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We had a testicular ultrasound on November 11 and our appointment with the eurologist was today.  To be clear, this was with our private insurance and not the VA.  The doctors said that the cyst was benign and non-cancerous.  It hasn't grown in the last few six months, which is good news.  They tested his urine and found nothing unusual so they called it Overactive Bladder Syndrom and gave him a sample of VESicare to see what happens.  As for the night wetting, they said that's normal while on sleeping medicines.  We were disappointed that they didn't test for any more but we'll see what the VA says.  Any thoughts or advice?  We are specifically looking for advice on dealing with the VA!

      Vicky

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Vicky Wells

We had our VA appointment today and they are going to actually going to run some medical tests, unlike Sentera!  They scheduled blood work to rule out diabetes and check his cholesterol levels.  He is also having his urine retested for infections and what not and they've scheduled a radiology appointment to test his bladder.  Something about injecting die into his bladder?  Hopefully more information to follow in the next couple of months as we figure things out.  His PCP doctor is now aware that he wears diapers to bed and is having daytime issues too but he seems afraid of diapers as a solution because "they're for old patients!.  LOL!!  At least he is gonna test for things and he's okay with diapers as a short term solution.  Now we are back to waiting, but ironically December 7th is the date for his lab work.   

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Vicky Wells

Well, the VA doctors have said that he has a Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO) followed with an enlarged prostate. They are thinking that it's a urethral stricture and chronic prostatitis or pre-prostate cancer. Does anyone know about this or have any advice or information?

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Vicky Wells

Vicky,

It sounds like your husband has close to the same problem a lot of older men have with an enlarged prostate. The chronic prostatitis is also common with an enlarge prostate. I currently take medication for my enlarged prostate which has reduced the size. My prostatitis use to be chronic but it has subsided now. The BOO is probably from the enlarge prostate. I'm not sure what they mean by pre-prostate cancer. They should of performed a PSA test. This would be elevated if he is pre-prosate cancer. Check his PSA numbers. If they are steadily increasing each year, a carefull DRE is needed to feel for some lumps. Good Luck!!!! ......Paul Martin

Martin,
Yes, it's common in older men but my hubby is only 28!!!! The pre-cancer was what they called the mass on his prostate. They do seem opposed to anything but pills for the urge incontinence it's causing, but they zombify him.... any thoughts?

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Vicky Wells

Hi Vicky, I am 43 now but have had prostate infections on and off for well over 10 years now, not sure why they keep re-occurring, but they do. I suffer from urge incontinence, which is worse to deal with when the prostatitus flares up for sure. All of it is just not pleasant to deal with, hope he gets some answers and resolve to it all, Puffy

Vicky, If he has a lump on his prostate they need to do a biopsy. Nothing else can find cancer of the prostate. Be aware that even if they do a biopsy there is a 30% chance they would miss it if he has it' If his PSA has gone up by .9 (IE: lets say from 2.0 to 2.9) he is very likely to have cancer. A 2.0 rise means an aggressive cancer. His PSA does not have to be 4.0 or higher to have cancer (my PSA never got above 3.7) After a biopsy they (if it is cancer) will give him a Gleason score, which goes from 2 (Good) to 10 (Very Bad.) Good luck, Papa

Papa,
My husband has to use the VA so it's not the best customer service. They haven't said anything about the mass or about PSA numbers, I just know that that is a strong cause for the mass on his prostate. Basically we are scared and the blood thinner for his excessive night bathroom trips cause a strong reaction, so no quick fixes. They have him on antibiotics and are going to decide if a cystocophy (camera through the urethra?) is needed. So, more waiting......

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Vicky Wells

Wait a minute,.......there are a few of us here that have disabilities and use the VA. Sometimes they are slow to get things done, but no worse than working with any HMO. I can only speak for myself, but I have no complaints regarding any of the care that I receive, (I have 2, or more doc appt's every month), plus they provide me with all my meds, and incon supplies for free.

One thing that I know for certain is that if you have something that is "urgent", you don't have to wait for anything. I recently had an MRI done and I had to wait almost 6 weeks before they could do it just because they are trying to treat so many people. However, I was told the first day I made the appt for the MRI that if my need for the MRI was "urgent", they would get me in right away. That was the longest I've had to wait for anything with the VA. If I have a medical need, I can see my primary care doc, or the doc's assitant within 48 hours, and most the time the same day if needed. My experience with customer service is as good, if not better than any HMO I've experienced, and I DON'T have any co-pays. I can't say that about any private health insurance I have had in the past, and when I think of how much I'm saving by not paying any co-pays, plus all my incon supplies (diapers), I know I'm saving $800 - $1,000, EACH month and that figure does not include the cost of health insurance. I have no complaints,......customer service or anything else.

If you feel your are not receiving timely medical treatment let them know how you feel. I'm sure if there is a medical need, you will receive anything you need in a timely manner.