remember when I posted about bladder issues...we have an update

[SilentAssassin1642]

I just got back from the urologist and am very upset. I wrote about it on my lj so here's a copy paste.

I am 23 years old and my bladder is leaking, albeit a tiny bit. He's worried not only because of my age but also because of my type 1 and the length of time I have had this stupid disease. He did mention that it *could* be an overactive bladder but normally with that you get a sense of urgency before the er...accidents happen...which I haven't really been getting. Occasionally yes but oh god this is so embarrasing. It's not like full on accidents, rather a teeny leak occasionally and I do need to go to the toilet alot. In cases such as this they want to rule out the more serious stuff first but the urologist is leaning towards the nueropathy angle at the moment. It's going to mean a rather embarrassing and undignified test known as a urodynamic test where they put fibres into your bladder and other places too to measure the pressure in the bladder, how full it gets and then you have to pee into a container to get measurements and stuff. Very undignified, involving catheters and all sorts. I'm not going to lie, I am so scared right now and almost in tears. I don't want to have this stupid test done but I have to if I want answers.

I'm on the verge of a full scale mental breakdown I swear. I am not dealing well with my diabetes right now as it is and my levels aren't where they should be, and if this has all come into play because of that then I will smash my pump into a million pieces. I went onto the pump to stop stuff like this from happening, but it may be that the speed of getting my levels more under control has contributed to this rubbish. I can't deal with it. I forsee myself ending up back on antidepressants...but jesus, if this affects more than just my diabetes I will be devasted. There are questions I need to ask these people like - will I be able to have children with this? If I can't then that's it, I will end up with a full scale breakdown. Dealing with stuff like this is really taking its toll on me and all i want to do is curl up in a dark corner and cry.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Sam, I'm very sorry to hear this my dear, it's no wonder you are feeling so anxious and distressed Do you have a date for the tests yet? I hope that it is soon over and done with and that things are not anywhere near as serious as you fear. Make sure you have a written list of all your questions to take with you and make sure you understand the answers - if possible get someone (OH?) to go along with you.

Please let us know what the outcome is, I will be thinking about you.

 

[novorapidboi26]

My sympathies go out to you............

Make sure you have family and friends around to support you........

 

[SilentAssassin1642]

Hi Sam, I'm very sorry to hear this my dear, it's no wonder you are feeling so anxious and distressed Do you have a date for the tests yet? I hope that it is soon over and done with and that things are not anywhere near as serious as you fear. Make sure you have a written list of all your questions to take with you and make sure you understand the answers - if possible get someone (OH?) to go along with you.

Please let us know what the outcome is, I will be thinking about you.

No date yet, expecting a letter within the next week or so. I honestly hope to God it's not serious, and just an overactive bladder but my mind is going into overdrive right now I'm definitely going to try and take Matt with me, I'll need him to hold my hand as they're doing whatever it is they do.

And I hope an aneasthetic of some kind is involved. I imagine it being rather uncomfortable. Work aren't going to be too happy, especially if it ends up needing an operation (which would be likely in either case it seems)

Thank you though Northerner, good thoughts always appreciated 🙂

I blogged about it on my new dblog http://thepissingevile.blogspot.com/ a rather depressing post it seems. Time to write of happier things on the history blog methinks and get going again on my nanowrimo.

 

[Caroline]

You have my sympathies. Is there someone you can talk to either at the hospital or attached to your GP surgery that might be able to help?

I find stress incontinence when I cough or laugh is quite bad enough and am thankfull for something I can put in place to minimise accidents, but what you are going through is awfull.

The tests may be embaressing, but they are worth it to get the answers you want. Good luck with it and I hope you get everything resolved. You are not alone as many women of all ages have the same problem.

 

[margie]

Hi Sam sorry to hear your news. I think you are caught up in shock of what may be the problem, fear of the test itself and hatred of your diabetes.

You don't sound as if you are in a fit state to be in work. Remember your employers have a duty of care to you and they don't want someone in tears at their desk. I think if I were in your shoes I would call and say I am struggling with what I have been told and that I need time to take it in. I would hope that any compassionate employer would respond to that call by telling me to take the rest of the day off. You may need a while to come to terms with things.

Have a heart to heart with your other half - I am sure he will support you. I think Drs have to tell you the worst case scenario to give you a chance to come to terms with things, but hopefully the tests will reveal its the overactive bladder.

{{{{}}}}

 

[imtrying]

Hi Sam, I'm sorry to hear you need to have those tests, but I am hoping they provide you with more happy news, and that complications can be dismissed as a possibility.

Please do try and keep your levels under control...I imagine that if they're not playing ball, it's not going to help with your bladder problems. I know it's hard, and sometimes it doesn't matter what you do, but just make sure you don't give up. You've come so far going on the pump and getting your levels under control, don't let this set you back...you've still done an amazing job.

Keeping everything crossed for you. *hugs*

 

[Natalie123]

Hi, Sorry to hear about your problems. I read your post and I really feel for you, I am terrified of medical stuff and used to be embarrased by it and often not turn up for tests. I have now realised that I am not alone and do what I can to make things easier.

Some people are willing to put up with uncomfortable tests and get it over with quickly so that they are in and out as quickly as possible and can drive home. I personally, would talk to your doctor and explain how you feel (maybe take a copy of what you posted here so that you can show him / her how much this is worrying you. They can give you as much information about the tests as you want or need, they might be able to prescribe you sedatives or talk to the people doing the tests so that they can give you sedatives or anesetic. Like I said, many people don't want this because it means being in hospital for longer and not being able to drive, but if you want it you must ask!

