My Dr. Wants an ultra sound?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Neet

Est. Contributor
Messages
48
Role
  1. Diaper Lover
I've always felt like I used the restroom more often then most others, but recently it's gotten worse and has been interrupting my job and time with my friends. So I went to my Doctor for help. After a quick chat she made a request for blood tests, and an ultra sound.

So should I be concerned at all? The ultra sound seemed like a little much for my current issue...
 
There are 2 reasons why your doctor might want to do an ultrasound: 1) to look for any obvious structural abnormalities (that being said if they don't find any doesn't mean that there aren't any minor structural changes to the bladder/kindey, just that they are minor and can't be seen on ultrasound) and the 2) is to see how your bladder functions (usually this is a pre and post-voiding ultrasound where they will ask you to fill your bladder up as much as possible without having an accident or anything like that and measure the volume and then let you empty your bladder in the toilet and measure the amount of urine left in the bladder afterwards).

Basically, this is just some routine tests to make sure that there isn't a blaring obviously reason for you going more frequently. At this stage, I wouldn't be worried about it.
 
I had an ultra sound when I became incontinent i was no big deal.
 
Thank so much! I really appreciate your replies!
 
Hi!
I'm urgent incontinent to medium incontinent. My doctor made me do a Ultra sound as well and several other test including blood testes. Don't worry is just so he/she can can gather information and to make sure you don't have a serious problem/disease.

Don't hesitate to write us your questions in the thread. :)
 
Right now my biggest concern is what my doctor thinks the issue is. She hasn't told me anything yet besides wanting these tests completed.
 
Ordering tests suggests she has a few thoughts on diagnoses - but hasn't been able to narrow them down far enough for practicable responses. Very likely the list isn't short, running to 15 or 90 possible causes.
 
Ive done this several times. The doc will ask you to void. Then the ultrasound will measure how much urine is left in the bladder. As I understand it, it is purely a test to measure for overflow incontinence.
 
Christophuur said:
Right now my biggest concern is what my doctor thinks the issue is. She hasn't told me anything yet besides wanting these tests completed.

I'm sure there's a reason for the ultra sound, speak to your doctor on the details of what tests are being done and why, it's good to know what's going on
 
Christophuur said:
Right now my biggest concern is what my doctor thinks the issue is. She hasn't told me anything yet besides wanting these tests completed.

Ask her. You have the right to know. Oftentimes doctors order tests more to rule things out than to confirm a suspicion. When my doctor orders a test that has the potential worry me (any imaging test for example where cancer could be the culprit) I just ask, "why are you ordering that test, what do you suspect?".

A lot of times doctors forget that patients worry and that patients associate certain tests with certain diseases.

An ultrasound ordered for urinary issues is most likely looking for post void retention to see how much urine remains in your bladder after urinating. If they were even thinking cancer, a good doc would have already ordered a cystoscopy. I'd honestly not worry too much. Even if a cystoscopy was ordered I wouldn't worry. They're ordered for plenty of reasons besides cancer as well.

Honestly though, if my urinary symptoms were bothering me I'd ask for a referral to a urologyst or just make a urology appointment yourself if you have a PPO style plan. I skipped my primary care doctor and just went right to the specialist.


What you describe really just sounds like run of the mill OAB.
 
There's many things that can cause incontinence. For a doctor to say you might have this or this or this, that would still only be speculation. That's why tests are performed to eliminate other possibilities. Just be patient, let them narrow down the culprits and give you a more accurate diagnosis rather than a guess.
 
The ultrasound is standard. Like the others have said. They will have you pee, then use it to see how much pee might be left over in your bladder. Anywhere from 1 to 30 millaliters is completely normal, more than that can indicate retention.
 
Like almost everyone has said a ultrasound is completely standard (especially if you have any other medical issues that can be playing along). They like to rule out anything they can even if they think it will be a complete long shot (I find one less possibility is always good). They also like to see what your urinary system looks like so they, know how much your bladder can hold for when and if they do a voiding study, or to see if there is something wrong physically (which I do not think is often), or you just have a smaller than average sized bladder (agin I do not think this is often the case).
 
The ultra sound is to see how much urine is left in your bladder after you void. Almost anytime you go to a urologist they will do this. It's common practice.
 
wonder how the OP's test went.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top