Never ending bladder problems. . . .

There has been some information you left out.  First of all, are you male or female?  I am guessing by your reference of Tom Hanks that you are male.  You say that the physicians have been of no help.  What have they done as far as testing (ie.  cultures, urinalysis, scope of the bladder, biopsy of the bladder, CT)?  What therapy have you tried so far for symptoms.  The fact that this has been going on for ten years means that something is not right.  Are there any underlying medical conditions that you may have?  Have you seen a urologist?  If you are male, have you had a prostate exam?  There is a medication over-the-counter called AZO Standard.  It basically numbs the urinary tract giving relief from painful urination.  It does not cure anything, and turns the urine orange.  It only gives relief until you can see a physician.   I think you need to find a board certified urologist, and explain your symptoms.  There are many possible causes for these symptoms, and a good urologist will find the answers.  If you didn't get results from your physician, see a different one...or go back explaining that your symptoms have not been resolved.  In the mean time, drink six to eight glasses of water each day.  Cranberry juice makes the urine acidic which helps kill off bacteria.

Good answer Julie, thats what I would have told him to do as well. I wish people would tell their gender and approx. age tho, they ask questions, but seldom give enough pertinent information. Leaves alot of guesswork. Glad you picked up on the Tom Hanks analogy, I was still thinking in terms of female, because seldom do you hear of a male with chronic uti's. You're braver then me, I decided to pass this one up because I wasn't  sure about the gender. When asking questions related to things below the waist, people, it makes a big difference whether you are male or female, and a lot of times, how old you are. Give enough information and you are more likely to get your questions answered correctly.

Cj,

Sounds like you are having a myriad of problems. Sorry to hear that. You definitely need to see snother doctor. Although you ARE only 26 that doesn't mean you can't have prostate problems. If your present doctor isn't willing to get to the bottom of it, then you need to find someone who will. Find another doctor, and take all of your records with you, including x-rays, mri's, biopsies, etc.etc. so all of these tests don't have to be repeated again, unless your new doctor feels it's necessary. Your present doctor obviously isn't listening very well, and if he can't find the problem he should have referred you to someone else years ago. If you happen to live near a teaching hospital or a med. center I would suggest going there where you have many brains studying the problem as opossed to one. What one might miss, someone else might see. It sounds as tho you are just wasting your time with this guy. I don't want to scare you, but sometimes doctors over look the obvious or are looking in the wrong direction completely and many people have almost died or suffered serious consequences as a result. You don't want to be one of them. You need a diagnosis and you need treatment, and you need to find someone who can get you on the road to recovery, before something serious developes. I've known of cases where it has taken 10 or 20 doctors before  someone finally puts the puzzle pieces together to come up with a clear picture. There's an old saying in the medical community, "just because it sounds like horses, doesn't mean they are, they could be zebras."

So get going and good luck. It's your body and you deserve an answer, and relief. 

Hi CJ, 

I'm glad that you gave the Tom Hanks analogy...at least I knew you were male.  I think I missed the onset of these problems?  By the way you speak of the physicians you have seen...sounds like you might be in the military.  If that's the case, you might find it difficult to see the specialist of your choice...plus, military physicians tend to do as you described.  (Nothing against you military docs personally, ok)

Typically, the physicians do not start prostrate exams until age 40...unless they suspect something.  You have been through a lot of good testing it sounds like.  I am assuming that you were seen at the time this problem was actually occurring. 

Since you have been seen by a urologist, I think the next step might be a nephrologist.  Make sure he/she is Board Certified...it will tell you usually on yellow pages, or you can call and ask the office.  This just means they have been tested by the state and know their profession well.  If you see "fellowship" by their name, then that is the top of the chain for physicians...more education and testing.  This doesn't necessarily mean that the bedside manner is good, so if you are not given a satisfactory explanation of your condition...be assertive and don't leave until you tell them what you said here..."hang on, the problem's not cured, how can you discharge me?"

At your age, there could be many causes to explain your symptoms (including congenital defects).   If you have not been tested for STD's, you need to rule that out.  Although, since you said the problems began before being sexually active, this is most likely not the cause...wouldn't be a bad idea to get tested anyway.

No matter what suggestions or information you get here, it boils down to finding a good physician who will take the time and make an accurate diagnosis.  Stay away from GP's, and stick to specialists!  Make sure you do take all test results, records, films with you to another physician so he/she can better diagnose your problem.  Make a written list of all symptoms and bring it to your appointment too.  As I said before, you need to be seen during the episode.   If you feel the urge to urinate, and are unable to after 6-8 hours, (or in a lot of pain), be sure and go to your nearest ER.   Keep after them, and don't give up until they give you a satisfactory explanation for your symptoms.  Good Luck!

If you'll recall Tom Hanks in The Green Mile had a kidney stone causing his problem.  I doubt very much you had a kidney stone causing your problem for ten years.  (Although, it is not unheard of.  I had one for many years the doctor monitored [produced no symptoms] until lithotripsy was introduced).  Have you been seen by a Nephrologist who specializes in kidney diseases?  If not, perhaps you should!  He may have the answer and "cure" you are looking to find.  Tell him you have been to many urologists with them not finding a cause or successful treatment and that you have had this problem for a long time.  Be sure to tell him everything you stated here on Yedda regarding symptoms, actions, & reactions.  If you can't talk to doctor about it comfortably print out a copy of this discussion and give it to the doctor.  He needs to know all that is happening to be able to help. Good luck.  --- Citrine1

Hi cj,

Yes, over active bladder is a medical diagnosis.  You might have seen commercials for Detrol LA.  This is one drug given for OAB.  When researching medical conditions on the net, beware of .com sites.  Try .org sites instead.  You may find the same information; for instance, on www.urologyhealth.org as the site you researched.  However, many .com sites are not acknowledged by physicians like the .org sites.  This was found on the site for you:

What is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by a sudden, uncomfortable need to urinate with or without urine leakage usually with daytime and nighttime frequency.

OAB occurs when smooth muscle of the detrusor muscle of the bladder squeezes or contracts more often than normal and at inappropriate times. Instead of staying at rest as urine fills the bladder, the detrusor contracts while the bladder is filling with urine.

This condition is not usually associated with severe pain as you quoted from the Tom Hanks movie, but can be uncomfortable.  If you look up how it is diagnosed, they have done many tests on you already that should have given them a clue.  The cause of OAB is unknown, but urologists do have an idea of underlying conditions that contribute to the symptoms.  These underlying conditions as well as treatment are on the site above.

Hope this helps.