely fine.
I was on the Antibiotic cocktail injections - and they had me on Levaquin for over 1 year.
The Urethrascope was a suggestion by my Doctor - he said "the only thing I can think of being a possibility is that you have some scarring in your Urethra - and my guess is that there is none".
He said "I would say there is a 99.9% chance that we'd find zero evidence of any scarring - but - it's the only way we've not violated you Joe".
My Doc (has a slightly off color sense of humor - which I like) and is not hip to "A Headache In The Pelvis" - but did say to me over a year ago that he thinks this may be related to my high paced lifestyle and Anxiety Disorder.
Back then I was a little offended that he said that - because I interpreted it as him saying this is all in my head.
Anyhow - this is my question to everyone.
Should I go for the test?
My Wife and Best Pal both say no way - they've seen me go from pure agony - gobbling opiates - to weaning down to 1/4 of the pain killers I'm on - and able to sit a little bit (for a year all I could do was walk, stand or lie down - sitting at all was just way too painful)- they say my face is even different now.
I've been utilizing the Broccoli Therapy, RSA Breathing, Meditating, taking daily hot baths, and just really trying to live "down-low instead of up-tight" as they say.
I'm even having less painful sex again...although it is far from painless...but improvement is improvement!
I'll take any improvement I can get.
My Wife's theory is that I should avoid the test because (1. I'm nervous about it and that is contradictory to where I need to be to create a relaxed pelvis (2. just as I'm calming down, down there - I'm going to go for this highly irritating test, re-aggravate my pelvis and possibly start from scratch. 3). this test carries a slight risk of infection and possible scarring in and of itself (according to my research).
My thinking was that this would give me peace of mind - knowing I did everything medically possible and that I could finally put to bed any notions once and for all that this could be something other than CPPS.
But, how does everyone feel about my Wife's re-irritation theory in comparison to my peace of mind theory?
Thanks...
Joseph
To Test Or Not To Test (fellow feedback request)
-
JoVoChicago
- Experienced
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:17 am
- Location: Chicago Illinois
To Test Or Not To Test (fellow feedback request)
Age:46 | Onset Age:42 (first occurence Age 17). | Symptoms: A belt of pain that wraps around my waist radiating down my groin & into testicles. Also: Radiating from hips down thighs, Urinary urgency even after voiding, lightning bolts of pain that shoot through my rectum, penis & perineum, muscle spasms in my bottocks, fear of sexual arousal or erection. | Helped By: Hot Water Therapy, RSA Breathing, Pacing more than sitting, Avoiding Negative People, Painting & Writing, Painkillers. | Worsened By: Wearing Pants, Anger, Panic, Depression, Stress, Vigorous Sex, Prolonged Sitting, Constipation, Abrupt Movements, Lifting/Carrying anything more than a Gallon of Milk, Forgetting to do the above things I'm helped by. *Ejaculation is a Mixed bag: It definitely relieves pressure & pain in my Abdomen (as well as a good emotional release) - But, causes bigtime burning in my penis & perineum for 10-45 minutes after.
-
Jay
- Retired Mod
- Posts: 745
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:28 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: To Test Or Not To Test (fellow feedback request)
Heya,
I really can't offer you direction on what to do, not being a doctor and lacking the knowledge besides. However, it sounds like your urologist believes this is unnecessary, and that he's just offering the test for the sake of completeness.
If I were in your shoes, and I were starting to feel better, I'd take that into consideration when next discussing things with him. Just ask him flat out, is this worth his time and your pain/money, or is it a crapshoot at best?
Best,
Jay
I really can't offer you direction on what to do, not being a doctor and lacking the knowledge besides. However, it sounds like your urologist believes this is unnecessary, and that he's just offering the test for the sake of completeness.
If I were in your shoes, and I were starting to feel better, I'd take that into consideration when next discussing things with him. Just ask him flat out, is this worth his time and your pain/money, or is it a crapshoot at best?
Best,
Jay
I am not a physician. This is not medical advice. Consult your doctor!
Age: 26 Onset Age: 17 Symptoms: Shooting, nerve-like pains throughout the penis, which abruptly hit and leave. Testicular pain, perineum pain, burning/irritative urination, extended pain after ejaculation. Occasionally, some allodynia or ache in the coccyx/sacrum/thigh/buttocks/legs. Diagnosis: Pelvic floor dysfunction, degenerated lumbar disk, and mildly herniated lumbar disk. Helped By: Physical therapy, pain management doctor, hot baths, therapy pool, stretching regimen, breathing exercises, relaxation, distraction. Worsened By: Arousal/ejaculation (worst), constipation, panicking/obsessing, other triggers depend upon current symptoms. Tests/Prior Treatments: Too many antibiotics to count, multiple urine tests (all normal), testicular ultrasound (normal), bladder and renal ultrasound (normal), lumbar and pelvic MRI with and w/o contrast (revealed disk problems), Elavil 25mg (caused retention), Flomax 0.4mg.
