My Doctor Appt Today--A Non-Event

Thanks, Mimi. I probably do need to step back and wait until I get an actual diagnosis.

When I first got the blood in my urine, I went to the internet and saw that excessive exercise was a possible cause, although perhaps not the most common cause. That's why I waited for 3 weeks before going to the doctor. Once I called the doctor, I got all caught up in the idea of BC, because it seemed like it was either that or kidney stones, and since I don't have pain, well....

Then I visted this forum, which is just excellent in all ways for people who have BC, but since everyone here has BC, you don't get many stories about hematuria that don't turn into BC.

Anyway, thanks for the different perspective. You're right--I need to wait for a diagnosis before just assuming I have it. And I'm so sorry for all your problems--although I'm very happy you don't have BC, it has to be worrying to have the repeated hematuria with no diagnosis. I know the waiting for me is a hard thing--I just want to know what's going on!

Hi Jill
I do not have BC, but I have alot of experience with the Gross Hematuria and the workup for it. At one time I also posted here for some support and information since I was certain that I also had BC. I got alot of good info and alot of support from these fine knowledgeable people and I sometimes pop in just to check on them and see how they are doing.

Now as to my experience. About 18 months ago I had an expisode of gross hematuria on 2 seperate days back to back. Just one episode each day. I went to my family Dr. who did a U/A that did not show any infection or blood. I had 6 more U/A done over the next month and all of them were clear. As a precautionary measure he made me an appointment with a urologist and went ahead and scheduled me for a Renal Ultrasound. The Ultrasound showed that I had a dilated ureter on the left and therefore he wanted me to have a CT Scan done. He said the urologist would want a CT scan anyway when I went to see him. We did the CT scan with and without contrast. The CT Scan was normal except for the fact that I have a Horseshow Kidney are two kidney's that are fused together to make one U shaped kidney. My appointment with the urologist came and I was scheduled for a cysto. My cysto was clear. I watched the whole thing on the TV monitor and I have a very healthy looking bladder! This was all done in July 07.....fast forward to Nov 07..once again a episode of gross hematuria with 1 voiding.A cytology was done and came back negative. I went back to the uro and we scheduled for me to have all of the test repeated in Feb. Feb 08 I had a CT scan with and without contrast, a KUB with and without contrast including post void, a repeat cysto. 2 days after all this I had another 1 time episode of gross hematuria and none since. I have been evaluated by a teaching hospital and I have had a consultaion with the Clevland Clinic. No reason can be found for the sporadic gross hematuria other than it only happens when I have been vigorously exercising and they feel that due to the unusal anatomy of the blood vessels into my kidney that I am experiency some leaking during vigorous excercise.

I am being followed every 6 months with repeat cystos and CT scans and will be for the nex 2 years as a precaution which brings me some peace of mind.

I guess all of this is to say.....try not to diagnose yourself with Bladder Cancer before you know for sure. There are other causes of hematuria both microscopic and gross. Occassionally a cause is never found and you will never know why.

I thought it was weird, too, based upon what I've read here. He does have the cysto scheduled for the 18th, but he said that based upon what they find in the ct scan, the cysto may not be necessary? Not sure what he thinks they may find. The ct scan is on Wednesday, and I hope I find out the results right away.

Blood in the urine would seem like an auto cysto to me what's your Doc thinking here. I guess some Dr's just do things differently. Joe

I had a CT scan and then the cysto but I had other problems with my kidney cancer. Yes they can do a turb and cysto at the same time. I had a tumor removed during an office visit.
Barb

Do they do the TURB and the cysto at the same time? Or can they?