I will be thinking of you, and wishing you all the best xx

 

[trophywench]

Hi Sam

Sympathies. There's no denying it's an undignified test BUT the hospital know that and are usually very very kind whilst you are undergoing anything like this, holding your hand literally and metaphorically throughout and talking to you to make sure you are calm and as comfy as poss. Please try not to worry bout the catheter etc - because I can assure you unless your urethra is inflamed - and there's absolutely no reason why it would be, your pee isn't causing any pain is it? - you should not even feel it on the way in or out.

Hang onto this thought - a woman's urethra is really very short. Imagine being a bloke!

Plus the hospital should have one or more incontinence advisers who are trained specially to deal with just the problem you've got and one of them should be able to provide some reassurance. If you can't find em on the hospital website, ring the main switchboard and ask.

 

[trophywench]

PS Sorry - don't think you can actually be completely knocked out for this one because you need to be able to eg try to empty your bladder when they ask you to, so the sensors can 'read' where the prob might lie. Is this muscle contracting, is that nerve doing it's job etc

 

[Jennywren]

Hi Sam , sorry to hear you having a terrible time at mo I am actually going through this as mo so i hope this will help , i went in August and started to go through the test which involved me first sitting on like a commode type thing and passing urine into a jug like thing that was wired up to a machine and measured the flow , next i was hyping myself up for the catheter that they was then going to pass fluid into my bladder , but first they had to go through your fluid chart that they ask you to keep for 2 or 3 days before hand , ( you have to measure intake and out take ) this is where she stopped the test because i had been drinking too much tea (yet if this had been advised before hand i would have stopped !!!! )So now i have to go back on the 22nd of November .Sam try not to worry it is a little embarassing but hopefully not as bad as you are worrying about , and also my best advice to you would be dont drink more than a couple of cups of tea a day otherwise they might not perform the test , if theres any other questions i can help you with , just let me know Jenny

 

[Ellie Jones]

Catherlisation (sp) isn't painful just a wried sensation... So very much doubt if they will knock you out..

Bladder problems won't stop anybody having children, just means that when pregnant they will be aspirated as the pressure of the baby laying on the blader builds up..

As I've suffered bladder problems since I was little, drashed by a very serious uti,

Your diabetic control is more likely to put the stoppers on pregnacy..

Perhaps you need to go back to some old fashioned methods of 3 meals and 3 snacks and keeping these to a premeasured amount of carbohydrated also limiting the amount to a smaller amount so that your insulin bolus becomes a bit more perdictable in it's action.. And avoiding surgry things..

As yes pumps do help, but there is no such thing about eating what you want when you are diabetic... At the end of the day keeping to a moderate carb diet, and maintaining a constant carb amount for your meals at a level where you can perdict the insulin action...

I have very good control with my pump, but that's because I know where my limitations lay, and I know if I try to go past these my control would go to pot very quickly.. For me it's 50 carbs in a meal max above this I can't control.. But in the main most of my meals are under 40g this is a blow out meal..

 

[Flutterby]

Hi Sam, really sorry you are having such a horrible time. The good thing is that you are being really brave and taking steps towards getting it all sorted out. You should be proud of yourself for that. Your diabetes is going to be messed up due to all the stress you are feeling so I shouldn't dwell on that too much right now, just do what you know you should be doing and hopefully once these tests are over things should settle down, you will know what you are dealing with and your mind will be easier because some of the anxiety will have eased. I wish you all the best with it and am sure that the hospital staff will be well used to the fears you express. I had a catheter once and it didn't hurt which surprised me - I expect everything to hurt! Take care of yourself, lots of love, Karen.x

 

[AJLang]

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time. I really hope that things get much better for you very soon. Sending lots of hugs

 

[teapot8910]

Sorry to hear this Sam, hopefully writing it all down and getting it out how you are feeling has helped a little. Fingers crossed you won't be kept waiting long for your tests and the results.

Will be thinking of you and sending lots of hugs xx

 

[gail2]

sam im sorry to hear of the issues you are having hunnie am sending you lots of love and hugs

 

[SilentAssassin1642]

Thank you all

We've had lots of tears this evening and I'm sure there'll be more. Poor matt has a very soggy shoulder. I'm sure I'm making something out of nothing, but the doctor has put the idea in my head and its just not going away,

Feeling very drained this evening now and tired so early to bed to face a day at work tomorrow. Thank goodness I have a weeks holiday next week to look forward to.

 

[evedan]

SilentAssassin1642 you are not alone....i am awaiting to hear from the hospital for the same problem!! I also am not looking forward to having the tests done but then i have had 4 children,a hysterectomy,a prolapse repair and now this bladder problem so really i should be cool,calm and collected.((NOT)) 😱

Anyway hope all goes well for you!!!
Take care EVE KEEP 🙂 x x

 

[lucy123]

Sorry to hear this but please please do not worry about the test. I have had the full works in this department and it really does not hurt at all. It would be embarrassing except for the very professional staff who do this every day - and the results are very quickly available.

I am sure once the test is done, you will feel better.🙂

 

[buckmummy]

My eldest daughter had similar problem to you when she was a primary school.She was given tablets that she had to take for a year,not really sure what they were or what they did,all i remember is that the dr at the time mentioning she'd never seen anything like it in a child....not sure if that is any help