[Sunny0537]

Hi, so I received a letter from a hospital today saying that I have a urinary tract ultrasound examination next week. I am a bit nervous because:

* I had a letter sent by the urologist I saw about a month ago saying that they were thinking about doing a "post-void residual". I look it up and it mentions that I am going to be catheterized. Eeek! I cannot imagine the amount of pain I will be in when they put this plastic tube...up there. However, the letter I received today doesn't mention a post-void residual so I am not sure what's going to be done.

* Obvious one, I don't know what to expect when I get there. I don't know whether they'll want to do a physical examination or just get straight to it. I want to see for myself what my kidneys and urinary tract look like, I have always wanted to see what my insides look like on an ultrasound whenever I have had one but the sonographer (person doing the ultrasound) has always kept telling me to lie back and relax. But I want to see! That probably sounds weird but I am just interested!

* Another obvious one, I am not sure whether anything will be found on ultrasound but I have my suspicions that something may show up. I shouldn't have done it but I have researched my symptoms and they point to either a "neurogenic bladder" or reflux involving the kidney tubes. Well, the first one I mentioned is caused by things like Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and brain tumors. I suspect I could have Parkinson's because I have a tremor in my left hand, but that is it except the bladder issues. Multiple Sclerosis, my mum has but I had an MRI done on my head and nothing came back abnormal. And brain tumors...I very much doubt it. But why??? And will the problems with my bladder be finally solved? I hope so, I really do.

I think I have a terrible case of nerves at the moment and thinking up things that haven't even been considered. But, I guess that's what nerves do.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, Sunny0537, and welcome to Psych Central! I have been catherized a number of times, and it doesn't hurt. I think they have some sort of lubricant on the tube or something like that.

Maybe you can ask the doctor when you go back to see him/her about the results, and if you can see what they found. Folks need to be lying down and still while such an ultrasound is taking place.

Of course, we all tend to think the very worst about diagnoses. But in all likelihood, it won't be anything all that serious. And if there's a problem, then the doctors will know and get you treated. Okay?

[winter4me]

Would it help to sit down with your doc. ahead of time and express your concerns? Don't be afraid to talk about them, and ask questions as you are going through it. If you are really anxious, a little anti-anxiety med. would not hurt. Cath. done right does not hurt. And, usually, as noted above, what we fear is not what is---and, even if it is the "worst", there are still treatments, things to be done, a life to be lived. Take care. & let us know how it turns out.

[SnakeCharmer]

I've had the post-void residual test done at least 8, maybe 10, times, along with full ultrasounds of kidneys, bladder and the entire pelvic cavity. With modern equipment, there's no need for a catheter to test for post-void residual. Post-void residual means any urine left in your bladder after you feel you have completely urinated.

If a person can't empty their bladder all the way, it can lead to urinary incontinence, bladder irritation, urinary frequency, burning -- all the symptoms of infection without infection. The most common reasons for post-void residual in women are hormones and poor pelvic floor muscle tone. In men, it's an enlarged prostate. And impatience in older people. It takes longer to empty your bladder as you get older. When you first think you're done, you're not. People learn that the hard way. There are other reasons for sure, some of them serious, but sometimes the University of Google can scare the living daylights out of us. I'm hoping your test results come back with nothing alarming.

It works like this: They told me to wear comfortable clothes, with no talc or lotions on my torso. They had me take off my top and put on a hospital gown, but I kept my pants and underwear on. Once on the exam table, they had me undo my pants and pull them down to my pubic bone. No private parts were exposed, just the midsection.

They have you drink a lot of water before you come in so that your bladder will be at least partway full. They go over the front and back and both sides with the ultrasound tool, using warm lubricant, with you having to turn this way and that. It does not hurt. If you have low back pain, ask if you can have a pillow under your knees. It helps.

After they've thoroughly imaged you, they have you go to the bathroom and empty your bladder as much as you can. When you get back on the exam table, they ultrasound your bladder again. Just by placing the ultrasound tool over your bladder on your belly, the machine can tell if you still have urine in your bladder. The machine also measures how much in CC's. That takes no time at all. They then look to see if both of your kidneys are properly emptying urine into your bladder. About every 7 seconds one or the other of your kidneys will squirt a little urine into the bladder. On the ultrasound machine this looks like a shower of sparks. Sometimes they have to turn you this way and that in order to get a clear view. And then you're done. The whole test of the entire system takes about 30-45 minutes.

Testing for post-void residual takes about 10 seconds if they have good equipment. If that's all they're looking for, you'll have you pants down and up before you can blink.

When I looked at the screen, all I could see was a haze of light and dark splotches. The only object I could recognize was the large dark blob of my liver and the shower of sparks, which alarmed me no end until the tech explained it was normal urine flow. Unless there's something in there as big as your liver or a baby, it's hard to see it without special training.

I've had this test so many times because I have a disorder that can lead to kidney failure so they check me out regularly. So far, so good. I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[Violet Blue]

SnakeCharmer!

Great post! If I ever need this done I'm coming back to read this!

What other tests have you gone through that might help us ditch our "fear of the unknown" thinking?

I hope SnakeCharmer helps take some of the anxity away, Sunny0537! I also hope all your test results come back with no major problems!

[Perna]

I had that ultrasound when I was in the hospital. There was no way I could see and the procedure be done at the same time, the monitor was behind my head I think and the technician down by my hip, facing me. It wasn't a hard procedure to have done but I cannot empty my bladder so the technician was angry at me and mumbling all the time about not being able to see, etc. and making me feel bad. Not one of my favorite procedures.

[Jinxx_]

Ask the doctor about everything you are worried about.

[Sunny0537]

Hi all, thanks for your replies. I had the ultrasound done and everything has come back clear. Just the transducer on my tummy, that was it. However 2 days before the appointment I had stinging when urinating and I told the woman doing the scan that I had stinging upon urination. She just asked me if I had bleeding at the same time and I said no. But surely taking a urine sample would have helped? No sample was taken!

So what I have done is take a urine sample and stored it in the fridge. It contains blood but there was no stinging. Maybe now the doctors will act on this? I hope so.