Dr. Gott: Trip to one more urologist advised

Dear Dr. Gott: I am soon to be 56 years old. In September 2001, I noticed blood on my (bladder) pad. I have pain on the right side (front, back and side). I have been to two urologists. One thought he saw kidney stones, so I had two surgeries (lithotripsy and laser). Neither changed anything. I was still in pain and still had the blood. I then saw the second urologist. He said I didn’t have stones, but one of the veins on my kidney was calcified. According to him, it was not a cause for the pain and blood. I have seen six doctors since, and they have all (basically) said, “It hasn’t killed you yet, just ignore it.” The pain is intense. Sometimes the blood is black, other times it is red.

I know you get thousands of letters, but if you have any ideas or could help, I would really appreciate it.

I know the pain and blood are symptoms of something.

Dear Reader: Recurring urinary bleeding should not be ignored. You are to be congratulated for your aggressiveness.

I don’t know what testing your doctors ordered, but you certainly need a cystoscopy, during which a urologist uses a fiber-optic tube to examine the lining of your bladder, looking for a growth or polyp.

You also need a urine culture and sensitivity to check for a chronic urinary-tract infection. Perhaps now is the time to find a third urologist who can look at the situation from a new perspective. It would be helpful to have copies of all your previous testing and notes from the other physicians for the new doctor to review during your visit. It should give him or her some insight into what is really going on.

Finally, you need to have a gynecologist follow-up. Uterine bleeding may be mistaken for blood in the urine.

Your concerns are valid. Keep me posted.