Age: 26 Onset Age: 17 Symptoms: Shooting, nerve-like pains throughout the penis, which abruptly hit and leave. Testicular pain, perineum pain, burning/irritative urination, extended pain after ejaculation. Occasionally, some allodynia or ache in the coccyx/sacrum/thigh/buttocks/legs. Diagnosis: Pelvic floor dysfunction, degenerated lumbar disk, and mildly herniated lumbar disk. Helped By: Physical therapy, pain management doctor, hot baths, therapy pool, stretching regimen, breathing exercises, relaxation, distraction. Worsened By: Arousal/ejaculation (worst), constipation, panicking/obsessing, other triggers depend upon current symptoms. Tests/Prior Treatments: Too many antibiotics to count, multiple urine tests (all normal), testicular ultrasound (normal), bladder and renal ultrasound (normal), lumbar and pelvic MRI with and w/o contrast (revealed disk problems), Elavil 25mg (caused retention), Flomax 0.4mg.
-
graeme
- Old Hand
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:42 pm
- Location: Birmingham uk
Re: To Test Or Not To Test (fellow feedback request)
I would not bother, waste of time if your doc says 99.9% and your symptoms are classic . 
Age:33 | Onset Age:19 | Symptoms:burning urethra, deep sore stinging around the perineum, dribbling | Helped By:when flare starts deep relaxing over a toilet to let out dribbling urine, hot bath, rubbing a heat cream on the perineum, Tens with a pad on the perineum, running, medication (solpadol) for pain. Current treatment: PT. | Worsened By:sitting, stressing over it, ejaculation, sometimes alcohol but I risk it. Been feeling a lot better last 6 months about 85% with a few flares lasting about 5 days. No longer having PT. Stretching every other night and I believe time is also a big factor for me
-
JoVoChicago
- Experienced
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:17 am
- Location: Chicago Illinois
Re: To Test Or Not To Test (fellow feedback request)
Thanks Graeme & Jay,
Not one person I've spoken to feels I really need this test - my Doc offered it to me - as you said - just for completeness.
You see - I have copies of all of my test results - in plastic sleeves in a folder and when I get panicked over this and begin thinking catastrophic thoughts (ie: I have cancer, I have stones, my bladder/kidney is going to burst, etc) - I look at my test results and calm myself down...
I thought that perhaps when I get that burning, urgent, itching feeling in my penis - it would help to know that - I had it checked out and my pipes are clean.
But, yeah - there is no real indication that I have anything wrong in there.
My Doc said - "If you had a growth of any kind in there - it wouldn't come and go - it would be constant and getting worse".
I wish I would have gotten more feedback on this.
Thank you,
Joseph
Not one person I've spoken to feels I really need this test - my Doc offered it to me - as you said - just for completeness.
You see - I have copies of all of my test results - in plastic sleeves in a folder and when I get panicked over this and begin thinking catastrophic thoughts (ie: I have cancer, I have stones, my bladder/kidney is going to burst, etc) - I look at my test results and calm myself down...
I thought that perhaps when I get that burning, urgent, itching feeling in my penis - it would help to know that - I had it checked out and my pipes are clean.
But, yeah - there is no real indication that I have anything wrong in there.
My Doc said - "If you had a growth of any kind in there - it wouldn't come and go - it would be constant and getting worse".
I wish I would have gotten more feedback on this.
Thank you,
Joseph
Age:46 | Onset Age:42 (first occurence Age 17). | Symptoms: A belt of pain that wraps around my waist radiating down my groin & into testicles. Also: Radiating from hips down thighs, Urinary urgency even after voiding, lightning bolts of pain that shoot through my rectum, penis & perineum, muscle spasms in my bottocks, fear of sexual arousal or erection. | Helped By: Hot Water Therapy, RSA Breathing, Pacing more than sitting, Avoiding Negative People, Painting & Writing, Painkillers. | Worsened By: Wearing Pants, Anger, Panic, Depression, Stress, Vigorous Sex, Prolonged Sitting, Constipation, Abrupt Movements, Lifting/Carrying anything more than a Gallon of Milk, Forgetting to do the above things I'm helped by. *Ejaculation is a Mixed bag: It definitely relieves pressure & pain in my Abdomen (as well as a good emotional release) - But, causes bigtime burning in my penis & perineum for 10-45 minutes after.
-
pminturn
- Beginner
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:26 am
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: To Test Or Not To Test (fellow feedback request)
I had this procedure done this last September. My bladder looked fine. My uro did find a urethral stricture.
Age: 31 | Onset Age: 25 for pain, 28 for urinary symptoms | Symptoms: right suprapubic pain (intermittent) radiating into right testicle and lower right back, frequent and urgent urination, sitting on golf ball feeling | Helped By: stretching, moment-to-moment relaxation | Worsened By: anxiety, stress, being on my feet for too long