Urodynamic test

[football-mom]

So I ended up being referred to a urologist because I complained to my primary that getting up 2, 3, 4 times a night to pee was really getting to me just with the lack of sleep making me more fatigued and making my balance worse. I'm pretty ataxic at night when I'm half asleep, so the fall risk was becoming very real.

I had a bladder scan which showed retention of 8 ounces after I had already voided for the urinalysis.

He wasn't happy about just giving me meds for it without me taking a urodynamic test, but he did give me a one-month supply of Vesicare samples to try and I'm to follow up in one month.

He described the urodynamic test to me and it sounds extremely unpleasant and I just don't think this is a big enough issue to put up with such an invasive test.

Has anyone had one and can tell me your experience with it?

[Justsayyes]

Hello! I would say the test isn't fun, but it isn't horrible. The technician was very compassionate and did everything to insure my comfort.

As I recall she did check for retention again. She then set me up with electrodes in different private areas, which would ultimately show if my nerves were responding normally. Then she filled up my bladder and I was to say when I felt the normal urge to have to go. Turns out I would get that urge very late, my bladder would overfill and then spasm.

We did the fill test a few times to be sure the outcome was the same, and it was. The test definitely confirmed a neurogenic bladder and pinpointed the problem.

That was my experience. I'm not on any meds for this so can't help you there. Best of luck with your decision to have this test or not.

[pennstater]

Due to leakage issues, I also saw a urolgist who did the scan and also a renal ultrasound and urodynamic testing. I was really nervous, but they put me at ease. I think gynecologic exams are worse He was Able to get more information related to cause of retention from it. Good luck.

[Snowdrift]

I've been through it twice. Upside is it's painless. Downside is it is pretty awkward. Upside is it can determine the severity of the problem, which could help prevent bigger problems down the road.

I had a pretty difficult experience the first time; one of the techs was really loud and brusque, and there was radiology and such involved for a couple related tests. I felt pretty freaked out. Second time was much lower-key, just the urodynamics, and much better techs--actually a nurse and a tech. If they are just doing simply the urodynamics, it should be pretty simple.

It is my plan if I ever have to do it again to have a couple hours afterwards to just go do something quietly on my own before going back to work. Felt better to have some time to cope with and get over the intrusiveness of it. But then, I was fine.

Retention isn't really a minor thing. I understand that many people experience it as a painless thing, but I can definitely say that I feel a LOT better in general after resolving my issues of that kind. It's totally worth doing the test, IMO.

[KitOP]

I've had this done more than once and can agree with the others, it's not the most "fun" test you will ever go through, but it's not all that bad.

All aspects of modesty are kind of thrown out the window - but it's done that way for a reason and can give the urologist a much better picture on what's going on.

Good luck with it and hope the Vesicare works for you also.

[Jules A]

I had it done for frequency and like the others said while not my favorite activity not horrible.

[football-mom]

Ugh, I know I should probably do the test, but every time I think about it I feel like throwing myself on the floor kicking and screaming I don't wanna.

[JerryD]

football-mom,
I had the test last week. I told the Urologist that I wasn't expecting the 'Spanish Inquisition' ! The procedure is somewhat painless but it is the most uncomfortable test I ever had to endure ! I haven't had any reports from the doctor, yet. Now that I have had this experience, I don't know that I can do it again.
If you haven't had this procedure, and your urologist is wanting you to have it, I would suggest that you ' buck up' and do it. Good luck

[MSW1963]

'AWKWARD'

pretty well sums up my Urodynamic test experience. Several doc at the medical center were my neighbors, one I dated and it was not a pleasent experience even without what I suspect were a couple of 'lookie-loos'.

The 'contraption' looked medieval to my untrained eyes. A bit of bruised pride and ego, but otherwise it was painless.

[palmtree]

My urologist did mine. He was very skilled so I did not feel any pain or discomfort. I think the test was more traumatic for him that for me.

He had a 750ml beaker to drain out the post void residual. When it started overflowing he started to scream. He yelled to his assistant, "get another beaker and teach her to self-cath!"

My experience with the urologist was kind of frustrating because he put a Foley catheter in for 3 days, then I had to try medication, then physical therapy. It was all so much effort when I ended up self cathing anyway. He wanted to do a surgery on me to install an electronic device but that didn't appeal to me.

If I had known I had MS, I never would have gone through all of that.

[Jules A]

If I had known I had MS, I never would have gone through all of that.

Interesting because my physician said if she didn't know that I had MS she would have explored my neurological deficits after the results of my test.

[Kimba22]

If I had known I had MS, I never would have gone through all of that.

I knew I had MS. What I didn't know was how dangerous urinary retention could be. I had already had my share of periodic UTIs. I'd had more than a few urology consults while hospitalized over the years. Yet, I was still reluctant to add another specialist to my list of doctors.

Then I had urosepsis, TWICE, not too far apart. Both times, it led to other complications. I was very, very sick. MS kicked in and I was left bedridden for many months. All because of what seemed like an 'innocent' UTI. And all because of post void residual urine that just sat there, in my bladder, waiting to cause a UTI. I had urge incontinence, too.

I finally made it too see an urologist. I don't know why I waited so long. While the urodynamic testing was awkward (and I flooded everywhere), everyone was so nice it wasn't as bad an experience as I was expecting. It turned out to be one of the best things I've ever done. I learned how to self-cath. and because of that, haven't had another UTI for almost two years.

Football mom, you have an astute PCP. I only wish now I'd gone sooner ...

Good luck ,

[football-mom]

Okay, y'all have convinced me, so I just called to set up an appointment for the week after Christmas when I'm off from work. If they can squeeze me in then I will do it and if they can't I will let it slide until it becomes a worse problem.

I don't get UTIs though.

[Snowdrift]

UTIs aren't the only problem chronic retention can cause. Good luck with it.

[Kimba22]

Hi football mom,

I'm glad we convinced you and you set up an appointment! I noticed the term "awkward" was used a few times in this thread. But, it's really only awkward for us, this is something urologists and their staff do all the time. A good office should help put you at ease.

UTIs aren't the only problem chronic retention can cause.

So true, Snowdrift.

The reason your PCP wants you evaluated by an urologist is because you have urinary retention. It can cause other complications. This is how it is determined:

"volume < 50 mL is normal; < 100 mL is usually acceptable in patients > 65 but abnormal in younger patients. Other tests (eg, urinalysis, blood tests, ultrasonography, urodynamic testing, cystoscopy, cystography) are done based on clinical findings." http://www.merckmanuals.com/professi...retention.html

8 oz = 236.59 ml. That puts you in the unacceptable range. Even though you haven't had one yet, you are high risk not only for developing UTIs, but also for possibly damaging your bladder and/ or kidneys.

"UTIs. Urine is normally sterile, and the normal flow of urine usually prevents bacteria from infecting the urinary tract. With urinary retention, the abnormal urine flow gives bacteria at the opening of the urethra a chance to infect the urinary tract.

Bladder damage. If the bladder becomes stretched too far or for long periods, the muscles may be permanently damaged and lose their ability to contract.

Kidney damage. In some people, urinary retention causes urine to flow backward in the kidneys. This backward flow, called reflux, may damage or scar the kidneys." http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseas...etention/#sec9

I didn't have UTIs very often, so never considered them a big deal. I learned otherwise, the hard way.

Without knowing it, because of retention, it looks like I've damaged my bladder. I've also have to undergo further testing to see if my kidneys have been damaged.

Like I already said, I wish I'd gone sooner ...

I hope you understand better now why it's important you have this done. I hope can see your urologist the end of next month. If not, I still wouldn't recommend you just wait until it gets worse.

Good luck ,