(Finally) seeing a urologist... help?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi guys. Finding this forum has been a huge relief. Thank you all for sharing.
I'm 29. I've had on-and-off prostate/urethra issues for about 7 years. They really started after contracting an STD in my early 20s, and though symptoms have improved, they tend to come roaring back at unexpected times.
I'm finally seeing a urologist and I want to know what tests to ask for. I have to be in NYC to use my health insurance, but I've been out of town since the pandemic, so I've been to a number of clinics, a couple of ERs, and corresponding with my PCP via email, and everyone just says "chronic prostatitis" without any real help.
Blood, urine and my PSA all look good. In the last couple months I've been on many rounds of antibiotics (6 weeks of bactrim, azithro, cefixime, doxy, now 6 weeks of ciprofloxacin) and antibiotics always seem to make things better for a while but then symptoms start creeping back in.
About my lifestyle and what I've tried: I'm 29, I am very active and in excellent health. I'm very lean and I eat 85% vegetables and chicken! I've cut out alcohol, caffeine and spicy food. I drink lots of water. I run, I lift weights. These things all seem to help some, but nothing fixes the issue. I've tried masturbating often, and not masturbating at all for long periods. I feel like I've tried everything, and I'm at a loss.
Current symptoms:
- My prostate constantly feels like its inflamed /burning
- I pee very frequently
- Internal pain after ejaculating
- I have to sit down to pee, and sometimes even then, it takes a long time
- Pelvic floor tension
- General urethra irritation (this has never really gone away)
I feel helpless. I'm young, I'm healthy, I eat VERY clean. Why is this happening? Every new doctor I see either tells me I have an STD (it's a pandemic! I'm not seeing anyone!) or they write me a prescription for an antibiotic I've already had, or they just say "change your lifestyle."
Any advice? I'm about to have a televisit with a urologist before likely heading back to NYC to see him for tests. Are there any specific tests or procedures or questions I should ask about? My blood tests, urine tests, and PSA all look great. So I'm really feeling confused.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks again guys. It's such a relief just knowing I'm not crazy and that I'm not alone in all this.
0 likes, 13 replies
Allondon robnyc91
Edited
Hi,
There is a range of tests for STD: some of them are standard and some of them may only be done privately. I suggest you check what the large labs are offering to private customers and ask for these. This way you'll be tested for a wide range of bacteria.
In addition to blood or urine tests, it is advisable to have a prostate excretion test - for this you need to physically see the urologist.
If all tests come clear, you may have a prostate/ bladder ultrasound or go straight for the MRI. At your age you are unlikely to suffer from enlarged prostate, but you may have other changes.
Your symptoms are rather general, though they hint that your muscles may be affected. I am afraid, you may need a long session with the urologist at the clinic, not over the phone.
Good luck.
robnyc91 Allondon
Posted
Thank you. I've had numerous standard STI tests (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trich) but I hadn't considered that it's possible there's a less-tested-for STI bacteria hiding out.
And yes, I definitely plan on in-person tests. The televisit is just to vet the urologist before committing to travel. The last urologist I saw did a urine test, saw everything come up clean, and shrugged. I just want to make sure I've found a doctor who will try to help me before I hop on a plane.
barney34567 robnyc91
Posted
Have you considered prostatitis?
Look into that before your chat with the urologist.
If you think that may explain your symptoms, then list your symptoms with the doctor
and say that it seems to indicate prostatitis, if so, what tests should you have?
Good luck.
pav886 robnyc91
Edited
Hi man,
You should ask for cystocopy (I would focus on it as it can show a lof ot stuff inside - due to your symptoms) and have done MRI / ultrasound.
robnyc91 pav886
Posted
Is a cystoscopy really painful? I had a catheter put in a few years ago when they removed my appendix, and peeing was excruciating for about a week afterwards.
I suppose a week of pain is worthwhile if they get some answers, but I was curious.
pav886 robnyc91
Edited
I won't lie to you. For me it was, even when using a flexible cystoscope. The anesthetic gel didn't help me at all. You need to breathe deep and just go trough it.. I was so happy i've got the reason of all of my problems and a little hope that it will go away.. so far waiting for improvement after bladder neck incision. You can check it in my thread of Bladder Neck Incision.
So in total - do it. If you get an answer.. it is worth to try it. If not - you can focus on other things to check and step by step eliminate each other..
pav886
Edited
ah one more thing. Do not forget to ask for antibiotics after that, just in case. After 1,5day i was ready to go without any pain (im talking about cystoscopy)
vick124105 robnyc91
Edited
Hi Rob
I have had similar symptoms for about 15 years (I'm now 48 years old). I consider my symptoms fairly mild compared to many others but still very irritating. I have constant pain at the base of my penis (prostate pain) that gets worse at times especially after ejaculation. My urine flow is fairly weak and I wake up about 2 times a night to go to the toilet. My urine tests have all come back negative for bacteria, my PSA level is normal and my prostate size is at the higher end of normal at 31ml. I have tried every herb and many pelvic floor exercises but none have helped relieve my symptoms. I had a cystoscopy done in 2019 and my urologist believed I have a bladder neck obstruction and prostatitis. He reckons that the bladder neck obstruction is causing my prostate to be inflamed and recommended I have a Bladder Neck Incision (BNI). I sought a second opinion from another Urologist who agreed. I have booked a BNI for Monday and will let you know how I go. I'm not looking forward to it especially having a catheter but I'm hoping it will relieve me of some of symptoms. So, you are not alone.
robnyc91 vick124105
Edited
Vick, it's so nice to hear from you. Thank you for sharing.
Can I ask, was the cystoscopy painful for you? The catheter was for me. This does sound very similar to what I'm going through.
Best wishes on on the BNI. Please, let me know how it goes! I really hope this helps you, and I'm sorry you've been dealing with this for so long. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
vick124105 robnyc91
Posted
No, I didn't feel the Cystoscopy because I was under general anesthetic. When I woke up I had a catheter and that was painful but bearable and it took me a few days to start peeing properly after they pulled it out. Thanks for your well wishes.
chris555657 vick124105
Posted
Hi Rob,
Just curious to see how you are doing after your BNI? Hope it went well.
I have all of the same symptoms and have an appointment to see a Urologist an a few weeks.
All the Best!
chris555657 vick124105
Posted
Hi Vick,
Just curious to see how you are doing after your BNI? Hope it went well.
I have all of the same symptoms and have an appointment to see a Urologist an a few weeks.
All the Best!
vick124105 chris555657
Posted
Hi Chris
Thanks for asking. I had my BNI about 5 weeks ago. The procedure wasn't as bad as I thought and I quickly began to recover. Within a few days my urine flow had increased in a way I hadn't felt for a long time. However I kept on having pain from the base of my penis to the tip immediately at the end of each time I urinated. It has gradually improved and now the pain is very minimal. Unfortunately, I still feel some prostate pain like I did before the surgery. I'm also still getting up a few times at night to go to the toilet. In sum, flow is improved but everything else is the same as it was before the surgery. My urologist has asked me to give it 3 months to see if the prostate pain improves. I will keep you updated.