Need advice

[Sandra]

Hi all have a problem that's gotten out of hand to ridiculous. I started getting acutly ill last Oct, nausea to the point of vommitting, couldn't eat at all for painm in my tummy and bladder infection. Had a scope so my tummy is ok just a motility thing they think. I have been better at least not vommitting anymore but I am getting a bladder infection about every month-2 months, currently I am dealing with #9 sine Oct. I have seen many ER docs as my gp is almost impossible to get into, but i finally saw his intern about 2 weeks ago where they agreed (like the ER docs had been telling me all along..) that I needed a referal to a urologist. It's been two weeks and no calls. Finally today I called the urologists office myself and was told the fax only came in today and that the office is booking Jan/09 appointments.
What do I do? I have pain in my left groin that has bothered me sine 2005 but nothing was found and now is hurts all the time and my bladder feels full and pressure pain, not to mention the burning at times.
Not to be an alarmist but my dad died from bladder cancer and my mom is currently fighting bilateral kidney cancer. The lack of concern on my gp's part is not only infuriating but cruel.
Shall I just drive to a larger city center and just walk into the ER? I have done everything else I can think of to get help with this problem and I'm so tired of feeling yucky and of taking antibiotics. Thanks Sandra

[Linda196]

Sandra, is the urologist's office aware of the length of time you've had symptoms and also of your family history? I think I would let them know all those particulars, and also ask to be placed on the cancellation list (if anyone cancels an appointment, they call that list until they get someone to come in at the last minute). You could also ask if they have another booking schedule for clinic visits rather than the doctor's office, and if it would be possible to be seen sooner in a clinic setting.

[Seeker]

Sandra, I do not want to be an alarmnest but you need to see a urologist as soon a possible.  If it is not cancer then the treatment may be as simple as drinking Cranberry juice 3 times daily.  But the longer you wait the worse it can be.  If it is cancer it can spread to other organs and parts of the body if it is not diagnosed and treated.  The good news is the quicker it is treated the better the easer it is to cure.

Seeker

[Katybarstool]

Sanda, could it be a gyny problem? I had similar infections and pain and it was related to fibroids. The pelvic pain could also be related to hip arthritis. I'm not trying to be a scaremonger, but I had lots of tests that could find nothing wrong after my hysterectomy, and then it became clear it was from my hip.

I hope you get seen soon.

Kathyx

[Sandra]

I really don't have a clue what is going on but perhaps it could be fibroids? I have been menopausal since 2003, auto immune. I will get back to the urologist's office and make things clear but it's real hard to contact as I can only leave a message.
Linda, i did see my rhuemy a bit ago and she said she would refer me if I couln't get a referal from my gp. (But now she's on holidays for a bit until the 8th) I know the urologist at home here is good so I'd rather not travel if I don't have to. But my rhuemy did order a CT of my chest, abdomin and pelvis which I had last Tuesday. Would cancer show up on this scan? I mean for bladder or kidney? I haven't heard anything so I am thinking no news is good news. Thanks for your help Sandra

[Linda196]

Sandra, a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis would show any masses or lesions in the kidneys or bladder, as well as the uterus, ovaries, and the digestive tract, as long as they are large enough to be visualized, and not hidden by folds of tissue or overlying bone (this is not very likely with a CT because it shows a cross section). It won't, however, identify them as specific things like fibroids or cancer, just shapes.

If possible, can you let the department that did the CT know to send copies of the results to the urologist? It may also be worth while mentioning the delay to your rheumy on  the 8th, as she may be able to reconsult the urologist as an urgent request, if your GP did it as a routine.

[Nettie]

Sandra, in addition to the advice from others here, I would suggest that you write a letter to both the Urologist and your GP and that you request in writing an escalated Urologist appointment due to your family history and your symptoms and the length of time you have had your symptoms.  Put all of this in writing.

Lastly, ask them if they cannot get see you immediately that they assist you in finding and seeing another Urologist in a timely fashion.

Additionally, I recommend that if you decide to FAX this to them that you still follow up with a copy via mail that is sent certified and signature required.  Remember that many times your calls are handled by support staff.  A letter sent this way is sure to get your doctor's attention and hopefully a timely appt. for you.

Nettie

[Sandra]

I did it! I fanally got through to someone! I have a clinic appointment set for Oct 2/08 where a scope will be doney the urologist! If that's not great enough I called Kingston and asked that the report of the CT would be helpful too they are sending the urologist a copy!
You know I really don't think there is anything horribly wrong but I am sure sick of feeling horrible anyway. I think the fact that my parents both had bladder and kidney issues and were seen by this doctor, and that sometimes I pass blood made the differance to the receptionist nurse. I sure hope she doen't get into trouble as she said she might...
thanks so much everyone for your support. Sandra

[Scottietottie]

Hi sandra 

I'm so glad the appointment's been brought forward. well done! It still seems a while away - but not as bad as it was. Meanwhile, if things are bad in the meantime - keep heading for ER!

Take care - Scottie