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Urine dipsticks
Posted by Sarah on May 18, 2008 at 3:37 pmHi
I have a neobladder (2006), and wondered whether anyone uses urine test sticks to check their urine for further haematuria? I’ve been for several check ups but the clininc doesn’t seem to do routine urine tests, is there a reason not to use test dipsticks on urine stored in a neobladder as opposed to a normal bladder?
Thanks
SarahSarah replied 16 years, 9 months ago 4 Members · 9 Replies -
9 Replies
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Hi Leigh
Thanks for that, it’s reassuring to have someone else’s experience too, I think for the time being I’ll try and get busy with something else! It’s so easy for me to get obsessive about things……
Hope all is going well with you!
Sarah -
Hello Sarah,
I should have read your post properly :P I have chemo brain I think….
I too had trace blood in most of my urine tests and was also told by urologist not to worry.
I hope you find the info you are looking for..
Kind Regards
Leigh
Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & CisplatinumHi Leigh
Thanks for your reply, I have actually been doing my own tests for quite some time now, after the sticks were used when I had a complication a couple of months after my RC (had a lymphocoele that they thought could be a ruptured neobladder).
I had a trace of blood in my urine then, but subsequent cytoscopy and cytology did’t show anything and the urologist looking after me said a trace didn’t mean anything.
I test about once a month and occasionally have seen a trace of blood as the result, and have been checking to see if I could find any information as to the reliability of urine test sticks for testing for microhaematuria in “neobladder urine” given the potential for having bacteria colonisation of the pouch as a “normal”, and I can’t find any! I know there is the potential for false positives caused by bacterial peroxidase and that the ileal neobladder can have bacteria present without the production of white cells in response so a dipstick test would not necessarily show white cells (ie show an infection).
What I guess I am asking anyone who could help if they have any experience of using these sticks and how reliable they are in this situation.
ThanksDear Sarah,
You can make an appointment at your local doctor’s office sometimes even with the nurse on reception to have the dip test.
Just say you think you have a urinary infection.
I have had it done several times since my RC last September in the UK and in Holland.
It gives an instant reading to check for any bacteria or blood in the urine and has alerted my doctor of bacteria present a few times and cipro was then prescribed.
leigh
Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & CisplatinumHi Cynthia
Oh I wish you hadn’t asked that question, it highlights all my insecurities! No, you can’t request additional tests within the NHS, there has to be a clinical reason to do any work other then the schedule drawn up by each Health Authority!
Sarah,
I am two years out from RC with an Indiana Pouch and see my Urologist every six months my Oncologist every four. When I see my Uro they always do cytology but I have never had the dipstick done. But I would imagine from what I have seen even in the US you would find that what, when and if tests are done varies widely. Under the UK system can you ask for additional tests or do they go by guide lines?
Cynthia Kinsella
T2 g3 CIS 8/04
Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
BCG 9/05-1-06
RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
Left Nephrectomy 1/09
President American Bladder Cancer SocietyGuestMay 18, 2008 at 8:11 pmHope someone weighs in Sarah on that issue…i’ve just not heard of it. I’ve noticed the difference in follow up care also…wonder if it hasn’t something to do with a National Health Care System vs. a Private insurer…though the private insurers are getting pickier and pickier over here.
PatHi Pat
Thanks for that, no urinalysis other than cytology (once in two years eek!)has been done. My specific question was whether anyone knows if the dipstick tests are used, ie Multistix from Bayer or something like that?
I am always disappointed when I read the forum to see just how much more thorough your tests are in the US than the UK.GuestMay 18, 2008 at 5:55 pmI’m surprised the clinic does not do routine urinalysis on the neobladder. I don’t know about using dip sticks for blood as this is the first time i’ve seen it come up…but i get a urinalysis about 3 times a year to make sure i’m not harboring any wierd bacteria….(I have an Indiana Pouch but made of same segments as neo)
Pat
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