In the ongoing saga of my bladder problems, I saw my urologist today for a test to determine if BPH was indeed the source of my problems. The short answer is that is not the cause at all. I have to get a couple of more tests still.
The test today was grueling. It was painful and the outcome was most definitely not what I was hoping for. There was a fair amount of blood from my urethra. It was enough that my urologist was concerned about it. She asked if I was on a blood thinner. I answered in the affirmative. Then she asked which one, and I told her. That seemed to be enough to calm her reaction to the bleeding.
It’s likely now that I am looking at long term catheter usage. For now, while I get the additional tests scheduled and performed, I am doing self-catheterization (CIC or Clean Intermittent Catheterization). This was exactly the outcome I was hoping to avoid. I was definitely praying for an enlarged prostate, because that can be resolved with a low risk surgery.
At this point, the most likely diagnosis is atonic bladder. There are several possible causes, but it is not terribly important what’s causing it. The bottom line is there is no cure, and catheterization of one form or another is the only viable management option. The primary reason for the tests yet to come is to determine why I was having bleeding from my urethra even before today’s test.
I am facing inserting a disposable catheter four times a day for the rest of my life. The other option is a rather invasive surgery to install a permanent catheter through my abdominal wall directly into my bladder. I am not prepared to even consider that option, and the urologist didn’t recommend it. Self-catheterization is her recommendation.
Needless to say, I am not happy about this outcome. But the journey continues.
An Aging Trans Woman 
I am sure sorry. As you say, the journey continues, but this will be a complication in the travel. I hope for the diagnosis and treatment that you are hoping to get.
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At this point, I don’t honestly know if there is a diagnosis and treatment to hope for. This was emotionally deflating, to say the least. I guess the best I can hope for is that the underlying cause isn’t something like Parkinson’s, CNS tumors, or MS.
In my mind, it’s just one more way my autonomic nervous system is failing me. First the heart, now the urinary tract. π€·ββοΈ
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I’d give you the Ad Astra thing (to the stars through difficulty,) but you’re already a star. You don’t need the difficulty, but you still shine through. I’m sorry you have to.
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Thank you Ali. That’s a very sweet thing to say. π
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