Not Diagnosed but have questionsf

JuliaGrant said:

Good Morning! Got in to see

Good Morning! Got in to see the old urologist yesterday afternoon and he said that he doesn't like to send for CT scan because of the amount of radiation that it gives your body. I told him that I really wanted to make sure that I didn't have a mass or anything going on in my kidneys since this has been going on for a little over 2 years now. Sooo, he agreed to send me for one and I go tomorrow morning. It is a CT scan with contrast.

Jan - I don't have a primary doc because I rarely ever go to a doctor and the ones around here won't keep you if you don't come every year. Shoot, when I go in for a colonoscopy they truly can't believe that I don't take any meds on a regular basis.

Thanks everyone for the prayers, kind words, info and support!! Hopefully I should know something tomorrow....

If the CT does show a mass (not likely, but possible, as only 1-3% of the people with blood in urine turn out to have cancer), but if there is no other explanation, that raises the odds.  Do not let this doctor opperate on you if it turns out to be cancer.

JuliaGrant said:

Good Morning! Got in to see

Good Morning! Got in to see the old urologist yesterday afternoon and he said that he doesn't like to send for CT scan because of the amount of radiation that it gives your body. I told him that I really wanted to make sure that I didn't have a mass or anything going on in my kidneys since this has been going on for a little over 2 years now. Sooo, he agreed to send me for one and I go tomorrow morning. It is a CT scan with contrast.

Jan - I don't have a primary doc because I rarely ever go to a doctor and the ones around here won't keep you if you don't come every year. Shoot, when I go in for a colonoscopy they truly can't believe that I don't take any meds on a regular basis.

Thanks everyone for the prayers, kind words, info and support!! Hopefully I should know something tomorrow....

Well good that you are getting a CT and glad you advocated for yourself.

BUT you need a primary doc. If you had one they would've ordered tests and referrals which MDs take more seriously when referral is from a doctor. It is an insurance rule you see a doc at least 1x  a year esp if you are going to get medications/refills. My primary has literally saved my life and is the one I trust 100%. Its a female D.O. thinks outside the box which in my case got me to the best speciaists for many other conditions that were being missed.

Let us know your progress. I always get a written copy of any tests/procedures I have done before I see the MD who ordered it.  If it is serious, you usually hear from the MD right away with a call (usually).

Keep us  informed.

We're here for you!

Jan

I agree with everyone here get a second opinion, I had the same issues doctors telling me it was nothing this went on for almost five years finally I found a doctor who wanted a scan by then it was to late the tumor had spread into another tumor and were to large to save my kidney.  As for could it be somthing else sure but better to get the scan and find out than wait to long and find out the hardway.  Good luck you are in my prayers.

Mark

I'd thought some scant blood in urine was sort of nothing and common. However, I'd also thought visible blood/clots was something potentially serious and should be checked out, particularly if you went from not having it to having it. When I had gross hematuria (visible blood) the first time, I saw a PA. By the time I saw him it had gone away and my urine test showed no blood. He shrugged. I didn't even know it was blood. I just knew my urine had turned bright red. Unfortunately, it happened after a night of heavy drinking (a rare event...it was my 50th birthday and I resorted to a one night return to my college days. Lol) so I let him chalk it up to the heavy drinking or the red velvet martini I'd had the night before.

A year later that gross hematuria returned and this time it lasted a couple of days and was eventually accompanied by kidney-stone like pain (blood clots passing through the urethra evidently). The first doc I saw thought I had a UTI and started me on antibiotics. She also did a culture and blood test. Later when those came back negative for UTI, she was very concerned and suggested I see a urologist. However, in the interim I went to the ER because of the intense pain. I thought I had another kidney stone. I'd almost convinced the ER doc that's what it was. I didn't want to be hospitalized or to be given pain drugs or get a CT, because all of that had been a waste of time when I had my kidney stone (and it cost a lot of money and none of it did any good). Thank God the ER doc did not listen to me and ordered a CT with contrast. They found this 7 cm mass...rest is a long story.

I've no idea all the reasons that can cause gross hematuria. However, I think your doc skipping a CT because of radiation makes him sound damn stupid when the downside risk is undetected kidney cancer. But I never went to medical school, so what do I know. Still, I'd get away from that urologist. He/she just doesn't sound like they are really looking closely into what's going on with you. At the very least you could have an ultrasound, which has no radiation.

I hope you don't have any problem with your kidney. Or it's something small/treatable. If there is a mass, I'd suggest finding a urologic oncologist to get further followup and not stick with this urologist. He seems to be in denial about the risks and symptoms of kidney cancer. You need a good specialist. Urologic oncologists have special training in masses and how to treat them. They often do robotic surgery or use other methods to treat this.

Let us know what happens please. Wishing you well!

Todd