Good Docs George...they get it! Ask your uro about the UMMa test which is a urine test which is extremely accurate..you give a sample of the second catch of the day midstream..sorry that was graphic wasn't it? Anyway the serum test is ok but sometimes misses borderline cases. Most hospitals know how to do it. It just never gets ordered for some reason..maybe more expensive. I actually paid for it myself to confirm where i was. That second link i gave you takes you to Norman Labs where it was invented and gives you info on it.
Pat

Thanks so much! I just got back from my Dr. and he did a slew of blood and urine tests. He was specifically looking for B12 and Diabetes.

After I made the Monday appt. He called me and wanted to see me ASAP. He felt that it was a B12 issue, but wants to be sure. Funny enough.. I have an appointment with my Urologist in a month and he scheduled a B12 test as well as the usual array of blood and X Rays.

Again I am pleased at the quick response from my GP. He saved my life through accurate diagnosis, and he got me in on a Friday afternoon. He said he didn't want to wait 3 days.

Thanks you for your quick responses, Pat and Mike. You are great cyber friends.

George

George...have your B 12 checked even if your doctor poo poohs it...Symptoms can vary with even borderline deficiency..i can tell when mine are low because my tongue tingles or itches and my feet tingle. There's a whole ton of subset symptoms that docs never think to attribute to B12.
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/v/vitamin_b12_deficiency/symptoms.htm
Eventually everyone who has had a cystectomy will become defective with this vitamin. They usually do the blood test but a more definitive test is the UMMA test which is urine based ..Mayo does it but not many others order it. They are delightfully ignorant of this deficiency.
http://www.b12.com/
without the terminal ileum we cannot absorb this vitamin with food or an oral vitamin..gotta get the shots. I also take the 5000mg sublingual inbetween..not sure if they work or not but i seem to be on track for the most part.
pat

George,

It could also be the sural nerve or a whole host of other things. This link shows diagnostics and things to check.

Foot numbness

Diabetes may be a risk factor for bladder cancer (slight increase in risk), but not the other way around that I've found any information on.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/420u2vpw14415ru4/

Surgery itself seems to have an impact while recovering because they always check and give insulin, if needed. I'm not diabetic but I was in during my recovery in the hospital. A few months after, I got tested to be sure and there was not a problem.

My surgeon said it's common to have blood sugar out of whack during post-op surgical recovery.

Mike

I may be self diagnosing (that is a bad thing, I know) and I have a Dr. appointment on Monday for a check. but I am wondering about the probability that diabetes could be a side effect of RC? I have had numbness on the outside of both of my feet for about a week now and I am concerned that this may be a sign of the onset of diabetes. I have NEVER had even a small spike in my sugar level and I have NO risk factors for the disease. I have very low cholerestoral levels and low blood pressure and I take no drugs of any sort. For years I have been tested for sugar and never a hint of trouble.

I remember Hox saying that after his surgery he was now a diabetic. Maybe I am concerned about nothing but I am concerned none the less.


George