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  • No diagnosis after multiple tests

    Posted by GMM on June 1, 2019 at 3:08 am

    I am a 51 year old female. About 5 months ago I noticed what looked like black fibers when urinating. Urine had been darker than usual and sometimes orange first thing in the morning but no visible blood. The color would always become yellow or clear after drinking water so I assumed that it was dehydration. Of course my GP had just retired so I went to Urgent Care where they found trace blood in the urine but no infection. Several days later I went to the ER where I had a Pelvic/Abdominal CT without contrast to detect kidney stones. No abnormalities were detected in the scan. Urine analysis continues to show microscopic blood. Bloodwork was all ok including kidney function. Saw a urologist who performed a cystoscope in the office. Urine was collected during the procedure and tested for cancer cells. Both tests were normal. Urinalysis was positive for 1+ blood, trace glucose, and trace ketones. My new GP tested for diabetes. The A1C1 was negative for diabetes and blood sugar was within normal limits. My urologist recommended follow up in 6 months. I continued to have the black threads in the urine but assumed it was ok due to test results. Today I contacted the urologist again. Just feel like there has to be something since I continue to see the black threads which are probably small blood clots and have had continued microscopic blood in urine without an infection. Also feel like Im having UTI symptoms but know the test will just continue to show that there is no UTI. The urologist recommended a CT Urogram. I will be scheduling that in the near future. Just so frustrated and worried it may be cancer. You have all been through so much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have 2 beautiful little children who I was lucky enough to adopt later in life. They really need me and I am consumed by worry about all of this.

    Alan replied 5 years, 5 months ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Alan

    Member
    June 18, 2019 at 2:24 am

    Good!!! You will look at this in a few months as just a bump in the road. Go on and live the rest of your life. Sometimes what is abnormal is normal for our bodies and doctors do not seem to understand that does happen.


    DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.
  • GMM

    Member
    June 18, 2019 at 2:18 am

    Just wanted to update you. I had my CT Urogram. No abnormalities were identified. I am grateful for that. My urologist will repeat the cystoscope at my next appointment. Hopefully, I will be able to move that up. Once again, I’m grateful for your support.

  • GMM

    Member
    June 2, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    Thank You Alan! Just worried since it has been consistent. Your words are reassuring and appreciated.

  • Alan

    Member
    June 2, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    Chiming in also. Sometimes you simply have to trust your docs. I personally know 2 people that have passed blood over the years with no known cause. Add my wife also that had a bout and did all of your tests AND a retro pyleogram and NOTHING was ever found. That is 30+ years ago.


    DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.
  • GMM

    Member
    June 2, 2019 at 1:57 am

    Thank You! I needed to hear that. I will keep you posted. Thank God for people like you who help so many.

  • sara.anne

    Member
    June 2, 2019 at 1:43 am

    Evidently your cystoscopy did not show anything abnormal. If it had, other tests would have needed to be done before a definitive diagnosis could be made. However, your bladder looked normal. As I said in my previous post, most of the time the presence of blood in the urine (your “black specks) has NOTHING TO DO WITH BLADDER CANCER. Yes, urinary blood can be a symptom of bladder cancer, but more often than not it is NOT bladder cancer.
    You probably do not have bladder cancer, and your doctor is doing everything he can to make sure of that.

    Beware of “Dr. Internet.” Many sites are unreliable, and in addition those that are authoritative may not be easy to understand.

    You will be fine.

    Sara Anne


    Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
    BCG; BCG maintenance
    Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
    Forum Moderator
  • GMM

    Member
    June 2, 2019 at 1:33 am

    Thanks so much for your response! I had the cystoscope 5 months ago and nothing abnormal was seen. Is it likely that something was missed at that time? I thought that cystoscope is a reliable test for finding bladder cancer. After researching the “black specks”in urine on the internet, it seems to be highly suggestive of bladder cancer. If this is the case, I don’t understand why my urologist didn’t order further testing sooner. All that was recommended was a 6 month follow-up. Now I’m afraid that in that time there could be further growth if it is bladder cancer. Just extremely anxious. Thanks for listening!

  • sara.anne

    Member
    June 1, 2019 at 4:06 am

    Sorry that you’re having these problems. Unfortunately urinary blood is one of the most puzzling things that happens to people . Yes it can be a symptom of bladder cancer or multiple other things. In many cases a cause is never determined.

    You are having all the tests that should be done to try to diagnose the situation and eliminate bladder cancer as a cause. Just be grateful if nothing is found!

    Let us know what the CT-urogram shows.

    Sara Anne


    Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
    BCG; BCG maintenance
    Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
    Forum Moderator

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