In the 6 1/2 years since I've developed incontinence, I've been to my primary physician, and to the urologist that he recomended. I really like both, and trust them both completely. My primary doc has been treating me for over 20 years now, ever since I got married and met him through my wife. He's very thorough, and cares deeply for all his patients. I don't think I could have a better doc than him.
He also recommended the urologist I go to. He's been very helpful as well, and has tried to find something that would control my bladder problems without resorting to surgery. I've tried catheters, and 3 different drugs, none of which did much good. I've been dealing with this with diapers since it started, and I've gotten used to them, so it's not that big of a deal for me anymore.
I would have been willing to try a few other things that my urologist wanted if it wasn't for the fact that I also have bowel incontinence. Nothing that I've tried has helped with that either, and I have just decided that since I have to use diapers for the bowel issue, I might as well go ahead and use them for the bladder problem too, what's the difference, right?
My urologist understands this too, and has been very supportive. He's been very interested in my case, keeping tabs on me regularly, through my appointments of course. I've gone to him for the occasional UTI, and once a year for a check up. Besides the incontinence, I've an issue with sexual function, and he's been very active in trying to solve that as well. Unfortunately, it's not done any good so far, but he still tries, I've got to give him that.
I just recently had my 5th back surgery this past September 22nd, and I had a horrible, horrible groin pain from it. Nothing would kill the pain, not even the morphine I take. My back surgeon kept telling me it was from pinched nerves, and that it would go away eventually. I was inclined to believe him because it's happened after the other 4 surgeries as well, but just not quite to the extent of pain I was having this time.
Well anyway, my wife wasn't satisfied with that, and she contacted my primary doc, and he prescribed an antibiotic for a UTI just in case, and in about 4 days, the pain was lessening. I went to the urologist afterwards for a more thorough exam, and he sent me for a CT of my groin. Because of the type of pain, and the severity of it, he suspected that it might be something else. Well it was a good thing that I went, because it turned out to be an infection in the epididimus, the tube that runs from the testicle to the urethra. I've had pains in that area ever since I had my vasectomy years ago, and where that doc had done the cutting, I developed some large scarring. evidently, making me more prone to infections there.
So to correct this problem once and for all, I'm going in this coming friday and he's going to cut out all of the scar tissue and clean up the tubes so that it doesn't happen again.
I believe that one of the triggers of these painful episodes is the back surgery. Not directly of course, but because they lay me out on a cold steel table, laying on my balls for hours, crushing them with my own weight. These scarred areas have always been very sensitive to the touch, and I know that laying on them for hours only makes it hurt worse. It just happened that this time I got a UTI from the catheter they used during the surgery on top of the crushing pain. I think that's why my back surgeon didn't think it was a UTI, just the normal crushing pains I get after each surgery.
I know this was somewhat long winded, but maybe the explaination will help someone else with a similar problem. Thanks for letting my speak out.
Rick
_________________ Some people say I have drain bamage because I'm always getting my mords wixed up! But you know dislexics are teople poo!!
And one day when I stop hurting I'll feel better too!
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