Urodynamics Testing
 

Not sure if anyone remembers, but I posted a couple of weeks ago asking about going to a urologist. Thanks to everyone who responded. We went on vacation right after I posted, and I can't remember if I made it back to the original thread or not.

Anyway, I had my appointment with the urologist yesterday. It was just a consult, so I got all nervous for nothing. :rolleyes: He did seem to think that my problems are most likely related to MS, but wants to do tests to make sure. I am waiting for a call back to get set up for urodynamics testing.

Now, on to my question (you knew it was coming, didn't you?:wink:) Who's had it done? Is there pain involved?!?!?!?!?!? Yes, I'm a wimp, especially when it comes to pain in that area. :o

jenn

For me, there was absolutely no pain. I also found it interesting. They do put a numbing gel there before they start. Or at least my uro's office did.

Wishing you the best of luck. It will be fine.

Thanks. I need to find about this numbing gel...I am EXTREMELY sensitive in that area to many chemicals. I hadn't even thought of asking about that.

For me there was only a little pain at the beginning. But I have really, really bad spasms down there, which they did manage to record, lol.

I lucked out on having an awesome tech. She and I traded jokes the whole time, so it made it not too bad and helped me to relax a little.

Best of luck. :hug:

Thank you.

No advice or help on this topic, Jenn~ Just wanted to give you a shout out and say glad to see you back.

Thanks, DM! Nice to see some familiar faces again.

i had it done. it was a bit embarrassing but heck with my breast issues i've gotten over that. remember that the staff are professional and they've done this a million times before.

asking about the topical med is a good idea. without it there's just a bit of initial pain and it goes away quickly. they also put in a rectal tube when i had it done. just to do measurements which i didn't understand.

nothing hurt. the staff were wonderful. very helpful and supportive and my dr was great. it turned out i had a neurogenic bladder related to my MS and was tx'd with detrol with great success.

so, getting the needed info will help you tremendously in the long run.
keep us posted. i wouldn't say you had anything to be nervous about.

I've already been thinking I'm gonna be embarrassed! The night before my consult, I looked up the urologist and saw that he was relatively young, as far as doctors go. I'm so accustomed to seeing dr's who are 20 yrs older than me, and when I saw that the urologist was not too much older than me, I just *knew* he was going to be hot. I know, I know, so not what I should be focused on, but I was. :p

The thing with the topical med is that I'm not sure I can use it b/c of sensitivity issues. Maybe the day I go will be one of my "numb days". :o

Good Luck and strong nerves (for he embarrassment factor). You will survive:o

Like tkrik I thought it was an interesting test. It doesn't hurt and since the tech's do it all day it wasn't embarrasing, I was just another patient. I was more interested in the results and the nurse/tech did give me a hint that there was a problem.

Good luck with your test.

Jim's had it done and survived just fine. They measure your output and things like that. If they do a rectal tube, they didn't on Jim, it's to check your sphincter response. Sometimes the sphincter muscle is the culprit so they check it to be sure. This is what we were told if they needed to do that.

Wishing you well and praying for a good outcome. :hug:

Thank you.

Thank you. I'm sure I'll find it interesting, but it will be hard not to be embarrassed. I think that the person doing it is a woman, so that will help.

Thank you, Sandy. I sometimes have what feels like muscle spasms in the sphincter muscle....I wonder if I should tell them that when I go.

Thanks for the prayers! How is Jim doing?

Jim's doing well. He's still fighting UTI's but overall he's well. His ms is sshhhhhh...quiet. :-)

So glad he's doing well! Hope you are, too.

jenn,

i would disclose the spasms and all your hx.
that will help the staff care for you and make you comfortable.

the staff at my dr's office were so helpful, comforting and professional.
just remember that they have seen bodies for a long time. they won't be embarrassed altho i know how the patient feels.

urodynamics test
 

Hi Jenn. Joined the forum only this morning and stumbled to your site while trying to enter bio on myself, I hope to enter one later but I will take time with question from you. I had procedure over year ago ordered by urologist-administered by young female med tech, I am 50 yr old male and was also very anxious regarding testing procedures. The medical technician doing my test is an angel! She has wisdom beyond her age, professional, and made me feel completely safe. She explained all processes, had gentle humor, and I immediately sensed integrity/honesty about her- which made procedure, that may well have been a horror story for me, turn out easier than trip to dentist. This is a very simple test and I recall her explaining it is easier on females. You will be fine, Jenn, and when you answer their questions- be complete. I have discussed the integrity of my med tech with others, and now have discovered all have this gift, given to them, on loan, by our trust and nature. I will try to find my way back here later. Im not all that internet/chat room saavy, but I am anxious to read all went well for you. Relax.
Rick

Good luck with the testing Jenn. You will do fine. It's not much more than you would have when you go in for your annual pelvic with your GYN. At least, that's how I felt.

Be up front with the tech/urologist about all your symptoms, that's the best way for them to know what's going on and how to treat you. If they don't know what your symptoms are or have been, they are in the dark as what to expect as well. Remember, they are only as good as the knowledge they have about you!

Take care. :hug:

Thank you, NurseNancy. It helps so much to hear how other's feel about their experience with this.

Biorick, first of all, welcome to NeuroTalk! And thank you for your reassurances. I hope to have a tech like you had!!!

Cheryl, thank you!!! :hug: I've been trying to write down all my symptoms so that I can let them know as much as I can when I go for the test.

Hope you're doing well!!!